Seven Tips for Giving Best Man Speeches
By Antoinette Boulay
Best man speeches are a very important part of a wedding. The best man usually
gives a toast at the start of the reception to honor the bride and the groom. Many
best men stress out a great deal about writing the toast while others simply rely on
their instincts and speak from the heart on the day of the wedding. In either
approach best man speeches are often difficult to compose which is why many
best men find the situation to be so stressful. This article will provide tips for giving
a memorable toast at a wedding.
1. First of all best man speeches should be written a few weeks before the
wedding day. This is important because best men who wait until the last minute
may be stressed and may have difficulty writing anything. Planning ahead gives
the best man time to write the speech and rewrite or edit it as needed.
2. Best man speeches should avoid embarrassing anecdotes. Although these
stories are popular fodder for television and movies, most wedding toasts do not
include stories of debauchery or earlier transgressions. Inclusion of crude or
vulgar references in a wedding toast is considered to be in bad taste because it
may be offensive to those in attendance. Weddings are usually attended by older
relatives of both the bride and the groom. These relatives will not likely appreciate
this type of humor.
3. Similarly best man speeches should not include inside jokes which will not be
understood by the majority of guests at the wedding. Although these little jokes
may be quite funny to the couple, the best man and a few guests, most guests will
likely not understand the joke. This can create an awkward situation because the
guests will not know why a few guests are laughing so uproariously.
4. Keeping best man speeches short and simple is also recommended. Many best
men make the mistake of thinking the toast has to be long but this isn’t true. Some
of the most memorable toasts are quick and to the point. This is important
because the guests will not become confused or lose track of the point being
made by the best man.
5. Using common language is also recommended when giving best man
speeches. A best man who attempts to use unfamiliar words may be
uncomfortable and their discomfort will not translate well to the other guests.
6. Seeking outside advice when writing best man speeches can be very helpful.
The best man may wish to recite the speech or toast for an audience before the
wedding day to ensure everything comes out as he planned. Friends of the bride
and groom or the parents of the couple are good resources for this practice
speech. They make a good audience because they know the couple well and can
provide insight into how the speech will be received.
7. The best man should also practice reciting the speech several more times
before the wedding. The trial run with others is helpful but practicing in front of a
mirror or a camcorder will allow the best man to determine how well the speech
sounds. Best man speeches should sound natural and not over rehearsed but
repeating the words out loud a few times will help the best man to deliver the toast
smoothly on the day of the wedding.
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