Best Man Speech structure

So you’re going to be a Best Man? It’s a huge honour, a great experience, and to many people… a disaster! Writing your Best Man speech can be a very daunting task. There are many rights and wrongs, with everyone having a different opinion on how to do it.

However – below is a tried and tested structure for your Best Man speech. Follow this guide, add in your own stories, and it will make the job so much easier!

Step 1 – The introduction

Start your Best Man speech by announcing yourself to the room; tell the audience who you are, why you’re there – and also how you know the Groom. Did you meet at school, college or work? Where did your friendship start? Talk about who the Groom was when you met him – probably not the honourable and respectable character he is now!

Step 2 – The Groom’s life

What has the Groom done since you’ve met him? Did he go to university? Where has he worked, what jobs has he done? Think about this – there will be lots of material that you can get from ex university friends or colleagues. Maybe he embarrassed himself at a party, had a terrible job that he was no good at, or made a fool of himself in work? Once you start to ask people about the groom, you’ll be inundated with stories!

Step 3 – The Groom’s views on life… the man behind the front…

Often, people think they know someone… but do they really? Your guests may know that the Groom is called John, and that he’s a fireman and he’s marrying Helen. But do they know what sport he enjoys? How is his cooking? Is he tidy or messy? Aside from his life in the past, talk about what sort of person the Groom is now. Everyone has a hobby or interest that can be turned into a joke of some sort for your speech!

Step 4 – The meeting…

Yes – enough of the Groom thanks very much! Your Best Man speech is all about the Bride & Groom, so now talk about how your best friend met his wife to be. Who made the first move? Was he romantic at all? There’s usually a funny story about how the meeting came about!

Step 5 – About their relationship…

Your Best Man speech should now move on to the wedding couple. Talk about the sort of relationship they have, what they’ve done together, any funny or embarrassing incidents that’s happened to them as a couple. A great Best Man speech is all about this – making jokes directed at the Groom, but including his new wife in them wherever possible (although not making fun of her!!)

Step 6 – The wind up

You’ve delivered a well structured, funny Best Man speech. Now you have to bring it to a close. Congratulate your friend and his new wife on their marriage, tell them how special they are to you, and if you wish – provide any advice on a happy marriage to them.

Step 7 – Let’s toast!

End your Best Man speech by thanking everyone for their attention, and then ask them to raise a toast to the new couple. If required, you may also toast the bridesmaids at this point (before you toast the Bride and Groom). In a Best Man speech, it’s usually a 50/50 split as to whether you mention the Bridesmaids or not. It’s the Bride & Groom’s choice.

Step 8 – You did it!

And that’s it! Sit down, enjoy your champagne and have a great night ahead! You’ve earned it!

For more tips on a personal Best Man speech, please visit our site at