Stag Bachelor Party Planning

It’s a big day in your life, and your best friends life. His wedding day is here, and he’s chosen you to be his best man. To stand by his side as he says his vows, and then at the reception to say some kind words about your relationship, and his new life to come. That’s the nervous part, walking down the isle with a bridesmaid, standing in front of the crowd at the wedding there really isn’t any pressure how ever once you’re at the reception, and all eyes are on you as you make your Best Man’s speech things can get a little nerve racking. Here are three simple tips you should pay attention to when you’re preparing to write your speech before the wedding day.

Plan Your Speech

Don’t get up in front of the crowd at the reception and attempt to make up the words on the go. You can’t realize what feelings you’ll have on this day or at that moment until it happens. So take some time before the wedding day and at a minimum jot down some notes of points you’d like to make. If you work better with writing out the entire speech before hand do so. But pay special attention to our next point if you do choose to do so.

Practice Practice Practice

If you’re reasonably good with talking from a list of points, then this probably isn’t as important to you. While you should rehearse what you’re going to say ahead of time, this particular point is very important for those that choose to write their entire best man speech ahead of time.

A wedding reception isn’t the time you want to be standing at a podium staring down at a piece of paper and reading your speech. Practicing in front of your mirror at home will help ensure that you maintain eye contact with the groom and the other people in the room at the reception. Practicing how you’ll read, where you will place emphasis with your tone and words and when crack a quick one liner are all important aspects you should take care in preparing before hand.

Choose your words carefully

While you and your best bud might have some great memories, take care in what ones you choose to share during your best man speech. A wedding is a family ordeal, and there will be people of all ages there so choosing your words, one liners, and language carefully will be important to ensure your speech is family friendly.

Remember this is your best friends most important day. You will remember this speech for the rest of your life so ensuring you nail it should be a top priority. There are sample best man speeches and toasts you can get online to give you a blueprint to work from, as well as good ideas to incorporate into your speech. We all want to make the greatest impression with our words, and leave a memorable mark on the day. So take the time to plan something special, and present it with professionally. Follow these simple tips and you’ll be a hit.

The modern wedding is far more flexible, nowadays, in regard to who will be speaking and conducting the toasts. For this reason it is extremely important that you discuss, with the Bride and Groom, the format before you start to prepare your best man speech. That said the best man speech structure that I present here is suitable for most types of weddings. Follow this and it will provide good insight into what is expected of you and allow you to focus your speech preparation and research.

The following structure is not intended to be rigid and should not be interpreted as such. Obviously some sections you should consider as mandatory, such as “Open the speech”, whilst others are not. Additionally there is no reason why you cannot reorder some of the sections.

Open the speech

Typically you would open the speech by introducing yourself and, perhaps, mention your relationship with the Groom. It is vital that you start confidently to ensure you gain the full attention of the guests.

Give thanks to others

Take a brief moment to thank key participants, such as the Ushers and Pageboy. Other people to thank may be friends and family that have assisted with the wedding preparation.

Unsettle the Groom

Promise the guests that you have some embarrassing stories about the Groom to follow. You can go over the top here, unsettling the Groom doesn’t really mean you are going to reveal all!

Give thanks on behalf of the Bridesmaids

If the Groom has commented on the Bridesmaids or presented gifts then it is customary to thank him, on their behalf. This part is important so don’t forget it!

Congratulate the wedding couple

Make it sincere and keep it brief. The couple have probably been congratulated non-stop since leaving the church. Nonetheless you will also want to formally congratulate them, so this is your opportunity.

Admire the Bride

Remember this is her big day so keep it sincere. There is no reason why you can’t have a little dig at the Groom, at this point, though! For instance you could mention how lovely she looks and feign surprise at her agreeing to marry the Groom.

Put in some humorous anecdotes

This is the point where you can recall stories about the Groom, usually recalling some of the antics that you both got up to in the past. You can also recall some stories here about the Bride and Groom’s relationship, including how they met.

Ridicule the Groom

Time for the character assassination! Remember, though, don’t go over the top and particularly don’t mention his past relationships.

Get serious

This is the part where you can add some personal sincerity. You could mention how proud you are to be the Best Man, include some praise for the Groom and perhaps mention your relationship.

Offer some advice

You can add your own thoughts on marriage to both the Bride and Groom. Typically this would be light hearted and humorous, but can also be sincere.

Read some messages

Read some messages from absentees, some humorous spoof messages, include a famous quote or perhaps a poem.

Close the speech

It’s time to wind up your speech. You could mention how relieved you are that it is nearly over and reiterate some thanks and how proud you are. Also if there are any announcements that need to be made then make them now.

Propose a toast

Finish with a toast to the Bride and Groom.

If you include all of these sections, from the best man speech structure presented, then you can be confident of giving a funny best man speech that ticks all of the right boxes in regard to etiquette. Remember, though, to research properly to ensure you set the correct speech tone. The Groom and your friends may think it funny if you mention some of the skeletons in his closet but some of the other guests may not!

For suggestions for your best man speech see best man speech material and best man speech templates, available at WeddingSpeechMatters.com. This site contains a database of categorized best man speech material grouped by the structure presented in this article and information and guidance on how to prepare and deliver a best man speech.