Best man speech...
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- josimarX
I'm doing a speech for my bro's wedding (as best man) in about 10 days and as I'm beginning to panic ever so slightly I thought I'd ask the good people of NT for advice, stories, hilarious and universal anecdotes and any other help you can give me without making me panic even more and crying.
Please note, Chossy – I aint interested in your advice because you never laughed earlier on when i tried out my opening para on you. And, err, 'asliceofry' – my bro, if you read this please ignore it.
- josimarX0
haha, been there already – thanks jaline... you have to pay though how fukcing ridiculous is that!
- randoman0
Try this...
clink a glass and stand on a chair to garner attention.
"Here here, I would like to propose a toast to the Bride and Groom. I would like to thank [Groom's name] for choosing me as the best man. It has come to my attention that you were deciding between myself and [other choice for best man]. I would like to commend you on your decision to choose me, as the other would have been a dire mistake. You see, [other choice for best man] is a decieteful man, or should I call him beast... who should be cast away from this wedding, from this society. As you were."
- Jaline0
Just talk about how great your bro is. If you're good at public speaking then it should be easy.
If you're not (as I am not), then....well...I don't know. Practice a lot.
- Jaline0
you should cry for extra effect
- josimarX0
haha.
I'd love it if I could just add 'The End' after that, memorise it all, and be done with it!
- josimarX0
yes, tears would be great – I might practice turning on the waterworks on cue. * thinks of first pet goldfish bought from fairground swimming very very slowly upside down literally hours after i took the bastard home.
'he's dead son'.
- Hizzle0
1. don't drink before the speech. drink heavily after it.
2. stick to the program. don't improvise unless you're good with that sort of thing.
3. dude, it's your bro. tell a great story about when you were kids and how it reflects on him as a great man, and a loving brother.
4. insert tears here.
- chossy0
Come on guys he REALLY needs help on this one.
Don't you worry pal I will be there cheering you on he he.
- josimarX0
actually, it's coming together ok-ish... I'm gonna go through his life with a flash presentation (don't worry I've double double checked they have the facilities to cater for me) and will use dodgy photos and made-up photos of him from birth to now... running through about 9 or so points like 'The Brother, The Rockstar, The Student, The Uncle, The Husband etc...'
still though, I'm bound to get pished and fuck it up so words of encouragement or fail-safe measures are welcome. Probably call someone a cunt during it aswell as is my filthy scotch mouth.
- chossy0
It'll be fine. Just don't dance with the brides maids like I suggested
- madeGB0
Found this shite for ya:
Beginning
Start off by introducing yourself, as not everyone in the room will know who you are. You might say "Excuse me everyone, if I could have your attention for a moment. I'd like to take a few moments to say a few words about our bride and groom. I'm John Doe, Patrick's best man and longtime good friend (or brother, son, etc.)" To get people's attention, you might insert a quick joke here or a quote about marriage. Before you get too far into your speech, you should thank the people hosting, traditionally the parents of the bride. If the bride and groom are paying for the wedding themselves, simply say, "We're all delighted to be here today on this joyous occasion."
Middle
This is where the notes you wrote down before will really come in handy. Tell a funny story about the bride and/or groom (note I said "funny" not humiliating!), give your thoughts on love and marriage, tell the story of how they met, or talk about how you've seen them change through their relationship. While you may know the groom better, try to make your toast balanced, speaking about each of them. Try not to talk too long as nobody wants to hear you ramble, but do give some interesting details. At all costs, avoid ex-girlfriend stories and keep it rated PG for kids and grandmothers in the room! Most of all, if you are sincere about what you are saying, and your words come from the heart, it's hard to go wrong.
Closing
It's often good to wrap up your toast with a wish, traditional toast, or blessing for the bride and groom. Raise your glass with a resounding congratulations, cheers, l'chaim or salud, and don't forget to drink to your own toast!
I suggest writing your toast down on a notecard or two (remember, I said to keep it brief!) and practicing it a few times so that you're not reading straight from the card. You may also wish to run your toast by a trusted friend who can give you some feedback.
Now it's time to relax, enjoy the wedding, and support your friends. A few tips on delivering that toast:
Remember, even though you're nervous, to speak loudly and clearly.Hopefully you'll have a microphone, but even if you do you'll need to make sure to enunciate. Nothing worse than listening to five minutes of mumbling nonsense.
Don't drink too much before you give your speech. A drink or two might help loosen you up, but more than that and you'll just look like a fool.
Don't read straight from the card. These are supposed to be heart-felt words, not a scripted response. It's better to paraphrase what you've written, and get the general sentiment across. Of course, you can have your notes handy, just remember to make eye-contact with the people you are speaking to.
Didn't your mother always tell you to stand up straight? That goes twice when toasting.
If you lose your notes, or just choke up there, there's nothing wrong with a simple "Congratulations, (bride's name and groom's name) I'm looking forward to the day when we're all together again celebrating your 50th wedding anniversary. Cheers!" or a favorite toast of yours. Most Popular Video
- josimarX0
right, now I'm shiting it.
- josimarX0
haha, no thanks GB, I've cut and paste that bastard into my 'notes' file and will defo use it – I hadn't really mentioned the bride enough, thinking my job was more to embarass my bro than to talk about their relationship. cheers! where you working at in glesga dude?
- Jaline0
I think it's going to soon be that time in my life when everyone around me is getting married.
Totally looking forward to it :P
- -kappa-0
Rule # 7 - 7. Don't use multimedia, it's a cop out!
- madeGB0
Hehe, just arsing around since grad. Waiting on hearing from Tsukon and jon @ elmwood, so fingers crossed eh? What about you?
Good luck with the speech.
- radar0
I agree with the not drinking alot before your speech, at my sisters wedding I was wasted when they handed me the mic and they said I had my lips on the mic slurring "I love you guys" over and over again.
- Jaline0
did she disown you?
- version30
stand up shit face drunk and say
"congratulations, at least you *hic* didn't marry me"
follow that with a faceplant to the cake..
and you're golden.
:)