(*Of course, if you’re looking for more than ‘advice’, check out all the different ways the Speechy team can help you write & deliver a great speech. Or check out our new AI-powered team member, SpeechyAI.)
‘(Of course, if you’re looking for more than ‘advice’, check out Speechy’s bespoke speechwriting service. We also have a range of excellent speech templates that might be just what you need.)
(*Of course, if you’re looking for more than ‘advice’, check out our eulogy writing service or our eulogy template.)
(Of course, if you’re looking for more than ‘advice’, check out Speechy’s bespoke speechwriting service. We also have a range of excellent speech templates that might be just what you need.)
Being a best man is an honour… and a terrifying responsibility. Every week, we work with guys who say the same thing: “I want to be funny, but I don’t want to bomb.”
We’ve written hundreds of best man speeches — for nervous brothers, mischievous mates, even dads doubling up. We know what works, and we know what makes an audience squirm.
Below you’ll find four best man speech examples, written by the Speechy team and our clever AI partner, SpeechyAI. These aren’t copy-and-paste scripts (your speech needs to be personal), but they’ll show you the techniques, structure, and storytelling style that get laughs and land heartfelt moments.
When we coach clients, these are the golden rules we repeat:
Length: Keep it under 1,300 words
Structure: Don’t waffle with intros — start with stories
Humour: Avoid Googled gags and clichés. Go for original storytelling
Balance: Make sure you pay tribute to the bride (or groom’s partner)
Timing: Save your sentimental lines for the end, when they hit hardest
Ultimately, your speech should sound like you. These examples show how different approaches can work — short and snappy, roast-style, cross-cultural, or sentimental.
This is a template-style short speech – perfect if you’re not naturally chatty or if you’ve been given a short durtation.
“Good evening, everyone. Firstly, on behalf of Misty and Joe, I’d like to extend a warm thank you to each of you for being here today. And a special shoutout to our English friends, who’ve braved the journey north into Scottish territory. Consider it a feat akin to venturing into the Squid Games. Your courage is commendable!
As most of you know, I’m Reuben, and as Joe’s best man, it’s my duty to regale you all with the tale of how our beloved groom stumbled into the clutches of matrimony with the ever-delightful Misty.
So let me take a moment to acknowledge someone who was pivotal to this love story, and that person is, of course,…me. Yes, I played cupid to these two lovebirds six years ago. Now my matchmaking skills might not have been the most poetic, describing Joe as ‘average looking, but he wears nice shoes’, but hey, it clearly did the trick!
When Misty and Joe finally met at my birthday bash, sparks flew. They talked about life, hobbies, future plans and how when Misty was a kid, she was obsessed with Winnie the Pooh. Yes, even as a teenager. Which makes it not at all surprising that she’d end up with someone like Joe: a chubby character with one shirt and an aggressive appetite.
It was evident from that first night that they were a perfect fit and Joe, with his charm and wit – and of course, good shoes – left quite the impression. The next day, Misty couldn’t stop talking about his impressive ability to flawlessly rap every word of Eminem’s ‘Stan’. And if you want a rendition of that, I suggest you hang around the bar later.
And what was Joe’s first impression of Misty? Well, supposedly he knew she was the women for him, when at the end of the night, she turned to him, pursed her lips and asked in her lilting Edinburgh accent… ‘Fancy a kebab?’. Joe knew right then and there that he was head over heels.
Now, it’s fair to say Joe has had a ‘chequered’ love life – think Ronnie Woods meets Boris Johnson but without all the sex. Just a long list of unsuitable women, drunken nights, and a handful of illegitimate babies.
Only kidding. Well, as far as we know.
Needless to say, meeting Misty gave meaning to Joe’s concept of love.
She’s his missing piece, the cheerful Winnie the Pooh to his grumpy Eeyore. They are just the right amount of similar, and just the right amount of different to be perfect together. And now, seeing them here together as partners for life, it’s clear they’re meant to be.
So finally, I’d like to end my speech with some marriage advice from the greatest philosophers of our time– Winnie-the-Pooh himself.
‘’If the person you are talking to doesn’t appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear.”
I think such wisdom could help many marriages in this room, including my own.
And with that, let’s raise our glasses to Misty and Joe—to love, laughter, and a lifetime of 90s rap, shish kebabs, and mutually good shoes.
To Misty and Joe”
👉 Why it works: This speech is punchy, personal, and easy to deliver. When we work with quieter best men, we often recommend short-and-sharp over long-and-laboured.
This fictional example shows how a best man speech can work brilliantly when the groom is marrying later in life or has a mixed guestlist.
“Honoured guests, friends and family, Spaniards and Americans – today is a momentous occasion as we witness the union of two cultures in the marriage of Michelle and Andre.
Today, we celebrate the merging of the Spanish Imperial Eagle with the American Bald Eagle. We blend hamburgers and fries with paella, creating the unforgettable McPaella. And as we play the Marcha Real alongside the Star-Spangled Banner, we honour the rich diversity that defines this beautiful union.
As Andre’s devoted wingman for over forty years, I have seen the effort he has put in to getting to this happy ending and I’m delighted to, finally, get the chance to be his best man today. As you may know, Andre is more mature than the traditional groom and may have extended his ‘eligible bachelor’ years by a decade… or two.
When his friends and family members all got married, he was there at a succession of weddings, always on the single table. In case you were wondering, the single table is Table Five today. Please stop by and pity them, it’s what they deserve.
It’s fair to say that Andre made the most of being single and enjoyed his bachelor life. He seemed to enjoy being free to pursue his career, travel the world, drink copious amounts of red wine and live in a house where there are fewer than two cushions in the entire place. So, why did he decide to give it all up?
Well, I think seeing the beautiful bride walking down the aisle today, answers that question.
Michelle and Andre’s love story is one for the ages. They met through the intervention of their friend Katya, who played cupid and brought them together. Say hello Katya. And yes, she is sitting on Table 5.
After being introduced, Andre told me Michelle was rude to him and bossy. He couldn’t understand this American powerhouse. She told him to take her out for coffee and somehow he lost the power to resist. All of his bachelor strength was drained, and he found myself nodding and doing as he was told for once. Their courtship was nothing short of a whirlwind. Michelle, with her infectious energy, swept Andre off his feet from the moment they met. Despite his initial resistance, Andre found himself captivated by Michelle’s charm and wit, unable to resist her magnetic pull.
To be fair, these two are poles apart so no wonder they’re attracted to each other.
Michelle works as the director of a charity, and she lives her life for other people. She cares for other people on a daily basis – and Andre is clearly her biggest charity project yet. One day, after years of rehabilitation, I suspect she will release him back into the wild, but let’s hope not.
Meanwhile, Andre is a greedy property developer, making money from the ruins of other people’s lives and hopes. His day is not complete until he’s pushed at least three widows out of their houses and turned their homes into flats.
Now, a mix of personalities and cultures is not always an easy thing, but the newlywed have proven it can work. Together, their music is harmonious, their meals are delicious and their respective nation’s birds have not pecked each other to death.
The newlyweds warned me that we had an international guestlist today and I’m told many of our Malagan guests might not have the greatest command of the English language. For some of them this is the first time that they have been abroad. I won’t embarrass him by name, but one of the guests asked me where Mickey Mouse was, and I had to explain that the mouse isn’t everywhere.
So, to make them feel more welcome I thought maybe I could teach you some useful Spanish phrases that could help you integrate. If you look on your table you will see a card for you each so you can read along with me. So listen to me and repeat please!
Ok, another:
Excellent! Now finally:
And hopefully that will ensure you’re fully prepared for the evening ahead.
Finally, to my friend Andrew – your bachelor life has ended. No more Table Five. No more aunts and mothers asking you when you will get married. So many more cushions.
Congratulations my friend.
From now on, you shall be the perfect trophy husband that Michelle wants, you will nod and you will look pretty.
Now, if you’ll all join me in raising a toast to the newlyweds—Michelle and Andre, may your marriage be filled with love, laughter, and countless unforgettable memories.
To the bride and groom”
👉 Why it works: It acknowledges cultural differences, weaves in the room, and keeps the audience laughing. We often encourage best men to “use the room” — whether that’s involving international guests or poking gentle fun at table five.
Note: With “The Roast”, you need to be confident that your mate is up for this style of speech and you need to make sure you do not go too far and spoil his day. Handle this style of speech with care! Do not spoil your friend’s special day.
“Honoured guests, for those who don’t know me, I’m Archie, a friend of Matt’s, or, as he is known to a certain special someone, ‘Bear’. And just to be clear, that certain person isn’t me. If I had a nickname for Matt, it would probably be ‘Tightwad’.
Anyway…
Many of us here today are journalists and this evening I have a scoop for you. The life and times of Matt Munton. So, hold onto your hats (and possibly your drinks) as we navigate through the untamed wilderness of the groom’s extraordinary life.
So, where do I begin? Well, let’s just start with how ironic his new nickname Bear really is. Matt started life as bald as a coot. He was three before he finally developed a full head of hair, before losing it all in his early 20s. Less Bear, more… (peer at groom)… blobfish.
Matt and I first crossed paths on the overnight team at BBC TV News. It was 3 am, the coffee was almost as bitter as my disposition, and in strolled Matt, bright-eyed and full of infectious energy. Before long, we were partners in crime, two insomniac journalists thriving in the wee hours and sharing an undeniable penchant for … talking bollocks.
Mat was fearless in the face of Emily Matlis and other news heavyweights, and it quickly transpired, equally unafraid of weights down the gym. Whilst I struggled to push a pen, he piled on the muscle in his mission to become the newsroom’s answer to Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The one time I went to the gym with him, I brought along an old tshirt and some jogging bottoms. He wore the type of Lycra shorts and vest that Kanye West usually gives to his girlfriends. Let’s just say he’s not shy. The only thing he covers up is his feet.
On the plus side, going out with Mat on a night out, feels like I have my very own bodyguard. Yes, he drinks his weight in IPA each night but no doorman dares look at a list when he comes to the door.
To be fair, Matt is an expert in navigating tricky situations, whether it’s jumped-up bouncers or getting involved in debates with fellow commuters on a late bus. He’s weathered more storms than most people could even read about. There was this one time when Matt got locked in a plane toilet flying over Colombia – don’t ask, expiration of official secrets and all that – but somehow it made the local news. Yes, in a country suffering from an outbreak of dengue fever and upsurge in criminal ganglands murder at the time, a bald man from Yorkshire getting locked in a toilet made the headlines.
But Matt is full of surprises. A rare combo of James Bond and Mr. Bean, he always finds himself in the most absurd situations, like drifting in the ocean off South Africa’s coast in nothing more than a dinghy. After he sent me a slightly alarming text, I was here in the UK trying desperately to contact a local rescue team. Meanwhile, Matt had another beer, waited till it got dark and managed to navigate himself to land using nothing more than the stars.
Our time together is sprinkled with such moments – memorable, ridiculous, and distinctly Matt. A shared love for good food, travel, odd literature, and, well, slightly dodgy company at times, has uncorked endless bouts of laughter.
And then from the heavens descended Sophie, a radiant woman, full of Northern charm! Matt often muses about their first encounter on a Jet 2 Flight, when Sophie’s dramatically down-to-earth candidness made him think, “Ahh yep, she’ll do!”.I bet Sophie never expected the phrase “Love is in the air” would be quite so literal!
Her dramatic flair complements Matt’s pragmatic demeanour in a beautiful dance of partnerships, creating an atmosphere where creativity and practicality intersect. Their shared love for the arts, culture, and their fabulous sense of style is impeccable – I am yet to see an interior as carefully curated and beautifully crafted as theirs!
Soph, we welcome you with open arms and admire you for your ability to handle this Bear. With your love for travelling, kindness, and a shared passion for melted cheese, you’ve managed to tame our Bear in the best possible way.
I firmly believe fate had a hand in your meeting. It’s poetic, isn’t it? Two people with hearts so golden, the sun itself might feel envious. So today, we raise a glass to you – a couple who exemplify resilience, love, and an unbeatable sense of humour.
So come on, everyone, raise your glasses as we toast to a couple whose love story started high in the sky and found its roots right here, in home soil. To Matt and Sophie, may your love always keep you soaring.
To the bride and groom.”
👉 Why it works: It’s cheeky but affectionate. When we help create roast-style speeches, we always insist on a heartfelt turn near the end. That balance stops it feeling mean.
A made-up example showing how a best man can acknowledge culture and tradition in a fun way.
“Hello everyone – namaste and welcome. As Shai’s best man, it’s a pleasure to stand before you all and celebrate this wonderful occasion with our newlyweds, Shai and Priyanka.
First and foremost, let me extend my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for gracing us with your presence today. And thank you to the newlyweds and their parents for putting on such a wonderful day for us all to enjoy. I’m told Shai and Priyanka’s parents are going to take a well-earned rest next week and sort out the global warming issue.
Now, where do I even begin with Shai and Priyanka’s love story? They’re like chalk and cheese – or coal and paneer. And trust me, you can tell which one is paneer.
Priyanka’s a primary school teacher – warm, caring, endlessly chatty. Shai’s an architect – concise, introverted, analytical… which is a polite way of saying boring and antisocial.
So yes, I’ve no idea how this worked.
But opposites attract. They’re basically the Indian version of peanut butter and jelly – odd together, but somehow perfect. Priyanka’s a pack of Skittles; Shai’s a plain slice of bread. Still, who doesn’t love a PB&J?
Planning this wedding was pure Bollywood – drama, surprise dance numbers, and tears (mainly from Shai when he saw the bill). Priyanka wanted pyrotechnics and thriller routines, while Shai just wanted the buffet to have butter chicken.
But jokes aside, seeing these two together is like watching a Bollywood rom-com – you laugh, you cry, and you secretly hope they end up together in the end (spoiler alert: they did).
Priyanka brings the fun and the excitement to the relationship, and Shai, as an architect, brings the structure and security. It may not sound as fun as colour, but when you build the foundations of a relationship you need both passion and pragmatism to keep it from crumbling when confronted with life’s challenges.
Priyanka, your infectious energy and zest for life have truly transformed Shai, making him realize that there’s so much more to discover beyond the confines of his comfort zone. You came in like an unstoppable rainbow grenade, and I don’t think his life will ever be the same again.
And, Shai, as your best man, I couldn’t be happier for you. Watching your love story unfold has been nothing short of magical, and I have no doubt that you’ll build a beautiful, colourful and a marriage that’s built to last.
So, if you’ll all join me in raising a toast to the newlyweds – to Shai and Priyanka, may your love continue to grow stronger with each passing day, and may your lives be filled with endless happiness and laughter. To Shai and Priyanka.”
👉 Why it works: It mixes humour with cultural nods. In real life, we’ve helped many best men prepare for multicultural weddings, and the trick is always warmth, inclusivity, and playfulness.
These speeches are fictional, but the techniques are real. When we work with best men, we always dig for the specific details that make a speech unique — the groom’s obsession with niche craft beers, the couple’s questionable camping trips, or the infamous stag-do story.
That’s what transforms a speech from generic to genius.
We have further advice on best man jokes, best man quotes and how to find your funny.
And if you need more than inspo? Explore our best man services — from templates and AI tools to bespoke speechwriting.
Our TV-trained scriptwriters have helped thousands of speakers deliver unforgettable moments. Our advice has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes and on BBC Sounds & our founder wrote the definitive handbook ‘The Modern Couple’s Guide to Wedding Speeches‘.
