(*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.)
The opening of your speech might be one of the last things you write – because your icebreaker sets the tone of the whole speech.
‘We always find the start the hardest thing to do, so when we write, we start with the middle of the speech first’. Tom Coles, Speechy writer.
With all writing, you want to start and end with your strongest lines. At the beginning, you’re winning your audience over, and at the end, you’re leaving them thinking you’re brilliant.
Many folk assume the first couple of sentences have to be a version of … ‘Good evening. I’m (NAME) and I’m honoured to be (THE GROOM’S) best man today.’
Actually, no it doesn’t. Sometimes it can be. But it shouldn’t be automatic.
Don’t waste people’s time with the same dull wedding-waffle.
Do your even need to introduce yourself if an MC’s just done that? (Answer: No)
A good best man speech opening line should ideally surprise your audience. Humans are instinctively programmed to care when they are shocked by something, or it breaks the routine. Use this to your benefit.
Make sure your icebreaker offers something fresh.
You get the idea.
You want to get off to a strong start for your sake as well as your audience. If you surprise and subvert expectations, it wakes the audience up and tells them they’re in for a treat.
‘I’ve given three best man speeches and each time it’s been nerve-wracking. But it’s true, the minute you get your first laugh, you can relax. People are immediately on your side. No one expects you to be a stand-up but they want you to do well and a bit of genuine humour works well. It relaxes people’. Ed Amsden, Speechy writer
Look, at Speechy, we believe every funny lines needs to be bespoke.
No generic gags. No googled-icebreakers.
Every line we write is based around the newlyweds and the specifics of that wedding.
Ideally, you need to do the same but here’s some inspiration to get you thinking about how you can write a funny opening line…
A Big Wedding…
“Hello everyone,
First and foremost, 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.”
The Groom’s Fashion Sense (or Lack Of)
“Hi all – I’m Alex, and I’ve known Dan since we were 13 – a time when he wore shell suits without irony and believed Lynx Africa was a personality.
It’s fair to say, style has never been Dan’s strong suit – until today, when he finally got it right.
And it only took a bride, a stylist, three fittings and threats of cancellation.”
The Groom’s Obsession (e.g. Golf/Football/Cycling)
“Good evening everyone. I’m Tom, the best man – and full-time witness to James’s 20-year love affair… with golf.
But today, against all odds, he’s finally found someone he loves even more than his 9-iron.
Emily, welcome to the club. Handicap: one husband.”
Sibling Best Man
“Hi, I’m Jamie – and yes, I’m the groom’s younger brother, despite appearances.
We’ve had sibling rivalry, shared bedrooms, and several unprosecuted crimes together…Mostly against household furniture.
But today, for the first time ever, I get to speak first… and he can’t interrupt me. Although, just to be safe, I’ve run this speech past Mum so if anyone’s getting grounded today, it’s him.”
An international wedding…
“Good evening 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.
MUSIC MASH-UP OF THE TWO NATIONAL ANTHEMS PLAYED AT THE SAME TIME.
As you can perhaps tell, a mix of cultures is not always an easy thing, but I believe that, with work, Michelle and Andre can create music that is harmonious, meals that are delicious and ensure that their nation’s birds do not peck each other to death.”
Careers…
“Good evening,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.
If I hadn’t witnessed many of the tales myself, I would have branded it fake news – but Matt creates better click-bait headlines wherever he goes.
First Headline – The Day Matt Weed Himself On National TV”
A Very Small Wedding
“Hello everyone – and I mean literally everyone.
This may be the smallest wedding I’ve ever attended – and I say that as someone who once married two Sims in his teenage bedroom.
But what this day lacks in guest numbers, it more than makes up for in love, laughter and a frighteningly high guest-to-speech ratio.”
Groom with a History of Dodgy Dating
“Good evening folks,
For those of you who’ve been on this journey with Tom, welcome back. For those of you who are new – buckle in.
There were days when we worried Tom might never find love – mostly because of his dating app bio, which once simply read: ‘Likes crisps. Not keen on eye contact.’
But today, miracles happen – and here we are.”
If you’re really struggling to come up with a unique best man speech opening line, consider jumping straight in with a strong & funny quote. Check out some of our favourite quotes Best Men can deploy. As long as you reference the author, it’s not plagiarism.
SpeechyAI is also a great tool for creating original humour using your online responses to a series of questions. Honestly, it’s very clever if you can’t afford to invest in Speechy’s comedy speechwriters themselves.
Ideally, you don’t want to resort to any of the generic gags like these…
Basically, people can spot those cut and paste best man gags.
Although there’s nothing intrinsically wrong with them, they are bland and just sound lazy.
Our Best Man Speech Advice gives you plenty more advice on how to come up with lines that are original, as well as funny!
To propel your speech into the premier league of Best Man speeches, utilise a comedy technique called the call-back. That’s when you back reference a line (in this case the opening line) towards the end of your speech.
‘The callback is the ultimate comedy writer cheat code’ Tom Coles, Speechy writer
It makes it seem that you’ve been working up to that punchline the whole time and suggests you’re smarter than you are. The callback is basically establishing an inside joke that everyone is part of.
To see it in action, check out some best man speech examples. Or just cut to the chase, and get the Speechy team to help you write them…
The Speechy team are TV-trained scriptwriters/comedians by trade & we’ve helped 1,000s of speakers around the world deliver their dream speech.
Our advice has been quoted everywhere from The New York Times to Grazia and from Forbes to The Observer. Our founder has also featured on the BBC Sounds’ Best Men podcast with Jason Manford and written ‘The Modern Couple’s Guide to Wedding Speeches’, published by Little, Brown.
