(*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.)
Richard Branson once said, “Most of what anybody has to say of great note can fit on one side of paper.” And he’s got a point. But your job as best man isn’t just to pay tribute to the groom—it’s to entertain the crowd.
Sure, neuroscience and the TED Talk phenomenon say that 15–18 minutes is the sweet spot for a business pitch. But you’re not explaining climate change or solving world hunger. You’re just here to make people laugh.
A 20-minute wedding speech? Far too long. Yet sadly, far too common.
“No one ever listened to a speech and said, ‘I wish it was longer,’”
— Speechy’s Top Dog, Heidi Ellert-McDermott, on BBC Sounds’ Best Men podcast with Jason Manford & Steve Edge
After writing hundreds of wedding speeches, we’ve found the sweet spot is between 1,100 and 1,300 words.
That gives you around 10 minutes of speaking time, including space for laughter, crowd reactions, and those all-important ad libs. (Need help getting the laughs? Read our advice on how to make your speech funny.)
Ten minutes is long enough to say what matters—and short enough to stop people checking their WhatsApps.
We recommend a minimum of 750 words (about 6 minutes), and only if you’ve been asked to keep things brief. Anything shorter might leave the couple feeling like you didn’t really bother.
In ‘The Modern Couple’s Guide to Wedding Speeches’, wedding influencer Alison Hargreaves says,
“Delivering a speech shouldn’t take longer than it does to consummate the marriage.”
Depends on the groom, we guess. 😏
Great story… but needs loads of setup? Save it for the bar.
If it takes more than 100 words to get a laugh, it doesn’t belong in your speech. Aim for sharp, not meandering. Clear, not complicated.
And remember—you’re not the only speaker. Sure, you want to shine. But don’t be the bloke who hogs the spotlight. We’ve all been to weddings where speeches drag on… guests staring at empty glasses, stomachs growling for the main course.
Don’t be the reason everyone sobers up.
Ernest Hemingway said, “The first draft of anything is shit.”
So be brutal with your edits. Once you’ve written your speech, challenge yourself to cut it by half.
Yes, really.
When you’re happy with your speech draft, time yourself. If you come in under ten minutes, don’t pad it out. On the day, laughter and dramatic pauses will eat up extra time.
If editing’s not your thing, let us do it. Our speech edit service removes the waffle, replaces googled gags, and guarantees more laughs.
And if you haven’t even started yet, check out our AI best man speech generator or best man speech templates to get the ball rolling.
Here’s a rough timing guide to help plan your speech structure…
Welcome the crowd. Say who you are and how you know the groom. Add a bit of original humour—no googled gags. Need help? Read how to start a best man speech and best man speech opening lines for more inspo.
You’ll need 3 or 4 cracking anecdotes that show his character in action. British best men usually roast him a bit—but feel free to mix in genuine praise too.
Golden rule: No exes. Ever.
Check out more best man speech advice for this bit.
Say more than just “she looks lovely” or “she makes him better.” Do some research. Show that you know her. Use our guide on how to write a meaningful tribute.
This is your heartfelt moment. The bit you’d normally say after 3 a.m. in a kebab shop. Highlight his best traits. Be sincere, but don’t go a full 30 seconds without getting a laugh. Check out our best man speech examples to see how.
Wrap it up by calling back to something funny or heartfelt you mentioned earlier. A callback is a classic comedy move—and it’ll put your speech in the Premier League.
That means you can deliver the speech within ten minutes, including the crucial pauses for laughter and ad libs. (Check out our advice on how to make your speech funny if you’re worried about that!)
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.
