Rhyming Best Man Speech

Examples of Best Man Speech Poems

OK, let’s see what you’re up against…

Our first best man, over in America, gets plenty of laughs with a poem that has a good pace, good humour and, most importantly, actually rhymes (you’ll be amazed how many people get that wrong).

There are some great lines – especially the one about playing the Chinese Olympic team at table tennis – not an easy line to fit into a poem.

There’s also lots of wrestling stuff which we don’t understand, but either way, it’s a great speech which follows a typical best man speech structure but in poem form.

It’s funny for the first 2 and a half minutes. Then briefly sentimental. Then wraps up nicely with more laughs. Bravo!

Next, we head to Wales for a speech which is perhaps more quintessentially best man.

It’s a little blue at times (FYI – this is not compulsory) but it does the essential two jobs – pays tribute to and mercilessly mocks the groom with great balance.

There are some really funny lines and, most impressively, just look at the delivery! So confident and he ACTUALLY memorised it – bonus points!

On a separate note, if you want to be able to deliver a speech this well, maybe the all-new Speechy delivery coaching service could be for you.

The Rules of Rhyming Best Man Speeches

1. 1. Treat it like a normal best man speech – We’ve already linked to our best man speech masterclass, but it’s definitely worth checking out. The best, best man speeches tend to turn the groom into a clear character and then roast and toast him in equal measure, through real stories, all tied up nicely in a toast. Just because it’s a poem, doesn’t mean you can avoid doing the basics.

1. 1. Keep it simple – If it was us, we’d stick to the typical, funny poem structures. AABB (four-line verses within which each couplet rhymes), ABAB (four-line verses where alternate lines rhyme) or AABBA (which is typical of limericks). And we all know plenty of limericks – just try to keep them clean.

1. 1. Don’t write too many verses – A typical best man speech is five or six minutes long but you don’t have to write a poem this length. Two minutes of poetry is perfect, as you’ll probably spend a couple of minutes setting it up anyway – as the best men in the examples above do. As with all good best man speeches, just choose a couple of stories/features of the groom and dwell on the best bits.

1. 1. Don’t panic if you get stuck – Everyone does. No writer can just knock out gold in one go – even the best ones. Go for a walk, do some exercise, have a bath with some lovely scented candles and Adele playing in the background (too much?). Push the speech to the back of your mind for a while and inspiration will strike when you least expect it.

1. 1. Read it out loud– And do this regularly.  Not just to practice your delivery but to make sure everything really does rhyme and fits into the rhythm. Once confident enough, try it again but in front of a friend or family member. You’ll nail it in no time.

How To Get a Rhyming Speech Right

Delivering a rhyming speech can make you seem cleverer than you actually are. It’s also an easy way to come across as a pre-schooler reading a poem about their teddy. 

It just depends on your ability. Even if you get the rhyming spot on, you also have to nail the rhythm (actually harder than it sounds).

It is a RISK. But if you do decide to go for it, here’s the cheat’s guide…

• • Decide what point you’re trying to make with the speech and the stories you want to tell. Pull out all the keywords from that content; the ones that are crucial to telling the story and the punchline words.

• • Use a thesaurus to find as many variations of those keywords as possible.

• • Next, use a rhyming dictionary to come up with as many words that rhyme with the keywords and their variants.

• • Spot the rhyming words that could fit into the theme of your speech. Pull out all the useful pairs of words (a keyword and a rhyming word).

• • Now, build your poem using your pairings to create rhyming sentences.

• • Sometimes it’s easier to find a poem that you like to base your rhythm on. For example, use a Pam Ayres poem and base your effort on a similar beat.

• • Put the more tenuous rhyming word or sentence first. The second ‘payoff’ sentence is the one that your poetry is judged on. This is also where the punchline should be.

• • Once you write your first verse, ensure that all the others follow the same pattern and rhythm.

• • One comedy technique is to set up the idea that you’re about to say something rude, but after a pause, reveal something completely innocent. For example, my sister-in- law included this classic in her sister-of-the-groom speech with the classic line ‘He erected a tent, thought that should do the trick, Then he took her to a nudist beach to show off his… suntan.‘ True story too.

Speechy’s Best Man Example

If you want to see how a few verses will look once written down, here’s a sample – a verse for your former flatmate…

ODE TO A MATE 

I’m so happy you two finally met,

Because living with Gary’s like having a pet.

Cleaning after him, changing the bedding.

But now that’s your problem after the wedding.

Like all other pets, he needs constant attention.

On nights out we’ve lost him too much to mention.

But he’s usually found in his favourite place,

On his own on the dancefloor – well off his face.

Now Gary is not what you call house-trained,

Eats all your food, the beer supply drained. 

A terrible housemate, clearly not a great catch 

But he lied his ass off when he signed up to Match 

Yes, I read his profile, it was quite an insight, 

An intellectual, a feminist, a foot taller in height 

This was not my Gary, this was not who I knew,

A sophisticated gent? He leaves skid marks down the loo. 

But then she responded, an unsuspecting chick,

Despite reading his profile, didn’t notice he’s a …. (daring kind of guy) 

Of course, Gary got excited and she agreed to a date 

Put on his best boxers, decided it was fate 

And all of a sudden Gary started to behave,

When he met said young lady on a night out in Grays.

His grooming improved, you could tell he was smitten.

He even cleaned after himself in the kitchen.

Now you’re both married and it’s heaven-sent.

Because Gary’s moved out and I’ve put up the rent.

You’re not just Gary’s master, you’re his perfect wife.

But remember, a Gary’s not just for Christmas, a Gary’s for life.

… Of course, this isn’t applicable to everyone. Skidmark references are not always advisable. Some people’s friends aren’t even called Gary.

But whoever you’re toasting, poems are the perfect way to put in that extra bit of effort for a speech that will always please the crowds.