The Wedding's in a Week and I Need a Best Man Speech!
I Need a Best Man Speech in a Hurry
It is a great honor to be chosen the Best Man at a wedding. Long past are the days when the best man helped the groom to kidnap an unwilling bride from a neighboring village. In modern times, he is a helper to the groom, he may pick up the tuxedos, organize a bachelor party and he usually is required to give a speech or toast at the wedding reception.
The Best Man's speech is the first speech given at the wedding reception and may be accompanied by a champagne toast. Sometimes it is given before the meal. At other receptions it is delivered after the meal before the couple's first dance or even later, right before the cake is cut. No matter when the speech is scheduled, the DJ or catering captain will usually make sure that the music is quieted and you are cued to take the floor.
Here are some general points -
- Don't be overly seriously in your delivery of the speech - smile and be yourself
- Let the wedding guests know how you know the bride and groom
- Give some amusing anecdotes about their lives that you know of first-hand - just don't embarrass them or say anything off color!
- Address the bride and groom as a "couple" and be very brief in comments about one or the other independently.
- Offer an inspirational message about the lastingness of the new marriage.
Most of us love to procrastinate. Working on a speech to deliver at a wedding is no exception. Even a professional speaker may have some difficulties because the honored task of speaking at your friend's or family member's wedding is so personal.
If you have time before the wedding day, outline your speaking points on a note card. This will help you keep focused and give you a road map for delivering your best man speech. Alternatively, if you have little or no time to prepare, excellent pre-written speeches, written by professional speech writers are available for purchase. You can still add your own touches. And, in any case, winging it at the wedding reception is not a good idea.
For suggestions on getting a professionally written speech on-the-double, read Best Man Speeches Comparison. For more articles on delivering wedding speeches, read Best Man Speeches and Wedding Speeches.