The Best Man's Wedding Speech

The Best Man's speech is yet another classic wedding moment that has found its way into countless romantic comedies, books and sketch shows. An speech that is so bad and awkward that it is funny is a good recipe for a sketch, but not the best recipe for a happy day or a life-long friendship.

So what is the worst thing that a Best Man can say in his speech? The classic scenario is the disclosure of certain facts about the grooms past, which are a complete surprise to the guests, and indeed the bride. The Best Man, being the grooms best friend, has had access and been privy to all sorts of interesting bits of gossip, or even scandal. The worst thing a Best Man can do would be to actually capitalize on this sort of information. By all means make things up, and make sure the audience knows that they are made up.

This brings us to another embarrassing situation that might occur if the Best Man exaggerates some transgression of the groom, but the audience to the speech are a little confused as to how true the story is. This can lead to a lot of questions that really ought not to be asked.

More embarrassing than this, however, is the joke that is aiming to be a little racy, but ends up falling on its face. After this the Best Man will try to regain his composure, but if the speech has already died on its feet all he can do is soldier on and joylessly get to the end.

So what are the right things to say on such an occasion? Jokes are, of course, vital, but the humour has to be broad enough to appeal to all ages. Remember that what might be a hilarious joke in the company of friends, may not be quite as amusing in the presence of parents-in-law.

I think the most successful speeches are the ones that are mostly sincere. If the jokes come naturally in the midst of real feeling and sincerity, then they can't fail. If people like the man who is speaking and like the sentiments that are expressed, then even if the jokes are few and unfunny, the audience will be kind enough to laugh as if it is the best stand-up routine they have ever heard. This could be quite an ego boost to the best man in fact. So as long as he tells stories from the grooms past that are amusing but show him in a good light, as long as he doesn't get any names wrong, and above all as long as he compliments the beauty of the bride, then there will be smiles and laughter all round.