25 Best Man Speech Examples That Will Make You A Wedding Legend

So, the wedding date is creeping up on the calendar, and you’re still staring at a blank page. If you’re starting to panic, don’t worry—that’s normal. But we’re going to fix it right now. This guide isn’t just a list of templates; it’s a crash course in how to survive the reception without embarrassing yourself (or the groom). We’ve put together twenty-five specific best man speech examples—from the hilarious to the tear-jerkers—along with some honest advice on how to actually deliver them.

Most experts will tell you to keep it under 1,000 words. I’ll go a step further: keep it under five minutes. I learned this the hard way at a cousin’s wedding where the best man rambled for twenty minutes about a fishing trip that nobody else went on. The room went dead silent. The champagne got warm. You do not want to be that guy.

Quick Resources

• Best Man Speech Generator

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VirtualSpeech backs this up—brevity is the only way to keep the audience on your side. Let’s make sure you hit that sweet spot.

TL;DR: The Cheat Sheet

In a rush? Here is the snapshot. If you take nothing else away from this article, memorize these rules. These are the absolute essentials to using our best man speech examples without crashing and burning.

• Know your audience: A joke that kills at a frat house might bomb in a ballroom full of grandmas.

• Cut the cringe: No misogyny. And seriously, do not mention the exes. Just don’t.

• Keep it brief: Three to five minutes is the gold standard. Seven minutes is pushing your luck.

• Balance the tone: Aim for about 70% nice/sentimental and 30% funny.

• Mention the partner: If you only talk about the groom, you’re doing it wrong. Celebrate the couple.

• Play to your strengths: If you aren’t naturally funny, don’t try to force a stand-up routine.

• Get help if needed: If the anxiety is too much, getting some coaching is totally fine.

Do This	Avoid This
Do rehearse out loud at least 5 times.	Avoid reading straight from your phone screen.
Do introduce yourself clearly.	Avoid inside jokes that confuse 90% of the room.
Do compliment the partner early on.	Avoid mentioning the groom’s ex-girlfriends.
Do stay sober until after the speech.	Avoid “winging it” without a written plan.

Build a Clean, Crowd-Safe Best Man Speech with Our Speech Generator

Knowing what not to do is half the battle. Check out our list of things a best man shouldn’t do to make sure you stay out of trouble.

Before You Write: 7 Rules for Reading the Room

Before you pick a template, you need to look at the context. We look at everything from who is sitting in the audience to your history with the groom to make sure you hit the right note, using our best man speech tips for maximum impact.

1. The Audience Demographics

Scan the guest list in your head. A black-tie gala needs a different vibe than a backyard BBQ. Your jokes need to land with the college friends at the bar and the elderly relatives in the front row.

Context Adjustment Example:

• The Joke: “Dave was a wild animal in college.”

• For the Frat House Crowd: “I remember when Dave woke up in a different state with no shoes.”

• For the Mixed Family Crowd: “Let’s just say Dave had a lot of energy in college, mostly spent inventing new dance moves.”

2. Your Relationship to the Groom

Your “authority” to speak comes from your history together. A brother is going to tell different stories than a work bestie. Lean into your specific dynamic rather than trying to copy a generic friendship trope you saw in a movie.

3. The “Cringe” Factor

Nobody has patience for dated humor anymore. “Ball and chain” jokes? Hard pass. Mentions of past flings? That will turn the room against you instantly. If a line feels even slightly disrespectful to the marriage or the partner, cut it.

4. Length and Pacing

Short and sweet wins every time. If you go over seven minutes, people stop listening. Aim for a tight three to five minutes to keep the energy up.

5. Sentiment vs. Humor Ratio

Try to hit a mix of 70% sentiment and 30% humor. Too many jokes and it’s a roast; too much emotion and it’s a eulogy. You want to land somewhere in the middle.

6. The Partner (The Spouse)

A modern speech has to acknowledge the spouse early and often. You are celebrating a union, not just your buddy. Excluding the partner is a rookie mistake.

7. Public Speaking Comfort

Be honest with yourself about your charisma level. If microphones terrify you, don’t pick a complex speech with props. Pick a style that lets you get through it confidently.

Generate a Best Man Speech That Actually Fits the Room

The Crowd Pleasers: Humor That Lands

These examples are great for high-energy crowds and grooms who can take a joke. We’re looking at five formats that prioritize wit without crossing the line into being mean, giving you several funny best man speech examples to choose from.

Humor Style	Risk Level	Best Audience
Self-Deprecation	Low	Everyone; it makes you relatable.
Observational	Medium	Work colleagues and mixed crowds.
Roasting	High	Close friends; requires a thick-skinned groom.
Absurdist/Stats	Medium	Analytical crowds or “nerdy” friend groups.

1. The “Instruction Manual”

Treat the speech like a “User Guide” for the new spouse. List the groom’s quirks as troubleshooting tips. For example: “If Adam starts making a whistling noise, feed him immediately.” It’s a gentle roast that actually offers helpful advice.

2. The “Fake Telegrams”

Read fictional messages from people who couldn’t attend. You might say, “We got a letter from the gym saying they miss you… oh wait, that’s for me.” It’s a classic icebreaker that works well if you don’t have a ton of deep emotional stories.

3. The “Statistician”

Break the friendship down into absurd numbers. “Over 15 years, we shared 4,000 pizza slices and zero arguments I didn’t win.” This punchy style is perfect for work colleagues or analytical crowds.

4. The “Reverse Roast”

Start by sounding like you’re going to insult him, but twist every jab into a compliment about how much he loves his partner. “He is terrible at time management… because he spends hours planning dates for Sarah.” It disguises high sentiment as humor.

The Reverse Roast Script:
“I always thought John was incredibly selfish. I mean, the guy never shared his food, never shared his notes, and never shared the remote. But then I saw him give [Partner] the last bite of dessert and realized he wasn’t selfish—he was just saving his generosity for the only person who actually deserved it.”

5. The “Upper Hand”

Admit that while you hold the title of “Best Man,” the groom is the better man, or the spouse is the true best person there. “Standing next to [Spouse], I know I’m fighting for third place.” It’s a humble opener that charms everyone instantly.

Write a Funny Best Man Speech Without Crossing the Line

The Tear Jerkers: Sincerity Over Sarcasm

These templates are perfect for brothers, family-focused weddings, and intimate gatherings. If you want to focus on emotional impact and the groom’s growth, check out our guide to mastering emotional best man speeches. These best man speech examples are for the guys who aren’t afraid to reach for the tissues.

6. The “Witness to Change”

Focus on how the groom improved after meeting his partner. “I’ve never seen Mike smile the way he did the day he met Jen.” This one pretty much guarantees a few tears, but it requires you to be totally sincere.

7. The “Brotherly Bond”

Siblings use this to talk about going from childhood rivals to adult best friends. “We fought over the remote in the 90s, and now I’m fighting tears.” Keep it short so you don’t end up rambling about ancient history.

8. The “Anchor”

Describe the groom as the rock of your friend group and how his partner now anchors him. “John is the one we call in a crisis. It is beautiful to see him have someone to lean on.” This honors the responsible groom.

9. The “Time Capsule”

Mention a wish you had for him years ago that actually came true today. “We joked about finding the perfect partner in college. Looking at you two, we weren’t joking.” It connects the past to the present really well.

10. The “Definition of Love”

Define love based on what you’ve seen from the couple, rather than using dictionary quotes. “Love is watching how [Groom] looks at [Spouse] when she isn’t looking.” This fits perfectly at formal, elegant weddings.

Create a Heartfelt Best Man Speech That Feels Genuine

The Storytellers: Weaving a Narrative Arc

If you’re a natural storyteller, these are the options for you. These formats need a clear beginning, middle, and end to hold the room’s attention. If you need help structuring your story, look at specific best man speech templates for guidance. Weaving a narrative takes a bit of work, which is why these best man speech examples are so effective.

11. The “First Impression”

Tell the story of when you first met the groom or when he first mentioned the partner. “He came home and said, ‘I’m in trouble, guys. I really like this one.'” It provides a great hook.

12. The “Adventure Log”

Recount a travel story that highlights who the groom is. “Getting lost in Tokyo taught me Dave is terrible with maps but great at making friends.” Just make sure the story remains “Grandma-safe”—skip the illegal stuff.

13. The “Three Acts”

Structure the speech into three parts: The Groom Before, The Meeting, and The Couple Now. “Act 1 was the Messy Years. Act 2 was The Discovery.” Keep each act to about sixty seconds so it doesn’t drag.

Act	Theme	Duration
Act I: The Bachelor	A funny/endearing story about the groom pre-relationship.	1 Minute
Act II: The Catalyst	The moment he met the partner and how he changed.	1.5 Minutes
Act III: The Future	Why they are perfect together and your wish for them.	1 Minute

Structure Your Best Man Speech Perfectly with Our Generator

14. The “Partner’s Perspective”

Tell a story about the groom but focus on how the partner handled it. “When Dave flooded the kitchen, Sarah just laughed. That’s when I knew.” This wins over the spouse’s side of the family immediately.

15. The “Full Circle”

Connect a childhood dream of the groom to his wedding reality. “He always wanted to be a superhero. Today, he looks like he just saved the world.” It’s a satisfying way to wrap things up.

The Quick Hitters: Short, Punchy, and Memorable

These formats work best if you’re nervous or on a tight schedule. They rely on being brief and impactful rather than long-winded. These are excellent best man speech examples for nervous speakers.

16. The “Haiku”

Write three funny haikus about the couple. “Groom looks very sharp / [Spouse] looks stunning in white / Let’s eat cake tonight.” It’s weird, unique, and takes the pressure off.

Haiku Trio Example:

1. The Groom: “His tie is crooked / But his smile is very wide / He did good today.”

2. The Spouse: “She looks like a queen / He looks like he won the lotto / Smart move, my best friend.”

3. The Future: “No refunds returns / You are stuck together now / Cheers to your new life.”

17. The “One-Liner Intro”

Rely on a strong opening one-liner, a quick compliment, and a toast. “I was told to keep this short to match the groom’s height.” This works perfectly if you are one of many people speaking.

18. The “Quotes”

Use famous quotes about marriage that actually fit the couple. “Socrates said if you get a good wife, you become happy. Luckily, you are safe from philosophy.” This suits formal settings well.

19. The “Top 5 List”

Count down the “Top 5 Reasons [Groom] is the luckiest man alive.” “Reason #3: You married someone who pretends to like your cooking.” The list format makes it easy to memorize.

20. The “Rapid Fire Advice”

Deliver sixty seconds of quick, funny marriage advice. “Buy a dishwasher. Say yes to the dress.” It’s high energy and ends on a high note.

The Showstoppers: Multimedia and Props

If you’re tech-savvy (and the venue has a projector that works), you can use these creative options to stand out. These take a bit of prep, but they take the focus off your public speaking skills.

21. The “PowerPoint”

Present a humorous slide deck with charts showing the groom’s “happiness levels.” A line graph spiking upward labeled “Date He Met Her” always gets a laugh. Visuals help reduce the anxiety of everyone staring at you.

22. The “Prop Box”

Bring a box of items to “return” to the groom or give to the spouse. Hand over a refund receipt for the groom that has expired. The physical comedy keeps your hands busy.

23. The “Video Interview”

Show a pre-recorded video of you asking kids or strangers for marriage advice. A five-year-old saying “Don’t steal the blankets” is adorable. Just test the AV equipment beforehand so you don’t have technical issues.

24. The “Musical Parody”

Change the lyrics to a popular song to fit the couple. A rap about how they met works if you have rhythm. But please, only attempt this if you can actually carry a tune.

25. The “Social Media Deep Dive”

Read their first social media interactions from years ago. “I found a comment where he said ‘She’s out of my league.’ He was right.” It verifies the relationship history with some modern humor.

The Secret Weapon for Nervous Speakers

Even with twenty-five best man speech examples, the pressure can feel overwhelming. You don’t have to do this alone. Bridesmaid for Hire offers more than just bridal party support; we act as a full-service system for anyone in the wedding party who needs a pro in their corner.

Get a Solid Best Man Speech Draft Fast with Our AI Speech Generator

If you are staring at the screen and the words just won’t come, our wedding speech writing tools and expert coaching can bridge the gap. We help you draft a speech that is unbiased, non-judgmental, and tailored to your specific voice. You can even utilize our best man speech with AI tools to kickstart your drafting process. Think of us as the friend you never knew you needed, helping you manage the stress so you can be the life of the party for the right reasons.

The Final Toast

You’ve got the tools, the templates, and the rules of engagement. Whether you choose a heartfelt story or a prop-heavy comedy routine, the goal is the same: honor the couple and sit down before the guests get restless. Raise your glass, speak from the heart, and enjoy the night.