Best Man Guide
Keep in mind that the objective of the best man’s speech is to entertain in a light-hearted way.
Don’t Be Offensive
Everyone expects you to give the groom a good roasting and would be disappointed if he got off scot-free. However, please don’t go too far with your material. Remember there are likely to be grandparents and children present, not just your mates. Aim to be a little risqué but avoid being crude.
Keep It Short
By the time you get up to speak the audience will have sat through dinner and at least two other speeches. Although they are interested to hear what you have to say, they will also thank you for keeping it short so they can get to the bar.
Public speaking experts suggest that between 7 to 12 minutes is the optimum length for your speech. Good news, as you are not expected to be up there for very long. Don’t fall into the trap of trying to say everything about your mate, the groom. Cut it down to the best material and your speech will be better for it.
Keep It Snappy
Write your speech in a concise, snappy style; a gag or funny remark, every couple of lines. This way you will be receiving the reward of a laugh every few seconds. And should a line not get a laugh, you just calmly move onto the next one.
Avoid telling long stories in your speech. They may have been hilarious at the time, and still so to those involved, but for others it will be a case of “you really had to be there”. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t cover the incident. The humour of the situation can usually be captured in a couple of sentences and the audience can be spared all the fine details.
Don’t Forget the Bride
Try to mention other people in your speech, not just the groom and yourself. This particularly applies to the bride, after all it is her day.
Practice
It is important to spend some time writing and practising your speech. The more comfortable and familiar you are with your material, the less nervous you will be on the day.
Relax
Keep in mind that everyone is on your side. By the time your speech comes around most people will be more than a little tipsy and laughing freely.
how to structure your speech..