So your best buddy is getting married, and you have to give a toast or a speech. With all the good times you've shared, we bet you already have some ideas brewing. But if not, we have inspiration! Our short best man speech examples and fun one-liners can definitely help.
Sample Short Best Man Speeches
Our short speech examples are totally editable, so you can customize them to suit your friendship with the groom. Or, you can use them as a starting point and go from there.
Sample Speech One
Hello, my name is _____________________________ (your name), and I have the honor of being ___________________'s (groom's name) best man. I've known __________________________ (groom's name) for _____________________ years (or "a short time") and am proud to call him my friend. It is with happiness that I stand here today and support him as he marries _______________________ (partner's name).
I remember when ______________________ (partner's name) and _____________________________ (groom's name) first met. Their first date was special because _________________________ ___________________________________________. This date, of course, set them on a pathway to today and their marriage, for which I think we are all grateful.
______________________ (groom's name), you are a great guy — someone who is kind, caring, and fun. In ____________________ (partner's name), you have found your perfect match — although I must admit they might be a little more fun than you are! I wish you both the best in the years to come.
Speech Two
Hello there! I'm ______________________'s (groom's name) best man, ____________________________ (your name). I have known ____________________ (partner's name) and ___________________________ (groom's name) for years and must say that I'm not surprised that we're here today at their wedding. I can think of no two people more perfectly suited for each other.
_______________________ (partner's name), in marrying _____________________ (groom's name) you're getting a husband who is considerate and fun-loving. He's a great friend, and I know he will make a great spouse for you. ___________________ (groom's name), in _____________________ (partner's name) you are getting a fabulous human being; I know they'll make a wonderful partner.
I wish you both the best of luck in the years to come.
Speech Three
Hello all, I'm _______________________ (your name) and I have the privilege of serving as ________________________'s (groom's name) best man today. I have been friends with _____________________________ (groom's name) for ____________ years and was overjoyed when he asked me to act as his best man.
The reason I was so excited is that over the long years of our friendship, I have never seen _______________________ (groom's name) so happy. _________________________ (partner's name) truly makes him a better person. Honestly, I've never seen _______________________ (groom's name) walk around with a goofy smile on his face so much as I've seen him do since becoming engaged to you. For making him happy and bringing that silly smile to his face, I applaud you.
I can't express how glad I am that you two found each other and have decided to embark on this journey of life together. I wish you all the best both today and every day.
Funny Short Best Man Speech One-Liners
A good one-liner is a thing of beauty in a wedding speech. Whether you use it as your intro or bust it out as you bring your short speech to a close, it makes the speech more entertaining for everyone.
- I'd like to thank [groom] for planning this whole day for me so I could do my three favorite things: drink, eat cake, and make people listen to me.
- How about this reception, folks? It really takes the cake, doesn't it?
- [Groom], if I could offer you one piece of advice. Telling them to calm down always seems to make them angrier. You're welcome.
- [Wedding couple], they say love is blind. But now you're married, so prepared to have your eyes opened.
- Welcome to a historic event... the one time in my life where [Groom] actually has to shut up and listen to me.
- I usually find weddings a little cheesy, but this one is really gouda.
- [Spouse], congratulations on finding Mr. Right. His first name is Always.
- Have you ever seen such a touching wedding? Even the cake is in tiers.
- [Groom], remember this the first time you think your spouse makes bad choices. You are one of them.
- [Groom], if I could offer just one piece of advice I've learned in my marriage. Admit when you're wrong. Shut up when you're right.
Contents of Best Man Speeches
Want to put together your own best man speech? Keep it short and sweet, and include these elements.
- An explanation of how you know the groom
- A description of how you view the couple
- A description of how you see the groom impacted by the relationship
- A well-wishing closure
Now just put it all together in your own voice with a bit of your own personality tossed in.
Best Man Toast Versus Speech
These two elements sort of run together... they can be one or the other, or an amalgamation of both. If the wedding is super traditional, here's the difference:
- A best man speech normally lasts between three and five minutes and is intended to honor the wedding couple and family. It may include a personal story, heartfelt expression, or anecdote.
- A best man's toast is a short statement, normally no longer than a minute or two, of well-wishing to the couple. It ends with raising a glass to indicate that other guests should also raise their glasses and drink in honor of the newlyweds.
Give It Your Best
Your speech can be short, simple, and a little humorous. Keep your humor kind and your words supportive, and you'll be great.
