writing best man speech for brother

10 Best Man Brother Speech Examples to Make Your Speech Memorable

Discover heartfelt and humorous best man brother speech examples to make your toast unforgettable. Perfect for celebrating your brother's big day!

By Juan C Olamendy · Updated: June 28, 2024

Ever found yourself standing in front of a crowd, heart pounding, palms sweaty, and mind racing, all because you have to deliver the best man speech at your brother's wedding? You're not alone! Crafting the perfect best man brother speech can feel like a daunting task, but fear not—we've got you covered. In this article, we'll dive into some of the best man brother speech examples that will not only make your brother proud but also leave the audience in stitches and tears (the good kind, of course).

Why are we writing this? Because we know the pressure is real, and we want to help you shine on this special day. By the time you finish reading, you'll have a treasure trove of tips, anecdotes, and templates to craft a speech that’s heartfelt, humorous, and unforgettable. So, let’s turn those nerves into confidence and make your brother’s big day even more memorable!

Best Man Brother Speech Examples

Introduction.

Delivering a best man speech is a significant honor and responsibility, especially when you're the brother of the groom. The best man speech is a cherished tradition that adds a personal touch to the wedding ceremony. It’s a moment where you can share your unique bond with the groom and offer heartfelt wishes to the newlyweds.

The Importance of a Best Man Speech

Why the best man speech matters.

The best man speech is more than just a formality. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the groom and his journey to this special day. A well-crafted speech can set the tone for the wedding reception, making it memorable for everyone involved. It’s a chance to share stories, express emotions, and connect with the audience on a deeper level.

The Unique Role of a Brother as Best Man

As the groom's brother, your role as the best man carries extra weight. You’ve shared countless memories, both good and bad, and your speech can reflect this unique relationship. Your perspective is invaluable because you’ve seen the groom grow and evolve over the years. This makes your speech not only personal but also deeply meaningful.

Preparing Your Best Man Speech

Tip #1: take a walk down memory lane.

Start by reminiscing about your shared childhood. Think about the moments that define your relationship. These memories will form the backbone of your speech and make it relatable and engaging.

Tip #2: Remember How You Played Together

Recall the fun times you had growing up. Whether it was playing sports, video games, or just goofing around, these stories can add a light-hearted touch to your speech. They also highlight the bond you share with your brother.

Tip #3: Remember How You Fought Together

Sibling rivalry is a natural part of growing up. Sharing a story about a memorable argument or fight can add humor to your speech. It also shows that despite the disagreements, your bond has only grown stronger.

Tip #4: Discover Themes

Identify recurring themes in your relationship. Is there a particular trait or habit that defines your brother? These themes can help you structure your speech and make it more cohesive.

Tip #5: Follow an Outline

Having a clear outline can make the writing process easier. Start with an introduction, followed by anecdotes, and end with a heartfelt toast. This structure ensures that your speech flows smoothly.

Tip #6: Hire Help to Write Your Best Man Speech

If you’re struggling to put your thoughts into words, consider hiring a professional speechwriter. They can help you craft a speech that captures your emotions and stories perfectly.

Tip #7: Don’t Procrastinate Writing Your First Draft

Start writing your speech as early as possible. This gives you ample time to refine and perfect it. Procrastination can lead to unnecessary stress and a rushed speech.

Tip #8: Embrace Editing

Editing is a crucial part of the writing process. Don’t be afraid to make changes to your speech. Cut out any unnecessary details and focus on the key points you want to convey.

Tip #9: Phone a Friend

Get feedback from a trusted friend or family member. They can offer valuable insights and suggestions to improve your speech. Sometimes, an outside perspective can make all the difference.

Tip #10: Print Your Speech—Do Not Read it From Your Phone

Reading your speech from a printed copy is more professional. It also reduces the risk of technical issues that can arise from using a phone. Plus, it shows that you’ve put thought and effort into your preparation.

Tip #11: Make Sure There’s a Microphone For You

Ensure that there’s a microphone available for your speech. This ensures that everyone can hear you clearly. It also adds a level of formality to your delivery.

Tip #12: Practice Reciting Your Speech

Practice makes perfect. Rehearse your speech multiple times to get comfortable with the content and delivery. This will help you deliver your speech confidently and smoothly.

Structuring Your Best Man Speech

Introducing yourself.

Start by introducing yourself to the audience. Mention your relationship with the groom and express your gratitude for being chosen as the best man. This sets the stage for your speech and helps the audience connect with you.

Pulling His Leg

A little humor goes a long way. Share a funny story or a light-hearted joke about the groom. This can break the ice and make your speech more engaging.

Sibling Rivalry

Talk about the sibling rivalry you shared growing up. These stories can be both funny and relatable. They also highlight the bond you share with your brother.

Meet the Parents

Mention your parents and their role in shaping the groom into the person he is today. This adds a sentimental touch to your speech and acknowledges their contribution.

You Have a Sister Now

Welcome the bride into your family. Express your happiness and excitement about gaining a sister. This shows your support for the newlyweds and strengthens the family bond.

You've Had Your Fun, Now Be Nice

After the jokes and funny stories, shift to a more serious tone. Share a heartfelt message about your brother and his journey to finding love. This adds depth to your speech and makes it more meaningful.

Wrapping Up

Summarize the key points of your speech. Thank the guests for being part of this special day. This brings your speech to a natural conclusion.

Ending with a Heartfelt Toast

End your speech with a heartfelt toast to the newlyweds. Wish them a lifetime of happiness and love. This leaves the audience with a positive and uplifting message.

Best Man Speech Examples

🎸 example 1.

"Good evening, everyone. For those who don’t know me, I’m [Your Name], the groom’s brother and best man. Growing up, [Groom’s Name] and I were inseparable. We shared everything from toys to secrets. One of my favorite memories is when we formed our own little rock band in the garage. We were terrible, but we had the time of our lives. Today, I see that same joy and excitement in [Groom’s Name] as he starts this new chapter with [Bride’s Name]. Let’s raise a glass to the happy couple. May your love be as enduring as our garage band dreams."

🃏 Example 2

"Hello everyone, I’m [Your Name], the groom’s brother. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing [Groom’s Name] my entire life. We’ve had our fair share of adventures, from building forts in the backyard to pulling pranks on each other. One time, [Groom’s Name] convinced me to dress up as a clown for Halloween, and let’s just say it didn’t end well. But through all the laughter and mischief, I’ve seen [Groom’s Name] grow into a wonderful person. And today, I’m thrilled to see him marry [Bride’s Name]. Here’s to a lifetime of love and laughter."

🥑 Example 3

"Good evening, everyone. I’m [Your Name], the groom’s brother. Growing up, [Groom’s Name] and I were like two peas in a pod. We did everything together, from playing sports to sharing our love for avocados. Yes, you heard that right—avocados. We even had an avocado-themed birthday party once. Today, I see that same passion and enthusiasm in [Groom’s Name] as he embarks on this new journey with [Bride’s Name]. Let’s raise a toast to the happy couple. May your love be as strong as our love for avocados."

🏕️ Example 4

"Hello everyone, I’m [Your Name], the groom’s brother. I’ve had the privilege of watching [Groom’s Name] grow from a mischievous kid to a loving and caring man. One of my fondest memories is our camping trips. We’d spend hours exploring the woods, telling ghost stories, and roasting marshmallows. Today, I see that same sense of adventure in [Groom’s Name] as he starts this new chapter with [Bride’s Name]. Here’s to a lifetime of love, adventure, and happiness."

Tips for Delivering Your Speech

Tip #1: don’t wait until the last minute.

Start preparing your speech well in advance. This gives you ample time to refine and perfect it. Procrastination can lead to unnecessary stress and a rushed speech.

Tip #2: Make it Personal

Share personal stories and anecdotes. This makes your speech more relatable and engaging. It also highlights your unique relationship with the groom.

Tip #3: Share Defining Moments of Your Relationship

Talk about the moments that define your relationship with the groom. These stories can add depth and meaning to your speech. They also help the audience connect with you on a personal level.

Tip #4: Compliment the Spouse

Don’t forget to compliment the bride. Express your happiness and excitement about gaining a sister. This shows your support for the newlyweds and strengthens the family bond.

Tip #5: Thank the Guests

Thank the guests for being part of this special day. This shows your appreciation and gratitude. It also makes the audience feel valued and included.

Tip #6: Balance the Wit and Emotion

Strike a balance between humor and sentiment. A good speech has a mix of both. This keeps the audience engaged and makes your speech memorable.

Tip #7: Keep it Short

Keep your speech concise and to the point. A long-winded speech can lose the audience’s attention. Aim for a speech that’s around 5-7 minutes long.

Tip #8: Use Props

Consider using props to enhance your speech. This can add a visual element and make your speech more engaging. Just make sure the props are relevant and appropriate.

Tip #9: Practice Makes Perfect

Rehearse your speech multiple times. This helps you get comfortable with the content and delivery. It also boosts your confidence and reduces nervousness.

Tip #10: Have Fun!

Enjoy the moment. This is a special occasion, and your speech is a part of it. Have fun and make the most of it.

FAQs on Best Man Brother Speech

How do you write the perfect best man speech.

To write the perfect best man speech, start by reminiscing about shared memories. Use a clear structure with an introduction, anecdotes, and a heartfelt toast. Balance humor and sentiment, and practice your delivery multiple times.

What are good Best Man speech examples?

Good best man speech examples include personal anecdotes, humor, and heartfelt messages. They should reflect your unique relationship with the groom and express your happiness for the newlyweds. Check out our examples above for inspiration.

How to Write a Best Man Speech for Best Friend or Brother: Easy Step-by-Step Guide

Start by brainstorming memories and themes. Create an outline with an introduction, anecdotes, and a toast. Write your first draft, edit it, and practice your delivery. Consider getting feedback from a trusted friend.

What to Say in a Best Man Speech (Do’s and Don’ts)

Do share personal stories, compliment the bride, and thank the guests. Don’t include inappropriate jokes, ex-girlfriends, or overly embarrassing stories. Keep it positive, respectful, and heartfelt.

Quick Answer: How to Write a Best Man Speech Fast (with Template!)

To write a best man speech fast, use a template. Start with an introduction, share a few anecdotes, and end with a toast. Keep it concise and focus on key points. Practice your delivery to ensure a smooth performance.

Useful Links

• How to Start a Speech
• Public Speaking Tips
• How to Tell a Story
• Body Language
• How to Be Funny
• 5 Benefits of Using AI for a Perfect Maid of Honor Speech
• 5 Tips for Crafting an Emotional Maid of Honor Speech That Wows
• 10 Hilarious Tips: Crafting the Perfect Funny Best Man Speech Template
• 10 Essential Tips for Crafting Perfect Vows with a Groom Vows Template
• 10 Heartfelt Groom Wedding Speech Examples to Inspire Your Big Day
• 7 Tips on How to Write a Bridesmaid Speech That Wows the Crowd
• 7 Tips on How to Write a Wedding Speech for Sister
• 10 Heartfelt Maid of Honor Sister Speech Examples to Inspire You
• 5 Tips for Crafting a Heartfelt Maid of Honor Speech for Mom
• 10 Tips for a Memorable and Heartfelt Maid of Honor Speech
• 10 Heartfelt Vows to Step Daughter

In conclusion, best man brother speech examples serve as invaluable guides for crafting a memorable and heartfelt speech.

These examples highlight the importance of celebrating the groom's journey and the unique bond shared between brothers.

Key takeaways include the significance of personal anecdotes, the balance of humor and sentiment, and the need to connect with the audience.

By following these insights, you can deliver a speech that not only honors the groom but also resonates with everyone present, making the wedding day even more special.

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It’s best to memorize your speech, but there is no shame in bringing a few index cards in your pocket to reference if you get nervous. Don’t forget to prepare and rehearse in advance. 

For a more in-depth speech, see our step-by-step guide below. 

What to Say in a Best Man Speech (Do’s and Don’ts)

A best man’s speech traditionally takes place at the wedding reception after the maid of honor gives her speech. The best man’s speech should be positive, respectful, and congratulatory. It can last 3 to 5 minutes and should focus on a central theme or story about the groom. 

Remember, a best man speech is not the time to “wing it.” If you do that, there may come the point when everything suddenly goes silent, and a crowd of 50-100+ people is staring at you, waiting for what you’re going to say about the groom. You probably don’t want to end up with a cringing audience while telling a story about the groom’s previous relationships:

Instead, remember these key best man speech tips for a successful toast: 

Here are a few examples of what you should say in a best man speech:

• How did you meet the groom?
• What is one of your favorite memories with him?
• How did the groom meet the bride? Were you there?
• What is special about the groom?
• What do you like most about him? 
• What are his positive traits? 

Playful banter : You don’t want to be too corny and cheesy with your bro. Depending on your relationship with the groom and the culture of the wedding, you may want to throw in a little banter with your dude. For example, you might make a funny joke about how much the groom loves going out to eat:

You should also avoid some key topics in a best man speech (more on what to avoid later). 

Do not mention:

• The groom’s past relationships
• Sexual jokes
• Drugs, alcohol, or past mistakes
• Insecurities of the groom
• Financial or personal information 
• Insults to the bride or the wedding guests 
• Overly embarrassing stories
• Teasing the bride
• Anything that could potentially harm your friendship

Keep things positive and lighthearted. While a little witty banter or playful teasing can be fun (depending on your relationship with the groom), you should avoid insulting him or highlighting any major insecurities. The “playful” part of the speech is an excellent fun icebreaker, but it shouldn’t hurt anyone’s feelings or make them feel publicly embarrassed in front of their wedding guests.

8 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to stumble into some common pitfalls when giving a best man speech. But don’t worry, I’ve got your back! Let’s dive into some frequent faux pas and how to sidestep them like a pro.

Open mic night

Remember, you’re not auditioning for a stand-up comedy gig. While humor is great, trying too hard to be funny can lead to crickets… or worse, uncomfortable silence.

How to avoid it:

• Aim for a balance of humor and sincerity
• Test your jokes on a friend or family member beforehand. This part is key!
• Remember, it’s okay if not every line gets a laugh

Roasting, and roasting, and roasting…

Sure, you’ve got dirt on the groom. But his wedding day isn’t the time to air all his dirty laundry.

• Keep stories lighthearted and positive
• Avoid mentioning exes or embarrassing moments
• When in doubt, ask yourself: “Would Grandma approve?”

Rambling rambo

Nothing makes guests check their watches more than a speech that just. Won’t. End.

• Stick to your planned 3-5 minute timeframe
• Practice with a timer
• If you see eyes glazing over, wrap it up

Me, myself, and I

Remember, this speech is about the happy couple, not your life story.

• Focus on stories that involve the groom (and ideally, the bride too)
• Limit personal anecdotes to those relevant to the couple’s relationship
• Use “you” and “we” more than “I” and “me”

Too much liquid courage

A drink might calm your nerves, but too many can turn your speech into a disaster.

• Limit yourself to one drink before the speech
• Hydrate with water
• Save the real celebrating for after your speech

Inside jokes

That hilarious moment you shared might have the groom in stitches, but if no one else gets it, you’ll lose your audience.

• Explain the context of inside jokes
• Choose stories that have universal appeal
• Read the room – if people look confused, move on

Just wingin’ it, bro

Spontaneity is great for improv comedy, not so much for wedding speeches.

• Plan and write your speech in advance
• Practice, practice, practice
• Bring notes or index cards as a backup

Tech failure

Relying too heavily on technology can backfire spectacularly, even if it’s the latest Apple or Microsoft tech.

• If using slides or videos, have a backup plan
• Test any tech elements beforehand
• Be prepared to deliver your speech without aids if necessary

Remember, the goal is to celebrate the couple and their love. Keep that in mind, and you’ll knock it out of the park!

Pro Tip: After writing your speech, run through this checklist to make sure you’ve avoided these common pitfalls.

How to Write a Best Man Speech for Best Friend or Brother: Step-by-Step

If you’re ready to prepare something more in-depth than the quick ideas above, this step-by-step guide can help you write a thoughtful speech that the groom may remember forever. After all, being named the best man at your friend or brother’s wedding is a tremendous honor. But like any honor, it comes with some responsibilities. After you finish all your bachelor party and wedding duties, an epic best man speech can be like the fireworks at the show’s end. 

Here are 5 simple steps to make it count:

Start with a theme

Before you start writing and rehearsing your speech, it helps to decide on a theme for your talk. This will give a nice flow to the speech. A theme ensures that you stay on track to communicate your congratulations and appreciation to the groom. 

What is the main message you want to get across? A few theme ideas include:

• Family Anecdotes : Best man toasts center around storytelling. This theme is the easiest way to stay on track because you are telling a simple story from beginning to end. Since you are a close friend or family member share anecdotes no one else would be able to share. Consider using pictures from childhood with a slideshow.
• Humor : Whether you’re naturally funny or working on your jokes ,  your speech is the perfect opportunity to get the audience laughing. Best man speeches are known for getting a little saucy, but you must be careful about offending the crowd or making crude jokes that might insult the bride and groom. If you want to tease the groom with some witty banter, it helps to make fun of yourself or reference an appropriate inside joke.
• Inspirational : Have you and the groom achieved an important business goal or accomplishment together? Do you have a shared role model or favorite motivational book you both read in college? This speech theme can leave the audience feeling inspired.
• Morality : Use your speech to highlight the great person the groom is. Perhaps you give examples of his integrity, trustworthiness, or generosity. You can emphasize how lucky you are to know the groom and how glad you are that he found a woman to spend his life with. 
• Sentimentality : When humor and storytelling aren’t your fortes, it doesn’t hurt to get a little corny. Sentimental speeches require a level of emotional vulnerability, but they can leave a huge impact on the newlyweds and their attendees. Here is an excellent example of a sentimental-themed speech where the groom’s big brother brings him to tears with a story about their father’s last words: 

Create an outline

You wouldn’t go on a road trip without a navigation system, so don’t go into your speech without a plan. The best toasts and speeches follow the same structure. Pull out a piece of paper and brainstorm some ideas using this format, then use the following steps to fill in the details:

• Hook/Opening statement : The opening statement should be a 1 to 3-line description about the groom. The first 7 seconds of the speech should hook the audience immediately. It warms them up to you and makes them want to pay attention to the amusing stories. You’ll find an abundance of opening-line ideas in the next section. 
• Background context : Now comes the why of your speech. This is where the context of your relationship with the groom comes in. You can throw in some funny jokes and a few details about your experience with him. Use this intro to build up the anticipation for the story to come. Write down a few ideas of stories you can tell. 
• Tell the story : Choose 1-3 short stories about the groom that is funny, slightly embarrassing, or interesting. Jot down a few of the sensory elements you want to reference, like the smelly locker room or the squeaking of tire wheels. Most stories follow a bell-curve pattern—they start with an intro, lead to rising action, peak with a capstone moment, then tie back to the beginning. Keep this in mind as you brainstorm and follow the story-planning steps below. 
• Take-home message : After you get a good laugh or “awww” out of the audience, you’ll want to bring the story back to the beginning. What do you want them to remember about your speech and friendship with the groom? 
• Thank the wedding party : Use a quick sentence to thank the wedding party and hosts. Express your genuine gratitude for being invited. 
• Closing toast and congratulations : After wrapping up the story and thanking the wedding party, you should invite the audience to toast the bride and groom with you. For an extra cheery finale, act as if you are speaking on their behalf and include lots of well-wishes for the newlyweds. 

Pro Tip : Before filling in your outline details, watch this video for an overview of how to give a memorable toast. Human behavior expert Vanessa Van Edwards explains the most common mistakes (don’t start with “I,” “me,” or “my”) and a few secrets to getting the audience to perk up in their seats. 

Opening line ideas for your best man speech

Once you have your outline, it’s time to dig into the details. People decide their first impression of you within 7 seconds, so it’s extra important to nail the opening line of your speech. Best men use this opportunity to crack a joke, compliment the wedding, or set a sentimental tone for the speech. 

Avoid making the first lines about you. No “me”, “I”, or “my”. Instead, start with a juicy or mysterious line about the groom, for example:

If you need a little inspiration, here are some hilarious and quirky best man speech opening lines: 

• “Caring, loyal, honest, good-looking, and an all-around-great guy… OK, enough about me, onto the groom…!” 
• “This is the perfect chance to tell you about [Groom] and how talented, special, smart, good-looking, and… sorry, man, I can’t read your handwriting here.” 
• “I’d like to give a toast to the bride and groom.” [pull a piece of toasted bread from your pocket and give it to them]
• “[Groom’s name] is the kind of person you call when you lock yourself out of the dorm bathroom without any clothes on.” 
• “The bride and groom asked me not to share embarrassing stories or crude jokes during my speech… so that’s it from me! Thanks for listening, everyone.”
• “I’d like to start by congratulating the groom for his excellent taste in choosing the best man.” 
• “[Groom] had a tough time choosing his best man. First, he called his most handsome friend, but he said no. Then, he called his smartest friend, and he said no. Then, he called his most successful friend, who also said no. Then he called me, and I said, ‘Bro, I can’t say no to you four times.'”
• “What can I say about [Groom]? I guess I’ll start at the very beginning. He was born on [groom’s birthday]. Our parents were hoping for a girl, but I’ve always said… close enough.”

Here is a genuinely funny opening line from a best brother wedding speech:

Pro Tip : Don’t forget to pause for laughter. If it doesn’t come, you can chuckle at yourself and cue the audience that they are supposed to laugh by saying, “This is where you are supposed to laugh,” or joking, “Sound guy, can you please cue the laugh track?” Then, keep going with your speech.

Don’t worry. You need not be a jokester to give a great opening line. If you want to go the nostalgic or tearjerker route, be sure it is highly personalized and thoughtful. Here are some sentimental opening line ideas:

• “There are friends, and there is family, but friends also become family. This is so true for [Groom] and me. We’ve been best friends since we were X years old, and I’ve always considered him my brother.” 
• “There’s an old Irish proverb that says a good friend is like a four-leaf clover—hard to find and lucky to have. I think that’s true. Good friends are hard to find, and I’m lucky to have called [Groom] my best friend for the last X years.” 
• “I’ve heard that the best relationships come from the foundation of a deep friendship. Experts say that laughter, mutual respect, and enjoying each other’s company are the ingredients for a long-lasting, joyful marriage. After knowing [Groom] and [Bride] for X years, there is no doubt in my mind that they will make a great pair.” 
• “In Good Will Hunting , Robin Williams said, ‘It doesn’t matter if the guy is perfect or the girl is perfect as long as they are perfect for each other.” Anyone who has seen [Groom] and [Bride] together can agree that this is true for them. I haven’t seen a perfect pair, and I’m happy to be part of this celebration of their love.” 

To learn more about the best speech openers, use this guide on How to Start a Speech: The Best (and Worst) Speech Openers . Some top tips include:

• Avoid starting with a lackluster nicety like “thanks for having me.” 
• Don’t mention your nervousness.
• Avoid mentioning technical difficulties like the microphone or saying, “Can you hear me?” 

Background context

Now that you’ve grabbed the audience’s attention, it’s time to give them a little background on why you are giving a speech in the first place. This is another sneak peek at some details you’ll cover in the speech. 

The whole point of this part is to tell them how you know the groom—but it isn’t about you. You’ll often hear wedding speeches that start with a drab, “I met the groom in college” or, “My name is ___, and I’m the best man.” You can do better than that! Try saying:

• “The groom was the first friend I made on the high school football team. I had no idea we would become roommates in a bachelor pad throughout college.” 
• “As little kids, the groom and I were known to be a dangerous duo in the neighborhood. He always carried the eggs and toilet paper, then instructed me where to throw them. But you can guess who always took the blame for his antics….” 
• “The groom and I have been friends and business partners for X years, and as you’ll hear shortly, he is the main reason I broke my arm during the last office basketball game. But first, I want to tell you a less embarrassing story….” 

Pro Tip : Focus on the groom, and don’t make it about you. One of the biggest mistakes people make during wedding speeches is talking too much about themselves. Your speech shouldn’t discuss where you’re from, what you think, or how you ended up at the party. The best man’s speech is a time to focus on the groom and his bride. 

Tell the story  

After your punchy opening line and background info, it’s time to tell the perfect story about the groom. Depending on the length of your speech and the details of your story, some best man speeches cover 1 to 3 short stories. 

Reference back to the memories you wrote when brainstorming. Pick a story that includes the most of these captivating elements:

• A little bit of embarrassment : Whether it’s you, the groom, or a mutual friend, it helps to poke some fun at someone in the story. If you fear being offensive, the best person to joke about is yourself.  
• Audience member references : You can get major bonus points if you bring wedding guests into the storytelling moment. You might say, “Mom, you might want to close your ears on this one!” or, “Brian, we’re talking about you!” 
• Sensory details : What did the scenery look like? What were the prominent smells, sounds, and tastes at the moment? A great story should make the audience feel like they were with you. Don’t forget to mention the frigid cold lake you jumped into or the outrageously spicy food that left you both panting and crying for water. 
• A final punch line : Ideally, the best story ends with a shocking moment or funny line. It should leave the audience laughing, crying, surprised, or even gasping. For example, in an epic adventure story about you and the groom on a hunting trip, you may end with, “Just as the shark was about to bite the line, Joe reeled in the massive bluefin and yelled, ‘I think we’re gonna need a bigger boat!’”

Pro Tip : If you have to ask, “Is this appropriate?” it probably isn’t. Some stories are better for late-night beers than they are for weddings. Avoid telling stories related to sexual topics, drugs, alcohol, illegal activities, or anything you wouldn’t want grandma to hear. 

Take-home message

When the story finishes, you’ve hopefully elicited some laughter or maybe some tears. All jokes aside, there is a reason you were the best man, and you are probably a significant person to the groom. This is a great time to emphasize the best qualities of the groom and why you’re so happy for his new love. 

Here is an excellent example of tying together the opening and closing lines with a heartfelt message about finding the perfect soul mate:

End your speech with a heartfelt toast

We’ve all heard “let’s raise a glass to [Bride] and [Groom]” before. You can do better than that! The final toast is like the fireworks at the end of your best man speech. Instead of something mediocre, invite the audience to join you in a genuine, thoughtful congratulations. Examples include:

• “Please join me in raising our glasses to the beautiful bride and handsome groom. May your lives together be long, healthy, and happy. We love you so much and are excited for you. Cheers!” 
• “Lift your glasses to thank Mr. and Mrs. [Bride’s Parents] for hosting this beautiful wedding. Let us all toast to the perfect union of the bride and groom. We wish you a bright and beautiful future. Cheers!”
• “Here’s to the past, for all you’ve learned. Here’s to the present for this beautiful moment we all share. Here’s to the future for all you’ve got to look forward to. Cheers to the happy couple!” 

Pro Tip : Make your toast inclusive and communal, so the audience feels like they’re cheering for the couple with you. Use words like “we”, “lets”, and “us”. This congratulation invites them to join as if you are speaking on their behalf. 

Use a best man speech template

A template makes things simple if you’re still feeling uneasy about writing your best man speech. You can take the structure of an example speech and incorporate your ideas and stories to make it your own. 

Best man speech example for a best friend :  

“Tonight, you’ll learn why the groom was destined to marry [Bride]. The year was 2002, and we were all in a bar with friends on New Year’s Eve in New York City. Snow was falling outside, and we were sipping champagne, waiting for the big ball to drop. Seemingly out of nowhere, a woman with a red dress entered the room, and everything seemed to stop. All the bachelors in our group were captivated, but only [Groom] had the guts to walk up to her. Rumor has it that his first opening line was ‘

Everyone talks about a woman’s glow when she’s falling in love, but I swear that [Groom] was smiling from ear to ear from the second they met. We could hardly get him to stop talking about her by the following week. We’d be watching football and drinking beers only to have [Bride’s] name brought up every 5 minutes. 

Fast forward 3 years, and we’ve all seen how much [Bride] has positively impacted his life. When he came to me to tell me he was proposing, my only response was, ‘ Finally, dude !’

There’s something extra special about these two. They go together like peanut butter and jelly. They love and respect each other so much. [Bride] was the one for [Groom] from the second they locked eyes in that hazy NYC bar. We are all so happy to be here for your big day. Let’s raise our glasses to the beautiful bride and groom! Cheers!” 

Another Best man speech example for a best friend :  

“The groom was the first friend I made on the high school basketball team. He wasn’t very good [pause for laughter]. I was the tallest player and obviously had the best free throw, but I was majorly lacking in the ladies department. Thankfully, [Groom] took me under his wing and showed me how to be a true gentleman. That includes opening doors for women and carrying their bags instead of just running in with my own. What would I have done without you, man?

Even though he was no good at basketball, [Groom] always had his head on his shoulders. He’s a respectful, intelligent, and relatively clean-cut guy. All joking aside, it’s no surprise that he ended up with a woman as intelligent and beautiful as [Bride]. You both deserve a lifetime of love, happiness, and success together. Please raise your glasses and join me in congratulating the bride and groom! We love you!” 

Practice your body language

Public speaking isn’t only about what you say but how you carry yourself. Your body language can drastically affect your confidence, your delivery, and how the audience perceives you. Use these body language hacks to take your speech to the next level: 

• Signal “friend” : Smile and show your open palms to send the message that you are the audience’s friend. This makes people feel more comfortable with your presence and more likely to listen.
• Stand up straight : When you look confident, you also feel more confident. Check your posture if your voice is a little shaky before the speech. Roll back your shoulders and tuck your shoulder blades down towards your back. Slightly lift your chest and chin as you speak. 
• Make eye contact: Throughout the speech, you should change your eye contact with different audience members. As you mention specific compliments or thanks, make eye contact with the bride, groom, groomsmen, bridesmaids, and the bride’s father.
• Genuinely smile : Smiling may seem obvious, but it’s easy to forget when you feel so focused on a perfect delivery. At the same time, you don’t want to look like you’re fake smiling throughout the speech. Use these 9 Simple Tips to Smile Better (in any situation!)
• Use your hands : It’s easy to let your nerves get the best of you and feel like a “deer in the headlights.” Instead of tucking your hands in your pockets, widen your stance and take up space. Use your hands and gestures while you talk to show that you are comfortable and happy during the speech. 

Want more tips? Here are 17 Body Language Presentation Cues to Use in Your Next Speech . 

Rehearse before the big day

Experts say you should rehearse a speech 10 times before performing it. Research also shows that people who mentally prepare themselves before a speech by imagining it going well are more likely to perform fluently and easily. So before you get in front of an audience, be sure you’ve gone over your speech at least 10 times, either in your head or out loud. Better yet, practice in the mirror, on camera, or in front of a trusted friend. 

It also helps to review the gist of the speech with the groom (without giving away any secret details) to make sure it’s alright with him. A few weeks before the wedding, you may pull him aside and ask, “Hey man, is it OK if I tell the story about ____ in my best man speech? I think it’ll get some good laughs.” 

Although this example is long, this best man very clearly rehearsed his speech for a near-perfect performance without any notes:

10 Expert Tips for Delivering a Killer Best Man Speech

Want to go beyond the ordinary? With just some tricks of the trade, you can keep the audience engaged and the laughs coming in the best speech you’ll ever write. Check these tips out!

Use the “Rule of Three”

Comedians and public speakers often use the “rule of three” because our brains are wired to remember things in threes.

Action Step: Structure your main points or jokes in groups of three. For example: “John is smart, kind, and only slightly obsessed with his cats.”

Use contrast to spark interest

Contrast creates interest and can make your points more impactful.

Action Step: Set up a contrast in your speech. For instance: “While most of us were struggling to figure out how to do laundry in college, Jacob was already starting his first business.”

Incorporate a callback

A callback refers to mentioning something from earlier in your speech, bringing it full circle.

Action Step: Plant a funny anecdote or phrase early in your speech, then reference it again at the end for a satisfying conclusion. For example:

Opening of the Speech:

“Hi everyone, I’m Mike, Jeff’s best man. Jeff always said he’d only get married if he found someone who could put up with his terrible singing in the shower. Well, today he found her!”

End of the Speech:

“Jeff, you found someone who loves you, even with your singing. Let’s raise a glass to Jeff and Anne. Cheers!”

Use the “Vowel Method” for Improvising

If you blank out, remember the vowels: A, E, I, O, U.

• A: And another thing…
• E: Excuse me, I just remembered…
• I: I just noticed…
• O: Oh, I almost forgot…
• U: Unbelievable, I can’t believe I didn’t mention…

Action Step: Practice using these phrases to smoothly transition if you lose your place.

Engage the senses

Help your audience visualize your stories by engaging their senses.

Action Step: For each anecdote, include at least one sensory detail. “The smell of burnt popcorn filled our dorm room as Jordan attempted to ‘cook’ for the first time.”

Use the “Bookend Technique”

Start and end your speech with the same theme or phrase for a polished feel.

Action Step: If you start with a quote about friendship, end with the same quote, but add how it applies to the couple’s relationship.

The “Pause and Punch” method

Build anticipation for your punchlines by pausing before you deliver them.

Action Step: Practice inserting a brief pause before your key jokes or points. It’s like adding an ellipsis (…) in written text.

Use different voices

When telling stories, use different voices for different characters to make your speech more engaging.

Action Step: Practice imitating the groom’s voice or mannerisms for one short quote in your speech.

Hint at something early in your speech that you’ll fully reveal later.

Action Step: Mention a mysterious object or event at the beginning, then explain its significance towards the end of your speech. Example:

“Hello everyone, I’m Mike, Jeff’s best man. Before I get into it, let me just say one thing: there’s a reason I’m holding this old, worn-out baseball cap.”

Middle of the Speech:

“Jeff and I have been friends since we were kids, and this baseball cap has seen us through countless adventures—catching our first fish, sneaking into the movies, and even when Jeff met Anne at the park.”

“So, why am I holding this cap? It’s a symbol of all the great memories Jeff and I have shared, and now, it’s a symbol of the new memories he’ll make with Anne. Here’s to a lifetime of adventures for the two of you. Cheers!”

Use a “Question Hook”

Engage your audience by asking rhetorical questions.

Action Step : Start your speech with a thought-provoking question like, “What makes a perfect marriage? Well, after knowing John for 15 years, I think I’ve figured it out…”

Bonus: Handling Emotions

It’s totally normal to feel a wave of emotion during your speech (but if you’re not the crying type, feel free to skip this section!). After all, your best bud is getting married! But you don’t want to turn into a blubbering mess in front of everyone. Here’s how to keep it together:

• Practice the Trigger Parts: Identify the parts of your speech that are likely to make you emotional. Practice these sections extra hard so you can get through them smoothly.
• Pause and Breathe: If you feel yourself getting choked up, pause and take a deep breath. It’ll give you a moment to compose yourself and will come across as a thoughtful pause to the audience.
• Have a “Reset Phrase” Ready: Prepare a lighthearted phrase to use if you need to regain composure. Something like, “And this is why I don’t watch romantic comedies,” can lighten the mood and give you a moment to recover.
• Keep Water Handy: A sip of water can help if your throat tightens up from emotion. Plus, it gives you a natural pause in your speech.
• Tensing: If you feel tears coming, try tensing your toes or pressing your tongue to the roof of your mouth. These physical actions can help distract from the emotional response.

Pro Tip: If you do get emotional, don’t apologize. Simply acknowledge it with something like, “Well, I guess this is what happens when your best friend finds his soulmate,” and continue with your speech.

Key Takeaways: Express Gratitude and Sentimentality in 3-5 Minutes

Ultimately, a best man speech is an opportunity to make your best bro look good in front of all his friends and family. Your speech should demonstrate how much you value your brotherhood or friendship. At the same time, you can enjoy 5 minutes of wedding fame without making things all about you. A great toast can make you a memorable celebrity at the wedding and have people laughing at your

Before jumping up at the reception and speaking off the cuff, remember to:

• Outline and plan your speech ahead of time. Use notecards if needed.
• Focus on the groom and his bride. Don’t go on and on about yourself. 
• Nail the opening line with a funny joke, quote, or teaser that leads into a great story. 
• Avoid inappropriate or cringey topics that could embarrass the groom.
• Express gratitude to the groom and wedding hosts. 

Giving a toast or speech is an essential social skill that can make you one of the most likable people in a room. If you want to learn more about the art of giving showstopping toasts, read this guide on How to Give an Awesome Toast: Advanced Strategies for Speeches .

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Best Man speech examples for your brother

Oliver Lucas

Published 12 Sep 2023

So you’ve read our blog on how to write a best man speech for your brother?  You’ve come to the right place for more inspiration.  Here, you will find real-life examples of best man speeches written by one brother to another, including those written for older brothers, younger brothers and even twin brothers.  They are long, medium and short in length so whatever your situation you will find some inspiration here that can help you in constructing your brother’s best man speech.

Best Man Speech for Older Brother

As this is my first time being best man, I was a little worried as to how long the speech should go on for. I asked around and the accepted norm seemed to be that it should go on for as long as it takes the groom to make love to his wife on their wedding night…. So on that note ladies and gentlemen, thanks very much, you’ve been a great crowd. SIT DOWN pause STAND UP Seriously now Ok ok the real speech now.

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen – For those of you who don`t know me, I`m Andrew, Paul’s younger brother. It`s great to be stood up here today because, after all these years, PAUL has finally admitted that I am the best man.

I would firstly like to thank both Paul & Gerri for giving me time to prepare this speech, well two weeks anyway.  First, let me start by saying that Gerri looks absolutely beautiful today and it is a real pleasure to welcome her into our family. pause Today, I feel like I’m gaining a new sister and losing a brother. It is such a mix of emotions: happiness, joy… relief!

So lets start with the traditional bit, on behalf of the bridesmaids, groomsmen and ushers I’m sure they would like me to thank Paul for his kind words and I have to agree with him they all look wonderful, they asked me to tell you they thought your not too bad yourself mate. I’m sure you all agree that Gerri looks fantastic.. One in a million and Paul looks like he always does …. Won in a raffle!  And he’s copied my outfit today! No really they are a great couple, Pure and Simple… Gerri’s pure…..

You will probably not be aware that Paul and Gerri had great trouble over the seating plan. Fortunately, Paul gave the room layout some serious thought and took the weight of the decision away from Gerri as any supportive partner should do. What Gerri doesn’t know is that Paul decided the seating should be according to the cost of your present, so the more expensive your present, the closer the person would be seated to the front. So I hope you at the back heard Paul when he thanked you for the teaspoons!

During my research on the internet into best mans role I also looked into weddings in general, I looked at the three key elements of the wedding service itself: – The AISLE – it’s the longest walk you’ll ever take The ALTER – the place where two become one The HYMN – the celebration of marriage.  I think Gerri must have done the same research as I did, because as she was walking past me, I’m sure I heard her whispering to herself, Aisle…altar…hymn, aisle altar hymn, I’ll alter him etc…

All I can say on that Gerri is good luck your gonna need it.  Before I launch into a deluge of secret tales about Groom’s shady past, I have more…  On leaving school Paul’s teenage years can be defined as several years of drinking, throwing up, and sleeping in the toilet cuddling up to the bowl…something sadly he still hasn’t grown out of yet.

It shouldn’t be too hard to believe that my brother was a deeply ugly baby. So ugly in fact, that when he was born the midwife had to be restrained from slapping our parents. And come to think of it, I recall my mum telling me she suffered badly from morning sickness ……. right up until Paul’s 1st birthday.

Paul’s been suffering from a terrible headache all day. He was going for the wet hair look and the toilet seat fell down. 

Some advice before I finish, I would like to give Paul some advice on what people thought were the ingredients to a long and happy marriage so here are a few. Turn and look at <groom>.  Firstly, set the ground rules and establish whose boss…and then do everything Gerri says!  Secondly, never be afraid that Gerri will leave you – she’s spent time training you, she’s not going to throw that away lightly! Thirdly, never forget to say those 3 little words every day for the rest of your life – “YOU’RE RIGHT DEAR!”.  Whenever you’re wrong, be a man and admit it …

Whenever you’re right, just “SAY nothing!” As they say a man who gives in when he is wrong is a wise man. A man who gives in when he is right is married.  And finally – there seems to be a bit of confusion over where Paul and Gerri are going on their honeymoon. I thought, perhaps like many of you that they were off to the sunny climes of Mexico but now I’m not so sure. After speaking to Paul just before we sat down for the meal I think they’re going to North Wales ………. Or at least I think that’s what he meant when he said that straight after the wedding he was going to Bangor for a week!  Toast Joking aside though, knowing the feeling that you get when you realise you have met the person you are going to spend the rest of your life with, it’s a feeling that you want to make the most of, and we are here to celebrate that with you both…long may it continue…

I’d like to finish up by saying what a great honour it’s been to be best man today. On behalf of the bride and groom, I’d like to echo what I said earlier and thank everyone for sharing their special day. On behalf of myself, I would just like to say that if you have enjoyed this speech half as much as I’ve enjoyed giving it, then I can only apologise. I started planning it about a month ago and you must feel that I’ve been delivering it for equally as long. So then, Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me immense pleasure, not to mention relief, to invite you all to stand……

I’d like you to raise your glasses in a toast to Paul and Gerri, the new Mr and Mrs Bailey who we wish well for the future, and hope they enjoy a long and happy marriage. Paul and Gerri. 

Best Man Speech for Younger Brother

Good afternoon Ladies Gentlemen girls and boys! We have arrived at that point in the day where we must rise from the comfort of our chairs and make fools out of ourselves, well some of us anyway! I will however try and postpone mine for as long as possible and hand you over to David, Kathy’s father to say a few word

Thank you David.

I would now like to hand you over to Nigel to make his excuses/say a few words. Well Nigel, I hope you made the most of your speech as now you’re a married man, that’ll be the last time you get to speak for 3 minutes without being interrupted or corrected!

Ladies and Gentleman, Boys and Girls I hope you are having a wonderful time, For what seems to be the tenth time today I find myself rising from a warm seat with a piece of paper in my hand.

I would like to read some messages from those who could not make it to this auspicious occasion. Now I will read a few cards which Nigel and Kathy have requested that I read.

To Kathy I’m Sorry I could not marry you myself so I got one of my mates to do it, but best wishes on your special Day. From the Pope …

Congratulations on your special day Nigel we will miss you.  All the girls from the fantasy lounge XX

I have never actually been a best man before and I am not renowned for my speech writing. I promise you though that I’ll try my best, because Nigel has promised that if I do a good job today, I can be Best Man at his next wedding, too.

It is really a great honour ladies and gentlemen but in all honestly I’m actually a little bit nervous doing this. I do feel a bit comforted by the fact I’ve actually already rehearsed this speech in front of a live audience. – Yep it was Nigel’s geriatric home – and I think it went well – they all peed themselves.

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Tom and for those of you that do … well I apologise. My full name is actually ‘Tom would-you-like-a-drink’. For those of you who I meet in the bar later, I’d appreciate it if you could use my full name. [pause] I am Nigel’s older brother and isn’t it good to see that I am finally receiving the recognition I deserve by being named as Best man. It is well known that I can talk and I couldn’t help but notice that there is a bet on about the length of my speech. Well, just to let you know, having backed myself at 2 hours 38 minutes and with the kitty currently standing at around £50, I must apologise in advance, so please try to make yourself comfortable and enjoy the ride.

I would like to thank the bridesmaids Lynn, Sheryl, Claire and Alison whom I’m sure you will agree all look radiant. And how nice it is to see Claire out of her emo/hippy outfit.

I would also like to thank Harry and Nick for carrying out the really difficult task of telling people where to sit in church, Nana Julie for laying on the horse and carriage, Rob for doing the invitation inserts and Uncle Jim for doing the video.

I would also like to thank Auntie Pam, Auntie Sue and Sarah for the glorious flowers in the church and everyone else who has helped with the hall.

Now it gives me great pleasure to ask you all to raise your glasses for some very important people, with out them here today the day would not be the same, Would you raise your glasses to toast. The bar staff!!

Before I begin, Kathy could you please place your right hand on the table, Nigel place your left on top of Kathy’s. All will be revealed in good time.

I can confirm to you all that last night Nigel slept like a baby………that is to say he wet the bed twice………..and woke up many times crying for his Mummy!

The only problem i think we have encountered so far is that Nigel and Kathy had a bit of an issue with the seating plan, because they really couldn’t decide where everyone should sit. So, true fashion, Nigel decided to link it to the wedding present list He decided to put those who brought the biggest items nearest the front, and work back from there…So ***** [“pause” and look around at the back for ******* ] Nigel and Kathy wanted to say thanks for the oven glove!

Nigel and Kathy have been together for a few years now and seem to have found their soul mates in each other.

In life, it’s difficult to imagine Morecambe without Wise, tom without jerry, Romeo without Juliet, Del without Rodney, and of course Nigel without Kathy.

As I have mentioned before, it is a great honour to be Best Man, but with the role comes the job of writing this speech, and to be honest I wanted to make the process as easy as possible.  So where do you begin for ideas.

The first and most obvious place seemed to be the Internet, so with a multitude of resources at my fingertips I dutifully began searching the web.

After a couple of hours searching I found some REALLY good stuff on the net, but ….then I remembered I was supposed to be looking for Best Man tips!

I was actually able to locate tons of ready-prepared speeches on the internet…. but sadly, not one of them were about a couple called Nigel and Kathy ….so it looks like it’s down to me after all. All this research lead me to discover that according to tradition, I am supposed to sing the groom’s praises, and tell you all in detail about his many good points. Sadly I can’t sing and I will not lie.

Kathy is a lovely person. She deserves a good husband. Nigel, you should be on your knees thanking God you married her before she found one!

Seriously Nigel, you are really lucky. You will leave here having gained a wife that is warm, loving and caring. A wife who is entertaining, funny, intelligent, and who radiates beauty wherever she goes. [pause] [face Kathy] And Kathy[pause] how lucky you are as well [pause] you leave today having gained a .[pause] Gorgeous dress and a lovely bouquet of flowers. [pause]

Nigel has had a chequered life and it started some 27 years ago when quite small he entered our family and joined Mark and me. This was a sad day and a real disappointment to us, we now had to share our toys with one more person. However it was not long until Nigel was exposing himself to the whole country literally sitting on a potty in the middle of the countryside as the world went on by. Later he went on to school and by the age of sixteen he finally left primary school.

Now instead of stories you will all have to listen to my martial advice instead. I’m not sure I’m the best person to dish out advice! But I do have the following words of wisdom for the happy couple.

Firstly, set the ground rules and establish who is the boss:

Then do everything Kathy says.

Always remember to tell your wife those three important little words [pause] ‘You’re right dear’.

Kathy A husband is like a tiled floor [pause] lay it right first time and you can spend years walking all over it.

A happy marriage is a matter of give and take the husband gives and the wife takes. [pause]

Remember the 5 rings: the engagement ring, the wedding ring, the suffering, the torturing and the enduring

Don’t forget Nigel if you buy her flowers, she knows you are guilty, and she will remember to the second the last time you bought her some … and the reason why!

Are any of you are wondering why I asked Nigel to place his hand on Kathy’s? Well I can now reveal that Nigel, as my final role, it is with great pleasure that I have been able to give you the last 10 minutes in which you have had the upper hand on Kathy. I hope you enjoyed it, as it will almost certainly be the last.

May your love be modern enough to service the times and old fashioned enough to last for ever.

Here’s to love, to laughter, and happily ever after. As Nigel and Kathy start their new life, please stand and toast the new husband and wife,

If you would all be up standing in my toast

To the new Mr and Mrs Wood

Nigel and Kathy!

Best Man Speech for Twin Brother

There comes a time in every person’s life when they meet their one true love, their soulmate, their destiny. The person, who will know and understand them for the rest of their life. That moment came for Alan, 32 years ago when he met me. Hello.

I suppose I should introduce myself. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Stephen, Alan’s younger sibling. To be asked by Alan, on this important day, to the best man is an honour for me and honourable of him, after all these long years, to finally admit that I am the best!

Firstly, thanks to the others for their speeches and for keeping them mercifully short. I hope to follow their example with my own. Rest assured though, unlike most traditional best man speeches, which are full of sexual innuendo, I’ve promised Alan and Aileen that if there is anything slightly risqué, I’ll whip it out immediately.

I would like to say how lovely and well turned out everyone looks today. It’s nice to see that most of you have made the effort. Of course none more so than our lovely bridesmaids who look fantastic in their beautiful dresses. Thanks also to them for their invaluable contribution to today’s events and for getting Aileen here on time. No mean feat, as I understand she put up quite a struggle.

Speaking of beautiful, our bride looks simply stunning. It is easy to see how Alan has come to be so enchanted. If I may say, your beauty makes Alan look more handsome than he actually is. Of course I jest, as Alan looks dazzling today although it could just be the light reflecting off his hair. There is so much silver in there now that he doesn’t wash it so much as polish it these days. But I think she’s made a wonderful choice … for her first husband.

So as I said before, Alan is my brother, twin brother to be precise, so we met long before we can both even remember. We were always and still are very close. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for him and likewise, there”s nothing he wouldn’t do for me. In fact, we spend most of our time doing nothing for each other.

Looking back on our childhood, Alan displayed 10 important character traits, which I believe have moulded him into the man he is today:

• Honesty – He always told on me.
• Generosity – He was a picky eater so I always got his leftovers.
• Integrity – We only did what he wanted to do.
• Kindness – Every year he always, always gave me half his birthday cake.
• Courage – He cleaned the top windows while I did the bottom.
• Thriftiness – He was always very careful with money. I once saw him drop a fifty pence piece and he was down so quickly it hit him on the back of the head.
• Discipline – He always did his homework.
• Reliability – He always let me copy it.
• Endurance – I’ve spent 32 years trying to convince him he was adopted.
• Trustworthiness – For years he has taken care of the family silver though why he chooses to wear it on his head I do not know.

He was also very clever as a kid. When I was younger I always heard everyone say ”oh that Alan, he’s so smart. What a brilliant boy – he”s so gifted”. At that time I was under the delusion that I was smart too but after our school days, Alan went off to University while I went off to the DSS to sign on every fortnight. Obviously after this we never saw quite so much of each other but I did ask some other people their opinion and how they would describe him:

Charming, urbane, witty and entertaining are all words. . But no-one said them so I won’t either. One actually told me they thought he was arrogant, conceited, selfish and insensitive. So thanks for that … Aileen. Only joking… it was his Mum. No, of course it wasn’t, because he was adopted.

Joking aside, Alan has been a great friend to me and while it would be impossible to summarise the last 32 years I would like to say that over this time he has been the best anyone could hope for in a brother, a companion and a best friend. I trust him implicitly so I know I can go to him for advice and support in the dark hours or just for frivolous stupidity. There is no better way I would like to pass the day than in his company doing nothing in particular.

When he told me he was getting married I was obviously delighted and I wish them both all the happiness in the world. While not being married myself, I like to think I’ve picked up a few things over the years.

* You should never go to bed on an argument – always stay up and argue.

* The woman should always get the final word in an argument. Anything after will be the next argument.

* The best way to remember your anniversary is to forget it once.

* Whenever you’re right, say nothing! It’s not worth it.

* Buy flowers only occasionally as it becomes suspicious otherwise.

* If asked the old classic: ”Do I look fat?” – Do not hesitate, do not say ”where?” and under no circumstances say ”stand back so I can get it all in”.

And finally, consider the words of Oscar Wilde “Women are meant to be loved, not to be understood”.

You will be happy to know that we are nearing the end of the speech so before the toast I will now take this opportunity to congratulate the happy couple. Anyone who has been lucky enough to spend time in their company, know what a great pair they really are. It seems everyone here today is having a great time and this is mainly down to the weeks and months of planning by Alan & Aileen. They have done an incredible job, and spent an incredible amount of money to make this such a special day. So from myself, my family and everyone here, thank you for the wonderful memories.

Now it gives me great pleasure to ask you all to stand and raise you glasses to the newly wedded couple.

”May you live as long as you like and love as long as you live”.

To Alan & Aileen.

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• Chapelle writes articles for The Knot Worldwide. She covers all things wedding-related and has a personal interest in covering traditions and history.
• Before joining The Knot Worldwide, Chapelle was an editorial intern for Subvrt Magazine.
• Chapelle has a degree in English writing from Loyola University New Orleans.

Pat yourself on the back—you're the best man. It's a good feeling when one of your loved ones asks you to be their right hand for the wedding. Beyond the fun best man duties , like planning an epic bach party , you'll have to give a rousing best man speech. We believe it's arguably the most meaningful duty, but don't let that get you nervous. Whether you're a public speaking pro or have only delivered speeches while on the eighth-grade debate team, boost your chances of making your best man speech a hit by using our helpful tips, ideas and examples for inspiration.

In this article:

Printable Template | How to Write | Examples | Tips | FAQs

Printable Best Man Speech Template

Delivering a best man wedding speech doesn't have to feel like a chore. Use the template below as a checklist while you're writing your best man speech.

How to Write a Best Man Speech Outline

We're guessing the thought of crafting a flawless best man speech from scratch feels pretty overwhelming right about now. Start by drafting a bare-bones outline (trust us, drawing up a rough outline is way more palatable than writing a fully fleshed-out speech). You don't need to include every element in your wedding speech . Instead, customize it to fit the couple, the event and your relationship with the groom.

1. Have a killer opening line.

Successful best man speeches always start with a good opener. Introduce yourself and explain your connection to the happy couple. Have fun with this part by sharing a quick joke or quoting a poem so your speech doesn't start off stale. For example, "Hello everyone! For those of you who don't know me, thank you so much for coming to my wedding. [pause for laughter] Sorry about that...I'm a little nervous."

2. Thank the other speakers.

Once you address the audience, give props to the previous speaker to help lead into your speech. If you know your speech has a sillier sentiment, now's your chance to warn your audience in the change of direction. Here's an example: "Let's give it up to the amazing speech given by the wonderful maid of honor . If you enjoyed how thoughtful and sweet her speech was, you better get the tissues ready for this one!"

Next, express your gratitude to the couple's parents. Thank the couples' parents for not only raising incredible adults and, if they helped pay for the wedding, for hosting such a great party. Here's an example: "I'd like to begin by expressing my deepest gratitude to the couples' parents for raising such amazing people, who I'm fortunate to call my best friends. I would also like to thank their parents for hosting such an awesome celebration for all of us to enjoy this evening."

3. Say a few words about your friend's new spouse.

Another writing a best man speech tip is always to give a special shoutout to the new spouse so they feel welcomed and included. Yes, we know you most likely have a closer relationship with the groom, but don't let that stop you from showering them with kind words––it's their big day too. Talk about the qualities you like about them and why you love them in the groom's life. Try this, "I'm so happy [Spouse's Name] fell in love with [Groom's Name]. Firsthand I've seen the grace, intelligence and confidence [Spouse's Name] has, which explains why [Groom's Name] knew he wanted to marry [Spouse's Name] after their first date."

4. Share personal stories.

What's going to make your best man speech stand out are personal stories. We suggest adding one or two anecdotes, like your favorite memories with the groom (and their partner, if you want). Avoid choosing a story that rambles on and has no sentimental or funny ending—keep it lighthearted and short. Here's a silly example, "I remember when we first met in first grade. [Groom's Name] had just glued his hand to his face but still used his free one to shake my hand and ask if I wanted to be his friend."

5. Talk about the couple's relationship.

This is the time to speak about why the groom and their new spouse are a great couple. Share how they first met and how their relationship has grown so other guests can get a better insight into the newlyweds. If you helped the love birds meet, say something like this in your best man speech: "I know I said earlier I'm the best man, but I lied. I'm actually Cupid because I'm the one who introduced these two eight years ago."

6. Propose a toast.

Finally, close out your best man speech with a heartfelt toast. Ask everyone to raise a glass and provide well wishes to the newly married couple. Steal this wedding toast : "Everyone, please join me in raising a glass to such a wonderful couple. I wish you a lifetime of peace, love and happiness. Love you guys!"

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Best man speech examples.

Now that you know how to write the outline, let us provide you with some inspiration. Here are four best man speech ideas for every type of delivery.

Short Best Man Speech Example

Short best man speeches can make the grade just as much as long ones. Try this short but sweet example.

As the poet, Dante once said, 'A great flame follows a little spark.' When [Groom's Name] met [Spouse's Name], there was a little spark. I know because I talked to him the next day.

From the way he talked about [Spouse's Name], this stranger he chatted up at a Halloween party, I could tell this spark was something special.

You two are fantastic together. May the flame burn long, and may sparks continue to fly. Cheers to the newlyweds!

Funny Best Man Speech Example

Funny best man speeches are our favorite. You get to show off your comedic skills while giving loving well-wishes to the happy couple.

Hello! For those who don't know me, I'm [Your Name], the best man. I've known [Groom's Name] since middle school, which means that it was before we learned mullets weren't a good look for either of us.

[Groom's Name] and [Spouse's Name] told me there are some topics I should avoid in this speech so…[Look through cue cards, then shake head and dramatically drop them all to the floor but one.]

[Reading from the remaining cue card] [Groom's Name] is really the best friend I've ever had. He's done so many wonderful things it would be difficult to name them all. Hey, [a Groomsman's Name], I can't read your handwriting here!

But seriously, it's all true. This guy is a great friend, the best I've got, and I'm very proud to stand by his side today.

[Spouse's Name], I was hoping to be the best-looking person in the room today but obviously, I failed miserably. You look beautiful and radiant. I'm beyond happy for the two of you.

May you always find joy in the little things, like your Xbox and 'Star Wars.' Oh wait, that's my personal goal. You should actually find joy in each other, and do everything you can to have a lifetime of happiness together. Let's toast the newlyweds!

Best Man Speech for Brother Example

Need best man speech examples for your brother? Use our speech below as a guide to delivering a sweet message to your older or younger brother.

On my fourth birthday, my parents got me a brother…I wanted a puppy.

But seriously, as a kid [Groom's Name] wanted to do everything I did. He used to follow me around. He used to sneak into my room and play with my Matchbox cars. Our parents could get him to eat his broccoli by making me eat my broccoli.

It wasn't until after I went to college that he started going down his own path. He started doing volunteer work. He found a job he loves, a pretty killer apartment and, of course, he found [Spouse's Name].

[Spouse's Name], you're the nicest person I've ever met, and my brother is so blessed to have someone like you in his life. Thank you for being there for him.

I'm so happy you two found each other especially because I'm gaining a sister today. Oh, and I want to set the record straight. I'm glad I didn't get a puppy that day. I love you, little bro.

Congratulations to both of you. I wish you lots of laughter, love and joy as a married couple. Cheers to the newlyweds!

Best Man Speech for Best Friend Example

For those who need a best man speech sample for their best friend, we got you covered. Here's how to tell your BFF you're happy for them on their special day.

Good evening, everyone! I'm [Your Name], and I'm extremely honored to call myself [Groom's Name]'s best man. Also, please excuse the puffiness under my eyes, I've been happy crying since before the ceremony.

I first met [Groom's Name] while working at a pizza joint called Domenica's while in college. I hated being a server with all my heart, but whenever [Groom's Name] and I were scheduled together, it made it so much more bearable.

We laughed until we cried, ate hundreds of garlic knots and I can't tell you the amount of times we accidentally got pizza dough stuck to the ceiling during our pizza toss competitions. But even after we both quit and moved on to bigger and better things, we still kept in touch and I'm eternally grateful.

One of those bigger and better things was [Spouse's Name]. [Groom's Name] really discovered the perfect piece to his puzzle. [Spouse's Name] laughs at his bad jokes, listens to his long monologues about Batman vs. Superman and most importantly, loves him no matter what. [Spouse's Name] is a phenomenal and caring person who deserves the world, and I know [Groom's Name] will do everything he can to give it to them.

Thank you both for allowing me to be a part of your beautiful wedding, and I can't wait to see what else is in store for you in the future. Love you guys, and cheers to the handsome couple!

Best Man Speech Tips

Good news! We got how to give a best man speech tips from Dominic Bliss, wedding writer and author of Being the Best Man for Dummies. Study up on these helpful pointers below to minimize pre-speech jitters and ensure a smooth delivery.

Plan ahead.

The first tip in our guide on how to write a best man speech is to get started in advance. (As in, do not procrastinate.) "Start writing a best man speech at least two months before the wedding," Bliss says. "As the wedding nears, there are lots of events—suit fittings and a coed shower, perhaps—that could distract you from getting your writing done." Brainstorm and write down any stories, jokes or best man speech quotes you want to include. The more time you have to prepare your best man speech, the better. This way, you'll be able to be fully present at upcoming wedding festivities.

Be genuine.

Whether the wedding guests are strangers or family, it can feel nerve-racking to deliver your best man speech with all eyes on you. To ease the awkwardness, provide anecdotes and stories about your relationship with the couple. Everyone loves a bit of nostalgia, and the guests get to know you better.

With that said, stay true to how you normally act while making your speech. There's no need for you to change who you are for some made-up public speaking persona. If you feel more comfortable cracking jokes throughout your speech, do it. If you are better at being sentimental and don't mind leaving everyone misty-eyed, take that approach. Remember, the couple chose you to speak at their wedding because they felt you could add something special to their big day. As long as you deliver a heartfelt speech, the newlyweds and guests will love it.

Know what topics to avoid.

There are a few topics to omit from the best man speech. No matter how funny you (and even the groom) might think they are, someone is bound to be offended or put off if you mention:

• Negativity about marriage in general.
• Past relationships.
• Previous marriages/divorces.
• Drinking, drugs, gambling.
• "Adult" humor or any other mention of sex.

After all, your best man speech should celebrate the newlywed couple and their love rather than causing future friction. Keep it PG.

Consider adding jokes.

If you want to deliver a funny best man speech, consider poking some fun at the groom. "Every groom will have some funny characteristic or quirk you can ridicule," Bliss notes. "As long as it's something everyone can appreciate, it's sure to get a laugh. Avoid obscure references or inside jokes. You want older guests and those who don't know him well to see the funny side too." Be strategic about your jokes too. You can make jokes about the groom but leave their new spouse alone.

Write it down.

Even those with a great memory will feel more confident with a written speech or at least a few bullet points to keep them on track. Nerves can mess with your memory, so don't think you're a failure if you have to bring notes with you. (Even CEOs do this at corporate events.) Bliss suggests using small note cards instead of a sheet of paper since they "won't flap around."

And yes we know many groomsmen will want to read off their cell phones out of convenience, but wedding planners recommend against it. The lighting from your phone screen can ruin the wedding photographer's photos and can be distracting to guests. Practice writing down your speech instead—it's quite soothing.

Practice with an audience.

This tip is a must when it comes to writing a best man speech. Even if you think you have this whole thing in the bag, practice delivering your wedding speech aloud at least three times. When you're by yourself, take a video and watch the playback to get a feel for how your speech is going. (Do you say "um" between every sentence? Are your gestures a little robotic?) If your friends can't offer critiques in person, "send [the video] to a close friend who won't be going to the wedding and who can give you honest feedback," Bliss recommends.

Finally: don't mumble. A great best man speech becomes boring if it's monotonous or guests are straining to hear you. Speak confidently and slowly.

Best Man Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time giving a best man speech, you might have a lot of questions. Here are answers to the top wedding speech inquiries.

How Long Should a Best Man Speech Be?

In general, the best man speech length should be at least three minutes, but no more than five minutes. This is enough time to say something meaningful before guests get too antsy. Of course, you should adjust your speech length to the event. If you're speaking at a last-minute wedding, it might require a brief speech, while a formal affair could call for a longer toast. But you might also be wondering, "how many words should a best man speech be?" We suggest between 700 to 1000 words.

How to Start a Best Man Speech

Begin your speech by addressing the audience and thanking them for attending the wedding. Here's an example, "Hello, everyone. On behalf of the newlyweds, I want to thank everyone for attending this amazing celebration." You can even butter up the crowd by saying how lovely everyone looks this evening. Then, introduce yourself and how you know the groom or couple. This is a great opportunity to add a funny story or memory you have with them that can lead you into the rest of your speech.

How to End a Best Man Speech

Raise your glass and offer a toast wishing the couple a lifetime of happiness, excellent health and success. Your toast can include one final joke or be a marriage quote from your and the groom's favorite movie. Either way, take this chance to sincerely express the newlyweds well. Remember, concluding the speech is the easiest part.

Does the Best Man Have to Give a Speech?

It's not required, but it's expected that the best man gives a speech—especially if the other honor attendants are giving one. If speaking in public makes your stomach turn, consider showing your appreciation for the couple in a different way. We've seen best men do upbeat choreography, sing the couple's favorite song or even present a wedding video they made.

When Does the Best Man Give His Speech?

Following the traditional wedding speech order , the best man speaks after the maid of honor and is the last speech during the reception. There's no need to use this itinerary since the speech order depends on your reception timeline and wedding party size. The to-be-weds might even ask you to deliver your speech during the rehearsal dinner, which most likely will be in front of a smaller audience (score!). Before the wedding and during, double-check with the couple to ensure you know when to give your best man speech so no one has to hunt you down when it's your turn.

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• Home / Blog / Guides / Best Man Speech About Brother: Tips and Examples to Help You Succeed

Best Man Speech About Brother: Tips and Examples to Help You Succeed

As the best man and brother, you hold a unique and meaningful position in the groom’s life. This isn’t just any role; it’s one steeped in shared history, deep bonds, and countless memories. Your relationship with the groom gives you an unparalleled perspective—one that allows you to celebrate him in a way no one else can. The best man’s speech is a crucial part of setting a positive tone at the wedding reception, focusing on the groom and ensuring it resonates well with the audience. Being the best man at your brother’s wedding is an honor that comes with significant responsibilities, including preparing a heartfelt and memorable speech that reflects your unique relationship and shared memories.

Your responsibilities are multifaceted. Beyond supporting him emotionally and helping him navigate the whirlwind of wedding day activities, you’re also tasked with making sure the event is unforgettable. And this speech? It’s your moment to shine. This is your chance to celebrate his journey, your bond, and the exciting future that lies ahead for him and his partner. You’re not just a guy standing up there delivering jokes—you’re the keeper of childhood memories, the guardian of inside jokes, and the holder of all those embarrassing stories he probably hopes you’ve forgotten.

Understanding Your Role as Best Man and Brother

As the best man and the groom’s brother, you hold a position of great honor and responsibility. This isn’t just about standing by his side on the big day; it’s about celebrating a lifetime of shared experiences and the exciting future that lies ahead. Your speech is a golden opportunity to highlight the unique bond you share with your brother and to welcome his partner into your family with open arms.

Think about the countless memories you’ve created together—those childhood adventures, the inside jokes, and the moments that have defined your relationship. These are the stories that will make your speech personal and heartfelt. Your deep understanding of his personality, values, and quirks will allow you to craft a narrative that is both authentic and touching.

Remember, your role is not just to entertain but to honor your brother and his new spouse. Your words should reflect the love and respect you have for them, making the occasion even more special. So, take a moment to reflect on what makes your brother the person he is today and how his partner complements him perfectly. This will help you create a speech that resonates with everyone in the room and leaves a lasting impression.

Crafting a Compelling Best Man Speech

The secret to a memorable speech lies in finding the perfect balance between humor and sincerity. This is your opportunity to honor your brother, celebrate the love he’s found, and offer your blessings for the journey ahead.

Before diving into the details, take a moment to share a few words about the groom and his bride. Start by reflecting on what makes the groom and his bride special. What are the qualities that make their relationship unique? Is your brother the adventurous one, while his bride is more of a planner? Do they share a love for travel or a mutual passion for a particular hobby? Understanding these dynamics will help you craft a speech that resonates with everyone in the room.

To ensure your speech is impactful, consider these man speech tips: focus on positive storytelling, prepare thoroughly, and engage the audience with heartfelt anecdotes and humor.

Structuring the Best Man’s Speech

A well-structured speech is like a well-choreographed dance—it flows effortlessly from one moment to the next, keeping the audience engaged and entertained throughout. Crafting a heartfelt and personalized brother speech is essential, especially in the context of a best man speech at a wedding.

Start with a strong opening that grabs everyone’s attention. This could be a humorous anecdote, a touching memory, or a heartfelt expression of gratitude for being part of such a special day.

In the middle section, weave together the stories and memories that best illustrate your brother’s character and his relationship with his partner. This is where you can let your personality shine, whether it’s through humor, sentimentality, or a mix of both.

As you approach the conclusion, shift your focus to the couple. Speak about what makes their relationship strong and why you believe they’re perfect for each other.

Finally, end with a heartfelt toast that leaves a lasting impression on everyone in the audience. This is your moment to wish them well and express your happiness for their future together. Remember, the context of a man’s speech is crucial; it should celebrate the couple rather than focusing too much on personal experiences.

Tips for Delivering a Great Speech

Delivering a speech is more than just reciting words—it’s about engaging your audience and taking them on an emotional journey. Think of yourself as a storyteller, weaving tales of laughter and heartwarming moments that will stick with your listeners long after the day is over. Including a touching story can make your speech even more memorable and relatable.

Make eye contact with your brother and his partner as you speak. This helps to reinforce the emotional significance of your words. Let the weight of the occasion guide your delivery, allowing your emotions to come through naturally.

Use humor to add levity, but be mindful not to cross the line into anything that might be inappropriate or offensive. The goal is to celebrate, not embarrass, and to ensure that everyone feels included in the moment. Remember, very few people are natural public speakers, so practice is key to delivering a great speech.

Engaging the Audience

Engaging the audience is a crucial aspect of delivering a killer best man speech. You want to capture their attention from the get-go, make them laugh, and maybe even bring a tear to their eye. To achieve this, you need to be confident, passionate, and genuine in your delivery.

Start with a strong opening that grabs everyone’s attention. This could be a funny story from your childhood or a touching memory that sets the tone for the rest of your speech. Use humor and anecdotes to keep the audience entertained, but be mindful to strike a balance between light-hearted moments and heartfelt words.

Make eye contact with the audience, especially with your brother and his partner. This helps to reinforce the emotional significance of your words. Use gestures and body language to emphasize your points, and vary your tone and pitch to keep everyone engaged. Remember, your speech is not just about the groom but also about the couple and their love story. So, be sure to include the bride in your speech and highlight the special bond between the two.

Here are some tips to help you engage the audience:

Start with a strong opening that grabs their attention.

Use humor and anecdotes to keep them entertained.

Make eye contact and use gestures to emphasize your points.

Vary your tone and pitch to keep them engaged.

Include the bride in your speech and highlight the special bond between the couple.

End with a memorable toast that leaves a lasting impression.

By following these tips, you’ll be able to deliver a best man speech that is both engaging and memorable. Remember to be yourself, be sincere, and speak from the heart. With practice and preparation, you’ll be able to deliver a speech that will make the occasion even more special for the happy couple.

Using Humor and Embarrassing Stories Effectively

A great speech isn’t just a string of generic jokes and clichés; it’s a carefully crafted narrative that reflects the unique personalities and relationship dynamics of the couple you’re celebrating.

Begin by acknowledging the significance of the day and how honored you are to be standing by your older brother’s side. From there, share your hopes and dreams for their future together, expressing how much their love and commitment mean to you. As a proud brother, this moment is incredibly special, and it fills you with joy to celebrate their union.

Incorporate humor at key moments to lighten the mood, making sure it serves to enhance the sentiment rather than detract from it. A well-placed joke can make the heartfelt moments even more impactful, creating a speech that’s both touching and entertaining.

Best Man Speech Examples to Inspire You

If you’re looking for practical inspiration, here are some ideas to get you started. While no one can write your speech for you, these examples can serve as a foundation:

Share a story about your brother that captures his best qualities, whether it’s his kindness, loyalty, or sense of humor. As the groom’s brother, this could be a childhood memory or a more recent experience.

Highlight the bond between your brother and his spouse. What was your first impression of them as a couple? How have they grown together?

Offer advice for the newlyweds, such as the importance of finding humor in the little things, supporting each other’s dreams, and always making time for one another.

Balancing humor and sentiment is crucial in man speeches to engage the audience effectively.

Rehearsing and Timing Your Speech

Rehearsal is the secret weapon of every successful speaker. Just like an actor wouldn’t expect to nail their performance without practice, you shouldn’t go into your speech unprepared.

Practice in front of a mirror, record yourself, or present in front of a small group of friends or family. This will help you refine your timing, tone, and delivery, ensuring that you’re confident and at ease when the big moment arrives.

Handling Nerves and Stage Fright

Let’s be honest—standing in front of a crowd can be nerve-wracking, even for experienced speakers. But don’t worry, there are techniques you can use to calm your nerves and take the stage with confidence.

Take deep breaths, focus on your message, and remind yourself that it’s okay to make mistakes. The audience is on your side, and they’re there to support you.

Use relaxation techniques like visualization, meditation, or yoga in the days leading up to the wedding to help manage any anxiety. Visualize yourself delivering the speech successfully, and it will help make that a reality.

Creating a Lasting Impression with Heartfelt Words

Your words have the power to create a moment that will be remembered for a lifetime. The true magic of this moment lies in its ability to create lasting memories not just for you and your brother, but for everyone in attendance.

Your speech can become a treasured keepsake, a reminder of the love and joy that filled the day. So, take the time to make it special—infuse it with your personal touches, your heartfelt emotions, and your genuine love for your brother and his new spouse.

With these tips and examples in mind, you’re well on your way to delivering a best man speech that will be remembered for years to come.

WeddSpot Team

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How to Write a Best Man Speech for Your Brother

Not only do you get the pleasure of being the brother of the groom, but you also get to wear the best man title too. Now all that's left is to nail your best man speech.

Delivering a wedding speech can seem daunting at the best of times, but when you're tasked with writing a best man speech for your brother , the stakes are even higher.

But fear not, we're about to make your life  so much easier with a complete guide to best man speeches for a brother, or a friend so close, you feel like you're related. 

The best man speech is a highly anticipated one, as it's your job to get the guests laughing and give people additional insight into who the groom  really  is - keeping it light, of course. 

But when the best man is your brother, you have a whole new realm of stories, anecdotes and memories to use as material.

With so many years side-by-side, you're privy to so much more about the groom than just the college or university days, allowing you to write a best man speech for your brother that no one else could deliver. 

A Complete Guide on Writing a Best Man Speech as a Brother

Packed full of best man speech tips for brothers, here you will find examples  and advice to ensure you nail your big moment. 

How to Structure a Best Man Speech for a Brother

Tips on delivering a best man speech for a brother, best man speech examples for a brother.

When it comes to structuring a best man speech for a brother, the structure is very similar to a regular best man speech for a friend. Whether you're planning on delivering a short best man speech , or a longer one, these are the things you need to include and a baseline structure to follow. 

1. Introduce Yourself

Just because you're the groom's best man  and brother, doesn't mean you get away with not introducing yourself. Every speech, (unless you're a bride or groom) should start with an introduction. It doesn't have to be super long, in fact, we encourage you to keep it short and sweet. 

Tell the room who you are, and start with a bit of background about your relationship with your brother. Are you super close? Have you been attached at the hip since birth? Or has he asked you as more of a formality?

If the latter is the case, that's definitely something you can make light of, saying something like, "We all know [X] should have been best man, but being a blood relative means I take the win here. Although, I don't feel like much of a winner. [X] got to have fun planning the stag do, and I win the less sought-after prize of speaking in front of a room full of people I barely know. Thanks mate [looks at groom]. Anyway, about that stag do..."

2. Share Some Stories

All good speeches are centred around a small handful of brilliant stories and memories. The trick here is to remember 'less is more'. Pick one or two stellar stories, ones perhaps only you could tell as the best man  and brother. 

This is also a great moment to bring your parents into the fold. As a family member, you can speak to the groom's childhood and family set-up better than anyone. Lean into stories that make the groom who he is, but keep things funny versus embarrassing. You don't want anyone in the audience wincing now, do you? 

3. Congratulate the Couple

Congratulating the couple and raising a toast to the newlyweds is an important part of any best man's speech, but even more so when you're giving a best man speech as a brother. 

If you and your siblings are close, it's likely you'll have known your brother's partner almost as long as they have. If you're super close, you could touch on the fact that they've always felt like family and say something like, "As the groom's brother and best man, this is where I'm supposed to welcome [X] into our family, and tell you how happy I am to have gained another sibling, but the truth of the matter is, you've felt like family since the day [X] first brought you home."

For something a little funnier and a bit cheeky, you could say, "Tina, you're a really good person. You value a person's character and personality over the way they look. And if you're wondering how I know this, it's obvious isn't it? Because if you were into looks over personality, you'd have picked the other brother [points at self]."

With the structure down, here are some pointers on how to write and deliver a cracking best man speech for your brother. 

1. Avoid Too Many In-Jokes

As brothers, you're bound to have dozens of inside jokes and things only the two of you understand, and there's no harm in shedding some light on one or two of these, but the problem with including too many in-jokes in a best man speech is that, only the two of you are likely to find it funny. With this, you run the risk of losing the room. 

If you want to touch on more of these, consider writing a letter to give to your brother on the morning of the wedding instead and stick to jokes and stories everyone can relate to for the main speech. 

2. Keep it Clean

One of the biggest mistakes so many people make when delivering best man speeches is going dirty when it's not necessary. You don't have to be rude or crude to be funny, and if one guest feels uncomfortable with stories you're telling, it's one guest too many!

On that, it's bad enough when any of your pals stand up and tell sex stories or crude tales about you in front of your friends and family - so having someone related to you say things like that is  even worse . 

If you're unsure whether or not any of your stories cross the line, sense-check them with someone whose opinion you trust. 

3. Less is More

As the best man and brother, you will likely have more stories and memories than anyone in the room, but that doesn't mean you have to tell every single one. Pick two or three (at the most) to share with the crowd and only spend a minute or two on each.

4. Sentiment is Key

A bit of sentiment and emotion in any speech is golden, but even more so when you're giving a best man and brother speech about the groom. Jokes are great, but they land even better when a bit of emotion is peppered in-between. Trust us! Don't be afraid to say some sweet things too, we guarantee the audience will love it and so will your brother. 

5. Remember the Jokes

Like we said, a mixture of heartfelt words and funny one-liners is golden when it comes to best man speeches - but to nail that balance, you need jokes! Not every line needs to be a joke, but you need some in your introduction, one or two within the story, and one to end on. 

Jordanna Marston Photography

Need some practical inspiration for your best man speech as a brother? If so, you've come to the right place. 

No one can write a speech about your brother better than you can, but we can give you some starting points which you can build on. 

Best Man Speech for a Brother: Introduction Examples

• If you’re a bit of a joker: “I’m Tom, Paul’s best man and also his big brother. I think it says a lot about a man when he chooses his brother to be his best man…. Mostly, of course, it says: 'I have no friends'.”
• Another one for the jokers: “For those of you who don`t know me, I'm Andrew, Charlie's younger brother. It's great to be stood up here today because, after all these years, Charlie has finally admitted that I am the best man.”
• If your brother has two best men: “For those who don’t know me, my name is Sam and I’m today’s best brother. I say best brother, as there’s less competition in that category than in the best man competition, and if you like Craig’s speech better then at least I still win at something.”
• If two brothers are giving a speech: "Hi, I'm Callum and this is Cameron. We're Scott's brothers, [pause] and we know what you're thinking, how are his brothers  so much better looking than him. And trust us, we've been asking ourselves the same question for years."
• If you’re feeling sentimental: “For those that don’t know much about mine and Steve’s relationship, let me fill you in a bit. I’m the older one, which means I’ve been about for his entire life. I’ve had the privilege of watching him grow into the best man I know, aside from our own father.”

 Best Man Speech for a Brother: Family Story Examples

• “Our parents have always had an almost uncanny ability to know what’s going on in our lives. When Paul found me smoking in the back garden when I was 13, our parents were the first to know. When he spotted me setting off fireworks from my bedroom window, our parents were the first to know. When Paul saw me taking… Hey! Wait a minute! My brother’s a snitch!”
• “Other than the couple themselves, I don’t think anyone here is more happy to see Paul getting married than our parents. They’ve been an amazing role model for me and Paul. They’ve been married for thirty years, and they are still as loving and loyal as ever. It’s their love that forms the bedrock of the happy, supportive and loving family before you now. The only thing that was missing, until today, was [brother's partner].”
• “Brothers remember staying up late with dad and then rushing to bed when we heard mum come home. Brothers understand that what mum doesn’t know won’t hurt her and that nobody likes a turtle tail. Brothers understand that farting at the dinner table will earn you dish duty but then if you make it silent you can blame it on someone else. Andrew. Though if you blame it on mum, that will definitely earn you dish duty. Brothers share childhood memories and grown up dreams.”

  Best Man Speech for a Brother: Sibling Story Examples

• “There's three of us brothers, I was planned, Jack was an accident and the groom, Mike, was the girl they always wanted, but never got.”
• “Brian and I have been brothers for 35 years now. In the course of 35 years, you really get to know someone well. I’ve seen him go from an annoying little kid to the slightly less annoying guy you see today.”
• “Michael took his role as my big brother very seriously when we were kids. He beat me up, stole my stuff, embarrassed me in front of my friends and told our parents whenever I did anything wrong. Anyway, it’s a real honour to be giving this best man’s speech today… or as I call it, pay back.”

 Best Man Speech for a Brother: Joke Examples

• “A recent study has revealed that 66% of people in Britain are addicted to puzzles – which means at least two-thirds of you must be trying to work out what on earth Jack sees in Mark.”
• “One of my earliest memories of Joe was him telling jokes that made absolutely no sense. Those of you who knew Joe as a kid will understand what I’m saying. He’d say something like… ‘Why did the chicken cross the road? Because granddad doesn’t like ice cream.’ FYI, Joe’s jokes today aren’t much funnier.”
• “We all know [brother's partner] is a wonderful person who deserves the perfect guy. Too bad you don’t always get what you deserve.”
• “Myself and Tom were lucky enough to be taken on lots of exciting holidays and day trips when we were younger. They’re where some of my most embarrassing stories come from…”

 Best Man Speech for a Brother: Examples Talking About the Partner

• "[Partner's name], welcome to the family. You really have hit the jackpot, gaining the family surname, a season ticket to Crystal Palace and a lifetime supply of political debates at the dinner table. That's what dreams are made of!"
• “I’m over the moon to be welcoming [partner's name] into the family. We all love you very much and I’m sure you’ll find us to be a warm and supportive bunch. Just – and I can’t stress this enough – steer clear of Monopoly. Seriously. If the box comes out, just run.”
• “[Partner name] is something of a miracle worker. They took the misshapen lump of human Play-Doh that I call my brother, and moulded him into a man. Let’s hope it lasts. And if he does start to get brittle or droopy in his old age, just sprinkle him with water, roll him around a bit, and draw a smiley face on him with a sharp stick.”
• “[Partner name], you look absolutely beautiful tonight, I can think of no-one else that I’d rather have join our family or who would be a better spouse to Brian than you. You are generous, selfless, loving and kind.”

To guarantee the laughs, check out these best man speech jokes - we promise, they're better than the ones you've heard before! 

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Top 17 Best Man Speech Ideas for a Younger Brother’s Wedding

Being the best man at your brother’s wedding is quite an honor — and quite a big responsibility, especially for an older brother.

The biggest job, perhaps, is giving the best man’s speech at the wedding.

Your little brother has looked up to you all his life, after all, and you want to make his day more special.

The tradition of serving as best man to the groom is believed to have been around since the 1500s, [1] so you might be wondering how you’re going to make your speech stand out.

Below, we provide the list of unique things to say in a best man speech to a younger brother, as well as a few speech templates.

We also offer tips for creating your own best man speech to make sure you’re covered on the big day.

• I’m [groom’s name]’s best man and also his big brother. I think it says a lot about a man when he chooses his brother to be his best man… Mostly, of course, it says: “I have no friends.” [2]
• For those of you who don’t know me, I’m [groom’s name]’s older brother. It’s great to stand up here today because, after all these years, [groom’s name] has finally admitted that I am the best man. [2]
• My name is [your name], [groom’s name]’s older brother and best man for the day. [Groom’s name] didn’t choose me in the traditional way. In fact, our other brother [brother’s name] and I drew straws… and just because I’m standing up here, don’t think for one minute that I was the winner. [3]
• [Groom’s name], I am deeply proud to be your older brother, and truly honored to be your best man. In spite of our [number]-year age difference, we share a special closeness and friendship that I treasure. Maybe that’s got something to do with me acting [half the number of years in age difference] years younger than my age, and you acting [half the number of years in age difference] years older. But seriously, as your big brother, I’ve always tried to watch over and protect you. Just as often, though, it’s been the other way around. [3]
• It’s the job of the best man to say a few complimentary things about the groom. Well, he’s handsome, intelligent, and naturally gifted at sports. Of course, none of this should come as a surprise — we do, after all, come from the same gene pool. [3]
• It’s such a privilege to be [groom’s name]’s best man. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m his big brother [your name]. [Groom’s name] has always made me laugh. He cheered me up when I was down. Wedding titles aside, he’s the real best man in the room.
• We all know [bride’s name] is a wonderful lady who deserves the perfect guy. Too bad you don’t always get what you deserve. [2]
• To my little brother and the beautiful bride, tonight we celebrate you. We all wish you a lifetime of happiness, love, health, success, and laughter. May you continue to find humor in the bad and appreciation for the good. May your friendship continue to grow through the years to come. Cheers! [4]
• I stand here today to toast my little brother and his new bride and to celebrate their new union together. All your joys will now be doubled because you can share them together. All your trials and tribulation have now been halved because you can now solve them together. In marriage, you promise to care about everything — the good things, the bad things, and the mundane. You promise each other that life will not go unwitnessed, because you will witness it with each other. Remember, you two, this is just the beginning. The best is yet to come. [4]
• My kid brother [groom’s name] and I share a common sense of humor. So if this speech is in any way unfunny, feel free to blame him. [5]
• I never thought this day would come. My baby brother somehow managed to find someone who can put up with him, and I couldn’t be happier. Here’s to [groom’s name] and [bride’s name]. May you share a wonderful life together.
• Let me just start by saying to my little brother, I love you so much, and I really hope you’ll feel the same about me after you hear my speech. [6]
• Seeing the happy couple walking down the aisle earlier today, I’m sure we’ll all agree that the bride looked simply stunning. [My little brother] the groom, on the other hand, simply looked stunned. [5]
• As I stand here today and see my little brother with his new wife, [wife’s name], I can clearly see that my brother has finally won. [Wife’s name] is the most outgoing, fun, and kind-hearted person. He doesn’t have to roll the dice — he’s a winner just by being with her. [7]

Templates for Creating a Best Man Speech

Feel free to take pieces from each template to switch around or combine and create what works best for you!

Good morning/afternoon. I’m [your name], [groom’s name]’s big brother.

It’s such an honor to be his best man. We’ve had our ups and down, but he’s the guy who’s always had my back.

When we were kids [insert a story about something heroic your brother did].

I can’t imagine someone more deserving of such a lovely bride. I know that wherever life takes them, [groom’s name] will face it head-on and turn it into a great adventure.

Best of luck to the new bride and groom.

As [groom’s name]’s best man and big brother, I’m so happy for the newlyweds and grateful to be standing here today.

I have to say, I wasn’t the least bit surprised when they told me they were getting married. I can’t imagine two people more deserving and suited to each other.

[Groom’s name] and [bride’s name] are both [insert complimentary things they have in common]. I know they’ll share a wonderful life together.

[Bride’s name], I want to welcome you to the family. And [groom’s name], you are one lucky man.

Here’s to you both!

Hello, everyone. I’m [groom’s name]’s big brother, [your name], for those of you who don’t know me.

I’d like to start by saying, wow — these two sure do make a great couple, don’t they? [Pause for applause.]

Today, I have a quote to share that made me think of [groom’s name] and [bride’s name]:

“Love isn’t perfect. It isn’t a fairytale or a storybook, and it doesn’t always come easy. Love is overcoming obstacles, facing challenges, fighting to be together, holding on, and never letting go. It is a short word, easy to spell, difficult to define, and impossible to live without. Love is work, but most of all, love is realizing that every hour, every minute, every second of it was worth it because you did it together.” [8]

As the years go by, remember this day and why you chose each other. Embrace your happily ever after.

I truly love you both and wish you only the best.

Please join me in raising a glass to the bride and groom. Here’s to a lifetime of love and happiness.

How to Write the Perfect Best Man Speech

Once you’ve chosen a few options from the list, you may want to add to or change things up to make it your own.

Here are some tips for personalizing or creating your own perfect best man speech.

• Throw in a memory. You’ve known the groom his whole life, so you’re bound to have some hilarious or meaningful experiences to share. Guests will enjoy your story, and the toast will be more memorable.
• Wish him luck. This is a great opportunity to congratulate the newlyweds and share your best wishes. You may want to reference their future plans and reassure your brother that you have the utmost confidence in him.
• Add some humor. People love to laugh! You could include a joke you and your brother have long shared or throw in a few puns. Just remember to keep it appropriate for the youngest guests.
• Give yourself a structure with which to work. First, decide on what you want to include and in what order. This could be a thank you to guests or workers, a joke, a story, congratulations, family memories, etc. Write down keywords for what you want to include and organize it so that when you begin the official speech, you’ve got a simple structure to follow.
• Practice, practice, practice. Once you’ve written your speech, practice on a friend or family member (besides your brother) and get some feedback. Hearing yourself say it out loud also allows you to make any changes necessary for a good flow of words.
• https://www.rd.com/article/bridesmaids-groomsmen-history/ [ ↩ ]
• “Best Man Speech Brother: Our Complete Guide,” Hitched [ ↩ ][ ↩ ][ ↩ ]
• “Best Man Speech For A Brother,” The Best Man Speech [ ↩ ][ ↩ ][ ↩ ]
• “Writing A Best Man Speech For Brother: 85 Speech Examples,” Her Way [ ↩ ][ ↩ ]
• “51 Best Man jokes for a speech to win over any wedding crowd,” inews [ ↩ ][ ↩ ]
• “25 Best Funny Opening Lines for Wedding Speeches,” One Fab Day [ ↩ ]
• “12 Best Man Speech Ideas If You’re the Groom’s Brothers,” Katelyn’s Wedding Words [ ↩ ]
• “Best funny wedding speech quotes,” PETV [ ↩ ]

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How to Write the Perfect Best Man Speech for Your Brother

• Intro • First subsection

Being chosen as the best man for your brother's wedding is a special honor, but it also comes with the responsibility of delivering a memorable speech. While it might seem daunting, with the right approach, you can craft a heartfelt and entertaining speech that celebrates your brother and his new spouse.

Step 1: Start with a Personal Introduction

Begin by introducing yourself to the guests. Even though many people might know who you are, it’s a good way to set the stage. You can say something like, "Good evening, everyone. For those who don’t know me, I’m [Your Name], [Groom’s Name]’s brother and best man."

Step 2: Express Your Gratitude

Take a moment to thank everyone for being there, especially those who traveled a long way. It’s also a good idea to thank the families of both the bride and groom for organizing such a beautiful day. For example, "I’d like to start by thanking everyone for coming today, especially those who traveled from afar. A special thank you to our parents for all their hard work in making this day so special."

Step 3: Share a Few Memories

This is where you can get personal. Share some stories or memories that highlight your bond with your brother. These can be funny, touching, or a mix of both. The key is to give guests a glimpse into your relationship and the kind of person your brother is. Avoid anything too embarrassing or inappropriate, but feel free to include some light-hearted humor. "Growing up with [Groom’s Name] has been an adventure. From the time he [share a funny or touching memory], he’s always been [mention a positive quality, like caring, adventurous, etc.]."

Step 4: Talk About the Bride or Groom's Partner

After reminiscing about your brother, shift the focus to his partner. Share your thoughts on their relationship and how they've positively impacted your brother’s life. "When [Groom’s Name] met [Partner’s Name], it was clear that something special was happening. [Partner’s Name] complements [Groom’s Name] in every way and brings out the best in him. Together, they make an incredible team."

Step 5: Offer Some Brotherly Advice

As the best man and brother, this is your chance to offer some advice for the couple’s future. This can be humorous, serious, or a blend of both. "As your older brother, I feel it’s my duty to offer some advice: never go to bed angry, always make time for each other, and remember to laugh every day. And, of course, [Groom’s Name], don’t forget to take the trash out!"

Step 6: End with a Toast

Conclude your speech by inviting everyone to raise their glasses in a toast to the newlyweds. Keep it short, simple, and heartfelt. "Please join me in raising a glass to [Groom’s Name] and [Partner’s Name]. Here’s to a lifetime of love, happiness, and endless adventures together. Cheers!"

Best Man Speech Tips for a Brother

• Keep It Balanced: Your speech should have a good mix of humor and heartfelt moments. Don’t be afraid to show emotion—it’s a big day for your brother, after all.
• Practice Makes Perfect: Practice your speech several times before the big day. This will help you feel more confident and ensure you know your speech well enough to deliver it smoothly.
• Keep It Appropriate: Remember, this is a family event. Keep your stories and jokes appropriate for all ages.
• Don’t Overthink It: While it’s important to prepare, don’t stress too much. Speak from the heart, and your speech will be well-received.

Final Thoughts

Writing and delivering a best man speech for your brother is a big task, but it’s also a wonderful opportunity to celebrate your relationship and welcome his partner into the family. Follow these steps, and you’ll be well on your way to giving a speech that your brother—and all the guests—will remember fondly.

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