Best man speach

[tomjackson]

Any tips?  Good jokes?

Advice on public speaking?

He's a drummer so I might sneak at least one drummer joke in :D

[gwEm]

i was my brother's best man. the crowd is very very much on your side for the speech, and i must say i quite enjoyed the experience.  :D

theres some stuff you have to include in the speech because of tradition. i bought myself a book, but i imagine the info is around the web too.

[Afghan Dave]

There is tons of technical content advice out there on the web so I'll leave you to find that.

But...

I've been best man three times so far and will be doing it again this October.... My best advice would be know/research your audience.

If there is an engagement party go and meet as many people who will be present on the day and stay sober enough to connect with them. Work the room and listen.

This is so important because this will be your best opportunity to meet the brides side.

It does so much to prepare you and combat any nerves building up to the day - you've already connected on some level.

On the day become physically comfortable with the room as soon as you arrive and if you lose track just speak from the heart.

I try to put at least one "in joke" reference that sounds totally innocent but will be caught by some present who would know the back story.

Goes down a treat and if it's done right can really lift the speech. 

Good luck and do your homework, it is a job after all.  :P

[Ian Price]

The only advice I would give (and I have never been a best man) is to not do what a frined of mine did at a mates wedding.

Basically he got absolutely hammered the night before, started drinking early on in the reception and slurred his speech. There were many pauses whilst he truied to remember wher he was. It was a horrible experience. What made it even worse was when he started making rather crude references to womne that the groom had previously slept with.

Totally shocking and I must say I was very very angry that what could (and shold) have been a great speech (the groom is a great guy)u was ruined by a total cretin. Probably the most excrutiating 15 minutes of my life.

Good luck!

[JacksonRR]

What made it even worse was when he started making rather crude references to women that the groom had previously slept with.

That's pretty funny. For all the attendees, pretty bad. The wait staff must have been rolling on the floor though. What song do you play after that if you're the entertainment?

 

[Prawnik]

The only advice I would give (and I have never been a best man) is to not do what a frined of mine did at a mates wedding.

Basically he got absolutely hammered the night before, started drinking early on in the reception and slurred his speech. There were many pauses whilst he truied to remember wher he was. It was a horrible experience. What made it even worse was when he started making rather crude references to womne that the groom had previously slept with.

I thought that, traditionally, the best man is supposed to get the Sacrificial Victim loaded and try to convince him to run away to Tahiti before the wedding?

[Transcend]

I too am battling with this whole speech business as i have been asked to be a best man.

it's going to be tough though as his partner i don't really approve of in any way shape or form

[Dmoney]

I too am battling with this whole speech business as i have been asked to be a best man.

it's going to be tough though as his partner i don't really approve of in any way shape or form

easy, end the speech by revealing a chalk board with the odds your talking as booky regarding how long it will last.

[Transcend]

Would be a little harsh!.

My dad had a similar idea that i should write up all the reasons as to why it wont work.

But i would need a mile long chalk board for that as theres about 6 years worth of things shes done to him that don't really include any positives.

but i think i'm just going to let him get on with it and learn his mistakes yet again....

[Spitfire]

I too am battling with this whole speech business as i have been asked to be a best man.

it's going to be tough though as his partner i don't really approve of in any way shape or form

is it dan?

[HTH AMPS]

if there is a hog-roast at the wedding, don't make any jokes based around spit-roasting  :lol:

[tomjackson]

It went well but I'm glad it's over.  I was pretty nervous but when I got going I really enjoyed it!

I got a some good laughs and managed to stay soberish until afterwards so it's all good 8)