welcoming beth beresford

Bruisyard recommended wedding supplier Beth Beresford joins us with some handy advice for all our Bruisyard best men

Being chosen as the best man is an honour that comes with great responsibility - one of the most significant being delivering an epic best man speech. The best man speech is your opportunity to share your thoughts, make the audience laugh, and, most importantly, celebrate the couple's love. To help you craft an unforgettable best man speech, I've put together a step-by-step guide that covers everything from the introduction to the heartfelt closing remarks.

Step 1: Prepare Early

Start preparing your best man speech well in advance. This allows you to gather your thoughts, recall anecdotes, and craft a well-thought-out speech that flows seamlessly. Rushing through the process can lead to last-minute jitters and missed opportunities to include meaningful content. Keep notes on your phone as you start to think about points and things you would like to say.

Step 2: Structure Your Speech

A well-structured speech is key to keeping your audience engaged. A typical best man speech follows this format:

● Introduction: Start with a warm greeting, introduce yourself, and establish a connection with the audience.

● Thank You: Express gratitude for being chosen as the best man and acknowledge those who contributed to the wedding.

● Anecdotes and Stories: Share humorous and heartwarming stories about the bride and groom. Keep it light-hearted and remember, anecdotes that resonate with the couple and their journey together are always a hit.

● Toast: Raise your glass to propose a toast to the newlyweds, wishing them a lifetime of happiness.

Step 3: Know Your Audience

Consider the guest list when planning your speech. Tailor your anecdotes and humor to a broad audience. Avoid inside jokes or stories that may be embarrassing for the couple. The goal is to make everyone feel included and entertained. Whatever you do, avoid talking about ex partners.

Step 4: Practice, Practice, Practice

Rehearse your speech multiple times to feel confident and comfortable delivering it. Practice in front of a mirror, record yourself, or try it out on a trusted friend or family member who can provide feedback.There are lots of videos on public speaking on YouTube that can help you to deliver your speech with authenticity in an engaging way.

Step 5: Be Mindful of Timing

Keep your speech concise and within the 5-10 minute range. A long-winded speech can lose the audience's attention, and you risk overshadowing other toasts and speeches during the event. It can also set back catering, meaning food can be served cold if speeches over-run.

Step 6: Inject Humour and Heart

Balance humor and heartfelt sentiments. A good mix of both will make your speech memorable. Use humor to engage the audience, and share sincere, touching words to convey your well wishes for the couple. If you are struggling with communicating what you want to say successfully, consider using a copywriter or a speech writer to help fine tune your delivery.

Step 7: Stay Relaxed

On the big day, take deep breaths, stay calm, and speak slowly. Maintain eye contact with the couple and the audience to create a personal connection. When you forget what you need to say next, pause, rather than saying “um” as tempting as it may be. Rather than writing out a speech to read verbatim, try bullet points on prompt cards. It will mean you don’t end up reading head down, into the page, but rather to your audience.

Step 8: End on a High Note

Conclude your speech with a powerful message of love and well wishes for the newlyweds. Encourage everyone to join you in a toast to the couple's happiness.

After delivering your epic best man speech, take a moment to reflect on your accomplishment and savour the joy of contributing to the celebration. Crafting an unforgettable best man speech takes time, thought, and practice. Remember, your speech is not just about showcasing your speaking skills; it's about celebrating the love between the newlyweds and creating a memorable moment for all in attendance.

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