movistar Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 I am going to be a best man for the first time in about 5 weeks time for one of my best oldest friends, I have done the search the internet thing for ideas and looked on YouTube at some funny vids! Any tips you can give me would be much appreciated as iam sh*tting myself at just the thought of it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewOW Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 All I can say is, lucky you! When I was called upon to be best man for my friend, it was a really nerve-wracking event, but I was a lent a book by my MD which was written by a pal of Bob Monkhouse, and it really helped loads. Here's a link to something similar. Remember, less is more http://www.thecompletebestman.info/Book/Writing_Your_Speech/ and the one I used by Mitch Murray. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mitch-Murrays-One-liners-Weddings-Murray/dp/0572018967 HTH. I found them really funny just reading the one-liners, so you shouldn't go wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheekymonkey Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 I was my brother's best man - and I'm the absolute LAST person you'd think of when you want someone charming and comfortable with public speaking So basically if I can pull it off, so can you. Just remember that it's a happy occasion, and everyone who will be there is on your side, and will laugh in all the right places and won't make you feel uncomfortable. I wrote my speech down in the weeks coming up to the wedding, it wasn't too much - 10 minutes maybe, with a couple of jokes and some nice stories. I printed off the script and used it as a prompter during the speech - of course you don't want to read from it word for word. Look at the web examples though, there are certain things you should say at the end, toasting the bridemades etc, but the structure can be up to you. Have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lbm Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 I would say short and sweet is better than long and boring. I've been a best man twice and I've seen over 1000 best man's speeches (I play in a wedding function band) Write from the heart, borrow some ideas from some of the above posts, practice a few times, but above all- have fun with it. Remember even if you make a mistake whilst delivering it, that could be the best bit. Best of luck and enjoy yourself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
movistar Posted August 4, 2008 Author Share Posted August 4, 2008 Cheers Guys...i did forget to mention he want's to arrive in style...so the supe's gonna be a wedding car for the day:d:d Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spidermonkey Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 I am going to be a best man for the first time in about 5 weeks time for one of my best oldest friends, I have done the search the internet thing for ideas and looked on YouTube at some funny vids! Any tips you can give me would be much appreciated as iam sh*tting myself at just the thought of it hey i know how you feel i have to be best man in under 3 weeks and i still haven't got a clue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guru Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Did it two weeks ago. Abosultely nailed it too! Just be calm and prepare the speech early on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby_doo_do Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 I was so nervous for mine and decided i couldn't do it on my own.. Well kid of. So i started off with telling everyone how happy i was to be the best man, however before i start i need some time to get my props together, so in the mean time i'd like to play a little game. Can everyone please rise... From here i then asked various questions, eg, if your taller than the person to the right please sit down. etc.. Until i was left with just the groom and the usher. Then i said... "if you've wet the bed in the last five years more than once can you sit down" - both the usher and the groom sat down. followed by, if you've wet the bed in the last five years more than twice can you please stand up" at this point the groom stood back up on his own to everyone's laughter. After that, the rest just fell into place and i felt fine. Hope that helps you :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 "Good evening everyone, can I just start by saying that I'm very nervous about doing this speech, in fact to give you an idea just how nervous I am, this is actually the 5th time this evening that I've risen from a warm seat with a piece of paper in my hand!" Always a good starter. I was nervous as hell, and I had someone doing it with me!! It's worse because EVERYONE you tell that you're a best man, will straight away mention the speech, and EVERYONE on the day will ask if you're ready for the speech - gits!!! Make sure you know who you're supposed to thank and say nice things about, know your audience and know where to draw the line with jokes, and end on a nice fluffy note about good friends and the relationship and future with the bride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveR Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 I've been best man twice now, I've got a pretty good book that goes through the structure of a typical speech - where to draw the line, when to be sincere/take the micky... and from that it pretty much writes itself. The most annoying bit about being a best man is where, whilst you're writing the speech a few weeks/days in advance you approach the family & other mates asking for input, and get nothing.... then after the speech they come up to you and say "you should have told them about the time when...." GAH! FECK OFF!! Anyway if you want to borrow the book let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Boy Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Good luck mate, can be nerve racking stuff, but as said already the audience should be on your side! As a tip: try not not to mention the "motor industry", you only have 5-10mins max! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragonball Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Been there three times Practice you speech out loud (in a field if you like - the sheep wont mind) Gives you a feel for how loud you sound and timing etc - also pauses required Practice it 10 times fully before the day !! Be witty and not too smutty (remember gran might be there) Innuendo far better... You will be great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
movistar Posted August 4, 2008 Author Share Posted August 4, 2008 Good luck mate, can be nerve racking stuff, but as said already the audience should be on your side! As a tip: try not not to mention the "motor industry", you only have 5-10mins max! :innocent:Ha ha very funny...i know i do have a tendency to rattle on like an old woman when i chatt to someone really dull;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseys Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Write your speech now, don't leave it too late, also try and rehearse as often as you can! It's quite nerve racking I found.. There's some good little books on best man stuff, i bought one for my mate's wedding. Where abouts in Hampshire are you? I'm in Christchurch, by the hamps border.. so may be able to drop it off to you But then the most stressful thing was organising the stag do imho! P.S Don't pay the safety deposit on the rooms at the hotel for a lot of drunken people you may not know but the groom does... unless you don't mind forking out a bill! On the day though I found like the groom and bride, adrenaline kicks in and keeps you awake, alert and on your toes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Boy Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 :innocent:Ha ha very funny...i know i do have a tendency to rattle on like an old woman when i chatt to someone really dull;) Ouch! Good luck anyway, break a leg! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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