Who Does the Best Man Toast? Answer and Examples

Here’s what you’ll find in this article:

The key people the best man should toast
Tips for each group to make your speech unforgettable
Sample toasts to inspire your own
Expert tips for delivering killer wedding speeches

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List of People the Best Man Should Toast

When it’s time for your best man speech, there are three key groups you should toast to make sure everyone feels special on this momentous occasion.

The Bride and Groom: Celebrate the happy couple’s love story and their new journey together.
The Bridesmaids: Acknowledge the support and friendship they’ve given to the beautiful bride.
Absent Friends and Family: Honor those who couldn’t make it but are there in spirit.

Now, let’s break down each group and see how you can toast them like a pro.

The Bride and Groom

The bride and groom are the stars of the wedding party. Your toast should highlight their love and how they bring out the best in each other.

Of course, you’ll be telling stories, making people laugh, and winning over the crowd with your amazing personality. But there are some rules for what not to say in a best man speech. Follow those and you’ll be fine.

Tips for Toasting the Bride and Groom

Keep it personal: Share anecdotes that showcase their relationship and your friendship with the groom. A traditional speech is funny but also very genuine.
Be sincere: Speak from the heart about what makes their love special. Don’t be sappy, but don’t make the mistake of simply embarassing the groom with story after cringe story.
Add humor: Lighten the mood with funny but tasteful jokes. Did you see the word tasteful? Keep it classy at the wedding.

Examples of Toasts for the Bride and Groom

After all the stories, people need a moment to raise their glasses. Here are a few ways to tie it all together.

“To [Groom] and [Bride], two people who were made for each other. Your love story is one for the ages. May your marriage be filled with laughter, passion, and deep friendship. Let’s raise our glasses to the perfect couple!”
“[Groom], I’ve had a front-row seat to watch you grow into the amazing man you are today. And [Bride], you light up his world with your incredible spirit. Together, you two are unstoppable. Cheers to the happy couple!”
“True love isn’t about finding someone you can live with; it’s about finding the person you can’t live without. [Groom] and [Bride], it’s clear that you have found your soulmates in each other. May your love continue to grow and flourish.”

For more tips on how to start your speech, check out how to start best man speech.

The Bridesmaids

The bridesmaids have been there for the bride through thick and thin. Your toast should recognize their support and the special bond they share with the bride. There may or may not be a maid of honour speech, so make sure you mention the bridal party and how amazing they are.

Tips for Toasting the Bridesmaids:

Express gratitude: Thank them for their support and friendship. Even if they are not your friends, they mean a lot to the bride.
Be complimentary: Highlight how stunning they look and their important role in the bride’s life. There must be nice things to say, so find a few.
Inject humor: Tease them lightly and keep it playful. An easy win is to compare them to the groomsmen.

Examples of Toasts for the Bridesmaids:

“I’d like to take a moment to recognize the lovely bridesmaids. You look stunning today, like a bouquet of beautiful flowers surrounding our radiant bride. Your friendship is a testament to the amazing woman [Bride] is. Cheers to the bridesmaids!”
“A toast to the bridesmaids: You’ve been [Bride’s] support system, her partners in crime, and her confidantes. Here’s to strong friendships and unbreakable bonds. To the bridesmaids!”
“Ladies, you are the unsung heroes of the wedding party. Your support and friendship have been invaluable to [Bride]. Let’s raise a glass to the bridesmaids!”

For more on what to say about the bride in your speech, check out what to say about the bride in a best man speech.

Absent Friends and Family

Not everyone can make it to the wedding, but it’s important to honor those who are celebrating from afar. A toast to absent friends and family keeps them close to heart.

This one might take a little preparation. So get moving a few days or weeks before the wedding. Ask the bride and groom if anyone has RSVP’ed to say they can’t make it. They can point you towards the people who need a mention in your wedding toast.

Here’s a special and sensitive tip: Honour anyone who passed away. Keep this positive and uplifting. Be brief. It may be important to mention a recently departed loved one, but you don’t want to overshadow the joy of the wedding or accidentally tap into some weird family dynamics.

Tips for Toasting Absent Friends and Family:

Acknowledge their importance: Mention why they are missed and their significance to the couple.
Share messages: Read any well-wishes from those who couldn’t attend. Remember what we said about starting early?
Keep it light: Add a touch of humor to lighten the mood.

Examples of Toasts for Absent Friends and Family:

“While we celebrate [Groom] and [Bride] today, we hold a special place in our hearts for those who couldn’t be with us. Let’s raise our glasses to absent friends and family, gone from our sight but never from our hearts.”
“As we celebrate the love between [Groom] and [Bride], let us also remember those who are here in spirit. Here’s to cherished friends and family who may not be with us in person but are always in our hearts.”
“To absent friends and family, whose presence we miss but whose love we feel today. Let’s raise a glass in their honor.”

Tips for the Best Best Man Toast

Crafting a standout best man toast requires a blend of preparation, sincerity, and a touch of humor. Here are some key tips to ensure your best man toast hits all the right notes and leaves a lasting impression on the wedding guests.

Keep it Concise

Your speech should be like a perfectly crafted cocktail: strong enough to make an impact but not so lengthy that it loses the audience. Aim for 3-5 minutes, which is just enough time to share a few heartfelt anecdotes, crack a couple of jokes, and deliver a meaningful message. Overly long speeches can become tiresome and lose their effectiveness.

Set a Time Limit: Practice with a timer to ensure you stay within the 3-5 minute range.
Be Selective: Choose only the best stories and messages to include in your speech.
Avoid Rambling: Stay focused on your main points and avoid going off on tangents.

Practice

Just like learning a new dance, the more you practice, the more confidently you can perform. Rehearse your speech multiple times to get the timing and delivery right. Practicing out loud will help you become more familiar with the flow and allow you to make adjustments where needed.

Rehearse Out Loud: Speaking your speech aloud will help you get used to the sound and pace.
Record Yourself: Listen to a recording of your speech to identify areas for improvement.
Practice in Front of Friends: Get feedback from friends to help refine your delivery.

Practice in Front of Friends: Get feedback from friends to help refine your delivery.

Use Humor Thoughtfully

Humor can be the icing on the cake for your speech, but it should be used thoughtfully. A few well-placed jokes can lighten the mood and engage the audience, but avoid anything too embarrassing or offensive. Your goal is to entertain, not to roast the groom.

Know Your Audience: Tailor your humor to be appropriate for the broad, multi-generational audience.
Balance Humor and Heartfelt Moments: Ensure that your jokes do not overshadow the sincere parts of your speech.
Avoid Inside Jokes: Stick to humor that everyone can appreciate, not just those who know the backstory.

Speak from the Heart

Your words should come from a place of genuine affection and sincerity. Focus on your friendship with the groom and what makes the couple so special together. Share anecdotes that highlight the groom’s best qualities and how the bride brings out the best in him.

Personal Anecdotes: Share stories that illustrate the groom’s character and your friendship.
Express Genuine Emotions: Don’t be afraid to show your emotions; sincerity resonates with the audience.
Highlight the Couple’s Strengths: Talk about what makes the couple a perfect match and why their relationship is inspiring.

End on a High Note

Finish your speech with a clear, positive toast to the newlyweds. Your closing words should set the tone for the celebration, leaving everyone feeling uplifted and excited for the couple’s future.

Craft a Memorable Closing: Summarize your main points and end with a heartfelt wish for the couple’s happiness.
Raise Your Glass: Invite everyone to join you in toasting the bride and groom.
Stay Positive and Upbeat: End with a message of joy and optimism for the couple’s journey ahead.

Extra Resources

For more guidance on delivering an unforgettable speech, check out these helpful links:

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to delivering a best man toast that is heartfelt, humorous, and memorable. Cheers to your success and to the happy couple!

FAQ

When should the best man give his speech?

The best man’s speech typically happens after the father of the bride and the groom during the wedding reception. For more details, check out when does the best man speech happen.

Is it okay to read from paper?

Yes, it’s perfectly fine to read from paper. Just make sure to practice beforehand so it flows naturally.

What should I avoid in my speech?

Avoid inside jokes, overly embarrassing stories, and anything that could offend. For a full list of what not to say, visit what not to say in a best man speech.

Conclusion

Crafting a memorable best man toast doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right mix of humor, heartfelt moments, and a dash of practice, you’ll deliver a speech that the bride, groom, and all the wedding guests will remember fondly. Cheers to your success and to the happy couple!For more resources and tips, visit Stagmadness and make your best man duties a breeze.