How to write a short best man speech

When a short speech is the right call

• The couple have asked for short speeches, or the schedule is tight.
• There are several speeches and yours comes last.
• You really don't enjoy public speaking and would rather say a little, well.
• It's a small or informal wedding where a long speech would feel out of place.

Short isn't lazy. A tight, warm two minutes is often remembered more fondly than a rambling seven.

The four-part structure

1. Hello, about 10 seconds. Your name and how you know the groom.
2. One story or observation, about 40 seconds. A single moment that shows who he is. No warm-up, straight in.
3. The couple, about 30 seconds. What you've noticed about them together. Say his partner's name.
4. The toast, about 10 seconds. Glasses up, both names.

At about 130 words a minute, that's 200 to 250 words. Write it, read it aloud with a timer, then cut anything that isn't pulling its weight.

Example: a warm short speech (about 1 minute 30)

"Good evening, everyone. I'm Sam, and I've been Chris's friend since we were the two worst players on the same Sunday league team.

We lost most weeks. What I remember is that Chris was the one who stayed behind to put the nets away, every single week, long after everyone else had gone to the pub. That's him. He turns up, and he stays.

So I wasn't surprised when he met Jess and stayed. What surprised me was how happy he's been since. Jess, you've made my friend the best version of himself, and you've put up with his football talk, which is above and beyond.

Please raise your glasses: to Chris and Jess."

Example: a lighter short speech (about 1 minute)

"Hi, everyone. I'm Dan, the best man, which I'm told means I'm legally obliged to say something nice about Tom. Here goes.

Tom once drove four hours to bring me a phone charger. I'd asked him to post it. That's the kind of friend he is: slightly over the top, completely reliable.

Priya, you're getting a man who will cross the country for you with a phone charger. Tom, you're getting someone far more organised than you, which is exactly what you need.

To Priya and Tom."

Both examples are there to show the shape. Swap in your own story.

What to leave out

• Thank-you lists. The groom usually covers these. If you have to thank someone, one sentence.
• Background. No "so, to set the scene". Start at the interesting bit.
• A second story. In a short speech, one is plenty.
• Apologising for being short. Don't say "I'll keep this brief". Just be brief.

Make it feel finished

A short speech can feel abrupt if it stops suddenly. Signal the ending with a line like "So I'll finish with this" before the toast, and say the toast slowly. Our guide on how to end a best man speech has more closing lines.