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Speech9 cardsAbout 6 min to speakBeginnerWedding

Best man speech

Best man speech cue cards with a friendly opening, a story or two about the groom, kind words for his partner, thanks to the hosts and a toast that lands.

Use this template

Free to use, edit, print and study. No account needed: your set stays on this device.

The cards

  1. 1

    Introduce yourself

    “Good evening. I’m [your name], and I’ve had the honour of being [groom]’s [friend / brother] for [number] years.”

    One light line about nerves is fine. Then move on.

  2. 2

    Thanks

    Thank [groom] for asking you, and thank [hosts / both families] for the day.

    If the groom has just thanked the attendants, thank him on their behalf.

    Compliment the [bridesmaids / wedding party] in one sentence.

  3. 3

    How you met

    “[Groom] and I met [where and when]. My first impression was [honest, funny first impression].”

    Say how that first meeting turned into a friendship.

  4. 4

    Story one: the funny one

    [A gently embarrassing story: a trip, a failed recipe, a terrible haircut.]

    • Set-up in one line
    • The moment it went wrong
    • The punchline

    Test it on someone who is not in your friend group.

  5. 5

    Story two: the real him

    Turn from laughs to sincerity: “But the thing about [groom] is…”

    [A time he showed up for you or someone else.]

  6. 6

    Meeting [partner]

    “When [groom] met [partner], something changed. [How you noticed: he started planning ahead, he went quiet on the phone, he learnt to cook].”

  7. 7

    To [partner]

    Speak directly to them: “[Partner], thank you for [what you bring out in him]. You’ve been part of our group since [moment], and we’re lucky to have you.”

  8. 8

    Readings or messages

    If anyone has sent messages for the couple, read one or two short ones here: “[Name] couldn’t be with us but asked me to say…”

    Skip this card if there are none.

  9. 9

    Toast

    “Please stand and raise your glasses to the newlyweds.”

    “To [groom] and [partner]!”

    Drink, sit, breathe out.

How to use this template

The best man speech is usually the one guests look forward to most, because it mixes stories with real affection. These cards keep you on track: a short introduction, thanks, how you met the groom, one funny story, one sincere story, his partner, any messages, and the toast. The structure stops a speech from becoming a string of in-jokes, and it gives the room a moment to laugh and a moment to feel something. Fill in each [bracket] with your own memories, cut anything that relies on context only your friends have, and time yourself reading aloud. Five to seven minutes is plenty. In the US the role works the same way, and many weddings now have a best woman or a best person who can use this template unchanged.

Tips

  • Write the sincere story first; it is the part people remember, and the jokes are easier to fit around it.
  • Leave out ex-partners, stag or bachelor party details, and anything that would embarrass the couple in front of their families.
  • Pause after each punchline and let the laugh finish before you speak again, even if the silence feels long.
  • Use the microphone properly: keep it close and pointed at your mouth, especially when you turn to speak to the couple.
  • Rehearse with the cards in your hand at least three times, then once more on the day in a quiet corner.
  • Keep your drinking light until after the toast; you will enjoy the rest of the night more.

Make it fit

  • If the groom is marrying a man, or the couple is two women with a best woman, swap the names and pronouns and keep the same structure.
  • At a second marriage, especially with children from earlier relationships, include the kids by name and avoid jokes about the past.
  • If the speeches are short, keep the introduction, one story, the partner card and the toast, and aim for three minutes.
  • In countries where the best man also acts as MC, add a card before the toast that introduces the next speaker or the cake cutting.
  • If many guests speak another language, prepare a line or two of the welcome and toast in that language, checked by a native speaker.

Updated October 28, 2026

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