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.
Speech9 cardsAbout 5 min to speakBeginnerWedding
Groom’s speech
Groom’s speech cue cards: thank the hosts and guests, thank both families and the wedding party, talk about your new spouse and toast the attendants or everyone.
Free to use, edit, print and study. No account needed: your set stays on this device.
The cards
- 1
Open
“Good evening, everyone. On behalf of my [wife / husband / partner] and I…” Pause for the cheer.
Thank [the previous speaker] for their kind words.
- 2
Thank the guests
“Thank you all for coming, especially those who travelled from [places].”
Mention anyone who helped make the day happen: [names].
- 3
Thank both families
Thank [partner’s parents] for [their welcome / raising someone wonderful].
Thank your own parents: “Mum, Dad, [one sincere line].”
- 4
Remember those missing
Optional: “We’re thinking of [name] today.”
Keep it to a line, then move on gently.
- 5
The wedding party
Thank your [best man / groomsmen / ushers] and your partner’s [bridesmaids / attendants].
A small specific thanks for each: [what they did].
- 6
How we met
“[Partner] and I met [where and how]. I remember thinking [first impression].”
One moment you knew: [the moment].
- 7
To my [wife / husband / partner]
Turn to them: “[Name], you [what they mean to you]. Today I [promise / feel / know] [one sentence].”
This is the heart of the speech. Slow down.
- 8
A light moment
One gentle joke about yourself, not your partner: “[Partner] has been patient with [my dancing / my timekeeping / my spreadsheets] for [years].”
Keep it short, then turn sincere.
- 9
Toast
“Please raise your glasses to [the wedding party / both our families / my wonderful partner].”
“To [toast]!”
Hand over to [best man / next speaker].
How to use this template
In many English-speaking countries, the groom speaks after the father of the bride and before the best man. The groom’s speech is mostly about thanks: to guests, both families and the wedding party. It then turns into a short, personal message to your new spouse. These cards give you that order so nobody is forgotten, and each card has room to add names and one specific detail. Specific thanks such as “for driving my grandmother here” mean far more than a long list. Fill in the [brackets], cut any card that does not suit your day and time it at about five minutes. Your message to your partner is the part people will remember. If you are presenting gifts or flowers to parents or attendants, tell the MC so staff can bring them out at the right card.
Tips
- Make a list of everyone to thank weeks ahead and check it with your partner so nobody is missed.
- Keep the thanks brisk and save your warmth and time for the card about your partner.
- Leave the jokes about the stag or bachelor party to the best man; your speech works best when it is sincere.
- Speak into the microphone and keep it close when you turn to face your partner.
- Rehearse the card about your partner aloud so the emotion does not catch you by surprise on the day.
- If gifts are being given to parents or attendants, plan where they are and who hands them over before you start.
- Keep your cards in an inside jacket pocket, and have a glass ready on the table before the MC hands you the microphone.
Make it fit
- For two grooms, either share one speech with alternating cards or each take a turn; adjust the thanks so both families are covered once.
- If the couple prefer one joint speech, see the couple’s speech template, which splits the cards between two voices.
- At a second marriage or with children, thank the children by name and say what it means to become a family.
- In weddings where the groom’s family hosts, move the welcome to the start and thank the bride’s family as honoured guests.
- For a shorter slot, combine the thanks into two cards and keep the partner card and toast.
- If your partner is also speaking, agree the order and keep your thanks to your own side, so nobody hears the same list twice.
Updated October 28, 2026