Given the popularity of a previous post The Top 20 Best Man Jokes today we continue along the same theme ensuring your best man speech is loaded with appropriate humor.  When giving a best man speech there is nothing better than the sound of laughter, that is when the guests are laughing for all the right reasons of course. 

There is more to a best man speech than just funny remarks, sincere words play a major part too so mix funny best man jokes with compliments and dazzle the audience with a great best man speech.

There are different types of jokes that can be used when giving a best man speech including;

•  funny stories about the groom.
•  witty one-liners about marriage.
•  funny faxes or telegrams.
•  jokes about the groomsmen.
•  how the groom’s social life will go down the drain now that he is married.
•  jokes about how nervous you felt about having to give the best man speech.
•  funny wedding toast to end your speech.

Now that you know the types of jokes you can use it is essential to have them in the correct order during your speech.  For example, you would not want to begin your speech with a funny wedding toast as that should come at the end of your speech instead read an earlier post what goes in a best man speech.

It is important to tell jokes that appeal to the general wedding audience rather than jokes that might only suit a certain section of the guests, that means any “in” jokes won’t work too well.  Jokes should be kept clean, bereft of any controversial topics and absolutely devoid of language that could offend.

Alternate between humor and sincerity at various sections of your speech rather than half your speech being funny and the other half being sincere that is why short jokes are perfect for best man speeches.  Self-deprecating humor also works well in best man speeches so don’t be afraid to make fun of yourself as it will help warm the audience to you.

I would advise toning the humor down towards the end of your speech.  Instead focus on what a lovely couple the bride and groom make and how you know they will have a happy loving marriage together before ending with an uplifting best man toast.

There is pressure on when it comes to delivering best man speeches, with particular pressure on the need to be funny with your speech thus making funny best man jokes indispensable in order to give a successful toast that everyone can enjoy.

Our popular post the top 20 best man jokes provides you with 20 of the funniest best man jokes ever, today we look at 6 funny quotes that can be used as jokes and continue with the theme of humor in your best man speech.

1) I am married and in my house I’m the boss I just allow my wife to be the decision maker.  Woody Allen                                                               

2) I have no problem with my wife having the last word, I am just delighted when she gets to it.  Walter Matthau

3) I love being married, it is great to find that one special person to annoy for the rest of your life.  Rita Rudner

4) The husband who wants a happy marriage should learn to keep his mouth shut and his checkbook open.  Groucho Marx

5) If you want to read about love and marriage then you need to buy two separate books.  Alan King

6) Marriage – a word that should be pronounced “mirage”.  Herbert Spencer

When using a quotation in your best man speech, you should open (using the example of Walter Matthau) with words to the effect of “In the words of the late great Walter Matthau … ” before continuing with your quote.

Quotes work particularly well when the best man is not married allowing him to say something like, “as I am not married, I had to turn to those who have been, in order to learn more about the subject.”

Further reading on the subject of wedding toasts can be seen at the top 10 wedding quotes to use in a best man speech.

Mixing quotes with a combination of jokes and one-liners throughout your speech will ensure that you provide much-needed humor in your speech, just be sure to balance things out with some complimentary positive endorsements about the love that the bride and groom share.

One of the main priorities of a best man speech is to entertain everyone who has the pleasure of being at the wedding. If you are successful then the rewards of the crescendo of applause coupled with a possible standing ovation will be memories that will last with you for a lifetime. 

Giving a best man speech that entertains through a mixture of wit, nostalgia and creativity is difficult. These 5 steps will help you give great best man speeches that not only entertain but will have guests congratulating you throughout the day and as best man that is a feeling that cannot be bettered.

1) Never underestimate the value of some great icebreakers for best man speeches.

Getting off to a good start is not just important, it is essential if you want to hook the audience from the beginning. You will most likely be fraught with nerves at the start of your speech but a warm reception to your opening lines will build up your confidence. Choose your icebreaker with care and then continue your speech in a positive mood.

2) You can be funny without causing humiliation.

Humor plays a key part in all best man speeches but this can be achieved without causing humiliation for anyone. The groom will expect best man jokes and funny stories at his expense, just make sure that they don’t go over the top. Inappropriate remarks might humiliate the bride and that is something that you cannot afford to happen so be funny without being humiliating, it is best for everyone’s sake.

3) Ensure you speak for the right length of time.

A common mistake made by best men is to either speak for too short a period of time leaving guests to believe that a lack of preparation was put into the speech. On the other hand speak for far too long and you will lose the attention of the wedding guests. An earlier post on the correct length of a best man speech will help you get the time right.

4) Save a section of your best man speech for sincere comments.

Aside from offering praise to the bride and various other members of the wedding party, tell a loving story about the happy couple.  While many in attendance will be listening to your speech for jokes and humor, there will also be a large group who are more interested in stories about the love the bride and groom have for each other.  Do not disappoint, tell a brief story that leaves nobody in any doubt about how happy the newlyweds are.

5) Finish with a great best man toast suitable for an entertaining best man speech.

The final act of your best man speech will be to deliver an uplifting best man toast. Bear in mind that a great toast can be the difference between a good speech and an outstanding best man speech, so spend time on selecting a toast that best suits your wedding.

Chances are you will only be a best man once in your life so embrace the occasion. Spend time rehearsing your speech and then deliver an entertaining best man speech that will leave the wedding party beaming with delight and you overjoyed at the reception you receive.