Icebreakers play an important role when it comes to public speaking however they play a particularly important role when it comes to giving Best Man speeches, especially if you plan on giving a short Best Man speech.

A good icebreaker will help build a rapport with the audience and provide the Best Man with a boost of confidence as he starts his speech in earnest which is vital as a Best Man is typically not an experienced orator. Short Best Man speeches need to have an icebreaker that conveys to the wedding guests that the Best Man’s speech will be short, explain to guests in a humorous manner why you do not plan on speaking for too long.

Here are 2 such examples of good Best Man speech icebreakers to use;

1.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I do not plan on speaking for too long today because of my health…the Groom has threatened to strangle me if I speak for too long.

2.
A good Best Man speech should be like a lady’s dress short enough to catch your attention but long enough to cover the essentials.

These good-natured icebreakers will set the scene for a confident start to your speech. If you plan on giving a short speech make sure to speak for at least two minutes, otherwise your speech may be considered too short given the significance of the Best Man’s role on the Bride and Groom’s special day.

5 Things Not To Say In A Best Man Speech

Giving a great Best Man speech is something all Best Men aspire to achieve. A Best Man speech should charm, entertain, humor and be sincere in equal amounts so content is key in order to give a successful Best Man speech. In preparation for your toast today we take a tongue-in-cheek look at 5 lines that should not be mentioned when delivering your toast, unless ,of course, you want to have an angry Bride & Groom along with their families chasing after you all night long.

1. “Personally I was very fond of his ex-wife/ex-girlfriend.”

2. “And now I would like to show you some photos from the Bachelor /Stag Party.”

3. “Personal hygiene has never been top of the Groom’s priorities.”

4. “I am thrilled that he is getting married, it proves that his cross-dressing era was just a phase he was going through after all.”

5. “When he told me he was getting married again, I told him that I thought he would have learned from his first experience.”

 Jokes are great for Best Man speeches, as are funny props , tasteful humor inserts fun into a speech but don’t say anything that will offend rather than embarrass. You want to provide the wedding party with an unforgettable speech for all the right reasons so be humorous and be witty just make sure you don’t cause offence.

Toasting With Confidence -Tips  On Giving A Great Best Man Speech.

Great Best Man speeches need to cater for a discerning audience, from the love-struck newlyweds to their proud families, relatives and friends from near and far along with your own set of friends. Of this group, the most critical reviewers will be your own friends but this does not mean that you should write a Best Man speech tailored for their pleasure, your speech needs to be crafted with tact and subtlety so that everyone enjoys it and you can present it with confidence.

A successful Best Man speech should be funny, sincere, warm and witty, getting these elements right will ensure a day to remember so let us look at how your speech can achieve this magic blend.

1. Funny
Funny Best Man jokes are essential, get them right and you will have the audience eating out of the palm of your hand, get them wrong however will have the opposite effect so choose jokes suitable for a Best Man speech.

2. Sincere
Flattering comments are appreciated by those that the remarks are aimed towards, and those listening so let sincerity shine through when praising the Bride, Bridesmaids and parents of the Newlyweds. Touching comments leave a lasting mark so don’t be afraid to include them when you are speaking.

3. Witty
Using witty quotes about marriage and weddings is a great way to keep the smiles on the guests faces. There are many famous examples to use, one such being Henry Youngmans quote “Some people ask the secret of our long marriage. We take time to go to a restaurant two times a week she goes Tuesdays, I go Fridays.”

4. Warm
As you complete the main section of your speech (before the final toast) make sure to express how proud you were when the Groom asked you to be his Best Man, describe what a great friend he has been over the years before telling a good-natured story that will embarrass him. The toast at the end should be uplifting and one that ends your speech on a high, such as “To the Bride and Groom, may they live long, laugh often and love always.”

A Best Man speech may just be 5 minutes of your life but the sense of achievement after giving a successful speech and the ovation afterwards will have you feeling extremely proud.