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How To Prepare the Perfect Speech for Your Best Friend’s Wedding

You’ve been asked to write your best friend’s speech at their wedding, and you’re panicking about how to write the perfect speech for them?

Worry not, if you’re looking for a way to make your best friend burst into tears knowing what a great friend they have, then you’re at the right place .

In no time, you’ll be able to master your writing techniques and give them the wedding speech she’s looked for all her life.

If you’re also stressing about the perfect gift , then here’s why you shouldn’t , and besides all of the reasons that were mentioned, this wedding speech is the best gift you can offer.

Wedding speeches are very important, especially in entertaining people and enhancing the ceremony, when asked 81% of the guests say that what they remember the best is the entertainment .

So if you want to save your best friend’s special day with an incredible speech, get writing, immediately.

4 steps to write the perfect best friend’s speech

●       Introduce yourself.

●       Speak about the wedding and the now married couple.

●       Use some funny flashbacks of your friendship.

●       Send them your love and congratulations and propose a toast.

Introduce yourself

.The first important step in creating this speech is to actually introduce yourself, you might find this quite obvious, but it’s important.

It’s easy to start talking without reminding people who you are in the first place, and as you already probably know, weddings can be very crowded.

So maybe at least 50% of the people that are present , don’t know you are, and the same goes for you.

So introduce yourself, and how you’re actually close to the married couple , and let the words start flowing.

Speak about the wedding and the now married couple

Introducing yourself is being off to a good start, but it’s not enough, now it’s time to build the base of your speech, and it’s by talking about the wedding.

Talk about how sweet the ceremony looks like, and how suitable these love birds are for each other, maybe come up with a story of how they first met, or how they fell in love.

Let the people that are present , share the same raw emotions that you feel, this way your speech will seem honest, and most importantly real.

If you can’t go on with this step and find it too hard to transfer your feelings, then a custom essay writing service by EduBirdie might help you, they’re specialized in helping students or people in need of writing skills to receive the help they deserve.

College can be hard, but researching and writing can be harder, which is why EduBirdie help student meets talented writers to finish their essays for them for a reasonable price.

Use some funny flashbacks of your friendship

This is a way to lighten the mood after the emotional roller coaster you took them in with the last step.

You can use a flashback from the wedding preparation, how it was stressful, but was also a fun ride for both of you and your best friend.

You can speak about your role and how you helped at the wedding , which by the way, if you haven’t figured out yet, here’s a guide to help you.

Or, if you have been friends since your childhood or high school , you can speak about an adventure you two had that has left an eternal stamp in your memory.

Send them your love and congratulations and propose a toast

You’ve gone through every phase, the emotional phase and the funny phase , and now it’s time to end your speech, but with class.

For this one, you’ll need to speak about your feelings for the new-wed couple, how much you love them, and how much you wish the best for them .

This way, you can share your final emotions before you end them with a beautiful quote to break a toast such as this :

“Where there is love there is life.” – Mahatma Gandhi

If you still don’t know how to break a toast correctly, then this guide will help you avoid any type of mistakes.

Needless to say that if you want to see your best friend proud of you, now more than ever, then these are the steps to take to write an unforgettable wedding toast for your best friend, because the most precious gift, is friendship, which you have offered.

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Speech on My Bestfriend

Everyone has a special person in their life who knows them inside out. That’s your best friend, the one who stands by you through thick and thin.

Your best friend is like a mirror, reflecting your true self. They bring out the best in you, making life more fun and meaningful.

1-minute Speech on My Bestfriend

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, I stand before you to talk about one of the most beautiful relationships in life, ‘Friendship’, and to share some insights about my best friend. Friendship is an invisible thread that connects two individuals irrespective of their backgrounds, cultures, or beliefs. In this vast universe, if there is one person who knows me inside out, it is my best friend.

My best friend is not just a friend, but a family. He is someone who has stood by me during my thick and thin, in joy and sorrow, and illuminated my path when it was dark. His companionship is like a beautiful melody that fills my life with enchanting symphony.

His understanding nature deserves a special mention. He is not quick to judge but listens to my problems with patience and often comes up with practical solutions. His optimistic attitude is infectious. No matter how difficult the situation is, he always sees it with positivity and encourages me to do the same.

He is a storehouse of knowledge, a book that never ends. I admire his passion for learning new things and his curiosity that never ceases to amaze me. Our intellectual conversations are something I look forward to every day. They open up my mind to new perspectives and help me grow as an individual.

To sum it up, my best friend is a blessing in my life. His presence adds joy, strength, and meaning to my existence. He is the one who makes the journey of life smoother and more enjoyable. To have such a person in life is indeed a blessing, and I am grateful for that.

2-minute Speech on My Bestfriend

Good morning everyone,

Today, I have the privilege to talk about a very special person in my life – my best friend. We all have many friends, but there is always that one friend who stands out from the rest. This friend is none other than my best friend.

My best friend is not just a friend, but an extension of me. Our friendship began in kindergarten and strengthened as years passed by. We are not just friends, we are like two bodies with one soul. Our bond is such that we understand each other’s silence better than anyone else. We have laughed together, cried together, fought, and made up, shared our darkest secrets and brightest moments.

My best friend is like a mirror to me, reflecting my strengths and weaknesses alike. She holds a mirror up to my soul and helps me see myself through her eyes. She is my constant support system, a shoulder to lean on in the times of distress, and my partner in crime in all my fun escapades. She stood by my side when no one else did, cheering me up when I was down, and celebrating my victories as if they were her own.

My best friend is a perfect blend of courage and compassion. She has taught me the true meaning of friendship, which is not about being inseparable, but about being there for each other even when we are apart. She is the person who understands my sense of humor and laughs at my most random jokes. She never judges me for my flaws but helps me to improve and be a better person.

I am truly blessed to have her in my life. She has been my guiding light, navigating me through the darkest storms. Our friendship has not only stood the test of time but has grown stronger with each passing year. Our bond is not bound by the chains of expectations but is a free spirit that thrives in the essence of pure love, trust, and mutual respect.

My best friend has made me realize that true friendship is not just about spending time together, but about creating memories that last a lifetime. Our friendship is the quintessence of trust, love, and understanding. It is a tale of countless shared secrets, laughter, and tears. It is a tale of two hearts that beat as one, despite being two separate individuals.

In conclusion, having a best friend is like having a treasure. It is precious, rare, and priceless. My best friend is my treasured possession, one that I will cherish forever. She is my guiding star, my source of inspiration, my pillar of strength, and above all, she is the one who knows the real me and yet chooses to be my friend. I am grateful to have her in my life and I hope our friendship stands the test of time and continues to flourish.

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Best Friend Wedding Speech: Nailing the Ultimate Toast of a Lifetime

Standing by your best friend as they tie the knot is an incredibly special experience. As the best man or maid of honor, your role includes delivering a heartfelt and memorable speech at the wedding reception.

Crafting the perfect speech can feel daunting, but with some planning and a few personal touches, you’ll undoubtedly create a moment your friend will cherish.

Begin by reflecting on your shared memories with the couple and why this day is so meaningful to them. Then, include anecdotes showcasing your best friend’s character and relationship with their spouse. By incorporating these personal stories , your speech will weave a narrative that resonates with the guests and provides a glimpse of the love story you’ve had the privilege to witness firsthand.

As you embark on this journey of crafting the perfect best friend wedding speech, keep in mind that authenticity is critical. Speak from the heart, and don’t be afraid to let your emotions show; this is a celebration of love and friendship.

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• Chapelle writes articles for The Knot Worldwide. She covers all things wedding-related and has a personal interest in covering celebrity engagements and fashion.
• Before joining The Knot Worldwide, Chapelle was an editorial intern for Subvrt Magazine.
• Chapelle has a degree in English writing from Loyola University New Orleans.

Pat yourself on the back—you're the best man. It's a good feeling when one of your loved ones asks you to be their right hand for the wedding. Beyond the fun best man duties , like planning an epic bach party , you'll have to give a rousing best man speech. We believe it's arguably the most meaningful duty, but don't let that get you nervous. Whether you're a public speaking pro or have only delivered speeches while on the eighth-grade debate team, boost your chances of making your best man speech a hit by using our helpful tips, ideas and examples for inspiration.

In this article:

Printable Template | How to Write | Examples | Tips | FAQs

Printable Best Man Speech Template

Delivering a best man wedding speech doesn't have to feel like a chore. Use the template below as a checklist while you're writing your best man speech.

How to Write a Best Man Speech Outline

We're guessing the thought of crafting a flawless best man speech from scratch feels pretty overwhelming right about now. Start by drafting a bare-bones outline (trust us, drawing up a rough outline is way more palatable than writing a fully fleshed-out speech). You don't need to include every element in your wedding speech . Instead, customize it to fit the couple, the event and your relationship with the groom.

1. Have a killer opening line.

Successful best man speeches always start with a good opener. Introduce yourself and explain your connection to the happy couple. Have fun with this part by sharing a quick joke or quoting a poem so your speech doesn't start off stale. For example, "Hello everyone! For those of you who don't know me, thank you so much for coming to my wedding. [pause for laughter] Sorry about that...I'm a little nervous."

2. Thank the other speakers.

Once you address the audience, give props to the previous speaker to help lead into your speech. If you know your speech has a sillier sentiment, now's your chance to warn your audience in the change of direction. Here's an example: "Let's give it up to the amazing speech given by the wonderful maid of honor . If you enjoyed how thoughtful and sweet her speech was, you better get the tissues ready for this one!"

Next, express your gratitude to the couple's parents. Thank the couples' parents for not only raising incredible adults and, if they helped pay for the wedding, for hosting such a great party. Here's an example: "I'd like to begin by expressing my deepest gratitude to the couples' parents for raising such amazing people, who I'm fortunate to call my best friends. I would also like to thank their parents for hosting such an awesome celebration for all of us to enjoy this evening."

3. Say a few words about your friend's new spouse.

Another writing a best man speech tip is always to give a special shoutout to the new spouse so they feel welcomed and included. Yes, we know you most likely have a closer relationship with the groom, but don't let that stop you from showering them with kind words––it's their big day too. Talk about the qualities you like about them and why you love them in the groom's life. Try this, "I'm so happy [Spouse's Name] fell in love with [Groom's Name]. Firsthand I've seen the grace, intelligence and confidence [Spouse's Name] has, which explains why [Groom's Name] knew he wanted to marry [Spouse's Name] after their first date."

4. Share personal stories.

What's going to make your best man speech stand out are personal stories. We suggest adding one or two anecdotes, like your favorite memories with the groom (and their partner, if you want). Avoid choosing a story that rambles on and has no sentimental or funny ending—keep it lighthearted and short. Here's a silly example, "I remember when we first met in first grade. [Groom's Name] had just glued his hand to his face but still used his free one to shake my hand and ask if I wanted to be his friend."

5. Talk about the couple's relationship.

This is the time to speak about why the groom and their new spouse are a great couple. Share how they first met and how their relationship has grown so other guests can get a better insight into the newlyweds. If you helped the love birds meet, say something like this in your best man speech: "I know I said earlier I'm the best man, but I lied. I'm actually Cupid because I'm the one who introduced these two eight years ago."

6. Propose a toast.

Finally, close out your best man speech with a heartfelt toast. Ask everyone to raise a glass and provide well wishes to the newly married couple. Steal this wedding toast : "Everyone, please join me in raising a glass to such a wonderful couple. I wish you a lifetime of peace, love and happiness. Love you guys!"

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Best man speech examples.

Now that you know how to write the outline, let us provide you with some inspiration. Here are four best man speech ideas for every type of delivery.

Short Best Man Speech Example

Short best man speeches can make the grade just as much as long ones. Try this short but sweet example.

As the poet, Dante once said, 'A great flame follows a little spark.' When [Groom's Name] met [Spouse's Name], there was a little spark. I know because I talked to him the next day.

From the way he talked about [Spouse's Name], this stranger he chatted up at a Halloween party, I could tell this spark was something special.

You two are fantastic together. May the flame burn long, and may sparks continue to fly. Cheers to the newlyweds!

Funny Best Man Speech Example

Funny best man speeches are our favorite. You get to show off your comedic skills while giving loving well-wishes to the happy couple.

Hello! For those who don't know me, I'm [Your Name], the best man. I've known [Groom's Name] since middle school, which means that it was before we learned mullets weren't a good look for either of us.

[Groom's Name] and [Spouse's Name] told me there are some topics I should avoid in this speech so…[Look through cue cards, then shake head and dramatically drop them all to the floor but one.]

[Reading from the remaining cue card] [Groom's Name] is really the best friend I've ever had. He's done so many wonderful things it would be difficult to name them all. Hey, [a Groomsman's Name], I can't read your handwriting here!

But seriously, it's all true. This guy is a great friend, the best I've got, and I'm very proud to stand by his side today.

[Spouse's Name], I was hoping to be the best-looking person in the room today but obviously, I failed miserably. You look beautiful and radiant. I'm beyond happy for the two of you.

May you always find joy in the little things, like your Xbox and 'Star Wars.' Oh wait, that's my personal goal. You should actually find joy in each other, and do everything you can to have a lifetime of happiness together. Let's toast the newlyweds!

Best Man Speech for Brother Example

Need best man speech examples for your brother? Use our speech below as a guide to delivering a sweet message to your older or younger brother.

On my fourth birthday, my parents got me a brother…I wanted a puppy.

But seriously, as a kid [Groom's Name] wanted to do everything I did. He used to follow me around. He used to sneak into my room and play with my Matchbox cars. Our parents could get him to eat his broccoli by making me eat my broccoli.

It wasn't until after I went to college that he started going down his own path. He started doing volunteer work. He found a job he loves, a pretty killer apartment and, of course, he found [Spouse's Name].

[Spouse's Name], you're the nicest person I've ever met, and my brother is so blessed to have someone like you in his life. Thank you for being there for him.

I'm so happy you two found each other especially because I'm gaining a sister today. Oh, and I want to set the record straight. I'm glad I didn't get a puppy that day. I love you, little bro.

Congratulations to both of you. I wish you lots of laughter, love and joy as a married couple. Cheers to the newlyweds!

Best Man Speech for Best Friend Example

For those who need a best man speech sample for their best friend, we got you covered. Here's how to tell your BFF you're happy for them on their special day.

Good evening, everyone! I'm [Your Name], and I'm extremely honored to call myself [Groom's Name]'s best man. Also, please excuse the puffiness under my eyes, I've been happy crying since before the ceremony.

I first met [Groom's Name] while working at a pizza joint called Domenica's while in college. I hated being a server with all my heart, but whenever [Groom's Name] and I were scheduled together, it made it so much more bearable.

We laughed until we cried, ate hundreds of garlic knots and I can't tell you the amount of times we accidentally got pizza dough stuck to the ceiling during our pizza toss competitions. But even after we both quit and moved on to bigger and better things, we still kept in touch and I'm eternally grateful.

One of those bigger and better things was [Spouse's Name]. [Groom's Name] really discovered the perfect piece to his puzzle. [Spouse's Name] laughs at his bad jokes, listens to his long monologues about Batman vs. Superman and most importantly, loves him no matter what. [Spouse's Name] is a phenomenal and caring person who deserves the world, and I know [Groom's Name] will do everything he can to give it to them.

Thank you both for allowing me to be a part of your beautiful wedding, and I can't wait to see what else is in store for you in the future. Love you guys, and cheers to the handsome couple!

Best Man Speech Tips

Good news! We got how to give a best man speech tips from Dominic Bliss, wedding writer and author of Being the Best Man for Dummies. Study up on these helpful pointers below to minimize pre-speech jitters and ensure a smooth delivery.

Plan ahead.

The first tip in our guide on how to write a best man speech is to get started in advance. (As in, do not procrastinate.) "Start writing a best man speech at least two months before the wedding," Bliss says. "As the wedding nears, there are lots of events—suit fittings and a coed shower, perhaps—that could distract you from getting your writing done." Brainstorm and write down any stories, jokes or best man speech quotes you want to include. The more time you have to prepare your best man speech, the better. This way, you'll be able to be fully present at upcoming wedding festivities.

Be genuine.

Whether the wedding guests are strangers or family, it can feel nerve-racking to deliver your best man speech with all eyes on you. To ease the awkwardness, provide anecdotes and stories about your relationship with the couple. Everyone loves a bit of nostalgia, and the guests get to know you better.

With that said, stay true to how you normally act while making your speech. There's no need for you to change who you are for some made-up public speaking persona. If you feel more comfortable cracking jokes throughout your speech, do it. If you are better at being sentimental and don't mind leaving everyone misty-eyed, take that approach. Remember, the couple chose you to speak at their wedding because they felt you could add something special to their big day. As long as you deliver a heartfelt speech, the newlyweds and guests will love it.

Know what topics to avoid.

There are a few topics to omit from the best man speech. No matter how funny you (and even the groom) might think they are, someone is bound to be offended or put off if you mention:

• Negativity about marriage in general.
• Past relationships.
• Previous marriages/divorces.
• Drinking, drugs, gambling.
• "Adult" humor or any other mention of sex.

After all, your best man speech should celebrate the newlywed couple and their love rather than causing future friction. Keep it PG.

Consider adding jokes.

If you want to deliver a funny best man speech, consider poking some fun at the groom. "Every groom will have some funny characteristic or quirk you can ridicule," Bliss notes. "As long as it's something everyone can appreciate, it's sure to get a laugh. Avoid obscure references or inside jokes. You want older guests and those who don't know him well to see the funny side too." Be strategic about your jokes too. You can make jokes about the groom but leave their new spouse alone.

Write it down.

Even those with a great memory will feel more confident with a written speech or at least a few bullet points to keep them on track. Nerves can mess with your memory, so don't think you're a failure if you have to bring notes with you. (Even CEOs do this at corporate events.) Bliss suggests using small note cards instead of a sheet of paper since they "won't flap around."

And yes we know many groomsmen will want to read off their cell phones out of convenience, but wedding planners recommend against it. The lighting from your phone screen can ruin the wedding photographer's photos and can be distracting to guests. Practice writing down your speech instead—it's quite soothing.

Practice with an audience.

This tip is a must when it comes to writing a best man speech. Even if you think you have this whole thing in the bag, practice delivering your wedding speech aloud at least three times. When you're by yourself, take a video and watch the playback to get a feel for how your speech is going. (Do you say "um" between every sentence? Are your gestures a little robotic?) If your friends can't offer critiques in person, "send [the video] to a close friend who won't be going to the wedding and who can give you honest feedback," Bliss recommends.

Finally: don't mumble. A great best man speech becomes boring if it's monotonous or guests are straining to hear you. Speak confidently and slowly.

Best Man Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time giving a best man speech, you might have a lot of questions. Here are answers to the top wedding speech inquiries.

How Long Should a Best Man Speech Be?

In general, the best man speech length should be at least three minutes, but no more than five minutes. This is enough time to say something meaningful before guests get too antsy. Of course, you should adjust your speech length to the event. If you're speaking at a last-minute wedding, it might require a brief speech, while a formal affair could call for a longer toast. But you might also be wondering, "how many words should a best man speech be?" We suggest between 700 to 1000 words.

How to Start a Best Man Speech

Begin your speech by addressing the audience and thanking them for attending the wedding. Here's an example, "Hello, everyone. On behalf of the newlyweds, I want to thank everyone for attending this amazing celebration." You can even butter up the crowd by saying how lovely everyone looks this evening. Then, introduce yourself and how you know the groom or couple. This is a great opportunity to add a funny story or memory you have with them that can lead you into the rest of your speech.

How to End a Best Man Speech

Raise your glass and offer a toast wishing the couple a lifetime of happiness, excellent health and success. Your toast can include one final joke or be a marriage quote from your and the groom's favorite movie. Either way, take this chance to sincerely express the newlyweds well. Remember, concluding the speech is the easiest part.

Does the Best Man Have to Give a Speech?

It's not required, but it's expected that the best man gives a speech—especially if the other honor attendants are giving one. If speaking in public makes your stomach turn, consider showing your appreciation for the couple in a different way. We've seen best men do upbeat choreography, sing the couple's favorite song or even present a wedding video they made.

When Does the Best Man Give His Speech?

Following the traditional wedding speech order , the best man speaks after the maid of honor and is the last speech during the reception. There's no need to use this itinerary since the speech order depends on your reception timeline and wedding party size. The to-be-weds might even ask you to deliver your speech during the rehearsal dinner, which most likely will be in front of a smaller audience (score!). Before the wedding and during, double-check with the couple to ensure you know when to give your best man speech so no one has to hunt you down when it's your turn.

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The Ultimate Guide To Creating The Perfect Best Friend Wedding Speech

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It’s easy to panic if you’ve been tasked with giving a best friend wedding speech, especially if you’re not good at public speaking. However, no need to worry; with the right tips and a bit of guidance, giving a wedding speech for a best friend would be no trouble at all.

Read on to get helpful writing techniques and guides in delivering your speech in the best way possible.

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Best Friend Wedding Speech Examples

Something else that can guide you in delivering the best wedding speech is examples to show you how the outline works. So, here are some best friend wedding speech examples to show you just how you can put those words together in honoring your best friend on their special day.

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Emotional Wedding Speech for Best Friend

From the first giggle-filled sleepovers to being your wingwoman in love, our journey has been a rollercoaster of joy. Today, as I stand by your side, my heart swells with pride and love. Your love story isn’t just a chapter; it’s a masterpiece, and I’m grateful to be a part of it. Here’s to the friend who found her happily ever after. May your days be filled with the same laughter and love you’ve given me throughout the years. Cheers to your beautiful forever!

Best Friend Wedding Speech Funny

Here’s to my partner in crime, my confidante in chaos, now tying the knot! Our friendship survived questionable haircuts and fashion faux pas, so I’m confident your marriage can handle anything. As you embark on this adventure called wedded bliss, remember: a successful marriage is just like a successful prank – it takes careful planning, a dash of spontaneity, and a partner who’s always ready to laugh. May your love story be the ultimate comedy, filled with inside jokes and a lifetime of shared laughter. Cheers to the bride and groom – let the hilarity ensue!

Heartfelt Best Friend Wedding Speech

Hello everyone! My name is _, I am the best friend of the bride. They say that good things happen to good people. And today, we can see this for ourselves! I have known the bride since childhood and the groom for about 5 years. And I think they are just made for each other! They had found their balance; she had found her calm, and he had found his fire. _ is without a doubt one of the most amazing people I know; she is kind and loving, funny and fierce. So I can confidently say that I am very lucky to have such a friend. _, I want to thank you for loving my girl. There is no one who can do it as well as you. For the newlyweds! Be happy!

Maid of Honor or Best Friend Wedding Speech

Good evening ladies and gentlemen! For those who don’t know me – I’m _, the bride’s best friend. I am honored to be here today and, in general, to be her friend. Her warmth and generous nature draw people to her. She is brave and full of love. This is the kindest person I know, and I am sure that _ will be able to make her happy for many, many years. They are so similar! Don’t you think? Both in their appearance and in personality! This is truly one of those unions that were made in heaven! Let’s raise our glasses to this beautiful couple! You are perfect! Cheers!

Friendly Best Man Wedding Speech

Hi all! My name is _, I am the best friend of the groom. What is love? It is a short word, easy to spell, difficult to define, and impossible to live without. I’m just incredibly happy that _ was able to find such a beautiful girl, and today we are all here at their wedding, celebrating their love! When we were 9 years old, we promised each other never to get married. Haha. _, do you remember? And here we are, and today I am happy as ever, oh, I already said that, sorry! Be happy, my dear, you have a long and interesting life ahead of you! Enjoy it! Cheers!

How to Write a Wedding Speech for Best Friend

It’s always an honor to be asked to give a short wedding speech for a best friend on their special day. However, if you have difficulty writing or giving speeches, you can use these practical steps as a guide.

• Introduce yourself: Introducing yourself is a great way to start since not everyone there might know who you are. It’s also the polite thing to do. You should also acknowledge the guests and thank them for being there.
• Say some words about the wedding and the newlyweds: Talk about the couple, their love, perhaps the story of how they met and what they mean to you.
• Say some words about your friend: There will no doubt be lots you would want to say about your friend. However, it’s a good idea to compress it to a memory or story that expresses more about their character, also something that you can connect to their relationship and to their partner.
• Add a joke or a quote: If you have any good best friend wedding speech quotes, this would be a good time to interject them. You could give one or two, not to make your speech too long.
• Say congratulation words: End your speech with your well wishes for the couple and a toast if possible.

Dos And Don’ts For Wedding Toast Speech For Best Friend

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• Start with an introduction: It’s the polite thing to do, but also not everybody might know who you are.
• Welcome the newlyweds and the guests: Welcome everyone, and thank the guests especially for taking the time to be there for the celebration.
• Share stories about your best friend: You know them more than most, so this would be a good time to highlight their good qualities. If you’d like to give a funny best friend wedding speech you could include a hilarious memory here.
• Say something nice about your friend’s partner: If you have any anecdotes about how they met, you could include that too.
• End with good wishes for the couple: Say some inspiring words. Then, you can add a toast as well.

Don’ts:

• Do not introduce bad memories: This is a day to celebrate with your friend and their family. If you have any bad memories or even any disagreements, this is not the place to bring that up. Focus on the happiness and love of the day. Everything else can come afterwards.
• Don’t overshare: Be careful what you share. Some things are too personal to tell to a crowd. Choose to share what you know your friend would be comfortable with and the guests will be happy to hear. Don’t share any stories that would make anyone uncomfortable.
• Do not make costly jokes: Jokes are only great when they are in good humor. Keep your jokes clean and try to strike a balance. Do not allow your jokes cross the line from funny into offensive. Light humor is always best.
• Don’t make your speech long and boring: The perfect timing for a speech is between three and five minutes. So, don’t make your speech too short that the message gets lost. But don’t allow it get so long that the audience begins to get bored and distracted.
• Do not mention any exes: Whether it’s your friend’s exes or their partner’s. This is not a good time to mention them. Exes belong in the past. Focus on the present, on the couple and on their joyous celebration.

What should I say in my best friend’s wedding speech?

Share heartfelt stories and memories, express your joy for the couple, compliment each person’s qualities, and offer best wishes for their future together.

What is an example of a short wedding speech for a friend?

“To love, laughter, and a lifetime of happiness! I’ve seen these two create countless beautiful moments together, and I couldn’t be happier for them. May your journey be filled with endless joy and unforgettable adventures. Cheers to the newlyweds!”

What do you say at your friend’s wedding?

Express your happiness for the couple, share stories that reflect their love, highlight their positive qualities, and offer genuine well-wishes for their marriage.

There is no need to worry or fret if you have been asked to give a best friend wedding speech. With the right tips and guidance, you can improve your writing techniques and create a wedding speech that your friend will be proud of. Once you’re done writing a speech that you are sure of, delivering it on that day will be a like a walk in the park.

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Raise a Glass to Friendship: How to Write the Perfect Best Friend Wedding Speech

Delivering a wedding speech at your best friend's wedding can be a daunting task. Here's how to knock it out of the park.

When it comes to wedding speeches, the best man or maid of honor is usually expected to deliver a heartfelt and memorable speech. As the best friend of the couple, you have the unique opportunity to share your personal memories and anecdotes about the couple, and offer words of wisdom and congratulations. However, writing the perfect best friend wedding speech can be a daunting task. In this article, we will provide some tips and tricks for crafting a speech that will leave a lasting impression on the happy couple and their guests.

Start by brainstorming ideas.

Think about your favorite memories with the couple and what makes their relationship special. Jot down any anecdotes or inside jokes that come to mind. You can also think about what you admire most about the couple and what qualities they possess that make them a perfect match.

Keep it personal.

Since you are the best friend of the couple, your speech should be personal and heartfelt. Share your own experiences and feelings about the couple, rather than relying on generic quotes or advice.

Make it engaging.

Keep in mind that the audience will be made up of people of all ages, so try to include something that will appeal to everyone. Use humor and storytelling to keep the audience engaged, but also be prepared to get a bit emotional.

Keep it concise.

While you want to share as many memories and anecdotes as possible, it's important to keep your speech concise. Try to keep your speech to around 5-7 minutes.

Practice, practice, practice.

Rehearsing your speech is essential to delivering it with confidence and ease. Practice in front of a mirror, or even better, in front of a friend or family member.

Remember to follow these points:

• Start by brainstorming ideas
• Keep it personal
• Make it engaging
• Keep it concise
• Practice, practice, practice

With these tips in mind, you'll be able to write and deliver the perfect best friend wedding speech. Remember to speak from the heart, and the happy couple and their guests will be touched by your words.

Getnamenecklace Blog

43 Best Friend Wedding Speeches To Try At Your Next Wedding

Your best friend getting married is like a fantasy come true. It’s something that has crossed your mind a few times. For some, it’s unimaginable owing to the stuff you’ve been through together, you can’t imagine them being able to bag a lover. These feelings may make you not wait to give a speech at their wedding. 

In this article, we’ll show you tips on writing a speech for your best friend’s wedding and the different kinds you can write.

Tips On Writing A Best Friend Wedding Speech

Like all other speeches, a best friend’s wedding speech has tips on how to write it perfectly. We have discussed some of these pointers below, which will make your speech meaningful and ear-catching.

1. Start with a personal introduction

This is where you introduce yourself and how you know your best friend. You can mention how you two met and the relatable moments that led to the upcoming marriage.

2. Keep it short and sweet

Nobody likes a lengthy speech, especially at a wedding with more fun activities awaiting the guests. Your speech should be short but full of emotion and meaning. The funny parts should also be relatable to the wedding and the newlyweds.

3. Share a story

This will surely make your speech interesting. It, of course, should be related to the wedding or the couple. You can pick a funny scenario your best friend went through in order to impress their fiance or when you two used to imagine your weddings playfully.

4. Express Gratitude

This is important to show how you don’t take the moment for granted. You could thank God, the guests for showing up, the couple for letting you give a speech, and the audience for giving you an ear.

5. Include your best Friend’s spouse in the speech

As you mention much about your beloved best friend, remember to dwell on their spouse. Some people get carried away talking about their best friend only, which could make the spouse feel left out and give a notion that you may not want them with your best friend.

You can mention stories where the spouse is involved and mention their name when you mention your best friend.

Funny Maid Of Honor Wedding Speeches

It is very easy for the maid of honor to be funny because she may know the bride well. A funny speech will be easy for her to compose.

Below are some of the examples:

1. “If things don’t work out between you, at least she now has another option in the house.”

2. “This moment promises to bring together two of your favorite things: laughter and love.”

3. “Here’s wishing you don’t regret this decision in the morning.”

4. “You may not be able to plan for everything, but at least with a marriage, there will be one less surprise in life.”

5. “The couple have been together for a long time; it’s about time they made it official.” 

6. “May the love you have, be as sweet and everlasting as your wedding cake.”

7. “You’ll never have to worry about getting lost in the crowd with your spouse.”

8. “Without further ado, I give you the bride and groom. Now, let’s get this party started.”

9. “I present the happy couple due to public demand.”

10. “When the bride and groom first met, she asked if I thought he was too good-looking for her. Silly, right? He’s not even good looking”

11. “And here I am, watching you make it official. I can’t help but feel proud.”

12. “Life’s journey isn’t meant to be traveled alone.”

13. “You may have said ‘I do’ today, but I’ve always seen you two as a ‘we.’

Short Best Man Wedding Speeches 

The best man can be short, which is also a good choice. His speech can also be captivating, compressing all his feelings, wishes, and advice into a few phrases.

This can be tough owing to the much you may have to say, but it can be done.

1. “I’ve seen many weddings, but none as beautiful as this one. Congratulations!”

2. “May you experience more joy than you can imagine in your life together.”

3. “You make an incredible couple, and I know the future holds great things for you both.”

4.”It’s been an honor to witness such a beautiful union. May your love continue to grow.”

5. “I wish you both a beautiful journey into married life.”

6. “A wedding is the start of an amazing adventure. May your path be lined with joy and love.”

7. “You two have found a love so strong that it will last lifetimes. Congratulations!”

8. “To the most wonderful couple I know, may your wedding be the start of a lifetime of happiness.”

9. “The two of you are a great example of true love. May your marriage be filled with love and joy.”

10. “Wishing you an eternity of happiness, joy, and laughter. Congratulations!” 

11.”Wishing you all the best as you start a new chapter together. Have a blessed journey!”

12.”Many blessings to you both, and may your marriage be filled with love and light.”

13. “To two amazing people on their special day, congratulations and best wishes!”

14. “It’s my honor to share in this moment and wish you all the happiness in life.”

15. “Wishing you both a lifetime of joy, love, and laughter. Congratulations!”

16. “Sending so much love and best wishes for your beautiful life together.”

17. “Wishing you a lifetime of joy and happiness. Congratulations!”

18. “Here’s to an amazing journey ahead. Wishing you all the best on your wedding day!”

19. “You two make the perfect pair. Wishing you all the best in your life together.”

Touching Best Man Wedding Speeches

You can also choose to go in this direction. This will mean really tapping into your feelings and putting them down. This should make some of the guests shed a tear.

1. “I have known him since we were kids, and in that time, I have watched him grow. Today, he is courageous and strong, and I am proud to call him my friend.”

2. “We have seen each other through thick and thin, and now we are here to witness this momentous occasion.”

3. “I have known him since he was a young boy, and I am proud of the man he has grown to be. He is strong, kind, and loving, and I am honored to be his best man.”

4. “I have always been a big believer in the power of love, and today’s union proves that it can truly stand the test of time.”

5. “I still remember when they first met — it was like something out of a fairy tale. She captured his heart, and he embraced her with love.”

6. “They can make it through anything together, as long as they stay true to each other.”

7. “It’s an honor to be here today, celebrating the union of two beautiful souls who are truly meant for one another.”

8. “I have enjoyed watching their love grow and blossom over the years, and I am so happy to see them finally make it official.”

9. “It was always clear that they were meant for each other. Wishing them all the best as they embark on this new journey together!”

10. “Their relationship is an inspiration to us all. Wishing them a lifetime of joy and happiness.”

11. “It’s an honor to be here today, celebrating the union of incredible people. May they live happily ever after.”

Your best friend’s wedding is a lifelong memory that will be cherished for a long time, so make your speech legendary. These tips will surely do that for you, simply pick out the style you would like to write it in.

It is also polite to give the couple a wedding gift, and some examples are the personalized name bride bag for the bride to keep, even after the wedding. It is a bag with her new surname printed on gold script vinyl. It is elegant and sleek, perfect for the bridal party and honeymoon.

Another is the custom wooden ring box where the two can store their rings. It is made of dark brown wood, making it look rustic and elegant. It is also engraved with the couple’s initials and wedding date, making it act as a keepsake for the wedding.

Vincent Otieno

Vincent Otieno is a passionate jewelry enthusiast and writer at Getnamenecklace, an e-commerce store dedicated to offering exquisite jewelry and thoughtful gifts for your loved ones. With a keen eye for detail and a deep appreciation for the art of gift-giving, Vincent curates a collection that celebrates the beauty of craftsmanship and the joy of making family moments unforgettable.

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Best Man Speech Examples for Friends

Jan 8, 2018

Welcome! Looking for a bit of inspiration for your friends best man speech? You’re in the right place.  Here you will find real-life examples of best man speeches written by one friend to another.  There’s a selection to choose from depending when the friendship was formed and whether your style is a brief or longer.  Whatever your situation, you will find some food for thought here that can help you in constructing your friend’s best man speech. There’s also a link where you can download even more like this at the end of the page. Hope this helps!

1. Best Man Speech for a School Friend

Thank you Norman and Nick for your excellent speeches or as some would see them, my warm up act.

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen sit back, relax and make yourself comfortable as I intend to speak for roughly an hour…

For those of you that don’t know me I’m Scott, one of Nick’s close friends and today I have the honour and pleasure of being his best man.

Can I start by thanking everybody here today, coming together to share in what has been a truly special occasion, witnessing Nick and Simelia becoming Mr and Mrs Taylor.

I would also like to thank Keaza on her wonderful reading and the Chuckle Brothers also known as Dan and Lee on not making too much of a mess of directing people to their seats before the ceremony, well done boys.

I think everybody sat in this room will agree when I say that the bridesmaids Kirsty, Neesha and Kelly look truly amazing today.  And well Simellia, I always knew you would look stunning but wow you look beautiful today Sim. As for Nick, well what can I say, we tried our best……I’m only human. No really ….You don’t scrub up too badly mate, although I am slightly annoyed that you copied my outfit.

It is of course a great honour to be asked to be asked to be best man, But from the moment Nick asked me it was clear that the best man’s speech would be the most challenging part of the day for me personally….. So I had to prepare…. I took the standard approach which most men do when faced with a task they know little about and looked on the internet for ideas…. well I’m sure I’m not the only bloke in the room who has found far more interesting things to look at on the internet. So I drew a blank.

But I did read somewhere that a best man speech shouldn’t take any longer than it takes the groom to make love. So ladies and gentlemen – I give you Mr and Mrs Taylor. (Take drink and sit down).

I did however find a list of do’s and don’ts when it comes to writing a best man’s speech, which rather narrowed down my options:

Don’t mention ex-girlfriends *throw away card*.

Don’t swear *throw away card*.

Don’t tell rude jokes *throw away card*

Don’t tell lies *throw away card*

Do tell mostly positive stories about the groom.  *throw away card*.

Another thing I read whilst doing my research, was that I should now give you Nick a few tips and pointers to start you off in married life. Being a married man myself, I thought I’d be perfect for the job, so please remember the following simple rules:

First, set the ground rules and establish who is boss…………. Then do everything Simelia says from now on.

The best way to remember your anniversary……… is to forget it once.

From this day forward your wife always knows a better way of doing things.

Also, it is very important to get on with your mother-in-law. I haven’t spoken mine for two years, not because I don’t like her, I just don’t like to interrupt.

So where do I start with my friend Nick?

Well for starters he’s… Handsome, Witty, Intelligent. He’s Char… Charm…. Sorry…Nick …. I’m having trouble reading your handwriting here pal, you can tell me the rest later.

I first met Nick in March 1998 in Italy on a school ski trip, Stoke had just been thrashed 5-1 by Oxford, and I can vividly remember Nick coming off the phone from his dad, Andy, and telling anybody that would listen that Stoke had just taken a beating! Our friendship really started to begin though a year later in 1999 at Fenton 6th form college as we found ourselves classmates studying A level geography – this was short lived though as we were then moved to separate classes for fear of giving our teacher at the time a nervous breakdown with our foolish and rowdy behaviour. Hard to believe I know.

In the following 17 or 18 years that we have known each other, we have found many a common interest – music, food and if any of you knew the Nick Taylor from his university days, boy could he pack away the food!

Enjoying a good night out and of course football – from playing the game or, should I say, our best interpretation of it.

This is how Nick’s ex-football manager described his game: “I have found Nick to be useless in every position.”

I just hope Simellia has more luck later.

To watching Stoke at home, usually courtesy of Andy Taylor getting us in via the back door – thanks Andy!

Over the years we have had some memorable away trips to places such as Highbury, Villa Park, and Cardiff’s Millennium stadium – where a rather heavily built Nick managed to nearly crush a young child to death who was sitting two rows in front, celebrating Stoke scoring against Brentford. This was partly down to the excitement of the goal but more down to the fact that he had drunk a bottle of vodka and orange while tucking into his hearty breakfast at Hanley bus station earlier that day! To Istanbul, Wembley, Germany (I won’t tell the tale of the sunglasses and the 6 stone Chinese waiter) to Thun in Switzerland where Nick thought it was good idea to jump into the fast flowing river wearing the only pair of trousers that he had for the entire trip. To Valencia – the pigeon episode… Lee our animal loving friend is still scared to this very day by that! The list goes on and on… You get the picture. The guy’s a bit of an idiot.

Seriously though, anybody who knows Nick will know that what you see is what you get. There are no airs or graces about him, he is a real decent guy with decent values and he cares for the people around him. He will go out of his way to help others and he can be a very generous guy – BUT get 5 pints of beer down Nick’s neck and all that goes out of the window as you have just heard!

Nick, I would like to use your love of football, mate, to point out that you can base your marriage around football by following these simple tips:

• Ensure you are fully committed every week.
• Try your best to score every Saturday.
• Don’t put your tackle in too hard – you may get injured.
• And no tackling from behind – especially on your wedding night.

We have all, of course, been brought here today to celebrate the wedding of Nick and Simelia. They were first brought together, though, through work, around 5 years ago while working at Phones 4 U. I can remember having conversations with Nick at the time about a girl at work who he was friends with who turned out to be Simelia. It was quite clear how he spoke about Sim that he was very smitten with her also. Over time he plucked up the courage to try and move from just being friends to starting a relationship with Simelia. As the saying goes, what is meant to be, is meant to be and I think that Nick and Simelia are definitely meant to be together. They make a great warm and loving couple and bring out the best in each other. They are both really positive people to be around and are great with children. I am sure that when the time comes and they are ready to start a family they will make brilliant parents together.

It has to be said Nick, you are really lucky to have found a beautiful, loving and caring wife in Simelia. And Simelia how lucky you are also… Well the rain held off for the ceremony.

So here we are ladies and gentleman, Nick and Simelia are married, for better or worse. Which is quite appropriate really, because Nick couldn’t have done any better and Simelia couldn’t have done any worse.

On a more serious note, Nick, we have had some excellent times together and I know that we will continue to have more in the future. You have been more like a brother to me over the years and it’s been a real privilege to be your best man today… so thank you. I know how much Simelia means to you and that you will always be there for her. I know you will make a great husband and I’m sure that you will be extremely happy for many more years to come.

And on that note, ladies and gentlemen, could I ask you to stand with me, and raise your glasses in a toast to Nick and Simelia, the new Mr & Mrs Taylor.

2. Best Man Speech for a Recent Friend

Ladies and gentlemen, if there’s anybody here this afternoon who’s feeling nervous, apprehensive and queasy at the thought of what lies ahead…… it’s probably because you have just married James Rank.

To those of you who don’t know me yet. My name is Stu and I would like to thank James for finally confirming that I am actually the BEST man!

I’ve actually looked forward to this moment for a long time. It will be the first time I’ve been able to speak for five minutes in James’ presence without being interrupted!

Now it’s not that I’m saying that James is loud but he does seem to break a fundamental law of physics that light travels faster than sound…. because with James, you very definitely hear him before you see him.

It’s great to see that everyone is enjoying the wedding today, but I have to say that being best man you get to see behind the scenes – and let me tell you it isn’t pretty. Tears, hissy fits, chucking lipstick and mascara all over the place… luckily, I’ve heard that Sam was better behaved than the groom.

Quite clearly, no expense has been spared in creating this wonderful occasion for us all to enjoy. And by the way, please don’t worry if you have heard any unusual noises during the speeches…..  it’s only James’ wallet groaning in agony.

Looking around this packed room, it’s surprising just how far some people are prepared to travel for a free lunch. It’s a good job James didn’t choose the menu, otherwise you would have been very disappointed to have come all this way for cheese sandwiches washed down with ALDI lager.

Now I am supposed to use this opportunity to recall embarrassing moments to ridicule James. But I’ve been put under strict instructions not to mention the time James’ fiesta door changed colour, the time that we had the winner’s podium from Northwood stadium on our heads or the time that James’ Nova started smelling of fish.  

Of course… James….. I won’t say a thing. My lips are sealed. The theme of my speech is this: why marry James Rank? What is so special about him?

Over the last few months I’ve made extensive investigations and I think I’ve found the answer.  One reason to marry James is that he’s exceptionally thoughtful – he’s always thinking about friends and family. In fact, he starts thinking from the moment he gets up…… and doesn’t stop until he opens his mouth!

I’ve been told that at School, his sporting prowess was legendary. In fact, when he graduated he was recognised as having made a major contribution to the School’s football first team..… by sticking to swimming.

He’s academically bright. I once visited him when he was at Imperial College.

“I’m done here,” he told me, confidently, “They can’t teach me any more.”

Now, initially, I put that down to his inflated ego. But, curiously enough, one of his Uni mates knew the Dean of the University at the time and when he asked him about James’s leaving his words were exactly the same,…..

‘We simply couldn’t teach him any more’.

Another reason to marry James is that he’s very caring – especially about his appearance. It’s easy to see from today that James, impeccably dressed, has always been an image-conscious sort of guy. You know, he once admitted to me that his favourite forms of entertainment were TV, Football and mirrors ….  In reverse order.

He is most known however for his care of money. As he has often told me: ‘The safest way to double your money is to fold it over once and put it back in your pocket’.

But marriage changes a man and his approach to spending is shifting. Just yesterday, while mulling over a purchase, he blurted out,

‘Well, if you’ve got it why not spend it! I’m not extravagant enough!

It’s a lot of money, but hey, you only live once! I’m going to buy this right now! I don’t care how much it costs!”

I was really impressed by this. And dramatically James threw the packet of Jaffa cakes in the shopping trolley and marched off.

Now I’m not saying James is a skin flint but it’s a well known fact that when he suggested getting married at Alton Towers it was because he thought he could pay using his Merlin Pass and his family’s local residents tickets.

I can only assume that the reason for Sam choosing James was that opposites attract. I mean, one of my fondest memories is walking into their garden for a party to see James in the kitchen wearing a floral apron making cocktails and Sam in the garden chopping firewood with an axe…… They certainly are opposites…

If the theme of my speech had been: why marry Sam? It would have been straightforward. She is beautiful, intelligent and funny. She can cook like Nigella Lawson and she’s got the patience of a saint. James, I can say with my hand on my heart that you’re one of the luckiest men alive. And she writes a cracking best man speech as well.

Joking aside, it’s a wonderful honour being best man today as James is a very special person to me. He is a true friend who never ceases to amaze me with his kindness. He has listened to me through many a crisis. He gives without any thought of reward. He is a super guy and a role model of a friend. And yes, we’ve had our differences… but nothing that two lawyers and a judge couldn’t sort out.  I’d like to wish the happy couple well and toast their future happiness.  Ladies and gentlemen, to the bride and groom.

3. Best Man Speech for a Film Buff Friend

Hello, I’m Ben, I’m Jack’s Best Man.

Amy has tol d me about the timings of the speeches so much like the Groom, I’ll keep it short.  

*High Five Bride*

Of Course I would like to Thank Jack & Amy for asking me to do this and giving me this amazing opportunity to wear a suit in August.

Just a quick reminder that there is a wedding guest book so feel free write some nice messages to the happy couple,  but be warned, as a teacher, Amy will be checking your spelling later on.

Aww Amy, The Beautiful Bride: Amy always reminds me of a Swan: Graceful, Elegant, a vision in white………and if you annoy her she will break your arm.

Now Jack & Amy are two of biggest movie Geeks you’ll ever meet. At home they’ve got over 450 DVDs and everything up until now can be retold from all those films

Jack & Amy: Beauty and The Beast, The Fox and the Hound and on some days ‘Lady and the Tramp’

Amy: Little Miss Sunshine, My Fair Lady, Pretty Woman

and Jack ….a Footloose, Clueless, Desperado. But Hey Looks Who’s Talking

So for them the story goes they were Just Friends but it was Fatal Attraction then 28 Weeks Later they are having Cocktails, Dirty Dancing, Risky Business, Every Which Way But Loose. (Shame!)

So now they have decided to Hitch, Brave ! Some call it Entrapment, others Judgment Day But not me, No, No, this is My Best Friends Wedding and all The Usual Suspects are here:

The Father of the Bride, Bridesmaids, Layer Cake, The Ring.

Tonight will be BIG but T he Day After Tomorrow , The Hangover .  

Amy, We all know that there are A Few Good Men and Jack may very will be Dumbo and The Littlest Hobo but he’s also your Last Action Hero , your Dark Knight and your Batman Forever , he’s also your ‘ Iron Man 2 ’

Jack, for you Amy is now For Your Eyes Only as she is Taken , She is your Cinderella , your Princess Bride and your National Treasure .

However, if you have a Death Wish and Amy has a Short Circuit and goes Psycho then she’s your Apocalypse Now and she’ll probably take your Face/Off with a Lethal Weapon .

There Will Be Blood so remember She’s The Man .

The two of you together are The Incredibles, The Untouchables and Unstoppable . Simply they are in A League of Their Own .  

And as you go on your Never Ending Story and your Excellent Adventure always remember this trilogy.  

It’s a Wonderful Life, So Love Actually and Kick-Ass.

Get More Best Man Speech Examples for Friends

If you’d like more sample speeches then download this pack where you’re going to get a 35 page PDF crammed to the rafters of more Best Man speeches.

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EVENTS & ENTERTAINING

Food & drink, relationships & family, how to write a speech honoring a friend, more articles.

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Topics for a Short Speech

• How to Write a Speech for a Special Occasion

Like many adults, you may be a reluctant public speaker. But, you obviously are a good friend to somebody. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been asked to give a speech honoring this friend. This subtle but important distinction should help guide you as you prepare to write a speech honoring your friend. In other words, before you find a piece of paper or pull a chair up to your computer, reframe your task as sharing an insightful story or two about your friend rather than delivering a terse and formal speech. You’ll be well on your way to making a memorable speech that will impress your audience – and make your friend proud.

Identify the Basics

No public speaker – even the accomplished ones – wants surprises. You want to mitigate them to the best of your ability. So find out what you can about the venue, where you will deliver your speech (standing behind a podium is different from standing in the middle of a room or on a stage), the desired length of the speech and, most importantly, your audience. How old are they? Are they both male and female? And how well do they know your friend?

Brainstorming is the “messy part” of writing, so expect some mess to spill out as you develop initial ideas for your speech. Many people have a preferred brainstorming technique, such as writing a bulleted list of ideas, clustering (with supporting ideas circling the main idea in the middle) and freewriting (putting down thoughts in a random manner). Take your time with this step; if you can, put your initial effort aside for a day and return to it again with a fresh pair of eyes.

Develop a Thesis

Speeches can often “run off the rails” because a speaker tries to say too much in too little time. Your mission should not be to tell your friend’s life story, but to enlighten your audience about one or two of his outstanding attributes. This is why crafting a thesis statement is helpful. A thesis – a statement of purpose – serves as a compass, giving your speech focus and direction. Unlike an essay, a thesis for a speech may be indirect and unspoken. For example, a thesis meant to honor someone might be, “I want my audience to know how long my friend has worked on this special project,” or “I want to enlighten this group about my friend’s volunteer activities.”

Begin With an Anecdote

Avoid the tactical error of many well-intentioned public speakers who begin, “My name is...” or “I’m here today to talk about...” Don’t inject your audience with verbal Novocain. Just jump right in, grab your audience’s attention and begin your speech with an anecdote (that supports your thesis). Some of the best anecdotes contain quotations, so be sure you capture your friend’s verbal tics. Your audience should appreciate your attention to detail.

Proceed to the Support

With your audience giving you their rapt attention, now you can provide a little information about how you met your friend and how long you’ve known each other. But keep it brief. Remember that you’re honoring your friend for a reason, so the body of your speech should amplify and support your thesis with examples and illustrations.

End on a High Note

Your opening anecdote should be so compelling that it’s worth revisiting as you write a conclusion to your speech. By providing this crucial link, your audience will gain a sense that your story has come full circle.

Edit, Proofread and Prepare

Writers are often advised to “write like they talk.” This is golden advice for speakers, who will, in fact, verbalize the words they write. In the micro, this means to substitute short words for long words, shorten long sentences and inject places for pauses. Practice your speech in front of someone you trust and listen carefully to how it sounds (and time it, if necessary). A word or phrase may look brilliant on paper but sound awkward or confusing aloud. In this case, go with clarity over brilliance. Finally, set yourself up for success by producing a final copy that suits you. Some speakers prefer reading a speech from paper with jumbo-sized type; others prefer notecards.

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• “A Speaker's Guidebook,” Sixth Edition, by Dan O'Hair, Rob Stewart and Hannah Rubenstein
• The Writing Center at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill: Brainstorming
• The Writing Center at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill: Speeches
• Classroom.Synonym.com: How to Do a Tribute Speech
• Time: 6 Tips for Writing a Persuasive Speech (On Any Topic)
• Forbes: How To Give A Great Speech
• Read examples of speeches online. This will provide ideas for your speech.

Mary Wroblewski earned a master'sdegree with high honors in communications and has worked as areporter and editor in two Chicago newsrooms. She launched her ownsmall business, which specialized in assisting small business ownerswith “all things marketing” – from drafting a marketing planand writing website copy to crafting media plans and developing emailcampaigns. Mary writes extensively about small business issues, andespecially “all things marketing.”

Photo Credits

right here, right now image by Vik from Fotolia.com

Amazing Tips & Themes For Your Magical Wedding

• Magical Words

The Ultimate Guide to Crafting a Heartfelt Wedding Speech for a Friend

• Posted by by Rosie Liliy

If you’ve agreed to give a speech at your best friend’s wedding, it can be intimidating to know how to approach it. You want to ensure your friend loves it while entertaining the wedding guests. So, how can you make the perfect wedding speech for your friend?  

You can make the perfect wedding speech for your friend by focusing on what makes them and their partner great, keeping the speech short so that you don’t lose anyone’s attention, and using a style, such as humorous or serious, that you can pull off with confidence.

In this article, I’ll explore these and other tips to help you write a wonderful wedding speech for your best friend’s big day so that the wedding guests and, most importantly, your best friend will remember it for all the right reasons . 

1. Start With a Short Introduction 

Even if many people at the wedding know that you’re the BFF of the bride or groom, you should always introduce yourself, or some people might feel lost during your speech, which will cause your speech to lose some effect. 

Tailor your introduction to the type of speech that you’re giving. For example, if your speech is humorous, you could introduce yourself in a humorous way by saying, “I’m the bride’s bestie and the married couple’s new third wheel!” 

Once you’ve introduced yourself, so everyone knows who you are, you can launch into your speech. It can be useful to think about the person who delivered a speech before you , as this can give you a good opening into your speech. You could also just thank them for their speech. 

Remember, you don’t want to take up too much time talking about yourself and how you know the couple. The bulk of the wedding speech needs to be about them.  

2. Use Personal Memories 

What makes a great best friend speech at a wedding is to fill it with emotion . You want people listening to feel what you’re feeling, whether that’s amusement, love, or nostalgia. To make your wedding speech memorable and emotional, you should include memories shared with your friend. 

For example, “Beth and I have known each other since middle school. As her best friend, I’ve always been her shoulder to cry on when she’s experienced heartbreak. Seeing her and Matthew start a relationship, get engaged, and get married, I know the only tears she’ll splatter on my shoulder are happy tears.” 

If you haven’t been friends for many years, you could talk about the experience of helping your friend during their wedding preparations and the funny or sentimental memories that were made along the way. 

3. Avoid Oversharing 

While it’s good to include shared memories in your best friend’s speech, it’s never a good idea to overshare by including memories that are embarrassing for your friend. For example, you shouldn’t include anything your friend told you in private, as you don’t want to expose them on their wedding day! 

If you’re not sure if you should include a story that you and your best friend share, it’s a must to first run it past someone else to get their objective opinion. You can read your speech to a mutual friend to gauge their reaction. If they look horrified or like they’re cringing at any point, you should take note and make adjustments to your speech, so you don’t offend anyone.

4. Choose the Style

There are many tones you can adopt when writing a wedding speech, such as: 

• Sentimental/sappy 

You can also choose to have a blend of the above. It’s important to think about what style you would like to use and ensure it feels comfortable . Don’t try to write a funny wedding speech if you’re not usually a humorous person or don’t feel confident when telling jokes. 

It’s better to choose a style that matches your personality so that you can pull off the wedding speech with confidence.  

5. Think About How You Want Your Friend To Feel 

When writing a wedding speech for your friend, you shouldn’t just focus on the style that matches your personality but also think about how you want your friend to feel. Do you want them to feel entertained and happy or sentimental? Here are some ideas to consider: 

• Use words to express your friend’s kindness or humor. 
• Share memories that you and your friend have shared.
• Share how important your friend and friendship are to you. 
• Tell stories that celebrate your friend as a wonderful person. 
• Celebrate your friend’s marriage by sharing stories about the couple. These can be inspiring, for example, if they’ve overcome challenges together.  

6. Include Your Friend’s Partner 

Even though you’ll focus on your friend during your speech, you should also include your friend’s partner. If you don’t know them well, you can include some short stories or observations that you’ve seen about their relationship. For example, you could mention: 

• A story revealing how compatible they are: Maybe they both love running so much that they do it every morning at sunrise, or they finish each other’s sentences because they think in similar ways. 
• What you’ve seen about the partner’s character: Maybe you’ve noticed how your friend’s partner is always positive, and you find it uplifting. Or, you could share a funny story of what happened when you met. 
• How happy you are to know them: Simply telling your friend’s partner that you’re welcoming them into the family is a heartfelt sentiment that will make them feel as celebrated as your best friend.  

7. Keep Your Wedding Speech Focused

If you’ve got tons of stories to share about the happy couple, you might end up with a messy speech that waffles on. Try to maintain focus, as this will ensure the speech is memorable and the audience doesn’t lose interest. 

To do this, a good tip is to choose between one and three stories that reveal the aspects of the couple you love. Keep the stories succinct so that they don’t become too long. Focus on the main points of the story based on what you’re hoping to achieve from the audience, for example, if you want them to feel nostalgic or have a good laugh. 

To ensure your speech remains focused, it’s useful to write an outline for your wedding speech. Here’s an example of a typical outline. 

• Introduction. Introduce yourself and then talk about how you know your friend and/or the couple. 
• Between 1-3 stories. These can be funny or sentimental memories or stories that reflect the couple’s personalities. 
• Advice or encouragement. This can include quick, practical advice to the couple on their marriage . You can use a thoughtful or inspiring quote here. Alternatively, you can make a joke. 
• Make a toast. The perfect ending to your wedding speech involves making a toast to the happy couple. 

8. Celebrate the Happy Couple 

When sharing stories about the couple, it’s always a good idea to feature how the bride and groom came out as the heroes . After all, this is their special day, and you’re there to celebrate them! 

Here are examples of stories that achieve this: 

• “When I first saw Jess and Mark together, I knew that they were onto something good. Anyone who knows Jess knows that she’s got the brightest glow in the room that is instantly uplifting. But when she’s around Mark, she becomes even brighter. This is why we all love being around you both. Alone, you’re both intriguing, but together, you’re powerful! “ 
• “Jess and I are sisters, and we’ve always been close, but since I’m her big sister, I was always super-protective of her, especially when she started dating in her teens. We’ll never forget the time a guy came to pick her up, and I refused to let her go because he was 10 minutes late. Now I can sigh in relief, knowing my sister has found a man who treats her well and is always punctual.”     

9. Keep It Short 

No one has ever gone to a wedding and wished the speeches were longer, even if they were highly entertaining. Guests want to spend time socializing, talking, and dancing, so you don’t want to make them feel bogged down by a long speech. Ideally, make your wedding speech no longer than five minutes , or else you risk losing your audience. 

If you’ve got a lot to say within that short amount of time, have some notes written on cue cards. This will ensure you don’t forget anything or waste time trying to remember what stories to share with the guests. 

However, avoid having the entire speech written down on a sheet of paper, as this will be untidy. 

10. Give Them Some Encouragement

While you don’t want to give too much advice to the happy couple, a sentimental touch could be to give them words of encouragement. 

Earlier, we featured the tip of adding encouragement to your speech. You can do this in various ways. Here are some examples: 

• “Make sure you cherish each other, and especially your differences.” 
• “Tell each other you love each other every morning.” 
• “Never go to bed angry.” 
• “Think about your vows and remind each other of them.” 

Encouragement and advice that’s relatable to the wedding guests will also strike a chord with them and make your speech memorable for everyone present.  

11. Consult With Other Speakers

Although your speech will be unique from the speeches delivered by other speakers at the wedding, you don’t want your speech to stick out like a sore thumb or not fit in with the overall sentiment. So, it’s a good idea to get in touch with other people who will be speaking at the wedding so you can see what they’re going to be talking about. 

You could even brainstorm with each other, so you don’t share the same stories . And chatting with other people who will be giving wedding speeches will help you ensure your speech isn’t too long or short.  

12. Choose Appropriate Humor

Whether or not your wedding speech is humorous, you can still inject some jokes into your speech to entertain the audience. But, you need to be careful when using humor because if you go too far or say something inappropriate, it could offend people. Here are some tips to keep in mind: 

• Don’t use too many jokes. You don’t want the speech to become all about how funny you are, as you should be focusing on celebrating the happy couple. A good tip is to use a joke when you start your speech, as this can help to relax and intrigue your audience, and then keep your jokes to a minimum. 
• Keep your jokes clean. Since you’re giving a speech at a wedding, your audience will likely be filled with people of all ages, so you have to be careful not to make any inappropriate jokes. 
• Avoid inside jokes. While it might be funny to share inside jokes you and your friend share, bear in mind that other people might not find them funny. So, it’s a good idea to run any inside jokes past an objective person to gauge if they’re funny and relatable or should be left out of your wedding speech. 
• Don’t use jokes from the internet. While it can help to search for jokes on the internet to brainstorm humorous elements for your wedding speech, you don’t want to copy jokes online because these will have been heard and shared many times, making your speech less original. 

Final Thoughts 

Standing up at your best friend’s wedding and giving a speech is the perfect opportunity to celebrate their special day. Some tips to make it a memorable and sentimental speech include: 

• Share personal memories with your friend. 
• Choose a style that works with your personality, such as humor. 
• Keep your speech no longer than five minutes.  
• Plan your speech so that it’s focused on what you want to achieve.

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Rosie Liliy

Hey there, lovely couples and fellow wedding fanatics! I’m Rosie, the managing editor at Magical Day Weddings, and I’m here to make your wedding planning journey a blast! As a lifelong lover of weddings, I’ve dabbled in everything from DIY decor to event planning. I believe that every love story deserves to be told in a way that captures its essence. From heartwarming vows to tear-jerking speeches, I’m here to help you create unforgettable memories on your journey to “I do!”

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• Who Gives a Speech at a Wedding Reception? How to Write a Wedding Toast Tips for the Father of the Bride Speech How to Write a Best Man Toast Advice for the Maid of Honor Speech What to Know About a Newlywed Toast Public Speaking Experts' Wedding Speech Tips 60 Quotes to Use for Your Wedding Toast

How to Write the Perfect Best Man Speech

Two experts share the best tips for writing a winning toast.

Photo by Sydney Noelle Photography

In This Article

First of all, congratulations on being asked to be the best man. You, of course, have many important responsibilities —like groomsmen shepherding and bachelor party planning , among others—but there's only one task that will secure your proud ascension into the ranks of becoming the MVP: Giving a killer toast.

The best man's speech traditionally follows the groom's speech and is a chance for you to say some sweet words about your relationship with the couple and your best friend. But, if the thought of public speaking has your kneecaps sweating, we found you two coaches with years of experience to help ease your nerves.

Ahead, with the help of President Barack Obama's former speechwriter David Litt, and Pete Honsberger, author of Wedding Toasts 101: The Guide to the Perfect Wedding Speech , here are the best tips for writing a perfect man speech, in order to pull off the most amazing toast ever.

The Best (and Worst) Best Man Speech Ever

Meet the Expert

• David Litt was the speechwriter for President Barack Obama from 2011 to 2016 and is the author of the New York Times best-selling book Thanks, Obama.
• Pete Honsberger has been a serial groomsman, speaker, and wedding toast advisor for most of his adult life. When it comes to wedding toasts, he's seen just about everything—you can read about it in his book, Wedding Toasts 101: The Guide to the Perfect Wedding Speech .

Best Man Speech Template 

Getting all your thoughts and feelings down on paper can be overwhelming, especially if you're not used to sharing those sentiments with the guys. And for those who are unsure of what to write for the big day, here is a guideline to help you find your flow.

Find a Theme

A theme is a unifying idea that ties the whole speech together. Think of it as the takeaway of your speech, or the one thing you want guests to remember. The best way to identify your theme is by making a list of your favorite stories. "You’re not going to just write a speech from scratch. Start by brainstorming stories. Most importantly, what you’re looking for is the theme that comes out of those anecdotes," says Litt.

Build a Framework

The best way to organize your thoughts is to create a blueprint of the key points you want to hit first, sort of like a toast skeleton. After you've established the roadmap, fill it in with pertinent details and memories while still ensuring you're staying on point. "Think about it in terms of ideas," says Litt. "You can get in one or two short anecdotes, maybe three, and one big idea. If those are good, you don’t need more."

Instead of thinking of yourself as the speaker, imagine that you're actually standing in the audience. Think about what the audience would like to hear, rather than what you want to do.

Focus on the Newlyweds

Most best men will include a story or two about their friendship with the groom, but don't center the whole speech on it. "Remember the relationship that you’re celebrating is the one between the two people getting married. You’re giving the speech because you can shine some unique light on that relationship," says Litt. "If the relationship that you’re really giving the speech about is the one between you and the groom, things [will get] awkward."

Share Your Feelings

Deliver something more meaningful than one joke after another. "Generally speaking, men think of the best man speech as a funny speech to give because we’re very uncomfortable sharing how we actually feel. But, what makes a good best man speech is the part where somebody shares how they feel. Humor is just the icing on the cake," says Litt. The newlyweds chose you to speak because you have something notable to add to their big day. Embrace your personal insight into their bond and don't try to dilute it by just being funny.

Best Man Speech Tips

Ahead, find our best tips for making sure your speech is as polished as possible.

Consider Your Audience

You can't nail a speech if you have no idea who to tailor the content to. "Feel free to ask beforehand. When I was writing speeches for the president, we had a point of contact where the speech was happening to say who exactly is in the audience. You can do a smaller-scale version of that. Your point of contact is probably your friend getting married . But, the nice thing about giving the best man speech is that, ideally, it’s both specific to you and universal to the couple," says Litt.

"I would say almost never start with talking about how nervous you are. I’d also say just relax. That’s a hard thing to tell someone to do. But remember, you’re not putting on a show," says Litt. "You're simply talking about your best friend and the love of their life, two people that you've probably spent a lot of time with. In the end, it should just flow and come out easily." Litt also suggests, "imagine you’re just telling a story to a group of friends because, really, you are."

Stay True to Yourself

Stick with who you are and how you would normally act around your friends; you don't need to adopt a character just because you're giving a speech. For example, if you aren't normally the comedian in the group, don't try to tell a bunch of jokes. If you're not usually a super-sentimental person, don't force it. There's nothing wrong with keeping your speech more lighthearted . The couple already knows (and loves) your personality, so the more genuine you are, the better your speech will be received by both the newlyweds and their guests.

Don't Rely Solely On Humor

While a few jokes sprinkled in can be a great tool for loosening up the crowd, don't make these the meat of your toast—especially if comedy doesn't come naturally to you. "Let me put it this way. There’s such a thing as too many bad jokes, and that number is about one. The more you treat it as an open-mic night, the less happy everyone involved is going to be. You don’t need to go in thinking, 'How do I get invited back next week?'" explains Litt.

Keep Things Positive

Even if you think it's well-meaning, don't turn the toast into a roast or make jokes at the couple's expense. "I’ve seen best man speeches where someone thinks, 'Oh, my job is to roast the groom .' Unless the couple specifically told you that’s your job, that’s not your job. The way to think about jokes is that you don’t want people to be laughing at the groom or at the couple. You want people to be laughing because they suddenly know the groom better than they did before." says Litt.

Don't Upstage the Newlyweds

Litt's previous boss (former President Obama) really enjoyed telling other people's stories at speaking engagements, and this ultimately strengthened his messages. "His speeches are not really about him. They’re about other people," says Litt. Channel Obama by keeping your speech focused on the couple. "You’re not performing. You’re there because you know someone and care about them, and you’re sharing that with a bunch of other people. Even a great best man speech is not supposed to steal the show. If somebody says, 'That speech was nice but almost forgettable because we were so focused on the bride and groom,' that’s a win. You don’t need to be the star," advises Litt.

Keep Things Appropriate

"My general rule for wedding speeches is: If you have to ask yourself, 'Is this appropriate?' it’s not. And if you’re the kind of person who doesn’t know, ask a friend. If they give you that slightly horrified look, listen to that look," explains Litt. Keep in mind that your audience will include guests of various generations and cultures, like your friend's grandparents, boss, and colleagues. Refrain from mentioning anything that you wouldn't want your grandma or boss to know.

Get a Second Opinion

Remember, you'll be delivering this toast in front of an audience (as if you could forget, right?). So it doesn't hurt to get some feedback on what you're planning on saying. "If you’re the kind of person who has a track record of going a little too far with your surprises, you should be self-aware enough to run this by a third party—maybe another close friend or a friend of the bride ," says Litt.

The last thing you want to do is stand up and give a speech that you've never said out loud. "The best thing to do is practice with a friend. Anybody giving a big speech rehearses beforehand. If you’ve already gotten good feedback from field-testing your remarks with a smaller group, then you’re going to come out on the wedding day comfortably knowing you have a good speech. It's that uncertainty that can be scary when you’re up there speaking," says Litt.

Keep It Short

Let's be realistic: Super-long wedding toasts annoy guests. "I’ve never been to a wedding where anyone said, 'That was a great wedding, but the best man speech was just too short and that ruined it.' I would say five minutes is the absolute maximum. Three minutes is fine. There’s no question that if you’re reading this, you’ve sat through a speech that was too long. But when you start writing a speech, you almost never think, 'Is this going to be too long?'" explains Litt.

Limit Your Drinks

Don't embarrass yourself by slurring through your toast. "Being one drink in works for some people, but being more than one drink in is never a good idea. At that moment when you’re like, 'You know what I need? Another couple of shots.' That is never what you need," advises Litt.

Best Man Speech Openers

Now that you understand the fundamentals of creating a great toast, your next step is to sit down and start writing. If you need a little help getting your speech going, though, our experts share a few ideas to kick-start the process.

Introduce Yourself With a Twist

Want to tell the crowd exactly why you're the best man? Honsberger says to get straight to the point and tell them how you know the groom . Most importantly, add some flavor to the first few lines. Spice it up a bit, as anyone can do the standard, “For those of you who don’t know me….” Simply put, ask yourself what a twist would look like in your own introduction. 

“Good evening, if you’re in this room and don’t know me by now, then you’re probably at the wrong wedding. I am, of course, [your name], and I’ve been best friends with [groom] for 25 years…”

“Hello and welcome to tonight’s reception. [name of groom], YOU truly are MY biggest fan. Wait, that didn’t come out right…As I was saying…”

Crack a Joke, Even a Corny One

Remember the audience when determining whether your joke should be said, but ultimately, try and see if you can get the crowd to laugh in the first 30 seconds. To achieve this, Honsberger says to simply reach into your own bag of jokes or look one up online. "I’d encourage you to first spend a little time reflecting on your own comedic ability. If you’re coming up empty, then consult outside resources," he notes.

"Hello, I’m the best man [your name]. This entire day has been beautiful so far. In fact, I’m getting emotional. The wedding cake has me in TIERS. (looking at a three-tiered cake).” 

"You’re probably wondering why I asked you all here tonight…well, I can promise it’s not for my 'Magic Mike' performance. You’ll have to stick around to the last song for that."

Be Hilarious With a Straight Face

While still technically a joke, this is you working hard to sound serious while saying something absurd. And if you get this right, you’ll hear a little giggle immediately, followed by laughter from the rest of the crowd once they figure out what you said was a joke.

“Good evening, I am [your name], the best man and [relationship to groom] of [name of groom]. Tonight we’re in a room full of great men –doctors, lawyers, military veterans, and successful businesspeople –yet I am the 'best.' His words, not mine.” 

"As Abraham Lincoln once said, [say something outrageous than Lincoln obviously never said—an inspirational quote, movie line, piece of advice, etc.] … and that’s what brings us all together tonight to celebrate [couple's name].”

Introduce a Recurring Theme

Choosing an overall toast theme can help you start strong. If you decide that your relationship with the groom can be summed up by sports, college, vacations, a mutual love of running, or whatever fits you, that can be your theme. And if that’s the case, your opener is simply the first, or the best, story you have related to that specific topic. 

“Hello and welcome, my name’s [your name], and I’m here to talk about my amazing friends Mike and Liz. They are truly a story of opposites attracting. 

For example, Liz’s favorite food is french fries, and Mike is allergic to potatoes. Mike has an obsession with ice cream, and Liz is lactose intolerant (pause for laughter).

Thankfully, things have a way of working out, and we are gathered tonight to celebrate the most important thing they have in common…incredibly good looks. I mean, LOVE.”

Just like that, you’ve captured the audience, let them into the world of the married couple, and got them excited for the rest of your toast. 

Ask a Question to Answer Throughout

If you’re questioning your toast opener, try leaning into that approach. Instead of looking for the answer, embrace the question. Think about what you would want to know about the groom if you were a distant relative or family friend sitting in the audience, says Honsberger. What would be an interesting question to explore about the couple? Use that. 

“Good evening. My name is [your name] and I’ve known [groom] for more than [#] years. As I was preparing this toast, one question consistently rang in my mind: How do I summarize a friendship that has lasted since we [when you met]? Believe it or not, [groom] was [name a quirk or characteristic about him] back then, too.” 

“But really, how can I possibly speak to all of our experiences in just a few minutes without turning it into one big inside joke? Do I talk about …?” 

Then, spend the rest of the speech answering that question, and you’ll never lack information to share. 

Rhyme-Master Flex

Really want to capture the intrigue of everyone in the room? Start rhyming your sentences. Honsberger says he tried this in his first-ever wedding toast, and the result was an audience hanging on every sentence, wondering what the next line would be.

“Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I am Dan's younger brother, Pete. Many of you, I already know. Some, I have yet to meet.

Dan and Kate, thank you so much for this amazing chance, to speak on your special day … by the way, I call first dance. (crowd boos in jest) Sorry, but I called it! 

I’ve looked up to Dan ever since I’ve had sight. He was always bigger than me, and he was always right. 

Being the oldest of four boys couldn’t have been an easy thing. But in a house full of hyenas, Dan was the Lion King."

Read a Definition from the Dictionary

Here’s a chance to leverage one of the most straightforward and honest resources in existence: the dictionary. All you need to do is find one word that defines the couple’s relationship , says Honsberger. This can be serious and sentimental or funny—your choice. Just make sure it's relevant to the couple. 

“Google’s second definition of the word ‘love’ says, ‘A great interest and pleasure in something or someone.’ I think this is beautiful and an understatement when I think of [bride] and [groom]’s marriage. Although I was a little concerned when, under the definition, the word “love” was used in a sentence as ‘His love for football.’ Hmm, strange…”

“Who’s ready to dance tonight? Wikipedia defines the word ‘dance’ as ‘a performing art form consisting of purposefully selected sequences of human movement,’ and those words have honestly never come to mind when I think of [groom] dancing. I might be kidding, but there’s only one way to find out!” 

Tell a Story of How You Met

If the groom is a friend, chances are you have a good story of the first time you met or early in your friendship. If it’s your brother or family member, simply use one of your first memories together, whether playing, adventuring, or getting into trouble.

“The year was 1993, the class was kindergarten. I was building a beautiful tower of blocks when out of nowhere, they were knocked to the ground by a classmate without mercy or even an apology. That classmate was Matt, and we’ve been best friends ever since. And Matt, I’m sorry for throwing the blocks at your head after that.” 

Begin With a Quote

Simple and overused? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely. If you want to make the groom smile immediately during your toast, use a quote that you both recognize. If there’s one that his partner appreciates, too, even better. 

The most important reminder when using a quote is to ensure the audience feels like they’re part of it, too. Unless the quote is universally known, briefly mention its origin right after saying it. Let them into the joke and they’ll be with you for the rest of the toast. 

“Good evening everyone, my name is [your name], and I’m the best man tonight. When coach [name] used to tell you to ‘Be an Athlete,’ this is what he meant. When anyone on our team missed a tackle, it was ‘be an athlete,’ when our jerseys weren’t tucked in, same saying. We’ve adopted that as a cure for any issues in life. When [groom] really wanted to introduce himself to [bride], the solution was simple. ‘Be an athlete.’ And he was. So if you see [groom] miss a step on the dance floor later, be sure to remind him to ‘Be an athlete.’"

Read Something in a Different Language

Looking for a way to involve international members of the  family  in your toast? Look no further than practicing a phrase and reciting it in their native language to begin your toast. If that doesn’t apply in your situation, yet you still want to shake things up and be unique, you can translate a wedding-related sentence into another language. It will be intriguing, and you’ll sound smart! 

“Hello and welcome to everyone in both families on such a beautiful day. Me llamo Pedro y necesito que te diviertas porque esta boda es muy cara (wait for laughter from Spanish speakers). If you don’t speak Spanish, I said that I need everyone to have fun because this wedding is really expensive!” 

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, this speech is about the couple getting married, why you love them so much, how happy you are for them, and why you're honored to have this role in the wedding party. Keep things light, positive, and succinct—and also remember that the celebration is all about love, and no one is here to make you feel nervous. Make time to practice the speech, take a few deep breaths before you begin to speak, and focus your attention on the couple. Before you know it, you'll have given a speech for the books!

The best man traditionally speaks at the wedding reception following the maid of honor, though some couples may schedule the speeches during the rehearsal dinner instead.

The best man gives one speech either at the wedding reception or, less commonly, the rehearsal dinner.

The best man's speech serves as a special lens for the audience to better understand the groom, and the newlyweds, through his significant position in their lives. The focus should be to highlight the relationship of the newlyweds rather than the relationship between the best man and groom.

A Guide to Wedding Reception Toasts

Who Gives a Speech at a Wedding Reception?

How to Write a Wedding Toast

Tips for the Father of the Bride Speech

How to Write a Best Man Toast

Advice for the Maid of Honor Speech

What to Know About a Newlywed Toast

Public Speaking Experts' Wedding Speech Tips

60 Quotes to Use for Your Wedding Toast

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How to write maid of honor speech for best friend

Being asked to be the maid of honor for your best friend is a tremendous honor, and it comes with the responsibility of delivering a heartfelt and memorable speech on their special day. If you’re wondering how to write the perfect maid of honor speech that will not only make your best friend proud but also leave the guests in awe, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to create a speech that reflects your genuine love and admiration for the bride.

Table of Contents

A Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting the Perfect Maid of Honor Speech for Your Best Friend

Step 1: Start with a Warm Introduction

Begin your maid of honor speech with a warm and welcoming introduction. Greet the guests, express your gratitude for being part of this special day, and share a brief story or memory that highlights the deep bond you share with the bride. This will set a positive tone for your speech and captivate the audience’s attention.

Step 2: Express Your Gratitude for Being Chosen

Incorporate the keyword “how to ask to be your maid of honor” into your speech by expressing gratitude for being chosen as the maid of honor. Share the details of how your best friend popped the question, and describe the excitement and joy you felt when asked to play such a significant role in her wedding.

Step 3: Share Personal Anecdotes

Make your speech unique by incorporating personal anecdotes and stories that showcase the bride’s character, quirks, and the special moments you’ve shared together. Whether it’s a funny childhood memory, a heartwarming experience, or a challenging time you both faced together, these stories will add a personal touch to your speech.

Step 4: Compliment the Bride and Groom

Take a moment to compliment both the bride and groom. Highlight their strengths as individuals and as a couple, and express your genuine happiness for their union. Complimenting the groom is a great way to make him feel welcomed into your friend’s circle and convey your support for their partnership.

Step 5: Speak from the Heart

To create an impactful maid of honor speech, speak from the heart. Share your emotions and let your love for your best friend shine through your words. Avoid using clichés or generic phrases, and instead, focus on conveying your authentic feelings. This sincerity will resonate with both the couple and the wedding guests.

Step 6: Conclude with Well-Wishes

Wrap up your speech by offering heartfelt well-wishes to the newlyweds. Express your hopes for a lifetime of love, joy, and happiness. You can also include a toast to celebrate their union, inviting the guests to raise their glasses in honor of the couple.

By following these steps “ how to ask to be your maid of honor ” into your speech, you’ll create a memorable and touching tribute to your friend on her special day.

Final Thought

Writing a maid of honor speech for your best friend is a meaningful and joyous task.Remember to speak from the heart, share personal anecdotes, Deciding where to put your wedding ring is a symbolic choice that marks the beginning of a lifelong journey together. May this simple act be a constant reminder of your commitment and enduring love. Cheers to a beautiful wedding celebration, and may your rings always shine brightly as a testament to the genuine love and support you share.

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Follow This Perfect Best Man Speech: Tips + Examples

Written by  Shutterfly Community Last Updated: Oct 12, 2018

You’ve been chosen as the best man. Congratulations! It’s a great feeling to know that your friend or relative wants you to take part as his right-hand man in one of the best days of his life.

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One of the most important duties as best man is the best man speech. Traditionally the speech is given during the reception before the guests eat. Whether you are great with public speaking or a little intimidated by standing in front of a large group, we have all the tools you need in order to be best prepared, so don’t sweat it.

The Do’s and Don’ts For Preparing Your Best Man Speech

Don’t wing it..

Find a time a couple of months before the wedding to think about the things you want to talk about and write an outline. Most likely you’ll get caught up in best man activities with the groom and it will leave you with less time as the date approaches.

Do write a great intro.

The intro is the most important part of the speech because it grabs the audience’s attention. Try a funny one-liner, a story about you and the groom or even a compliment to his lovely new wife.

Don’t bring up past relationships.

Not only is it disrespectful to his wife but his wife’s family will also be there and will not want to hear about the groom’s litany of ex-girlfriends.

Do have a plan B.

Make sure you have the speech written down or outlined and have some jokes or points to cover if you are facing a tough crowd.

Don’t make negative jokes about marriage.

Even if you and the groom have an inside joke or if you have negative ideas about settling down, the audience doesn’t need to know. Also, don’t use curse words at any point during the speech, as you don’t know who in the audience you might offend.

Do practice.

Practice makes perfect. Going over the speech several times will ensure that you are comfortable with what you are saying and it will sound more natural.  Pro tip: record your speech on your phone’s voice memos and play back.

Don’t talk about the groom in compromising situations.

So you’ve seen the groom embarrass himself but you should keep that to yourself. You don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable or upset his wife.

Do congratulate the couple.

Make a toast, congratulate them and say what your wishes are for them in their new life.

Don’t make it longer than 7 minutes.

Although speeches are a fun part of the reception, making it too long can bore the hungry guests. If it’s a casual reception keep it to about three minutes, for a more formal setting seven minutes is more than enough time.

Do thank the guests.

As the groom’s right-hand man, make sure you thank everyone who attended and even the people working the event. It’s a nice gesture that will be appreciated.

A Simple Best Man Speech Outline

If you want a speech that is short, sweet and simple that is perfectly acceptable as well. This works well for smaller wedding receptions, weddings that will have more than two speakers or those that are a little more private. Following these simple steps will ensure a great and memorable speech:

• Opening line
• Introduce yourself
• Talk about groom/Compliment bride
• Propose a toast
• Thank the couple

Short and simple speech

Since I have everyone’s attention I’d love to say a few words to this amazing couple sitting right in front of me. For those who don’t know me, I’m Ed. Mike’s closest friend and sidekick.  We’ve known each other for about 11 years and have been on many adventures together. During that time, I got to know him well and can honestly say, he is the most selfless and stand-up guy I’ve ever met. I am thrilled to be standing here and celebrating him and his beautiful bride, Linda.

I am sure this union between two honest and caring people makes you all smile. Let’s raise a glass for everlasting love! Thanks for making us all part of this beautiful day.

Best Man Speech Template

Typically, a best man speech should last about 4-7 minutes depending on the party. While short and sweet is welcomed, a best man speech can also include more details such as how you know the groom and the bride, funny jokes, heartfelt stories and your well wishes.

Whether you want your speech to make the crowd laugh or shed a little tear, you may be wondering how to get started. We’ve pointed out several tips in our template below. Remember, a speech should always come from the heart.

How to Write the Perfect Best Man Speech

1 Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. It’s lovely to see some familiar faces. On behalf of the gorgeous bridesmaids and not so gorgeous groomsmen, we’d like to thank you all for coming. 2 It’s amazing to see how far people will travel for free cocktails.

3 For those who don’t know me, my name is Adam. I am the best man and Sam’s very best friend. It’s an honor to be here and to be part of such a beautiful event. 4 I met Sam 20 years ago. We grew up together as neighbors in San Diego and attended the same school all throughout college. 5 He was the nice kid on the block who would go home and do his homework while all of us were out doing, well, the things we shouldn’t be doing. Can you believe it took me two months to convince him to toilet paper Mrs. Carter’s house? Mrs. Carter isn’t here, is she?

Luckily, as we grew up, he started making better decisions; one of them being this very special day. He is marrying his best friend 6 and the most beautiful girl he’s ever laid eyes on. Sarah, he said this to me just the other night and I promise no more than three drinks were involved.

7 When Sam introduced us to Sarah , we knew right away she was the one. For starters, she made him get rid of that horrible, beer-stained couch that he had since college. That alone got our stamp of approval. But mostly, we saw how happy she made him and how every time he talked about her, he would have a huge smile. We started seeing a little less of him, but that’s okay because we were getting tired of buying his drinks anyway.

For that reason, and the reason we are all here today, 8 I’d like to raise a glass to Sam and Sarah. May you have the life you always dreamed of, continue to fight over the remote and cherish making beautiful memories together. Find joy in the small things like Portlandia and expensive coffee and may sparks continue to fly forever. 9 Thank you guys for allowing me to be part of this special day and for trusting me not to ruin this beautiful moment (phew!). I’d also love to give a huge thanks to the staff who have helped make this night memorable.

10 Cheers, everyone! Continue to have a great night and come hang out with me on the dance floor.

Always address the audience and welcome them.

A quick opening sentence to welcome guests helps everyone feel at ease.

Throw in a silly joke.

A wedding should be fun and enjoyable. A joke will help to break the ice.

Introduce yourself.

It’s best to not assume that everyone knows who you are. A short and simple introduction will allow everyone to get familiar with the wedding party.

Talk about how you know each other.

Whether you are a relative or friend, talk the audience through how you got to be a special person in the groom’s life.

Talk about groom’s personality.

Use this time to make a joke about the groom or share a sweet sentiment. Mention any sports, skills or funny stories that people will appreciate.

Compliment his bride.

Acknowledging the bride is a must, especially because she makes the groom so happy. A mention of her dress, personality or the first time you met her is ideal.

Talk a bit about them as a couple.

Share things you like about them as a couple. It helps the audience get to know their dynamic a little better and it will make the couple smile as well.

Give a toast.

Raise a glass and cheers to the new couple. Including a bit of tradition makes the speech much more special.

Thank the couple and staff.

Everyone spent a lot of time preparing for the special day. Make sure to thank the couple for allowing you to be part of it and the staff for making it all happen.

This closing allows for any sort of instruction such as dancing, dessert or simply to tell them to enjoy the party.

Best Man Speech for Brother

Good evening, hope everyone is having a good time tonight. I feel very privileged and honored to be standing here tonight celebrating this lovely union. Two years ago, Matt gave the best man speech at my wedding and made a lot of awkward jokes. So needless to say, I’ve been waiting for this moment for a really long time! For those who don’t know, I am Matt’s brother, Mike. I first met Matt when I was two years old at our parent’s house in Boston. To be quite honest, I wasn’t thrilled because I really wanted a sister. And I think he knew because Matt would do ridiculous things like throw my toothbrush in the toilet, pour water at me when I was asleep and run across the room naked when I had any friends over. This made me less popular than I already was.

Matt always excelled in school, was captain of the debate team (apologies to Cara, but he can argue his way out of anything!) and can make a mean steak. The truth is, despite him being an annoying brother at the time, I came out winning in the end. Because of him and this beautiful night, I am getting the sister I always wanted. Cara, you’re beautiful and our family loves you so much. Thank you for making my brother so happy.

Let’s celebrate this amazing union and raise a glass to the newlyweds! On behalf of the groomsmen and bridesmaids, we’d like to wish you a life full of love, happiness, and joy.

To everyone who made tonight happen, thank you. You’ve made this night very special.

Sentimental Best Man Speech

If I can have your attention everybody, I’d like to say a few words. Thank you all for being here to celebrate this lovely couple. Now I would like you all to take out some tissues, because you are going to need them after this. For those of you who have not met me I am Rich, Joe’s best man. Rich and I have known each other for over 30 years, we met when we were both just two years old. We lived on the same street and our mothers were friends so naturally we also became friends.

I am an only child so Joe was like a brother to me. We became inseparable. We played in T-ball together and then graduated on to baseball throughout high school. When we weren’t throwing the ball we were skateboarding, watching movies or challenging each other in video games.

Joe was always hanging out at my house and I grew up thinking he was just part of the family. I remember asking my mom why Joe never goes home and mom would always say “Rich, Joe is the brother you never had, take good care of each other.”

What my mom didn’t tell me at the time was that Joe’s mom was really sick and his dad worked double shifts just to stay afloat with all the medical bills. So, having Joe around was our way of helping out.

Even though we were only in high school, Joe made it very clear that he wanted to have a wife and family of his own. His mother’s death at such a young age was really challenging and in some ways, he learned to cherish the women he had in his life more.

He knew he wanted a strong, nurturing and kind woman to be his wife. When Joe met Sarah he almost broke it off with her because he was afraid of losing her. I remember Joe coming to me and saying, “I’m in trouble, I’ve met the one but don’t know what to do.” “Scared is good”, I said, “It means you won’t mess this up”.

Sarah’s greatest strength comes from losing her father to cancer at a young age. When Joe and Sarah met, their commonalities bonded them immediately. Both missing the connection with their parents and understanding each other’s experiences brought them very close. I’ve never seen two people more meant for each other. From the moment they met in college, there has been an incredible and magical bond.

When I look at both of you I can see how your experiences have led you to one another. It’s as if your parents were orchestrating this all along. Even though your parents are not here with us tonight, they are in spirit and will continue to guide you in the right direction and are so very proud of you.

As we all gather here to enjoy this dinner tonight, I’d like to make a toast to Joe and Sarah. Two souls meant to meet and fall in love. I want you to know that mom misses you hanging out at the house and she told me to tell you that you are always welcome in her home.

Joe, thank you for being my friend and brother all these years. You are the very best friend a guy could ever have and I love you so much.

Sarah, Thank you for loving this great man and for taking Joe to be your husband. I know you both will take care of each other and keep the memories of your parents alive together.

Now that our napkins need replacing, I’d like to thank all the staff and event coordinators for taking care of this beautiful event.

Cheers to everyone, enjoy your night and if you have a chance, come find me and say hi.

Funny Best Man Speech

Ladies and gentlemen if I can have your attention for a few moments, I would like to give a toast to Mark and Melissa. I was a little surprised that Mark asked me to be his best man, after all, he knows how much I love to embarrass him. I’m thinking, “what a great time to leave a lasting impression of who Mark really is” in front of all his closest friends and family. If for some reason you did not know, Mark was chosen as the class clown in high school. He even got his picture immortalized in our class yearbook for this very title. Let me tell you, having Mark as a best friend was very entertaining!

He was always laughing, pulling pranks, and sometimes getting us in trouble (I certainly won’t tell them how we barely made it out of jail because you thought streaking through the grocery store parking lot was a good dare). We all had a bit of clowning around within us, but the one thing Mark always had over any of us was his way of making girls laugh. And I mean really laugh, not just a quick chuckle but downright laugh out loud, spit-up-your-drink kind of laugh. While we were all worried about how we looked to girls, Mark’s concern was always how to make them crack up. I remember Mark saying “how come you get all the girls and I don’t?” I never had a straight answer for him. Looking back now though, my track record only lasted a few months and for Mark? Well, what he didn’t know was that his “clowning around” was preparing him for the show of his life.

When Mark introduced me to Melissa I knew she was special. I knew this was who Mark was going to marry. She not only has a very infectious laugh, but she gets Mark to laugh just as much.

They say a marriage can’t truly survive without laughter and I don’t believe there will be a shortage of that with these two. Mark, remember when you asked me why you don’t get all the girls? Well, the answer is right there next to you. While you were out figuring out jokes and funny one-liners, Melissa was saving up for the greatest show on earth!

If anyone tells you that you’re a bunch a clowns just smile and say….who’s got the last laugh now? Let’s raise our glass to Mark and Melissa! Here’s to a lifetime of love and laughter! You are both class acts and I am proud to call you my best friends. I love you both very much and thank you for having me here.

To all who were in charge of organizing this awesome night, great job on making this wedding shine. I challenge everyone to a dance-off later tonight.

Hopefully these tips will have you on your way to writing a heartfelt speech. If you still need a little more inspiration, don’t forget to check out our wedding quotes . These are great to incorporate into your speech, write in a card or simply share as advice to the newlyweds.

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What You Should—And Shouldn’t—Say to a Friend Going Through a Major Illness

By Jenna Ryu

When a friend receives a life-changing diagnosis, it can be tough to know how to show up for them. Chronic illnesses—like multiple sclerosis and type 2 diabetes , for example—can completely upend a person’s world. So can finding out about infertility due to endometriosis , say, or a mental health condition like depression or anxiety .

“A lot of people in this situation will feel isolated and scared,” Michelle Maidenberg, PhD, LCSW-R , therapist and cofounder of the Thru My Eyes Foundation in Harrison, New York (a nonprofit that helps folks with life-threatening illnesses leave video legacies for their loved ones), tells SELF. That’s why your pal needs your support, perhaps now more than ever. “However, that can be tricky, because friends and family—they might not know how to relate,” Dr. Maidenberg says.

For instance, you might automatically respond to your buddy’s health news with “I know what you’re going through,” when really all you wanted was to be sympathetic. Or, in an attempt to lift their spirits, you blurt out, “I’m sure you’ll be fine”—which you realize, too late, just sounds dismissive. Some people also opt to stay silent because “they don’t want to say the ‘wrong thing,’” Dr. Maidenberg adds.

As hard as it can be to find the right words, though, offering a verbal pick-me-up can make a world of difference for your friend who’s struggling. So if you’re not sure what exactly to say to help them feel better, here are five compassionate and respectful phrases that’ll let them know you’re in their corner.

“I love you, and I’m here for you.”

A gentle reminder that they’re loved and not alone can ease some of the weight they’re carrying, Aleksandra Rayska, PhD , a psychologist at Therapists of New York who specializes in helping people with chronic pain , tells SELF. With a major diagnosis, it’s important to remember that your friend’s entire future and goals might have to change—if, for instance, their arthritis will prevent them from regularly playing tennis, or if something like chronic fatigue syndrome has turned even the most mundane work tasks into Herculean efforts.

“The impact of a serious illness can make you feel lonely , so knowing there are people who are willing to listen can be incredibly impactful,” Dr. Rayska says. As simple as this affirmation is, telling your friend you’re there for them can make it easier for them to call or text you when they need support—and hopefully reassure them if they ever feel guilty for “rambling” or “overwhelming you” about their situation, she adds.

“I don’t exactly know what to say, but I’m thinking of you.”

Rather than trying to relate to what they’re going through, both experts we spoke with agree that it’s more meaningful to just be vulnerable and straightforward: Tell them you can’t imagine what the hell a Crohn’s disease flare-up feels like since you’ve never had one, for example, or what their particular experience with cancer is like (yes, even if your aunt overcame it). “It’s usually better to just be open being at a loss for words, rather than forcing yourself to stay positive and optimistic,” Dr. Rayska says.

Most people appreciate that sincerity over cliché lines (which can come off as generic and even dismissive). Acknowledging the complexity of your pal’s situation, even if it leaves you speechless, can show that you’re honest, genuine, and willing to navigate their unique journey together, per Dr. Rayska—and this could strengthen your bond as a result.

“I can’t imagine how you’re feeling, but whatever emotions you’re experiencing are perfectly valid.”

On a similar note, telling your friend they’re “so brave” or to “stay strong” might seem like words of encouragement. But actually, these well-intentioned sentiments can put more pressure on someone who’s already feeling vulnerable, Dr. Rayska points out.

“Everyone has their own experience, and you want to make sure you’re conveying that all thoughts and emotions—even those like anger , hopelessness, or confusion—are okay and expected,” Dr. Maidenberg adds. “It’s all about open acceptance : Whatever they’re feeling is perfectly fine and understandable.”

When you validate (rather than ignore) the tough, downright shitty parts of what your loved one is going through, you create a safe space for them to express themselves without judgment. As a result, they’re less likely to bottle up those negative emotions, she says.

“Let me do X for you—how does that sound?"

All of the comforting words above can make your pal feel emotionally supported, but helping with daily tasks (like chores and errands) is another thoughtful way to ease their stress, both therapists say. Just think twice before asking the well-meaning but potentially overwhelming: “What can I do for you?”

“Your friend may not have the energy to come up with ideas or little ‘jobs’ for their loved ones,” Dr. Rayska says. They also might not know what they need or may feel guilty asking you for help . That’s why it’s better to offer specific favors. For example, if they haven’t had the energy to cook or buy groceries, you can say something like, “Let me bring over tacos on Saturday. I’m not sure if that’s something that would be helpful or not, but let me know. I’m happy to do it!” Or maybe you can offer to drive them to their next doctor’s appointment if they don’t have a car or need extra support.

It’s up to them if they choose to take you up on your favor, but the point is that you’re not pressuring them to articulate what they need—and you’re also giving them the option to decline, Dr. Maidenberg adds.

“You don’t have to say anything.”

Everyone copes differently: Some people will be eager to share the specifics of what, exactly, their doctor said or the TMI side effects of their new medication. Others, however, might not be in the mood to talk at all, or they might feel uncomfortable sharing intimate details about their health.

Reassuring your friend that it’s their choice to open up (or not) shows that you respect their privacy and boundaries, Dr. Maidenberg says. And, as Dr. Rayska adds, sometimes just watching Friends together, swapping cat memes, or even sitting side by side on the couch in complete silence can show your support more than words ever could.

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SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.