The structure of a best man speech is fairly settled, which makes it a good fit for a template. The words in the highlighted gaps are prompts. Swap them for your own names and stories. Once it's filled in, read it aloud and change any line that doesn't sound like you. The stories you add are what make it worth listening to, so spend most of your time on sections 4 and 5.
If you want to know why each part is there, read best man speech structure and how to write it. There are also four full best man speech examples to read.
1. Thanks on behalf of the bridesmaids
The groom usually ends his speech with a toast to the bridesmaids. If he does, you reply on their behalf. If there are no bridesmaids, thank the couple for the day instead.
Thank you, [groom's name], for your kind words about the bridesmaids. On their behalf, I'd like to say they've done a brilliant job today. [bridesmaids' names] have [something they did today, such as calming nerves or finding a lost shoe].
2. Introduce yourself
Half the room won't know who you are. Tell them, and say how long you've known the groom.
For those who don't know me, I'm [your name]. I've known [groom's name] for [number] years, since [where you met, such as school, work or a football team].
3. An opening line
Something light to settle you and the room. It can be about your nerves or the groom's advice. Keep it short. There are plenty of ideas on the best man opening lines and jokes page.
[groom's name] gave me one piece of advice for this speech, which was [his advice]. [what you did with his advice].
4. How you met, and what he's like
Tell the story of how you met, with one detail that shows what he was like even then.
The first time I met [groom's name], he was [what he was doing]. [the detail that sums him up]. I knew straight away that [what you thought of him].
5. Two stories about the groom
This is the main part of the speech. Pick one story that gets a laugh and one that shows his kinder side. Each one needs a place, and a line at the end that brings it back to what he's like.
[groom's name] is [a quality, such as very organised or hopeless with directions]. [a funny story that shows it, with a place and a detail].
He's also [a kinder quality, such as loyal or generous]. When [a time he helped you or someone else], he [what he did].
6. Messages from people who couldn't come (optional)
Read one or two at most, and check with the couple which ones they would like read out.
A few people couldn't be here today. [name] has sent a card from [place], and says [short message].
7. His partner and the couple
Say something sincere about his partner, by name. Say when you first met them and what they are like together as a couple.
[partner's name], I remember when [groom's name] first told me about you. [what he said or did]. Since then I've seen him [how he has changed]. You [something specific you like about the partner], and the two of you [what they are like together].
8. A word to the groom
One or two sentences, said plainly.
[groom's name], thank you for [something he has done for you]. I'm really proud to be standing up here for you today.
9. The toast
Ask everyone to stand, and say both names clearly so the room knows when to drink.
So would you all please stand and raise your glasses. To [partner's name] and [groom's name].
The template filled in
Here is the template completed by Lewis, who is best man for his friend Craig. They met as apprentice joiners in Preston, and Craig is marrying Hollie. The stag do was in Blackpool. Lewis skipped the messages section, as the couple didn't want any read out.
Good afternoon, everyone. Craig, thank you for your kind words about the bridesmaids. On their behalf, I'd like to say they've looked after Hollie brilliantly today. Beth and Jade have been up since six doing everyone's hair, and at half ten they found Hollie's other shoe in the car park.
For those who don't know me, I'm Lewis. I've known Craig for fifteen years, since we both started as apprentice joiners at a firm in Preston. I'd love to tell you I was the one who showed him the ropes, but on our first morning he had to show me which way round to hold a chisel.
Craig gave me one piece of advice for this speech. He told me to imagine I was talking to a few mates in the pub. So if anyone fancies getting a round in while I'm talking, it would really help.
The first time I met him, he was sitting in the van at seven in the morning eating a pasty and reading the instructions for the drill we'd been given. He read the whole booklet, cover to cover. I knew straight away he was going to be better at the job than me, and he was.
Fifteen years on, Craig is the best joiner I know. He can build you a staircase from scratch, and he can hang a door so it closes without a sound. What he can't do any more is follow instructions. Last Christmas Hollie bought a flat-pack wardrobe for the spare room, and Craig refused to open the booklet because he said he'd been doing this for fifteen years. Four hours later he'd built a very solid wardrobe with the doors on the inside. Hollie sent me a photo, and it's been the background on my phone ever since.
He's also the kindest man I know. When my mum moved into her bungalow in Fulwood, Craig spent three weekends putting in handrails and a new front step, and he wouldn't let her pay him. She still calls him "that lovely lad" and asks after him every time I ring.
On the stag do in Blackpool he won a giant stuffed penguin on the Pleasure Beach and carried it round with him for the rest of the night. I'm told the penguin is here today, somewhere near the cake.
Hollie, I remember when Craig first told me about you. He'd met you at a barbecue in Longridge, and on the Monday he was so distracted that he measured the same window three times. Since then I've seen him slow down and start enjoying himself. You're the only person who has ever got him to take a proper holiday, and the two of you are always laughing when I see you together.
Craig, thank you for being such a good mate, and for trusting me with the rings. They're safely on your fingers now, so my job is nearly done. I'm really proud to be standing up here for you today.
So would you all please stand and raise your glasses. To Hollie and Craig.
Lewis filled in every gap with something specific, like the pasty in the van and the bungalow in Fulwood. The wardrobe story comes straight after the story about the booklet, so the room gets the joke before he finishes it. If you want to know how long yours will run, see how long a best man speech should be.
Common questions
Do I have to use every section of the template?
No. Leave out anything that doesn't apply. If the groom isn't toasting the bridesmaids, skip the first section. If nobody has sent a card, skip the messages. The introduction, the stories, the kind words about the couple and the toast are the parts to keep.
How long will the speech be if I fill in the template?
If you write two or three sentences for each gap and tell two short stories, it usually comes out at four to six minutes. Read it aloud and time it before the day.
Can I change the order?
Yes, as long as the toast comes last. Some best men put the story of how the couple met before the stories about the groom, and some leave the messages from absent friends out altogether.
Will the template work for a best woman, or for two grooms?
Yes. A best woman can use it exactly as it is. For a wedding with two grooms or two brides, use your friend's partner's name in the couple section and both names in the toast.