A wedding speech can make a room full of grown men cry. A so-so written groom speech can also make 150 guests suddenly very interested in their drinks on the actual wedding day.
The difference?
A story worth telling, a joke funny enough but keeps the groom’s honour intact, and enough heart to remind everyone why they came.
Writing a groomsman speech can feel like a strange public speaking assignment: sum up years of friendship, make the groom look good, win over his new spouse and give her special thanks, and somehow keep your voice steady. All while holding a microphone on their big day.
These groomsman speech examples will help you find the right words, from funny one-liners to heartfelt tributes and great wedding speeches you can personalize stag or not.
Grab a drink, pick your style from any of the examples for inspiration, and give a toast to the bridesmaids (and the happy couple) that could make even the most grown of men fight back a tear or two.
What Is a Groomsman Speech?
A groomsman speech gives you a few minutes to tell the wedding party something worth knowing about the groom. Keep it personal, keep the jokes kind, and give the couple a proper toast at the end.
- Typical speaker: A best man, brother, longtime friend, or fellow groomsman chosen to say a few words.
- Typical content: The key to a great speech is having one good story, a few laughs, something genuine about the couple, and a heartfelt speech toast.
- Example: You might tell the story of how James spent three hours in a Manchester kebab shop after missing his train home, then explain how Eve somehow still said yes.
Do groomsmen give speeches?
Yes. Groomsmen can give speeches, although wedding planners have the best man traditionally handle the main speech.
If you’re one of several people speaking as part of the wedding planning, keep yours focused right at the beginning of the speech so the reception doesn’t turn into a collection of increasingly desperate microphone stories.
- Best man: Usually gives the longest best man’s speech and leads the main toast.
- Brother: Can bring in childhood stories, family memories, and the occasional embarrassing photo.
- Fellow groomsman: Great for stories from university, a soccer team, a road trip, or years of friendship.
- Multiple speakers: Anyone from cousins to the father of the bride gets two or three minutes so everyone gets their moment without repeating the same stories.
How long should a groomsman speech be?
You can say plenty in five minutes. The trick is choosing one or two stories worth telling instead of trying to document the groom’s entire existence.
- 1-2 minutes: Best for a quick toast or when several groomsmen are speaking.
- 3-5 minutes: Gives you room for a personal story, some humor, and a sincere closing.
- 6-8 minutes: Better suited to a best man with several stories, provided every story earns its place or the wedding officiant speech.
Short Groomsman Speech Examples
Short doesn’t mean boring. You need one good story, a couple of laughs, and a finish that actually says something about the groom and his new wife. Keep it moving and leave people wanting one more story.
Speech for groom from best man
You’ve probably got enough material to embarrass the groom for the next decade. Pick one story that gets a laugh, then use the rest of the speech to remind everyone why you’re standing beside him today.
1. Funny best man speech template
Best for: A groom who can take a few jokes in front of 100 people.
“Hi everyone, I’m [name], and I’ve known [groom] since we were 17, back when our biggest responsibilities were passing our exams and getting to the pub before happy hour.
I’ve watched him make some questionable decisions over the years, including buying a white leather sofa, attempting a three-day music festival with one change of clothes, and claiming he’d run a marathon after downloading Strava.
Then he met [partner]. Suddenly, he had a proper job, clean shirts, and somewhere to be on Sunday mornings.
[Partner], you’ve clearly worked some magic. [Groom], I’m genuinely proud of you. Here’s to you both.”
2. Heartfelt best man speech template
Best for: A genuine speech for a longtime best friend without getting overly sentimental.
“I’ve known [groom] for [number] years, so I’ve seen plenty of versions of him. The 2 am kebab version. The five-a-side version. The version who thought buying a motorbike was a sensible financial decision.
But I’ve also seen the guy who drove two hours to help me move house and sat with me until 3 am when things went sideways.
[Partner], that’s the man you’ve married. He’s loyal, generous, and always there when it matters.
[Groom], I’m proud to call you my best friend. Here’s to you both.”
Best man speech ideas brother
If you’re giving your brother’s speech, you’ve got an unfair advantage: you’ve got decades of ammunition. Use a couple of good childhood stories, give him a slight run for his money, then nail the ending of your speech example with something genuine.
3. Brother’s childhood speech template
Best for: Brothers who want plenty of laughs with a sincere finish.
“Being [groom]’s brother meant fighting over the PlayStation, stealing each other’s clothes, and blaming each other whenever Mom heard a crash upstairs.
We grew up playing [soccer/cricket], arguing over who was better, and spending half our school holidays at [family location].
Somehow, the idiot I shared a bedroom with turned into a man I’m genuinely proud of.
[Partner], you’ve made him happier than I’ve ever seen him. [Groom], you’re my brother, my best friend, and one of the good ones.
Everyone, raise a glass to the happy couple.”
4. Brother’s adult friendship speech template
Best for: Brothers who became close friends as adults and want the speech to feel personal.
“When we were kids, I never imagined I’d actually enjoy hanging out with [groom]. We spent years arguing over the TV, fighting over who got the front seat, and trying to get each other in trouble.
Then somewhere along the way, things changed. We started grabbing beers at [local bar], watching [favorite team] together, and calling each other when life got complicated.
I’ve gained a brother twice over: once when we were born, and again when we became friends.
[Partner], I’m glad you’re part of this family. [Groom], I’m proud of you. Here’s to the two of you.”
Best man speech examples friend
If you’ve known the groom since school, university, work, or that one terrible apartment you shared in your twenties, you’ve got plenty to work with. Pick a story that captures the friendship rather than listing every time you two have had a beer together.
5. Longtime friend best man speech template
Best for: A friendship that goes back years and has survived plenty of questionable decisions.
“I’ve known [groom] since [year], when we met at [school/work/place]. Back then, he was the dude who [funny detail].
We’ve since shared [specific trip], [specific hobby], and far too many Saturday nights at [place]. I’ve seen him at his best and, after that weekend in [place], definitely at his worst.
Then [partner] came along, and I knew things were serious when he voluntarily started turning up to dinner on time.
[Partner], you’ve got a great man. [Groom], I’m lucky to call you a friend. Here’s to both of you.”
6. Funny friend speech template
Best for: A wedding where the groom has given you permission to bring out the embarrassing stories.
“For anyone who doesn’t know me, I’m [name]. For anyone who does know me, I’m sorry [groom] gave me a microphone.
I’ve known him for [number] years, which means I’ve got stories from [place], [trip], and that unfortunate night at [location].
I promised I’d keep this speech respectful, so I won’t mention [embarrassing story].
I’ll simply say that [partner] deserves a medal for agreeing to marry him.
Seriously, though, [groom] is one of my closest friends. [Partner], we’re all glad you’re part of the team. Cheers to you both.”
Best man speech examples short
A short speech should feel deliberate, not like you forgot to prepare. Pick one memory, make one good joke, say something genuine, then get out of the way.
7. Two-minute best man speech template
Best for: A quick speech when several people are speaking.
“Hi everyone, I’m [name], and I’ve known [groom] for [number] years.
We’ve done [specific activity] together, survived [specific trip or event], and somehow remained friends after [funny incident].
Then he met [partner], and it was obvious pretty quickly that she’d found the one person capable of putting up with him permanently.
[Partner], we’re lucky to have you. [Groom], I’m proud of you.
Everyone, raise your glasses to [groom] and [partner].”
8. One-minute best man speech template
Best for: A very short toast that still feels personal.
“I’ve known [groom] since [year], and I’ve got enough stories to keep you here until breakfast.
I’ll spare you most of them.
What matters is that I’ve watched him become happier, calmer, and somehow slightly more responsible since meeting [partner].
[Partner], thank you for making my friend so happy.
[Groom], you’re a good man and a great friend. Here’s to the two of you.”
Best man speech examples for brother
A brother’s speech can get away with more history than most. Give the room a glimpse of the kid you grew up with, then bring them back to the man standing beside his new wife.
9. Older brother best man speech template
Best for: An older brother who has watched the groom grow up.
“I’ve spent [number] years being [groom]’s older brother, which means I’ve had plenty of opportunities to give him advice he completely ignored.
I remember [specific childhood memory], when he was [age] and convinced that [funny belief or ambition].
Thankfully, he grew up a bit.
Watching him with [partner] has been brilliant. He’s happier, more confident, and still exactly the same idiot I’ve known all my life.
[Partner], we’re delighted to have you in the family. [Groom], I’m proud of you. Here’s to a great life together.”
10. Younger brother best man speech template
Best for: A younger brother who wants to give the groom some stick while keeping things sincere.
“Growing up with [groom] as my older brother meant I had someone to copy, someone to annoy, and occasionally someone to blame when things went wrong.
He taught me [specific lesson], introduced me to [sport/band/hobby], and probably gave me some advice I should’ve listened to more often.
Now I get to watch him start this next chapter with [partner].
[Groom], you’ve always looked out for me. [Partner], you’re getting a very good man.
Cheers to you both.”
Best man speech examples funny short
Funny speeches work best when the joke has a point. Give the groom some grief, keep anything genuinely embarrassing off the microphone, then finish by reminding everyone why you’re happy to be there.
11. Best man speech template on the groom’s embarrassing habits
Best for: A groom with an obvious habit everyone already knows about.
“I’ve known [groom] for [number] years, so I’ve had plenty of time to study his habits.
He still checks the restaurant menu online before going anywhere. He still thinks buying another pair of Nike Air Max counts as saving money because they’re on sale. And he still says he’ll be home by 10 when we all know that’s complete rubbish.
Somehow, [partner] has decided this is the man she wants forever.
Honestly, I couldn’t be happier for you both. Cheers.”
12. Roast-then-toast best man speech template
Best for: A relaxed reception where you want a few laughs before getting sincere.
“I’ve been told to keep this speech short, so I’ll respect [partner]’s wishes and ignore [groom]’s.
[Groom] and I have shared [specific trip], [sport], and enough late nights at [place] to know that he isn’t always the sensible one in the group.
But he’s loyal, generous, and the first person you’d call when things go wrong.
[Partner], you’ve got yourself a good one.
[Groom], I’m genuinely happy for you. Everyone, glasses up.”
How to Write a Groomsman Speech (Checklist)
A great groomsman speech gives people a reason to laugh, a reason to care, and a reason to raise their glasses. Use this checklist before you start your speech outline.
☐ Know your role: Decide if you’re speaking as the best man, brother, childhood friend, or fellow groomsman.
☐ Pick one story: Choose something specific, like the night Ben proposed after a hike in the Lake District.
☐ Mention the partner: Say something genuine about Emma and what she brings to Ben’s life.
☐ Keep the humor kind: Tease the groom about his obsession with five-a-side soccer, not something he’ll regret hearing in front of his grandparents.
☐ End with a toast: Finish by asking everyone to raise their glasses to the newlyweds.
How to write a groomsman speech with the Talks Script Generator
You can use the Talks Script Generator to get a first draft going, then make it sound like you. Start with the core details you want the speech to cover and build from there.
- Enter your topics: Use this field to provide any relevant context for the speech, such as “5-minute best man speech for Daniel and Sophie’s wedding in Edinburgh.”
- Select a format: Choose Solo for a traditional groomsman speech delivered by one person.
- Personalize the result: Take what you like, add specific details, names, stories, and jokes so the finished speech sounds like something you’d actually say.
And if you’re feeling stuck or uninspired, there’s always mother of groom speech examples, special occasion speech examples, and bridesmaid speech examples for you to check out.
What to avoid in your groomsman speech
The best speeches usually know when to leave a story alone. Before you hit print, run through these checks.
- Inside jokes: Skip jokes that make three people laugh while everyone else stares at the table.
- Exes: Leave old relationships out of the speech, especially anything involving photos or dating stories.
- Too much alcohol: A speech delivered after six pints of Guinness rarely gets better with another one.
- Private stories: Don’t share something the groom or his partner would rather keep between friends.
- Endless stories: One brilliant story about Barcelona beats six rushed anecdotes nobody remembers.
The same applies when you’re learning how to become a content creator. Even the best budget microphones won’t help much if you’re not comfortable with what you’re saying during your emcee or guest appearance.
Do It For Your Bros
Your groomsman speech examples have done their job. Now pick a story, make the groom laugh, say something that actually means something, and get that glass raised.
And if you find yourself enjoying the microphone a little too much, don’t stop at the wedding. There are plenty of podcast hosts looking for people with stories, expertise, and something worth saying.
Want to get in front of those audiences? Join Talks today and start connecting with podcast hosts in your niche.
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