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THE BEST MAN GUIDES

GOOD MATE.BIG SPEECH.START HERE.

A little structure. A few good examples. Practical help to turn the stories in your head into something you can stand up and say.

Find your starting point

Free to read. Useful whether you use Bantered or not.

A best man settles into a chair with a notebook and pink speech cards.
A little structure goes a long way.

01 / START WITH A SHAPE

Never written a speech? Start with this one.

TEMPLATE · 9 MIN READ

THE BEST MANSPEECH TEMPLATETHAT ACTUALLY IS ONE.

The five-part structure, a word budget for each section and worked examples. Enough of a plan to start writing, with room to sound like yourself.

Read the template

YOUR SPEECH, IN FIVE PARTS

  1. The openingGive the room a reason to listen.
  2. The storiesThe details that could only be about him.
  3. The partnerWhat makes the two of them work.
  4. The sincere turnSay the thing you mean.
  5. The toastA proper ending. In your own words.

02 / SEE WHAT GOOD LOOKS LIKE

SAME MATE.THREE WAYS TO TELL IT.

Read a complete speech, compare three approaches and open the writing notes to see why they work.

Read the examples

SOME LINES HAVEHAD THEIR DAY.

47 phrases we leave out. The stock jokes, tired openings and wedding clichés your mate deserves better than.

Browse the banned list

EVERY GUIDE

READ THE REST.

Written, free and complete. No email gate on any of them.

  • Writing

    Best man speech when you’re not funny

    You don’t need a string of jokes. Build a best man speech from specific memories, familiar habits and a sincere toast, with examples and writing prompts.

    6 min
  • Situations

    Joint best man speech: formats and handovers

    Plan one joint best man speech with three format options, a worked handover and a rehearsal checklist. Two speakers, one structure and a clear finish.

    8 min
  • Situations

    Best man speech when you don’t know the bride

    What to say about the bride when you barely know her: find a true detail, attribute stories honestly and include her warmly, with three worked examples.

    7 min
  • Writing

    How to start a best man speech

    How to start your best man speech: three approaches, ten fictional examples, rehearsal tips and what to do if your opening joke falls flat.

    8 min
  • Writing

    A short best man speech

    Write a short best man speech with two fictional examples, a five-sentence fallback and practical editing advice. Keep the story, warmth and toast.

    8 min
  • Writing

    The stag do in your best man speech

    Should you mention the stag do in your best man speech? Choose a story, check boundaries and make it work for the whole room, with three examples.

    7 min
  • Writing

    Just been asked to be best man?

    Just been asked to be best man? Start with five practical steps: agree the role, check dates, discuss costs, collect memories and choose the next action.

    7 min
  • Writing

    How long should a best man speech be?

    Estimate your best man speech length with an adjustable words-to-minutes calculator, then use rehearsal and editing advice to fit your agreed slot.

    6 min
  • Writing

    Wedding speech order (UK)

    The traditional UK wedding speech order, flexible alternatives, meal timing and a sample running order. Agree who opens, who follows and who closes.

    7 min
  • Duties

    Best man duties: a UK timeline and checklist

    Plan your best man duties around the jobs you agreed, from bookings and speech preparation to wedding-day handovers. Includes a printable checklist.

    9 min
  • Writing

    How to write a best man speech: seven steps

    Write a best man speech from your own memories. Seven practical steps, three before-and-after edits, and advice on timing, notes and rehearsal.

    9 min

STILL IN THE NOTEBOOK

ON THE WAY.

More guides are being written. These aren't ready to read yet.

  • Examples

    Real best man speech examples, annotated

    Full speeches by relationship and tone, with notes on why they work.

    Coming soon

READY TO GET SOMETHING ON THE PAGE?

READ ENOUGH?
LET'S FIND YOUR OPENING.

Answer five questions about your mate. Read your opening free. If it feels right, the full speech is £29.

Write my opening free

Two minutes. No sign-up. No card.