Simply the best

Tips for the best man’s speech

According to a recent survey, the Best Man’s speech (and the possibility of inappropriate content) rates as one of the bride’s top ten fears on her wedding day, but despite these fears, with so much else to organise for her big day she often lets the best man just get on with it when writing his speech.

It’s not only the bride that fears this moment, apparently 28 per cent of men considered declining the honour of being a best man for the fear of making a speech, while 31 per cent of best men were losing sleep over the prospect.

Help is at hand at specialist website, www.TheBestManSpeech.com, which contains advice on what to say, what to avoid and best of all a choice of sample speeches and a wealth of jokes.

In the meantime, here are a few valuable tips brides should encourage their best men to follow:

1. No-one gets points for winging it. Have something written down on paper in advance so at least you know what you are going to say next.

2. A good best man’s speech should not last longer than about seven minutes, which works out at about 1,000 words.

3. Your speech should take place after the meal – do not be persuaded to ‘get it over with’ before the meal. Never speak when an audience is hungry and sober!