For example, the person’s boss may be present, so you don’t want to say, “I wish you well, and hopefully Greg works harder for his bride than he does for his boss. ”
For example, say, “Here’s to you, Harry and Ginny, and Ginny, don’t try his ketchup spaghetti. ”
For example, you can say, “Emily deserves a great husband. Thankfully, you snapped her up before she found one. ” For a funny ending, you might say something like, “To the two things that make a great marriage, a good sense of humor and selective hearing. To Peter and Paul. ” If you aren’t comfortable making a joke, leave the humor out. A sincere, upbeat ending sounds better than a forced joke.
For instance, say something like, “Please join me in raising a glass to the happy couple. ” If you don’t dedicate a separate line to the toast, clearly indicate that the end of your speech is coming. For instance, you might say the couple’s names, then stop and pick up your glass.
For a serious ending, say something like, “Here’s to a lifetime of love and fulfillment. ”
For example, you may think of saying, “Dante once said, ‘A great flame follows a little spark. ’” If you have to have the quote, use it in the beginning of your speech.
For example, avoid saying, “Take some time to listen and communicate, and I know we’ll be here someday to celebrate your 50th anniversary. ”
For example, say, “I wish my best friend and his bride a life filled with happiness, adventure, and great memories. ”
Good subject matter involves things like your friend’s hobbies, dancing, cooking, or experiences.
For instance, say, “When Greg turned off Sunday football to meet up with Jane, I knew they really were in love. ”
Also note any times you have trouble speaking the lines. As the best man, you have to sound enthusiastic. Adjust your speaking style as well as your speech.
Many best man speeches run into trouble by rambling. Keep your ending short and to the point.
For a great ending, the entire speech has to move quickly and lead into the final line. That’s why it’s important to rehearse your speech as a whole.
You can always print or write out speech notes on notecards. Keep these with you in case you get stuck during the speech. Avoid reading from a script. The best speeches look and sounds natural.
Be confident in the fact that you learned and practiced the ending. As long as you aren’t offensive, you will usually get a positive reaction. You don’t have to look directly at your audience. Glance around the room, focusing on different foreheads. No one will know the difference.
