Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Help needed with Best Man Speech

  • 22-12-2016 1:09pm
    #1
    irishlad1415
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13 ✭


    Help needed with Best Man Speech

    So I’ve been asked to do a best man speech in a few weeks… however its under very tragic circumstances this job has come to me.

    Some background:
    It’s for my brother inlaw, his brother who was due to be the best man dropped dead a few months ago with no warning what’s so ever… so as you can imagine this is will be a bitter sweet day for all concerned. It gets worse as if things weren’t hard enough the father of the groom passed away almost 5 years ago also.

    I’ve been best man twice before for my own brother and a good friend…. So I think I know the format etc but this is going to be a difficult one.


    So heres what im thinking….

    • Welcome / Introduce myself
    • Talk about the groom / This will be difficult as I don’t have any funny stories which directly involve me and him…. Ill have to borrow from others maybe?
    • Remembrance for those that have passed…. How they are with us today etc…
    • Funny presentation to the bride
    • Talk about the bride how beautiful she looks etc…. how she brings our the best in the groom etc.
    • Wrap up with a toast to the bride and groom.

    I’m really struggling with this and to be honest it the most difficult task I’ve ever been asked to do…. I don’t want to be downer but still I feel I must mention those that have passed…. So doing it in the middle of the speech seems best as I can pick up the mood again as I finish up…. Nor do I want to start with it.

    I’d really appreciate help with this…. I have a good few weeks yet but I want to get it organised.

    All help/comments welcome


Comments

  • #2
    Bacchus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,719 ✭✭✭Bacchus


    First off, do you feel you need to go funny with it? I'd always advise against forcing humour, if it doesn't come naturally from you just don't go there. I think this goes doubly so considering the circumstances. Don't go all morbid either though. Try and keep it light, pay tribute to the brother (as it's effectively his place you are taking) and how much it means to fill those shoes. I wouldn't say anything about the dad though as that'd be much and it was 5 years ago so it's not necessary for you to say anything there. Also, I'm not sure what the funny presentation to the bride is supposed to be but unless you have something your 100% confident on, again I'd steer clear. This will be an emotional day, misfiring jokes are not what you want.

    I'd adjust your general plan to...
    • Welcome / Introduce myself
    • Don't start out on a sad note... Talk about the groom & maybe how ye met or when you first met the bride (assuming you were mates prior to them meeting). Keep it light, if humour finds a way in there, great.
    • Talk about the bride how beautiful she looks etc…. how she brings our the best in the groom etc.
    • Now mention how you were expecting to be enjoy this day from Table 5 (or whatever) but sadly the brother passed away. Say how honoured you are to fill those shoes. Up to you then how deep you want to go with this. There'll be a build up of emotions here from the crowd so a tension relieving light joke would just break that and you can move on. I'd raise a toast here too, for the brother and all those not here.
    • Wrap up wishing the happy couple the best in life and a final toast to the bride and groom.

    Admitedly, the transition from talking about the brother to the final happy words could be tricky... which is why an ice breaking light joke will help you lead into the wrap up. Don't worry too much about having the words about the brother near the end. I guarantee you those are the words people will remember the speech for and noone is going to bat an eyelid that you didn't end on a zinger.

    Good luck with it.


Advertisement