I have a best mans speech to make on Friday: I'm bricking it!!!

[RSV_Ecosse]

Read a few threads on here about best mans speeches.

My best m8 gets married on Friday at 3:00pm and he has myself and another best m8 as "best men".

I understand "Two best men" is not a strange thing to have nowadays.

We have a speech all ready and printed out, and we have both practiced it a few times but we are both still a bit nervous to say the least.

It's going to be a big wedding with loads of guests at it.

Has anyone that has done this before got any good tips for calming down before the speech?. I know booze is a "no-no" for Dutch Courage and I will stay well away from that.

I have the speech here, I will post it if required to get some feedback, but I might need to post up some history between myself and the groom first.

[parapaul]

First and foremost, remember everyone is there to have a good time, not to pick holes in your speech. They'll be well lubricated by the end of the meal and the laughs should start quite easily.

Once you've had your first laugh, you've cracked it

If you think it will help, I've heard good tips for public speaking are to either imagine every single person in their underwear, or just focus on one person and direct your speech at them.

And have a pint ready for when you're done........believe me, you'll be ready for it!

[sonic]

I did one a few weeks ago, I was best man at my Bro in laws wedding.

All I can say is remember that not everyone in the room will know the 'inn' jokes between you and the groom, so try and broaden the funnies a bit so the speech appeals to all, and whatever you do, no matter how tempted you are do not make jokes at the brides expense. it's her day and you will never be forgiven!!!!

Try and enjoy it, everyone wants the best man to do well and they will be on your side.
I found a good neck of scotch about 5 minutes before gave me a bit of dutch courage.

Good Luck!

[howey]

start off with this
.........hi everyone...im a bit nervous as last time i was speaking in front of this many people i was found guilty......

[Harry]

brilliant!

[spoons]

Just stick to the speach and dont 'add-lib' too much.

A friend of mines Best Man got a bit drunk and add-libbed... ".... and you should know about his criminal record for serial raping pet dogs...."

Which didnt go down to well with the frumpy elders !!

[rosssri]

You could also add - I'd like to thank Jim (groom) for asking me to be his best man......He told me if i make a good job of this i can be his best man again next time.
This is guaranteed to cause a few oooh's and aaah's but the majority will laugh.

[Mrs D]

Good luck matey - you will be fine (you surely can't be worse than Drinky and his best man who both completely chickened out of making speeches at our wedding............leaving the blushing bride to entertain the guests!!!!!! )

[Legless]

Ask the bride if there's anything she'd like to change and then work that in. For my own wedding it was 'to stop biting his toenails' and for a mates when I was best man - 'those horrendous red y fronts are going to have to go.' Went down well. Both were genuinely from the brides concerned - it took them some time to stop giggling and that in itself was infectious and put everybody in a good mood for the rest of the speech. Enjoy it.

[chinky]

you could always start with hello my names ...... and im an acholic!!!!!!!