Staring at a blank page is the worst part of writing a best man speech. So let's skip it.
Below is a fill-in-the-blank template you can use right now. Just plug in your details, adjust the tone, and you've got a speech. We'll also break down each section so you know why it works, plus two completed examples so you can see it in action.
If you want to see more finished speeches first, check out our best man speech examples.
The Fill-in-the-Blank Template
Here's your starting point. Replace everything in [brackets] with your own details:
Good evening, everyone. I'm [your name], and I'm [your relationship to the groom — best friend, brother, college roommate, etc.].
I've known [groom's name] for [number] years, and in that time, I've learned [one funny or endearing thing about him — e.g., "that he'll never turn down a dare" or "that he cries at every Disney movie"].
One of my favorite memories with [groom's name] is [brief story — keep it to 3-4 sentences. Something that shows his character, makes people laugh, or reveals the kind of person he is].
[pause]
But the moment I knew [bride/partner's name] was different was when [specific moment — what you noticed about the groom after meeting his partner. How did he change? What did he say? What did you see?].
[Groom's name], you've been [a quality — loyal, generous, the funniest person I know, etc.] for as long as I've known you. And [bride/partner's name], you've made him [how they've changed him — calmer, braver, even better, someone who actually cleans his apartment, etc.].
So please raise your glasses. To [groom's name] and [bride/partner's name] — [a wish for the couple, e.g., "may your life together be as fun as your bachelor party but with less regret" or "may you always choose each other, every day"]. [raise glass]
Cheers.
Section-by-Section Breakdown
The Introduction — Keep it to two sentences max. Name, relationship to the groom. Nobody needs your life story.
The Character Detail — One specific, small thing that tells us who the groom is. Not "he's a great guy." Something real. Something only you would know.
The Story — This is the meat. Pick one story. Not three. One story, told well, beats three stories told in a rush. It should be something you can tell in front of his grandmother.
The Pivot — This is where you shift from the past to the present. From funny to sincere. Talk about how the partner changed things. Be specific. "He started planning weekends" is better than "he seemed happier."
The Compliment — Say something real about the groom. Then say something real about the partner. Don't make it generic.
The Toast — Short, direct, glass in the air. Done. For more on timing, see our guide on how long your best man speech should be.
Completed Example 1: The Funny Version
Good evening, everyone. I'm Derek, and I'm Mike's best man — and the person who has to follow that beautiful ceremony with a speech I wrote at 2 AM.
I've known Mike for 18 years, and in that time, I've learned that this man has never admitted to being wrong about anything. He once argued for 45 minutes that a penguin was a mammal. [pause] He was a biology major.
My favorite Mike story is from our road trip after college. We got lost in rural Ohio — no GPS, no signal, nothing. I said, "Let's ask for directions." Mike said, "I know exactly where we are." We ended up in Pennsylvania. [pause] He still says it was a shortcut.
But the moment I knew Jessica was different was when Mike called me and said, "She told me I was wrong about something. And I think she might be right." [pause] I almost dropped my phone. That was it. That was the moment.
Mike, you're the most stubborn, loyal, ridiculously confident person I've ever met. And Jess — you're the only person on earth who can get him to admit he's wrong. That's a superpower.
Raise your glasses. To Mike and Jessica — may you never get lost together. And if you do, may Jess be the one driving. [raise glass]
Completed Example 2: The Heartfelt Version
Hi everyone. I'm Sam, and I'm Daniel's older brother and best man.
I've known Daniel for, well, his entire life. And the thing about Daniel that most people don't see is how quietly kind he is. He doesn't talk about it. He just does it — drives you to the airport at 5 AM, fixes your leaky faucet without being asked, remembers your kid's birthday even when you forget.
One memory I keep coming back to is the night our dad was in the hospital. Daniel was 19. He sat in that waiting room all night, didn't sleep, didn't leave. When I told him to go home, he said, "You'd do the same for me." [pause] And he was right.
When Daniel met Anika, I saw something I hadn't seen before — I saw him let someone take care of him. He'd always been the one holding everything together. Anika gave him permission to put it down.
Daniel, you've been my hero since I was old enough to know what that word meant. And Anika — thank you for loving him the way he deserves. [look at couple]
To Daniel and Anika — may you always take care of each other the way you already do. [raise glass]
Quick Tips
- Fill in the brackets first, edit later. Get the words down. Polish after.
- Read it out loud. If you stumble over a sentence, rewrite it simpler.
- Time yourself. Aim for 3-4 minutes. That's roughly 400-500 words.
- Don't wing it. Even if you're naturally funny. A template keeps you on track when nerves hit.
- Cut anything that doesn't serve the couple. The speech is about them, not you.
Don't Want to Start From Scratch?
Our speech builder asks you 5-6 questions about the groom, your favorite stories, and the couple — then generates 3 personalized best man speeches with delivery cues built in. Think of it as this template, but tailored to your exact situation.
Free to preview. You only pay if you love it.