Best Man Speech Etiquette
One of the things that we’re commonly asked is “what is the proper Best Man etiquette?”
If you’re trying to come up with a humorous best man speech and you’re worried about not offending anyone you should run your material by your sister or even your mother.
To avoid embarrassment follow these ten Best Man Etiquette tips:
Top Ten Best Man Etiquette Tips
- Ethnic jokes are off limits. You should also avoid religion, politics and anything sexual.
- Avoid any foul language. Keep it clean and PG-rated because of the children in the audience.
- Don’t munch on gum while speaking.
- Keep your hands by your sides – in other words do not put your hands in your pocket.
- Limit your boozing to a glass of wine before the speech.There is nothing more embarrassing than a best man who slurs his speech.
- Don’t sit if you are delivering the toast. Even if you’re at the head table that is elevated you must stand in order to observe proper best man etiquette.
- Don’t bang a glass with a utensil to get the audience’s attention. Instead, stand with your glass extended. Wait for the crowd to notice you and stop talking. Commonly, guests will hit a glass with a spoon but this is actually not proper wedding etiquette.
- No sexual comments especially any comments about the bride and groom. Stay away from “honeymoon sex” jokes. Any sexual innuendo gives an opportunity for misunderstandings due to double meaning or double entendre.
- Avoid talking about prior marriages. This is a potential mine field with the bride.
- Be sensitive to touchy subjects for either family. For example, I remember one wedding where the best man mentioned an aunt’s breast cancer. He just started rambling and somehow ended up talking about Aunt Martha. That’s what happens if you are not prepared.
To ensure that you follow best man etiquette you can order our Best Man Speech guidebook which outlines wedding etiquette in more detail.