Best Man Speech Opening Lines: 70 Amazing Options

As best man, you’re no doubt looking forward to an epic bachelor party and an even bigger party at the wedding reception. But did you know giving your best man speech can be almost as much fun?

Even if you don’t enjoy public speaking, your speech is a great time to reminisce and tease your best friend. Certainly, it’s the speech that most wedding guests look forward to hearing.

The key to delivering a fun and memorable speech is by starting it off with a great opening line. Your opener not only sets the tone for your entire speech, it’s the best way to grab the attention of the audience right off the bat.

If you’re feeling stumped on how to get started, we can help. Our best man speech opening lines guide will help you to find the perfect way to get started. And don’t forget to check out our tips for polishing and perfecting your speech too.

Funny Opening Lines for Best Man Speech

Interjecting some humor into the opening lines of your speech is one of the best ways to engage the audience. Starting with a laugh will keep all eyes on you as you continue your speech.

• Hello everyone. I’m Liam, the groom’s best friend. I’d like to start by congratulating Rick on his excellent taste in best men. He really couldn’t have picked a better man for the job.

• Good evening. I’m Liam, Rick’s longtime friend. You know, when Rick asked me if I’d be his best man, I got really nervous. Not because I’m afraid of public speaking, but because my parents taught me that if I had nothing good to say about someone, I should say nothing at all. So that concludes my speech about Rick.

• The groom and I have been friends for a long time, but he had some trouble finding a best man. He first asked his richest friend to be his best man, but he said no. Then he asked his funniest friend to be his best man, but he said no. He then asked his best-looking friend to be the best man but even he said no. Then he asked me, and, after turning him down the first three times, I couldn’t refuse again.

• Hello. I’m Liam, Rick’s best man and friend of 20-plus years. Speaking experts say one of the best ways to put your audience at ease is to find some common ground with them. So I thought it would be wise to follow their advice. Did you know that each one of us gathered together in this room has something in common? None of us have a clue what I’m going to say next!

• ​​Rick had the honor of being my best man last year. He spent months writing a perfect, tender and charming speech. Everyone agreed it was funny and beautiful. Unfortunately I’m a married man, so I haven’t had the time to do all that. Sorry, Rick!

• Good evening everyone! I’m Liam. I’m sure you all know me as Rick’s younger brother, but if you don’t, well done on sneaking into the wedding unnoticed. Security!

• Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to celebrate something truly magical. Something so rare and wondrous that it simply must be celebrated. I am, of course, talking about the free food and booze.

• You know, I never had a brother growing up, but I always wanted one. So when I met Rick in Grade 1, it was like all my prayers had been answered. We quickly became best friends and have loved each other like brothers ever since. Hopefully he’ll feel the same about me after he hears my speech tonight. Because when you’ve been friends for more than two decades you tend to know all of each other’s most embarrassing moments.

• You know, when Rick asked me if I’d stand up with him at his wedding, I immediately said yes and have been looking forward to today since that moment. And that’s because after all the years I’ve been friends with Rick, he has finally admitted that I am, in fact, the best man. I knew it was bound to happen sooner or later.

• Good evening everyone, I’m Rick’s best man, Liam. Today you are about to witness a unique and important event in history: the first and presumably last time anyone will ever trust me to give a speech.

• Those of you that know me, know that I’m not big on making speeches… (Sit down).

• One of the biggest responsibilities of the best man is to toast the bride and groom, so Rick and Liz, I want you to know that I came prepared. (Take two pieces of toast out of your pocket and hand them to the bride and groom).

Opening Lines that Razz the Groom

While it’s never appropriate to roast the groom mercilessly, a bit of light-hearted ribbing is expected. Here’s a way to poke fun at your friend in a way that is still appropriate.

• Where do I start with Rick? He’s kind, intelligent, handsome, charming… sorry, I’m having trouble reading Rick’s writing, (turn to groom) you’ll have to tell me the rest later.

• A few months ago, Rick called me up and asked, ‘What are your feelings on marriage?’ I had to tell him that, while I was very flattered, I wasn’t ready to settle down just yet.”

•  Loyal, caring, sincere, honest, a great man… but that’s enough about me, I’m here to give a speech about Rick!

• Let me tell you about the groom. I’ve known him for 15 years, he’s handsome, intelligent, witty, charismatic… Oops, sorry, wrong wedding.

• I read somewhere the perfect best man speech should last as long as it takes for the groom to make love. So ladies and gentlemen, please join me in toasting the happy couple!

• I’m Liam, the best man, but I think I was picked by default since the groom doesn’t really have any other friends.

• I can only say in my defense that Rick and I share a common sense of humor so if this speech isn’t funny, blame him.

•  Good evening everyone. I’m Liam, the best man. I’d like to start out by focusing on the groom for a few minutes. Enjoy it, Rick, because this is the last time you’ll ever be the center of attention.

• I don’t believe in roasting the groom on his special day. Therefore this speech won’t contain anything embarrassing or controversial about Rick. Instead I’ll refer only to the kind, funny side of his character. Thank you and goodnight. 

• As part of my research, I discovered that according to tradition I am supposed to sing the groom’s praises and tell you all about his many good points. Well, I’m very sorry but I can’t sing and I won’t lie.

• Hi everyone, I’m going to try to keep my speech short, because every minute I speak delays us in finding out if the money Scott shelled out for dance lessons was well spent.

• ​​Good evening, everyone. Rick, you truly are my biggest fan. Wait, that didn’t come out right…As I was saying…

Opening Lines that Include the Bride

While it’s never appropriate to poke fun at the bride, there are still some amusing ways to include her in an amusing opening.

• Paul and Mary, I’d like to thank you for raising such a wonderful woman. The bride, Elizabeth, is smart, beautiful and kind. I could go on and on about her many amazing traits. Larry and Sophie, when it comes to Rick, all I can say is, at least you gave it your best shot.

• Elizabeth is a bright, charming, wonderful woman, who deserves a good husband. It’s such a shame Rick swooped in before she could find one. But I promise you this, Liz, I will get to the bottom of this mystery…

• It’s not as great a day for the bride as she thinks. She’s not marrying the best man. Even her groom thinks I’m the best. Sorry, Elizabeth, I guess you’re stuck with second best.

• Seeing the happy couple walking down the aisle earlier today, was such a wonderful moment. I’m sure we all agree that the bride looked simply stunning. The groom, on the other hand, simply looked stunned, not that that is unusual for either of them. 

• You know, I was talking to Elizabeth the other day and she told me how Scott always brightens up her life. OK, I may be paraphrasing a bit. She actually said he never turned the lights off… but it amounts to the same thing, right?

• Marriage is such a beautiful thing, marrying for better or for worse. In this case, Rick couldn’t have done better, and Elizabeth couldn’t have done worse! At least one of them has good taste.

• Good evening. I’m so happy to preside over the only five minutes that the bride didn’t plan. I’m kidding, of course. She made revisions to my speech half an hour ago in the bar.

• Before I share some of my favorite memories about Rick, I need the bride to do something for me. Please put your left hand flat on the table, Elizabeth. Rick, place your hand on top of hers. Enjoy this moment Rick because it’s the first and last time in your marriage that you’ll ever have the upper hand.

• Good evening everyone. I just have to say how lovely the bride looks tonight. Isn’t she a beautiful bride, everyone? Elizabeth, I also wanted to say that that dress is a nice change from the pants you wear in your relationship with Rick.

• I was told by a speech expert to picture everyone naked if I got nervous. Obviously, I can’t do that where the beautiful bride is concerned or the groom might punch me, but, I have to say, picturing him naked isn’t really helping much, so I don’t think the expert knew what he was talking about.

Opening Lines for a Brother’s Best Man Speech

Paying tribute to your brother with a best man speech is a memory you will both have for many years to come, so making it the best speech possible is essential. While brothers can definitely get away with poking fun at their sibling, just make sure your speech isn’t just a roast; add a lot of toast-worthy elements too. Here are some great ways to get started:

• Everyone has their one true soul mate, the one they look up to and love more than anyone. That moment occurred for Rick 25 years ago when our parents brought him home from the hospital and he first laid eyes on me. Seriously though, I am so happy to witness my brother’s big day and I am thrilled to welcome his wife Elizabeth to our family.

• Good evening. I’m the big brother and best man, Liam. As I was preparing this speech, one question consistently rang in my mind: How do I sum up a relationship that has lasted since his birth 28 years ago? Then the word came to me: annoying. Believe it or not, Rick was even more irritating as a kid then he is now. I know, It’s hard to imagine that he could ever be more annoying than he is today, but it’s true.

• I was so honored when my brother asked me to be his best man. As adults we are great friends and I truly don’t know a better man than my younger brother Rick. I didn’t always feel that way, though. As kids, there were times when he would really get on my nerves, so I decided to amuse myself by calling him names he didn’t understand. My favorite was massive ignoramus. When he asked what it meant, I told him it was a fancy way of saying he looked really awesome. So Rick, I just want to say, you look like a massive ignoramus tonight.

• As you all know, Rick is the public speaker of the family. He’s the charming one. He’s the suave one. He’s the one who always knows just what to say. But that’s OK, because I’m the good looking one. I may not give as good of a speech, but I look better doing it.

• What can I say about Rick? I guess I may as well start at the beginning. He was born Nov. 3, 1993. My parents had been hoping for a girl, but like I’ve always said, close enough.

• Hello, everyone. I’m Liam, best man and Rick’s older brother. Before I regale you all with stories about Rick, I first want to say how happy I am to welcome Elizabeth into the family. Smart, kind, funny, talented, charming, good-looking — we share so many traits, you really could be my sister. I will give you this, though, Liz, you make my brother much happier than I ever could.

• Good evening everyone. My name is Liam, Rick’s older brother and his best man. I’ve known Rick for, (turns to look at groom), how old are you again? (Wait for the groom to respond) Right, I’ve known him for 26 years and I’ve liked him for maybe five or six years of those years.

• As Rick’s best man and older brother, I’d like to tell you about what an amazing person he is. He was a top-notch athlete all through high school and college. He earned top honors all through school and went on to earn his Masters in business analytics, achieving a 4.0 GPA. My parents always boast about him and all of his accomplishments. I think it’s safe to say the only one prouder of him than my parents is … Rick himself.

• When Rick chose me to be his best man, it came as no surprise. We’re not just brothers, we’re friends and have been one another’s partner in crime for more than 25 years. It’s because of that, I think, that Rick thought I’d be the safe choice for giving this speech tonight. In reality, I’m more likely to embarrass him than anybody else in this room — more than two decades worth of capers together gives me a whole lot of ammunition to use against him. 

• When Rick chose me to be his best man, I reminded him about my fear of speaking in public. Rick, like the caring brother he is, gave me some great advice. He said “Don’t try to be too charming, witty or intellectual — just be yourself!’” So, if my speech really sucks, just remember, the groom won’t be disappointed. He’s not expecting much from me anyway.

• Hello everyone, I’m Rick’s younger brother Liam, you know, the good looking one. He may be the heir, but I’ve got the hair.

• I’m a firm believer that every best man’s speech should pay tribute not just to the groom, but to the bride as well. Elizabeth, you look absolutely gorgeous this evening. Don’t you agree, everyone? Rick, you’re looking good too, but you should considering that you spent just as much time on doing your hair today as the bride did.

Using a Funny Quote as an Opening Line

Using a quote as an opening line is a great way to snag the attention of the audience. Whether you find a quote that is already funny, or you use a serious one and put your own spin on it, it’s a great way to get your speech rolling.

• It’s been said that “in the cookie of life, friends are the chocolate chips.” I think it’s pretty clear that in my friendship with Rick, that I’m the chocolate chips and he’s the batter. He’s made better because of me!

• A wise man once said that “if you have two friends in your lifetime, you’re lucky. If you have one good friend, you’re more than lucky.” Rick, I guess you’re more than lucky because I’ve put up with you since Kindergarten!

• Friendship is when people know all about you but like you anyway. And that’s exactly how I feel about Rick. Despite all of his flaws, I still keep hanging out with him.

• In the immortal words of Winnie the Pooh, (turn to look at the groom) “I knew when I met you an adventure was going to happen.” From the first recess we played together back in Kindergarten, friendship with you has always been a great adventure. We’ve certainly gotten into our share of scrapes, but they created a lot of funny stories, some of which I’ll share with you tonight…

• A Chinese philosopher once said that “to love someone deeply gives you strength. Being loved by someone deeply gives you courage.” All I can say, Elizabeth, is that it’s a good thing you love Rick and he loves you, because you’ll need all the strength and courage you can get to put up with him for the next 50 years.

• It’s been said that “a successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” Elizabeth, I hope you have a great capacity for falling in love because Rick can be pretty annoying when you have to live with him. Trust me, after rooming with him in college for four years, I’m well aware of how many bad habits he has.

• An Indian proverb says that “when love reigns, the impossible may be attained.” Well that’s definitely true with Rick and Elizabeth, the impossible was attained when Rick managed to make a woman like Elizabeth fall in love with him.

• I asked a wise friend for advice on writing my speech, and no, it wasn’t Rick. He told me that my speech should be inspired by the mini-skirt: long enough to cover the essentials and short enough to hold your attention. So, here it goes…

• A well known Rabbi once said “success in marriage does not come merely through finding the right mate, but through being the right mate.” Rick, sounds like you have a lot of work to do.

• As comedian George Burns said, “love is a lot like a backache. It doesn’t show up on X-rays, but you know it’s there.’ You could say something similar about Rick. He’s as annoying as a headache, but Tylenol doesn’t make him go away.

• An American philosopher once said that the success of marriage comes not from finding the “right person, but in the ability of both partners to adjust to the real person they inevitably realize they married.” Looks like you two will have your work cut out for you once the honeymoon is over.

• I’ve heard it said that “men wear the pants in the relationship but women control the zipper.” It’s said like that’s a bad thing, but it could actually come in pretty handy on the honeymoon.

Using a Sincere Quote as an Opening Line

Not every best man’s speech has to have a joke every 10 seconds. If being funny isn’t your thing, then one of these opening lines will serve you well.

• There are friends, there is family and then there are friends that become family. No truer statement has ever been made when it comes to me and Rick. We’ve been best friends since we were five and I’ve always thought of him as a brother.

• An old Irish proverb says that a good friend is like a four-leaf clover: hard to find and lucky to have. And it’s true. Good friends are hard to find. And that’s why I feel so lucky to have had Rick as my best friend for so many years.

• A friend, it’s been said, is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are. Rick has always been that kind of friend. He’s the type of guy you want to have in your corner.

• It’s been said that it’s not what we have in life, but who we have in our life that matters. That is certainly true for me, I feel so privileged to count both Rick and Elizabeth as dear friends.

• Greek philosopher Aristotle described love as being “composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.” Anyone who has seen Rick and Elizabeth together, could have no doubts about the truth of that statement. They are absolutely perfect for each other in every way.

• A relationship expert said deep friendship is the key to a happy marriage. He went on to describe that type of relationship as “a mutual respect for and enjoyment of each other’s company.” And that is how I know, Elizabeth and Rick, that you will have a wonderful marriage because your love blossomed from a wonderful friendship.

• It’s been said that the “most precious possession to ever come to a man in this world is a woman’s heart.” And now that Rick has won the heart of the fair Elizabeth, I’m sure he wholeheartedly agrees with that sentiment.

• I may not be good at giving advice, but I do know where to find it. In Romans, chapter 12, the Bible says to “be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” And I can think of no better advice for our newlyweds. 

• Robin Williams’ character in “Good Will Hunting” said “it doesn’t matter if the guy is perfect or the girl is perfect, as long as they are perfect for each other.” And anyone who has seen Rick and Elizabeth together has seen how good they are together. Theirs is truly a perfect union.

• Marriage experts have said “the development of a really good marriage is not a natural process. It is an achievement.” Well, Rick and Elizabeth, you’re at the beginning of achieving something great.

• As former U.S. president Ronald Reagan pointed out “there is no greater happiness for a man than approaching a door at the end of a day, knowing someone on the other side of that door is waiting for the sound of his footsteps.” Rick, I am so glad that you and Elizabeth will get to share that simple joy each and every day for the rest of your lives. It may not sound like a big deal, but coming home to someone you love is a priceless gift.

• Marriage has been described as “a long, intricate, intimate dance together” in which “nothing matters more than your own sense of balance and your choice of partner.” While Rick doesn’t have the greatest sense of balance, his ability to pick a good dancing and life partner is certainly spot on.

Our Top 5 Best Man Speech Tips 

Writing a speech isn’t easy. That’s why we’ve put together some essential tips to keep in mind. If you need more help, take a look at our article for more tips on writing a memorable best man speech.

1. Make an effort

If you go on YouTube to watch best man speeches, you’ll hear some of the speakers admit they wrote it the day before or even the day of the wedding. That, however, is one of the biggest mistakes you can make if you want to deliver a speech in a polished way.

Speeches written at the last minute are often full of awkward pauses or people losing their spot and having to stop to scroll through their phones looking for where they left off. Even worse is when the best man decides to wing it. Even a truly gifted public speaker doesn’t speak off the cuff, so you shouldn’t either.

Pulling off an effortlessly articulate speech requires several things. They are:

• Preparation — Writing your speech well in advance of the wedding gives you time to make revisions and have it proofread by someone reliable.

• Avoiding technology — It might seem so 1999 to print your speech out, but trying to read it off your phone or tablet is a really bad idea. It’s much easier to lose your place when reading it off a screen due to the smaller print and screen glare. So while it may seem like a pain to print it out, it will definitely be worth the effort.

• Practice — Writing a speech and then not reading it out loud before actually delivering it is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. While rehearsing your speech may not sound like much fun, it will help you to perfect your pace, pauses and overall timing. It will also make you more comfortable to look up at the audience regularly rather than having your eyes glued to your speech. 

• Avoid alcohol — Drinking excessively before your speech is always a recipe for disaster. Make sure you are sober so you can deliver your speech with the right mixture of humor and class. Being under the influence pretty much guarantees your speech will make no sense, be inappropriate, or both as seen in this example.

2. Keep your speech cohesive with a theme

Selecting a theme for your speech will not only make it enjoyable for the audience but it will be easier for you to deliver. 

You can choose a trait of the groom to focus on and then share stories that illustrate that particular characteristic. Or you can make your speech about your friendship with the groom (as long as he and not you is in the starring role).

When it comes to your intro, make sure it matches the overall style of your speech. If you have a funny intro and the rest of your speech is sentimental, it won’t flow and will confuse your listeners. 

3. Be funny, but show emotion too

While it can be tempting to use your speech to poke fun at the groom from beginning to end, no one wants to listen to a speech that is all laughs and no emotion. At least a portion of your speech should include a sincere and heartfelt sentiment or two.

Whether you talk about what an amazing friend the groom is or about how happy you are for him and his soulmate, find a way to say something from the heart other than “congratulations.”

4. Make mention of the groom’s spouse

While the best man’s speech is mostly about the groom, it’s also important to make mention of his other half.

Toward the latter half of your speech, it’s vital that you find a way to transition into talking about the groom’s new spouse. It could be as simple as pointing out that the groom has never been happier since meeting his soulmate. Or you could talk about why you think they are so perfect for each other. 

No matter what you choose, make sure that you have a few nice things to say to the bride (or other groom) before offering a toast.

5. Make a toast

The best way to end your speech is by offering your congratulations to the newlyweds. Here are a few examples:

Funny

Rick, you’re leaving tonight with a lovely wife. Elizabeth, you get to go home with a gorgeous new dress. So it’s win-win. To the lucky groom and his beautiful bride! Cheers!

You make a beautiful couple — mostly due to the bride’s good looks — but Rick, even you look pretty good tonight. I’m so happy for you both, but especially you Rick, because you married way out of your league. She’s definitely a keeper!

Sincere

Rick and Elizabeth, I am so happy for you both. I wish you many years of joy and happiness together. May each day be better than the last. To the bride and groom!

Rick and Elizabeth, you truly are perfect together. Your love for each other is beautiful to see and I know it will only deepen and grow over the years. I wish you every happiness together. 

By remembering these tips and choosing an amazing opening line, you can be confident of not only capturing the guests’ attention, but holding it the length of your entire speech.