Best Man Speech Jokes

Using Best Man Speech Jokes

Public speaking is one of society’s most prominent phobias, but a joke can break the ice into a meaningful best man toast. Many groomsmen opt for jokes in their speeches because they may be uncomfortable expressing their heartfelt wishes for the happy couple, but gentle humor shows affection, acceptance, and appreciation. A joke can be used to open a speech, as part of a humorous anecdote, or as a whimsical close after a moving oration.

First, the best man needs to decide if a joke is a good element for his speech. Weddings that work well with lighthearted speeches include…

• Small, casual weddings with only close family and friends.
• Weddings for a fun-loving couple that enjoys humor in their relationship.
• Weddings when both families already know each other well and are comfortable lowering their guard.

Weddings where jokes may not be as acceptable include…

• Formal affairs with prestigious guests and lengthy guest lists.
• Weddings with couples who are more reserved and proper in their demeanor.
• Weddings where the families have only recently met and may not be familiar with each other’s foibles.

Once a best man has determined if jokes will be welcome in his speech, he has to be sure the jokes will be suitable.

Inappropriate Jokes

Certain types of jokes are more appropriate than others, and often it can be easier to discern what is not suitable. Vulgar or ribald jokes with adult content or foul language are best left unspoken or restricted to an intimate party (the bachelor party, perhaps), and not in front of parents, siblings, coworkers, and friends. No joke should be at the expense of either the groom’s or bride’s dignity and well-being. While some mild embarrassment can be funny, a private embarrassment – perhaps an incident that was shared in confidence between two close friends – should be kept private. Any racial, ethnic, or social slur jokes should be dismissed, because while some guests may find them amusing, others may find them offensive.

Appropriate Jokes

There are many types of appropriate best man speech jokes, however. Gentle jabs at the groom’s quirks or a reference to how he’s lucky to have found a doting bride to deal with his eccentricities can elicit smiles from the happy couple. Recounting a well-known humorous story – one that has been frequently shared before but that everyone attending the festivities may not have heard – is another funny option. General jokes about marriage are nearly always appropriate, so long as they are in good taste, though no joke should refer to paying off wedding bills, honeymoon intimacy, or hurrying to start a family.

The Power of Humor

Using jokes in a speech is a great way to get families and friends to open up to one another, creating a new level of friendship at what is already a happy event. Jokes also show a person’s humanity and keep an event real rather than creating a fantasy world that a newlywed couple cannot hope to continue past their honeymoon. Inappropriate humor, however, can cast a sour mood over an event, ostracize the best man, and alienate the newlyweds’ families, not to mention destroy the relationship that led the groom to ask the best man to stand with him in the first place.

When a Joke Goes Wrong

Different people have different ideas of what is funny, and if a joke goes wrong all is not necessarily lost. The best course of action when considering best man speech jokes is to ask the bride and groom if they mind a joke or two, and if they are nervous about the prospect, share the joke with them for their approval first. After all, they will understand the guests better than the bridal party can, and their judgment can help determine what is acceptable.

When a joke is poorly received, the first thing the best man ought to do is simply move on. Trying to salvage humor that no one finds humorous will only accentuate the faux pas. Any additional jokes should be stricken from the speech just in case they, too, could be considered offensive – the best man’s judgment is obviously off already and it is best not to take additional risks. After the speech, the best man should privately apologize to the offended parties, whether it is the happy couple themselves, their parents, or other guests. The apology needn’t be extensive, but a simple and sincere comment will be appreciated, and likely the offended individual will soon be able to see the best man’s point of view and the humor in the speech, even if they still disagree with it.

Appropriately chosen best man speech jokes can be a great tool to enhance either a lighthearted or a heartfelt toast to the bride and groom. A newlywed couple, after all, must be able to keep a sense of humor to help their marriage succeed.