How to give a toast or best man speech
A good toast or best man speech runs three to five minutes and follows a simple shape: say who you are, tell one short story that shows who the person is, say what you admire about them or the couple, then raise your glass with one clear line. Write it down, read it aloud several times, and skip inside jokes, past partners and drinking stories.
About 60 minutes to learnEveryday skill
Mark it once you can do it without this page open.
How to do it
- Ask the hosts how long you have and when you will speak.
- Open with who you are and how you know the person, in one sentence.
- Choose one story that shows their character and that everyone in the room can enjoy.
- Say what you admire about them, or about the couple together, and include the partner by name.
- End by asking people to raise their glasses, and give a short line to toast to.
- Write it out, cut anything that needs an explanation, and time it at under five minutes.
- Practice out loud at least five times, then speak from notes on a card.
- Save most of your drinking until after the speech.
Common mistakes
- Telling stories about exes, arrests or wild nights.
- Running long with a list of thanks and in-jokes.
- Improvising on the night.
- Reading from a phone with your face down the whole time.
Quick self-check
Three questions. Your last score is kept in this browser.
Teach this to someone
A one-page sheet for showing a friend, a roommate or a kid: what to say, what to show, and one question to check it landed.
Teach: How to give a toast or best man speech
What to say
A good toast or best man speech runs three to five minutes and follows a simple shape: say who you are, tell one short story that shows who the person is, say what you admire about them or the couple, then raise your glass with one clear line. Write it down, read it aloud several times, and skip inside jokes, past partners and drinking stories.
What to show, in order
- Ask the hosts how long you have and when you will speak.
- Open with who you are and how you know the person, in one sentence.
- Choose one story that shows their character and that everyone in the room can enjoy.
- Say what you admire about them, or about the couple together, and include the partner by name.
- End by asking people to raise their glasses, and give a short line to toast to.
- Write it out, cut anything that needs an explanation, and time it at under five minutes.
- Practice out loud at least five times, then speak from notes on a card.
- Save most of your drinking until after the speech.
The check question
Ask: How long should most toasts be?
Related skills
- How to speak in public without freezing
- How to be a good houseguest
- What black tie, cocktail and business casual mean
- Every skill in People and Etiquette
Last reviewed . First published .