An idiot’s guide to writing godfather speeches

You have fulfilled most of your sponsor responsibilities. You already organized a big bachelor party that the future groom was very grateful for, you helped him choose a suitable formal wear that both he and the bride surprisingly loved, and you have already secured a good hiding place for the rings. so you can gracefully pull them out when the time comes when the officiant asks you about the bands. You were even the perfect best man at the rehearsal dinner.

So far, you’ve been at the top of your game as the best man. However, it is one thing to cloud your head, something every godfather dreads, godfather speeches.

Truth be told, the best man speeches shouldn’t put such pressure on you. After all, even if you screw it up, this is not your night. It is your best friend’s day and a simple toast will not mean the end of a happy occasion. Well, unless you give a gruesome toast where you make all the guests uncomfortable and the newlyweds turn their backs on you for the rest of the ceremony.

To make a toast to the best man, here are some quick tips and tricks.

o Start by writing down everything you know about the bride and groom, and about them as a couple. Write about their qualities, some funny stories that you remember, and most of all, write about why the two of them are good / perfect for each other. Do not stop your ideas here, even if you have no structure and even if your grammar or spelling is atrocious.

o Make your draft using all the details you have written above.

o Clichés are welcome if used in moderation, but if you can eliminate them entirely, all the better.

o It is always a good idea to start your speech by breaking the ice with a quick joke. Note that the keyword here is fast. If your joke takes about 3 minutes to tell, then it is not a quick joke. Maybe use a funny phrase about marriage, as it is a better idea.

o Keep your toast under 7 minutes. If you go beyond that, even if you are giving a powerful speech, you will still lose your audience. Godfather speeches should be short and sweet.

o Write your speech on cure cards that can fit in your back pocket. Do not write the entire speech on the cards, but do write some important key points that you can refer to with a glance from time to time.

o Ask a close confidant to listen to you give your speech or, if you are embarrassed to do so, have them read what you have written to test the waters, so to speak, of how the audience will receive you.

These are just tips on how to make and give your best man speech.