How To Make An Awesome Wedding Toast

With these simple tips, you'll be able to write a great best man speech in no time.

Before you begin

Start off by writing down thoughts freely about the bride and groom and your relationship to them.

1. How do you know them?

2. Why did they choose you as best man?

3. How would you describe each of them? What are the first five adjectives that come to mind?

4. What was the groom like before he met the bride? How has he changed knowing her?

5. How did they meet? How did the groom tell you about her?

6. If you are married, you may wish to think about marriage advice you've received or have learned.

7. Are there any particularly amusing anecdotes that illustrate who the bride and/or groom is?

8. Read through this gallery of sample classic wedding toasts and highlight any that seem particularly appropriate to you.

Once you've done that, it's time to craft those ideas into a heartfelt and entertaining toast.

Tips on giving the best man speech

* Speak loudly and clearly, even if you're nervous. Hopefully you'll have a microphone, but even if you don't you'll need to make sure to enunciate. Nothing worse than listening to five minutes of mumbling nonsense.

* Don't drink too much before you give your speech. A drink or two might help loosen you up, but more than that and you'll just look like a fool.

* Don't read straight from the card. These are supposed to be heart-felt words, not a scripted response. It's better to paraphrase what you've written, and get the general sentiment across. Of course, you can have your notes handy, just remember to make eye-contact with the people you are speaking to.

* Stand up straight. This moment is an important one — and your posture should reflect that. Plus: you want to look good in those wedding photos, right?

If you lose your notes, or just choke up there, there's nothing wrong with a simple: "Congratulations, (bride's name and groom's name) I'm looking forward to the day when we're all together again celebrating your 50th wedding anniversary. Cheers!"

Check out this lovely video below of an amazing best man speech: