As the wedding season swings into full bloom, countless brides-to-be find themselves awash in a sea of both excitement and anxiety. Amidst the joy of saying “I do” and planning the perfect ceremony, there lurks a common, though often unspoken, dread— the best man’s speech. Not surprisingly, a recent survey reveals that a notable 41% of brides are worried about what the best man might say when he takes the microphone. Where Does This Fear Come From? Well, unlike the meticulously coordinated elements of a wedding, the best man’s speech is often a wildcard. Brides may worry about potential stories or comments that could emerge, and the fear of personal anecdotes that may not cast them in the most favorable light is a significant source of concern.

I know personally, the best man’s speech at our wedding was, well, really long and didn’t make much sense. Of course he had a few too many drinks and rambled on for way too long about how much he loved the groom, with stories from their childhood that no one could understand. His heart was in the right place. And of course it could have been much worse.

Unlike when my husband gives a best man’s speech. He has been the best man at a few of his friend’s weddings. I remember one in particular when he said a rather naughty joke in one sentence, that had a few of the moms aghast, and then in the next sentence had those same moms crying. He cried himself. He’s really good at giving speeches.

You could do what my SIL did, no speeches at all! None, no toasts, no welcome to the family, no nothing. It was actually really nice. It was a beautiful night, and not having speeches, really didn’t take away from anything. Just an idea. Or don’t let the best man drink before the speeches. -Tonya Cherry-