In some studies on the topic, fear of public speaking ranks above death as the most frightening prospect facing the majority of human beings. Um … this is patently ridiculous, especially in the context of delivering a best man speech (though, at least in death, you likely won't also be wearing an ill-fitting tuxedo). Morbidity and mortality aside, delivering the perfect best man speech should not be keeping you up at night, addled by the thought of the spotlight, the attention, the pressure, and that fourth scotch all conspiring to make sure you look foolish to all your best friends and-gasp!-all those total strangers. It should, on the other hand, have you excited to demonstrate the charm, warmth, and humor that were the reasons you were honored by the groom with such a position in the first place.
We don't mean to downplay your nerves (we are sure they are real), but they can and should be easily overcome by the circumstances and by a slight tweak in the way you view the event. The following advice should help you cope with your butterflies, sail through the speech, have fun doing it, move on to that fifth scotch, and thoroughly enjoy your buddy's wedding.
1. This is a best man speech; nothing more, nothing less.
A little more than 2 million weddings take place, on average, in the US every year. Two million! That is more weddings than there are people in New Mexico. And, pretty much every single one of them includes a toast from the best man (it's up there with saying "I do" as far as wedding traditions go). Your speech is an intimate moment in time, remembered and treasured, yes; but certainly not transcribed for mass distribution or translated and beamed to world leaders at a Global Summit meeting of the UN. Plenty of people (millions of them, literally!) have done what you are about to do, and lots of them weren't even smart enough to consult TheBestManSpeech.com to help them nail it.
2. This is nothing you haven't already done many times.
You have talked to your friends before; you have made fun of your friends before; you have shared laughs and stories about, and with, your friends for going on decades now (sometimes even with plenty more scotch in you). This is really no different, give or take a few extra eyeballs and that ill-fitting tuxedo. It is an intimate conversation with people you love and enjoy, an important part of the celebration, but not something that will sway an election or create riots in the streets. We would even bet that it is precisely your ability to talk like a good friend, and not a game show host, that has you up there to begin with.
3. We'll get through this together.
You came to the right place. We have tons of great content and other tips available throughout the site to help you really get the vibe of your speech right. So, that part is already taken care of. Check it all out, and you will see just how easy this can be.
Now, go relax-and pour yourself a nice glass of scotch. On us.