Public speaking & life events · Public Speaking
Best man speech practice: give your toast, then chat with Grandma Lorraine
Keep it to about three minutes: say who you are, tell one or two short stories that show who the groom really is, say something true about him and the couple together, and end by raising a glass to them. Leave out exes, inside jokes and anything you wouldn’t say in front of the bride’s grandmother. Rehearse it out loud, then chat with Grandma Lorraine, who finds you after the toast.
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Updated October 2026
Who it's for
Who this practice is for
- Best men writing a toast for a brother or close friend's wedding.
- Anyone who has to speak in front of a big room and wants to practice out loud first.
- People who worry about going too long or telling the wrong story.
- Best men who want to handle the friendly chat with family after the toast.
What happens
How a session goes
- You give your best man speech out loud first, aiming for a funny, warm, clean 3-minute toast for about 120 guests.
- Grandma Lorraine, the bride's grandmother, comes up to you after the toast and reacts to what you said.
- She asks you questions and you answer naturally, like you would at the reception.
Real lines from a test session
What Grandma Lorraine said in a test session
“That was lovely, dear. … How long did it take you to come up with that hiking story?”
“Oh, that bracelet has been passed down for four generations now. I wore it at my own wedding over sixty years ago.”
“Oh, I've been leading for eighty years, dear. I'll have you spinning like a top. Take your time with that drink—I'll be saving a slow one for when you get back.”
From a test session of this practice in the app, lightly trimmed. Your session goes its own way: the character reacts to what you say.
You go first
Ways to open
- “Good evening, everyone. For those who don't know me, I'm Jake's brother, which means I have the best stories and the worst judgment about which ones to tell.”
- “Jake once got us lost on a two-mile hike for six hours. Tonight I'm happy to report he finally found his way.”
- “Priya, on behalf of our family: thank you. You've made him a better man, and a much better navigator.”
Example first lines to adapt. Fill in the brackets with your own details.
The scorecard
What the scorecard looked like for Best Man Speech
“Oh, right, how we picked. Honestly, I just watched how she looked at him when he was being his usual disaster self, and she never once rolled her eyes.”
You trailed off and restarted mid-sentence, losing the smooth flow of the chat.
Try instead: “How did we pick? Honestly, it was the way she looked at him—never once rolling her eyes when he was being his usual disaster self. That was enough for me.”
What went well: The hiking story is perfectly tailored—specific, funny, self-contained, and it sets up the turn without rehashing generic praise.
Real scorecard output from one of our test runs. In test runs the practice answers are written by a test script, not by a customer.
What good looks like
What a strong answer does here
- You start with a hook, like a line about Jake getting you lost on a hike.
- You tell one or two specific stories about Jake and Priya, not just a list of nice adjectives.
- You turn sincere near the end, saying what Priya means to your brother.
- You land on a clear final line and keep the toast under 3 minutes, about 400 words.
Scored on:
- Story & specifics
- Structure
- Tone for the room
- Length & landing
Common mistakes
Weak lines, and what to say instead
Weak: “Jake is the best brother anyone could ask for.”
Better: “Jake once got us lost on a two-mile hike for six hours. Tonight I'm happy to report he finally found his way.”
A specific story is funnier and more memorable than a generic compliment.
Weak: “I'm going to read a list of everything Jake has done.”
Better: “I could list Jake's achievements, but the real story is how he changed after he met Priya.”
A résumé of facts is boring; one sincere turn is stronger.
Weak: “That inside joke about the canoe? You had to be there.”
Better: “Let me tell you about the camping trip where Jake forgot the tent poles.”
Inside jokes leave most of the room out; a shared story includes everyone.
Weak: “So anyway, I guess that's it.”
Better: “To Jake and Priya: may your life together be full of wrong turns that lead somewhere great.”
A clear landing line gives the toast a strong ending.
Best Man Speech: start talking in a few seconds. Your own side stays yours to fill in.
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Your public speaking practice plan
- Make your main point clear
- Use examples and a logical structure
- Handle audience questions
Start with a free worksheet, then test your own response with a voice or text roleplay. Your first complete coaching report is free once across all areas. Create a free account to save your goal, actual words, and downloadable notes.
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FAQ
Questions about Best Man Speech
How does the practice work for a best man speech?
You give your toast out loud first, just like at the wedding. Then Grandma Lorraine, the bride's grandmother, comes up and talks with you. She reacts to what you said and asks questions. Try it free →
What if I go over 3 minutes?
The scorer rewards the right length for the room. A toast should be under 3 minutes, about 400 words. If you go longer, you may lose points on Length & landing. You can practice again to get the timing right. Try it free →
How do you start a best man speech?
Introduce yourself in one sentence and how you know the groom, then go straight into your first story. Skip “for those who don’t know me” openers that run long and nervous jokes about public speaking. The room relaxes when you sound like you know where you are going. Try it free →
What should you not say in a best man speech?
Avoid exes, embarrassing secrets, heavy drinking stories, jokes only three people understand, and anything that teases the bride. Don’t read a long list of thanks. A good test: if the groom’s grandmother would wince or the bride would need it explained, cut it. Try it free →
Try Best Man Speech free
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