How to Be the Best Best Man – Ever

To whoever it may concern. 

Let’s face it, not every man’s name is Denys Killbride so that they automatically qualify as the groom’s right hand on the wedding day..

So what do you do if you have a different name and you don’t even qualify as the groom’s left hand but you still need to impersonate his right hand in times of glory? Like that time when he single-handedly raised a bottle of whiskey at 4 am in the pub and delivered an all encompassing, enthralling speech about life, death and the nexus of the universe in just 1 word –  “Motherfucckers”-  before collapsing and falling asleep on the floor.

How do you match that rhetoric prowess? How do you go about your best man speech generation?

I’ve got you covered. You SCAMPER it. 

Let me introduce you to the SCAMPER framework.  Enter my only best friend in life: Mr. Chat GPT: 

Of course, let’s apply the SCAMPER framework to a best man wedding speech.

1. Substitute: Instead of solely focusing on the groom, what if you substituted some of your anecdotes and reflections to highlight the bride or other members of the bridal party? This could provide an alternative perspective and a more rounded view of the relationships at play.
2. Combine: Combine humor and sentimentality in your speech. This isn’t a new idea, but the way you balance these elements can dramatically affect the tone and reception of your speech.
3. Adapt: If you’ve given a best man’s speech before, don’t be afraid to adapt parts that worked well. Just make sure to tailor any reused jokes or anecdotes to the current couple.
4. Modify (or Magnify or Minify): Review the components of your speech. Are there areas that could benefit from being magnified or minimized? Perhaps a funny anecdote could be expanded upon, or maybe some of your commentary about the groom’s past could be shortened to maintain a positive and celebratory atmosphere.
5. Put to Another Use: Consider the purpose of each story or joke in your speech. Could they serve a different purpose? A humorous story about the groom could also highlight his loyalty or kindness, serving both to entertain and to illuminate his character.
6. Eliminate: Trim any elements that aren’t necessary or don’t contribute to the overall purpose of your speech – to honor the couple and their love for each other. Any jokes that are in bad taste or stories that might cause embarrassment should be the first to go.
7. Reverse (or Rearrange): Instead of telling your stories in chronological order, you could reverse or rearrange them to better serve your speech. For instance, you might start by talking about the couple’s relationship and then rewind to share some of your favorite memories with the groom.

Each of these techniques could help you look at your best man’s speech in a new light and generate fresh, engaging content. Remember, the best speeches come from the heart and are tailored to the couple’s unique journey.