Being asked to be the Best Man, can feel like scoring a goal in the World Cup and then realising you've been called offside a minute later...

Taking on the role of the right hand man will be something to remember but to be a successful best man you need to pull off a speech that people won't want to forget.

No Pressure then. Ok, well maybe just a bit. If we've worked you into a suitable frenzy, its because its better to get the bad news out of the way, as the good news is that we've got some encore worthy tips on how to steal a little bit of the happy couples limelight.

Speech Length

Your speech doesn't need to be the Magna Carta, it can be still be memorable when it's short and sweet. That said if you want to wax lyrical about the newly weds, that's fine, just don't go overboard and drag it out to the point where the food becomes cold.

Around 500 words is totally acceptable, which roughly translates to around 4 to 5 minutes. Which is plenty of time to keep the masses entertained.

Getting Started

If you haven't got a clue of where to start or what to include, then here are some helpful ideas:

• How did you first meet the groom
• How do you feel about being asked to be the best man?
• How did they meet?
• How has he changed?
• How would you describe them? Good qualities, nature etc
• Do you have any amusing anecdotes that illustrate these qualities?

• Do you have any interesting thoughts or advice on how they can have a happy future?
  
  

Round up these ideas and you'll have some decent material to work with but remember these are just general guidelines, if you have any other ideas then you can incorporate them into the speech too.

Useful Tips

• Don't get plastered, that glass may seem like Dutch courage but drink and speeches don't go down well.
• Speak clearly and slowly. You've spent a lot of time thinking about the speech, so make sure people can hear it.
• Be appropriate; remember the bride's father is there, so telling stories about the groom's previous escapades might not be a good idea. That said, your speech doesn't need to be a party conference speech, so you can throw in a couple of gags, but keep them clean.
• Ask the groom if there are any off limit subjects that he and the bride are sensitive about.
• Remember your manners! Thank everyone and congratulate the happy couple.
• Unless you're the Nelson Mandela of speech givers, then don't wing it! So prepare, and practice beforehand.
• Have your glass ready and filled to raise a toast as you finish the speech.