I've got my best mates wedding in a couple of weeks and i'm just in the process of putting together my speech.
I've got a fair bit of material but am just wondering how long roughly do you think it should go for....
I'm thinking 2-3 minutes tops.
Is that going to be long enough?
I don't want to be up there waffling on but at the same time I don't want it to be too short.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
3-4 min is about the right amount of time before people start to loose focus. Think of those Gala Comedy shows most stand-up comic routines are about that...
I discussed this with a mate the other day - when the bride's father went on for nearly 20min - he had people shuffling around uncomfortably wating for it to end.
Maybe keep it to 3 or 4 key points / stories otherwise you muddy the intent of the speach...
I think you'd be surprised how much you can fit into a cleverly written 3 min speach...
Good luck...
I did it drunk once, I was told that it was a great speech. Buggered if I could remember 
I'm with you GPA. Think i'll try cut it off at round 3 minutes. Hate public speaking at the best of times and nothing worse than hanging to get another beer or busting for a p!ss during speeches at a wedding.
I was pretty sh!tfaced for my wedding speech last year and apparantly that one turned out ok so will be having a few frothies before for sure.
Just have to make sure it's not to many because i'm pretty prone to getting my slur on after a few.
Will save the nudity for a bit later on the evening...
Agree with the others, 3 to 5 minutes tops.
By the time you tell a story or two and thanks / cheers that's about your time up.
Drunk is not advisable, but do have a few to relax if need be, and then cut loose after.
This is not a bad tips page (and not a bad blog either): www.artofmanliness.com/articles/how-to-write-deliver-good-best-man-speech/
Best speeches are ones that arn't Pre written. I've done a few at weddings and other public speaking things. Generally I just try prepare a couple of stories in the head from the past that you know are piss funny and just ran with what you feel at the time. The best speeches I've done and heard are all spontaneous rants. Couple of beers always helps. Nothing worse than seeing a best man reading straight from a piece of paper in his hand.
It really does depend on how many others are doing speeches.
Small wedding...4 minutes tops (if you have a good funny story)
Big wedding ...3 minutes tops...
But what do I know
I think that it depends on how much you have to say. But i will go along with the others and say 3-4 minutes is fine.
You can also get advice here : weddingspeechguides.com
I have used that website for my speech.
