I’ve been asked to be a co-best man (there are going to be two best men) at a wedding in Australia. It would be easy enough to make up a toast for just me, but I’m hoping my fellow dopers can come up with clever ways for TWO people to do it.
As a side note, I’m wondering if any Australian doppers can give me tips on wedding etiquette for the land down under. This is going to be a pretty laid back wedding, so I can’t go too wrong either way. Still, it would be nice to know what pitfalls to avoid.
How about a variation of “who’s on first”? Something along the lines of “How did these two folks meet?” “Who?” “Well, obviously, these two…” “How did they meet?” “Yes, that’s right.” And so on… you could use moments in their past as substitutes for the original lines (it was an Abbot and Costello routine). As a stand-up dialogue, it might be rather witty. And then, I would suggest you make the toast to the bride and groom in unison - maybe a snazzy duet, or a rap piece…
How about a variation of “who’s on first”? Something along the lines of “How did these two folks meet?” “Who?” “Well, obviously, these two…” “How did they meet?” “Yes, that’s right.” And so on… you could use moments in their past as substitutes for the original lines (it was an Abbot and Costello routine). As a stand-up dialogue, it might be rather witty. And then, I would suggest you make the toast to the bride and groom in unison - maybe a snazzy duet, or a rap piece…
There’s little formaility in most Aussie weddings, even less in this one from the sound of it. If someone proposes a toast to the bridesmaids remember to say thanks on their behalf in your speech.
Other than that it’s just the obvious ones like don’t forget the ring, stay sober until after the speeches have finished and do things like ensuring the DJ etc have been paid.
Which of you gets to dance with the chief Bridesmaid after the bridal waltz or are there 2 chief bridesmaids?
I’ve been a best man once. The best piece of advice I have is that about five minutes before you and the groom enter the room where the cerermony is, make him go to the restroom. If he says he doesn’t have to, make him go anyway. He’ll thank you later.
Personally I would do my own toast but if you want to do a two man toast you could do a point-counterpoint and make the quailties of the couple a debate.
Or one person could tell a sappy romantic story about the couple and then the other could tell ‘what really happened’.
There is a Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) video you could watch to get ideas on HOW NOT to do the toast. Sorry, but I can’t find a link to it, although it’s pretty funny.
The most important thing to remember about a toast for the bride and groom is that is should make everyone feel good, all the way through the toast. DO NOT try to be funny - you can do that to your friends, but when you are talk to the aunts and uncles and people you don’t know - it’s a pitfall. When you talk to the group, be classy.
Praise the families of the bride and groom for raising good children, praise the bride and groom for their love for one another, praise the audience for being there. Speak highly of the bride and grooms future and how their friends and family will make it better.
Better to be safe than sorry, one wrong, seemingly funny joke can make you seem like an asshole forever.