Best Bestman Speeches - Customs

Best Man Speeches || Best Man Speech Etiquette || Best Man Checklist || Best of the Best Man Speeches || Customs of The World  || Samples Speeches ||   How to write a free best man speech  ||  Free best man tips speech  || Toast or Speech  || Examples of  Best Man Speech ||Favorite Links

BEST MAN CUSTOMS, TOASTS AND IDEAS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

 

Spanning the globe… oh, wait, that's for something else…Ok, we thought we'd throw in a few customs and toasts from around the world, since some of them are pretty interesting.  It might give you some ideas for your best man speech and duties you are expect to do before and after the ceremony your participating in!

Interesting information every Best Man can use:

African-American

In some African-American ceremonies , newlyweds will “jump over a broom”, which symbolizes the beginning of their new life together.  The custom is thought to come from an African tribal ritual where the bride and groom jump over sticks on the ground representing their new Best Man .

Today, the broom is also a symbol of sweeping away the old, and welcoming the new.  Broom Jumping can be done either during the wedding ceremony itself, or as soon as the new couple gets to the reception.

Fully decorated brooms can be purchased at ethnic stores, or pick up a regular household broom and decorate it yourself!

Chinese

Chinese  culture emphasizes customs and traditions – it's very important to marry on an auspicious day, and if possible, even at an auspicious hour.  The bride may wear a western-style wedding gown, and then change into an eastern-style gown of red brocade or satin richly embroidered in gold thread and sequins for the wedding banquet.

At the wedding reception, a nine-course meal that can last up to three hours is very popular! 

Frequently, a family member (uncle, cousin, brother, etc.) will act as a “Master of Ceremonies” and perform family introductions, toasts, comedy sketches and sometimes a re-enactment of how the couple met.

Toast: Ganbei!  (Dry your cup!)

Eastern Orthodox Church

Both wedding rings are blessed by the Priest, who takes them in hand and makes the sign of the cross over the couple's heads. 

The Best Man (Koumbaros) then exchanges the rings three times, switching the rings between the Bride and the Groom.  This signifies  that the weaknesses of one will be compensated by the strengths of the other during their married lives.

The climax of the wedding service is the “Crowning Ceremony”, which signals that God has crowned them during the sacrament, and that they are now “King and Queen” of their own little kingdom (their Best Man ), which they will then rule with wisdom, justice and integrity.  We hope!

French

Back in the “olden” times, marriages were arranged to further political alliances and strengthen families with closer ties to the aristocracy.  Early French wedding customs included the happy couple raising a glass of wine from two different vineyards, taking a sip, then pouring the two wines into a single glass, and sipping from that, signifying a co-mingling of family ties.  Leave it to the French to make wine a big part of the wedding ceremony!

Salutations from the best man

Toast: Sante! (Health!)

German

German  ceremonies can get a little rough!  During the wedding ceremony, the Groom  may kneel on the hem of the Bride's dress to symbolize his control over her, and who's going to be the boss.  Not to be outdone, the Bride then steps on the Groom's foot when she stands up, to symbolize who's really the boss!  Ladies and gentlemen – take it easy!  This is supposed to be a joyous day!

The Best Man Speech salutation: Toast: Prost! (Cheers!)

 
"The Best Of The Best Man Speeches" e-Book
Buy it Now!

 

Copyright © 2004 Timothy Rea
2105 Upland Ave., Boulder, Colorado  80304
Phone 303-449-2785  Email: t.rea@comcast.net

Privacy Statement