Any tips regarding speech, toasts or general banana skins...would be very welcome.

Congrats!

The best "best man" speeches I've heard through many weddings are short, have a slight bit of embarrasment, not too much sappyness and a good corresponding joke. Good luck!

No inside jokes unless you want the whole room too look quizzically at you--and keep it pretty brief so the flow of the party (and booze ) isn't slowed down

oops type--to not too

http://www.thebestmanspeech.com/

Have one drink to relax yourself before you give the toast if needed...no more. You don't want to be drunk when you do this!

Watch "Wedding Crashers" for eloquence on this topic from Owen Wilson's character.

Keep it simple & sweet.

Good luck!

I agree with the short and sweet approach. I was just at a wedding where the best man gave a long-winded speech that consisted mostly of "remember that time we got so drunk we threw up all night" stories. It was awful.

I agree with the short and sweet aspect. No inside jokes and please do not talk about the ex-girlfriends.

The best speeches I've heard always mention a) How you know the groom and maybe a short sweet story about the groom, b) how much happier the groom is now that he has met his wife and how his wife is/has made the groom a better person. c) toast.

I suppose you'd want to mention TRAVEL in the speech! Lots of good books on toasts at BN.com (Barnes & Noble)

rb - you are always such a downer.

The fascinating part is you just can't help yourself from clicking on every post that is OBVIOUSLY not travel related seemingly just so you can scold us. Grow up.

Kangamom's advice is perfect. How about using the theme of friendship in the toast, and perhaps comment that although you are the best man, your friend the groom is truly the best man that you know, and is it possible that this (best) man is now so much better that he has met his beautiful bride.
Congrats to all.

Thanks very much everybody, lots of good advice here! I accidently put it in the wrong forum as it`s my first one, but it does relate to travel as the wedding is in Britain and I live in Japan!