Being the best man is a huge responsibility. It is also an honour and something that you should not take lightly. The wedding day is a big occasion - and occasion that most people only experience once in their life. With so much money and so many expectations on the big wedding day, the bride and groom only want everything to be perfect. The last thing they want to spoil their big day is a best man who messes things up...and I've seen this over and over again.

When it comes to being the best man there ain't any hard and fast rules, but there most definitely is an unwritten set of rules that you are expected to stand by - especially for your best man speech. Here are some of the most important best man rules as it applies to the speech itself.

Be Sober.

This is the one big mistake that I see guys make week in and week out. For most the fear and nervousness calls for a few drinks to sum up the courage for the big speech. Of course, most overdo it and end up being too drunk for the speech. It is better to suck as a sober speaker than to embarrass yourself as a drunk.

Don't get (too) emotional.

Often drinking too much brings this on, but tearing up and not getting any words out is no good either. It often changes the whole atmosphere and can put a damper on the festivities. You're a guy for god's sake! Leave the soppy stuff to the girls and father of the bride. Just be sincere and keep it upbeat.

Don't bring up ex-girlfriends

Some guys seems to think that it would be funny to bring up embarrassing stories of the groom's ex-girlfriends. Never do it. It is never funny and you will only piss the bride off. Don't look for cheap humour and I can guarantee you that the groom would not want to be embarrassed in that way.

Never talk about the bachelor's party.

The stag night always ends up somewhere where it should not. It is not often that the groom oversteps the boundaries, but everybody is always suspicious of bachelor's parties - especially the father of the bride. Never even bring the bachelor's party up in your speech. It's cheap humour and although it can be funny, it is not the kind of humour that's appreciated at a wedding party.

Always start your speech on a positive note.

The best tactic to a killer best man speech is to start your speech by pointing out how great the groom is. Stories work well and if you can tell a story that illustrates the groom's best characteristics, then do it. It always works and telling a story is easy even if you are not a great public speaker.