Alternatives to a best man speech?

[Twonewcats]

Does anyone have any ideas as to an alternative to a best man speech, as he is really uncomfortable about doing one?
My teenage son is going to be a best man and the whole thing is causing him a lot of anxiety, to be honest 😕

Could he put together a PowerPoint with photos and a few nice words for the person he is best man for? It could be set to some nice music or a song which has meaning for them. Obviously this would require a screen / some tech to be set up at the venue.

Love the PowerPoint idea, if he's comfortable with that. But if not, or if he doesn't want any limelight at all, I'd just forget it. (I say this as a recent bride!) Nobody will bat an eyelid - traditions aren't rules and shouldn't be upheld if they make anyone uncomfortable (imho). You could always use the 'space' to do a speech of your own and/or invite one from someone important to you who wouldn't traditionally speak. Or just add 10 mins on to party time

I went to a wedding once with a PowerPoint presentation - took the onus off the best man although he did have to do some talking and the PowerPoint was a funny one, not so much romantic.

What about a poem of some kind? Easier to read than a speech.

Or are there groomsmen? Maybe the bride and groom would be happy for your son and the groomsmen to all say a little bit each to take the pressure off?

Just don’t do one. Or any “alternative”.
I’ve been married twice. First time round, best man was shy. Second time - we just weren’t bothered with any sense of what we “should do”. Both times, we thanked everyone for being there, and led a toast to ourselves!

Agree just don't do one. Our best man was very nervous and we offered him the option to bow out. We wouldn't have cared. (He did do a short speech in the end).

Could he just do a quick welcome, thank everyone for being there and then do a toast? And start with “well I know everyone’s hungry so I’ll keep this short and sweet”? And go before the groom, if the groom is going to do a longer speech?

thanks, all. Yep, he could just do a toast. It's in a marquee in the middle of nowhere, so unfortunately a Powerpoint wouldn't be doable :/