tips for giving a wedding speech

Your Ultimate Guide to Writing a Meaningful Wedding Speech

• Lauren is a contributor for The Knot covering topics such as music, cakes, venues and speeches.
• She has been published in a wide array of lifetsyle-oriented publications including SELF and Allure.
• Lauren is a proud graduate of Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School of Public Communication.

Getting asked to speak at a wedding is exciting, but it can also be nerve-wracking, especially since you're not a professional speaker or speechwriter! So, if you're unsure how to write a wedding speech , know you're not alone. Whether you're a member of a wedding party or a parent or sibling of the soon-to-be-married couple, you may be wondering what to say in a wedding speech. However, that's where we come into the picture: Keep reading for a full rundown of wedding speech tips , insight and, last but not least, a fully written example that you can use as a guide. Happy speechwriting!

In this article:

How to Write a Wedding Speech

Wedding speech example, wedding speech tips.

Writing your wedding speech is no easy feat. To help ensure things go as smoothly as possible, we tapped into Renée Dalo, owner of Moxie Bright Events in Los Angeles, California. Below, she shares a step-by-step guide.

Brainstorm a great opening.

To captivate other guests' attention, Daloe recommends taking some time to brainstorm a great opening. For example, she says, "Try to resist saying, 'For those of you who don't know me, I'm Erica's sister, Michelle.'" Instead, skip this entirely in favor of something more fun and creative.

Start with a story.

…but be sure to make it a short one, says Dalo. "Make sure it's relevant to your friendship and/or the couple." When selecting what story to share, the wedding pro recommends sterling clear of any that involve ex-partners—and for that matter, anything negative about the newly married couple. "Even if you think it's funny , she says, "it's not." Instead, think of a special moment or fun memory you shared with the couple. What did it involve? What was so great about it? All of these things are worth considering as you jot down your wedding speech.

Share your well wishes.

After all, what would a wedding speech be if it didn't include some well wishes for the newlyweds? "Make sure to include both people in the couple in your remarks," advises Dalo.

End with a toast.

Cap off your speech on a fun and sentimental note by ending with an actual toast . Dalo recommends this foolproof example: "Please join me in raising a glass to the happy couple. Cheers to X and Y, and best wishes for a lifetime of laughter!" Afterward, go in for a hug with the couple, making for the perfect photo op !

Rehearse away.

After you write your speech down, spend a significant amount of time rehearsing it so that you feel confident and comfortable while giving the actual speech. "Don't try to wing it," says Dalo. "You're going to want to rehearse this [so that] you can be as calm and present as possible."

Still trying to figure out where to start? Don't fret: If you could use some additional assistance writing your wedding speech, consider Provenance , which helps users create personalized, meaningful wedding speeches using AI-powered tools along with real responses to personal questions.

Take the Provenance Toast Builder , for example. Couples can invite those who will be giving wedding speeches—including the father of the bride , mother of the bride , father of the groom , mother of the groom , maid of honor and best man —to use the Toast Builder. Upon being invited to use the platform, these individuals will "get alerted to how long their speech can be," as well as any other important information to mention—or steer clear of. "From there," says Provenance CEO Steven Greitzer, "you can see the status of the speech and the estimated length."

To help get those creative juices flowing, check out the below wedding speech example.

Hi! As Lisa's younger sister—and now maid of honor—I've had the unique privilege of growing up alongside her. Since we're just two years apart, we've been each other's built-in best friends from the start. Like most sisters, we bickered constantly throughout our childhood, hurling insults over clothing, makeup and missing pieces of jewelry: I'll finally admit it, Lisa, I was the one who lost your charm bracelet at summer camp! All kidding aside, I hope I've made it up to you with this epic speech.

When Lisa first met Jay on the train coming home from work (romantic, I know!), we lived together in a tiny one-bedroom apartment in the city, an experience that only brought us closer together. After their first date to their now-favorite pizza place, she came home all giddy—bubbly, smiling, and laughing. She told me that the two of them already planned their next date. I had never seen her so happy. The look in her eyes since that night has not faded, and if I know Jay—which I do!—he will make sure it never will.

Like Lisa, Jay is kind, patient, and compassionate, and this was evident from the first time we met, which was right before his and Lisa's second date. I ran to the door to catch a glimpse of the guy who was slowly but surely stealing my sister's heart. Upon meeting, Jay and I instantly hit it off. He greeted me by name, hugged me, and took the time to sit down and truly get to know me. Less than 10 minutes later, we were already cracking jokes. It was clear to me then that Jay was, without a doubt, my sister's perfect match.

Lisa and Jay, you've set the bar (very) high for all of your friends and family when it comes to relationship goals. The love and commitment you share with each other is inspiring and everlasting. I know Jay will spend the rest of his life making Lisa happy and supporting her through every endeavor—and I know she'll do the same, too.

So, Lisa and Jay, I wish you nothing but a lifetime of love and happiness together. And I'm so excited to have a front-row seat to all that's in store. Everyone, please join me in raising a glass to the newlyweds!

Keep it short and sweet.

According to Dalo, your wedding speech should be "no more than three minutes." She continues, telling The Knot, "Three minutes is a long time, and when you figure in getting up to the mic and then hugging afterward, it's about five minutes total which is ideal." If you go any longer, you run the risk of losing guests' attention and potentially boring them (a no-no in our book!).

Acknowledge both partners.

"A big speech taboo that we see way too often is when the person giving the speech only talks about the partner they're closest with, unintentionally making the other partner feel left out and unimportant," says Greitzer. If you need a helping hand, Greitzer recommends using the Provenance Toast Builder , which offers "thoughtful prompts to encourage you to share why they're both 1) good people and 2) a great match for each other."

How To Write A Wedding Speech: The Ultimate Guide For Do’s, Don’ts, and Delivery PART 1/3: Do’s

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How To Write A Wedding Speech: The Ultimate Guide For Do’s, Don’ts, and Delivery PART 2/3: Don’ts

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how to write a wedding speech dos

Someone you love is getting married, and you’ve just been asked to give a speech at the wedding. What an honor! But also, if you’re not used to giving speeches, what a nightmare! Public speaking can be scary , which is why many people prefer to avoid it. But when your bestie asks you to make a speech at his or her wedding, it’s time to rally. But now you’re wondering if you even know how to write a wedding speech! What makes some wedding speeches fun and memorable, and what makes others cringy and fall flat? We’ve got you. We’ve put together the ultimate guide for how to write a wedding speech, focusing on things you definitely should do, things you definitely should NOT do, and then how to deliver your killer wedding speech like a pro.

If you’re wondering how to write a wedding speech, here are a few “Do’s” to keep in mind.

• Start planning early
• Introduce yourself and how you know the bride and groom
• Thanks to hosts, guests, and wedding party; congratulate the couple
• Make it personal
• Think of 3 traits with 3 stories
• Talk about the couple
• Have a beginning, middle, and end
• Consider your audience
• Keep it short and sweet
• It’s okay to be simple and meaningful

1. Start planning early

If you don’t know how to write a wedding speech but the bride just asked you to give one, this is not a time to procrastinate. Public speaking is one of the number one fears many people have, so it’s likely you’ve avoided giving too many public speeches before this. And unless you’re a performer or a veteran improv comedian, you might not do too well winging this one. If you get nervous in front of an audience (as most of us do), the best defense against freezing up when you take the mic is being prepared. 

As soon as you know you’ve been asked to give a speech at the wedding, begin jotting down notes immediately. Whenever you’re inspired by a thought of the couple or remember an anecdote that might be worth retelling, make note of it. This will help to give you a pool of ideas to draw from when you start writing down the speech.

Begin gathering ideas and writing the speech a couple of weeks to a month before the wedding. You’ll need time to edit, fine-tune it, and make it concise. And as wedding showers, bachelorette parties, and other wedding festivities begin, you might find there are entertaining stories from these events you want to add as well. If you want to write it all at once, you can do that too. However, make sure to sleep on it and come back with fresh eyes. You don’t want just “okay,” you want your speech to be heartfelt and meaningful.

You will also want to begin early to give yourself time to practice and rehearse your speech plenty of times.

2. Introduce yourself and how you know the bride and groom

No matter how large or small the wedding is, it’s likely you will not be familiar with many of the guests on one or both sides. And they won’t be familiar with you either. So don’t leave them guessing! 

Make sure when you start to write a wedding speech to introduce yourself and mention how you know the couple. This will help them understand the context of your speech, which will also help it to be more well-received. 

3. Thank hosts, guests, and wedding party; congratulate the couple

It’s also courteous to take this time to thank the hosts and other members of the wedding party for all the hard work that went into the event, and to thank guests for being there to support the newlyweds, especially those who had to travel far. 

It’s also a good time to officially congratulate the newlyweds and offer them your personal well-wishes for their future. It is imperative that you don’t forget this part, because they are the whole reason you’re there and giving a speech!

4. Make it personal

Whether you are the maid of honor, the best man, father of the bride, or just a friend, you were asked to give a speech because of your close connection and relationship with either the bride or groom (or both). 

And since you know your friend as well as you do, you probably have plenty of stories to share; so the next tip for how to write a wedding speech is don’t hesitate to make it personal and share those stories! This will also help guests get to know the other half of the couple they might not know as well or are just meeting for the first time. And those guests who do know them will love hearing some entertaining stories they might not have heard yet.

5. Think of 3 traits with 3 stories

If you’re finding it difficult to come up with anything, a useful approach for how to write a wedding speech is to think of 3 positive defining traits or qualities of the bride or groom and recount three stories or examples that illuminate a time they exhibited these traits. These stories could be comedic, heartwarming, or both. Just make sure they are relevant and entertaining!

6. Talk about the couple

If you’re the maid of honor and have been chatting up the bride for the whole speech, part of how to write a wedding speech is to make sure at some point it circles around to the groom, too, and to the two of them as a couple.  

Recount the time you met him, or how you remember talking about him with the bride in the beginning stages of their relationship. If you don’t know the groom all that well, talk about how good they are as a couple and about how happy he makes her. 

And If you’re not a fan of the groom, this is not the time to air your grievances. Always keep it positive. 

7. Have a beginning, middle, and end

All good speeches have a good flow and take the audience along with it. 

Don’t let your speech fall flat or jumble together in a haphazard confusion of disconnected anecdotes. Give it the structure of an overarching theme, with a beginning, a middle, and an end. 

We are not talking about a novel here, just make sure there is a direction to where the speech is going, and that the destination, end, or sentiment is achieved. It doesn’t need to be Charlie Chaplin in The Great Dictator, but a three-act structure does help keep you grounded. Most people also follow a story easier when there is a clear direction for a story or speech. 

8. Consider your audience

The next thing to keep in mind when considering how to write a wedding speech is to make sure you consider who your audience is. 

This is not the bachelor or bachelorette party. There will be a wide range of people present from children to the elderly, and from close friends of the bride and groom to casual acquaintances and coworkers. Make sure your speech is free of any crudeness that might not be fit for such a varied audience. Also, this isn’t the time to take a shot at any of the religious cermonies.

Be considerate and keep it positive and use language everyone can relate to. 

9. Keep it short and sweet

You want your speech to be meaningful and memorable; but the wedding is not about you, and yours is not the only speech. 

No one ever complains about a speech being too short, but they do begin to grumble if it runs on too long. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind when figuring out how to write a wedding speech is to keep your speech between 2-5 minutes long. Any longer than 5 minutes and you’ll lose everyone to thoughts of cake and whether or not to Cupid Shuffle later. 

10. Add humor

Don’t be afraid to be funny! Another tip for how to write a wedding speech is that if you’ve got a lighthearted, creative, joking side, use it and add humor to your speech! Everyone likes to be entertained. 

This doesn’t mean you should scour the internet for generic wedding-themed jokes, but if you’ve got some good original material to use that helps relate a story about the bride or groom in a comedic way, do it. As long as you’re not making fun of the couple but having fun with them, jokes are great. Or you can even poke fun at yourself to illuminate a higher quality in your bestie. It’s all about making the newlyweds shine. 

If you’re creative and have other talents, use them! If you are musical, bust out your instrument and/or vocal cords and make the speech in the form of a song! Use props, and get the other guests involved! The newlyweds will feel special because you created something for them, and the guests will love joining in the fun.

11. It’s okay to be simple and meaningful

If entertaining isn’t your thing, that’s okay! Don’t force it – just be yourself. It’s okay to be simple and meaningful with your speech. Always keep in mind when you go to write a wedding speech that what’s important is that you are genuine and speak from the heart.

Hopefully, you found these tips for how to write a wedding speech helpful, and can start writing today! And stay tuned to our blog for the next part in this ultimate guide for how to write a wedding speech where we highlight a few things you should definitely avoid.

Love this content and want more? Read more about weddings on our blog ! Involved in the wedding planning process and the bride is still looking for a venue ? Give us a call today and we’ll help you find the perfect place!

Jennings Trace

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How to Write—And Deliver—The Perfect Wedding Speech

By Shelby Wax

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If one of your nearest and dearest is tying the knot, it’s possible you may be asked to give a speech during the wedding festivities. And while having an opportunity to share your love and memories at a major milestone event is an honor, there’s no denying that it’s a big ask—especially if public speaking isn’t your forté. A wedding speech presents a unique challenge: There’s no set formula for how the speech should play out, but it often requires sentimentality, a touch of humor, and the good sense to know when to wrap it up.

Are you a member of the wedding party that wants to (or has been asked to) give a toast at an upcoming celebration? Read ahead to learn how to write and prepare for your big moment.

Who Gives a Wedding Speech?

First off, it’s important to make sure that the couple definitely wants you to give a toast at their celebrations. Traditionally, the maid of honor, best man, and parents of the couple will give a speech at the wedding. However, the couple should explicitly ask these guests well in advance to give a speech so they have plenty of time to prepare. They may also choose additional wedding party members to give toasts at the reception or pre-wedding parties; but if the couple has not asked you to give a speech, do not prepare one. Speeches are carefully placed into a wedding timeline so the day will stay on schedule, and an additional five minutes could cut into strategically timed moments of the celebration.

The to-be-weds also have the right to curate the day as they wish, and occasionally at a rehearsal dinner or welcome party, the couple may open the floor to additional toasts. But if this doesn’t happen, grabbing the mic unexpectedly for an off-the-cuff speech (especially after a few glasses of wine) will not be appreciated.

How to Write a Wedding Speech

If you are asked to give a toast, it’s important that you don’t just wing it. “First, recognize that speechwriting is a creative process,” shares Allison Shapira, founder and CEO of Global Public Speaking . “Give yourself plenty of time to be creative (i.e. not the night before, when you already have so much to stress about). Wait for your most creative time of the day, and turn off any distractions. Spend some unrushed time thinking about your relationship to the couple, and what you’d like to say.”

While there’s no exact template to follow, there is a good basic formula to adhere to. “The framework I recommend for a wedding speech is: story, message, blessing,” she shares. “Tell a heartwarming story, share the message or value behind that story, and then offer a blessing or wish for the couple based on that message.”

“Typically, we advise our speakers to try to bring the audience on a journey where you initially try to make them laugh, then get to the real depth of the speech and earn some tears, then bring the whole speech full circle with a deep insight or story about the couple that ends with a funny final punch,” shares Steven Greitzer, CEO and founder of Provenance , an AI company that specializes in helping write personalized wedding vows, ceremonies, and toasts. “It’s important to have a good balance of humor and sentimentality because, if it’s a full roast, it can feel like you’re just doing a standup comedy show for your own benefit and it could lack substance. Or, if it’s too overly emotional, it can get heavy and perhaps a bit too somber for a wedding celebration.”

When choosing a story, Shapira recommends reading the room. “It should obviously be good-natured, without making anyone look bad. And, it all depends on the family dynamics,” she says. “What one family considers good-natured, another family could consider scathing. Choose someone in the audience whom you think could give you some helpful feedback, and practice the speech with them in advance.”

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Greitzer adds that it's important that both members of the couple are highlighted in the speech. “Great anecdotes showcase who each person was before meeting, their synergy together, and their individual and collective growth,” he shares. If you don’t know one member of the couple very well, don’t be afraid to get creative. “One of the best speeches I’ve seen was from a bridesmaid who hadn’t really been able to spend too much time with her best friend’s fiance because of the pandemic,” Greitzer shares. “She creatively read texts she found in her phone that gave her a hilarious timeline of her friend falling in love.”

If you’re still not sure where to begin, consider giving an AI platform a try to help you form your toast. “The Provenance tools guide speakers to create unique, and personal ceremonies, vows, and toasts without the stress. It’s a partner in your brainstorming process; a way to help you verbalize what you were trying to say—but faster,” explains Greitzer. “Instead of being some outdated, mad-libs-style template, the expert-curated prompts inspire special stories and insights, ultimately weaving your responses together into a custom, editable first draft.”

A final writing tip from Shapira? “I definitely recommend creating an outline but do not recommend writing the speech out word for word. When we script the entire speech, it sounds too formal,” says the public speaking expert. “I recommend first brainstorming the content, rearranging it into a logical structure, then drafting a general outline which you can bring with you to the event. While it may look better to simply give the speech ‘from the heart,’ the stress involved in trying to memorize your speech is simply not worth it.”

How to Deliver a Wedding Speech

Writing a wedding speech is half the battle—next comes your performance. It’s important that your toast has a good flow, feels natural, and doesn’t drag on. Here’s where the idiom “practice makes perfect” rings true. Shapira advises giving yourself a few weeks of rehearsal to make your speech feel authentic and fluid. Her recommendations? “Read your speech out loud and make sure it stays within the time you have allotted. Read it to someone else and get their feedback. Record it and watch it back. We use a tool called AMPLIFY to get AI-based feedback.” She adds, “Don’t memorize the speech, but do read it out loud and make sure it sounds like your voice.”

The ideal length of a toast is between two to four minutes, which translates to around 500 to 1000 words on a page. Still, Greitzer notes, “The perfect length for the wedding toast complies with whatever length the couple wants it to be. Many guests don’t realize that long speeches can impact the whole evening’s timeline and affect the caterer, DJ, and so much more.”

While it’s now common to see toasts being read off a phone, both experts agree that it’s much better to print out your speech. “Reading off of a phone comes with the risk of distractions from notifications, a weird backlight that can affect the color of your face in photos, finicky technical difficulties, and having that annoying sound interference with the mic,” says Greitzer. (You also should make sure your speech is legible with a large font and wide spacing so you can easily find your place.)

The final hurdle of giving a wedding toast is getting over your nerves. “Find a quiet place right beforehand to center yourself (perhaps the bathroom or a corner of the room), pause and breathe, and remind yourself why you care about the couple,” recommends Shapira. She also adds—perhaps unsurprisingly—that it’s best to hold back on alcohol consumption ahead of the toast. “No one expects a perfect or professional speech; they want a unique, authentic message. The speech isn’t about you—it’s about the couple. Once you reframe the fact that the center of attention isn’t on you, you can relax.”

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How to Write a Wedding Speech

Last Updated: March 19, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Jenny Yi . Jenny Yi is the Founder of Chloe+Mint, an award-winning full service event planning company that specializes in wedding planning, design and floral design. Jenny has been in the industry for over 5 years, and also works closely with notable brands and celebrities on branding and events. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 602,589 times.

For most people, their wedding day will be among the most important days of their lives. As such, it is customary for a close friend or loved one to deliver a speech congratulating the newlyweds on their union. This can be a nerve-wracking prospect if you’re the one called upon to give a speech in front of a big, expectant crowd. As the speechwriter, it will pay off to make sure that you’re organized, keep it concise and practice extensively beforehand.

Things You Should Know

Professional wedding planner Jenny Yi says the wedding speech should be “impactful, short, and sweet.” Explain how you know the bride and groom, share a quick backstory on how they met, then wish them well as a couple.

Sample Speeches

Writing a Meaningful Speech

• The best man and maid of honor are usually each asked to make a short speech on behalf of the wedding party. After that, the microphone is sometimes turned over to whoever would like to say a few words.
• Saying your name and briefly summarizing your history with the bride or groom will be enough. Don’t talk about yourself too much. Remember, the focus of your speech is the married couple.

• Use jokes judiciously to break the initial tension and keep the crowd relaxed. Try not to let your speech turn into a stand up comedy routine.
• Keep your humorous stories and remarks appropriate. There will be people of all ages in your audience, including children.
• Funny stories might include a funny story about the bride and groom's meeting, or an anecdote about one of them as a child.

• Sharing unique memories or stories is much more effective than simply complimenting the bride or groom because it is a more personal touch.

• If you decide to use a quote for this segment of the speech, make sure it is short, relevant and not a cliche.

• Acknowledging the people who helped make the wedding festivities possible will make you appear humble, as well as making them feel appreciated.
• Express your gratitude in a couple sentences. There’s no need to go on and on thanking every person individually by name.

Making Sure You're Prepared

• Treat your speech like you would a school assignment. Compose several drafts, check it for errors and have a friend proofread it to make sure it sounds good.

• Familiarize yourself with the order of presentation if multiple speeches are to be given.
• Don’t spend the entire ceremony fretting over your speech. If you’re sufficiently prepared, you won’t need to give it a second thought until it’s time for you to deliver it.

• Know your speech word for word, but try not to sound like you’re simply reciting it from memory. Pace yourself and give every passage emphasis, emotion and clarity.

• Put your entire speech on a couple note cards rather than a several large sheets of paper. Not only will this look better, it will help you keep your speech at the appropriate length.
• Only look at your notes if you draw a blank or forget the next part. This will allow you to keep your eyes up and engage your audience. Even the most riveting speech will be a bore if the person giving it is reading off a note card the whole time.

Giving the Speech

• Take a few slow, deep breaths. Think about what you’re saying and shut out all other distractions. Imagine that you’re giving your speech to one person instead of a room full of people.
• Have a drink or two if it helps your nerves. Just don’t have too many—you want to be focused and clear-headed when it’s time for you to take the floor.

• It’s perfectly okay to give a short speech. Simply say a few kind words, raise a toast and hand back the microphone.
• Speak slowly and deliberately. It’s easy to start chattering too fast when you’re nervous. By talking slower than you feel like you need to, you’ll probably be going at just the right speed.
• People who are underprepared or extremely anxious tend to talk aimlessly. Avoid this by sticking to what you’ve written and look to the crowd for cues about when their attention is evaporating.

• Take a moment to speak to the bride and/or groom directly.
• It’s normal to get a little choked up! As long as you can finish your speech, there’s no need to worry. It may even be flattering, as it will show the people you’re talking about how much you truly care.

• It’s customary for the best man or groomsmen to toast the bride, and the maid of honor to toast the groom.

Expert Q&A

• Keep quotes to a minimum, as other people's words can distract from what you're trying to say yourself. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
• If you're stumped on how your speech should flow, approach it the way you would a story: give it a beginning, middle and end. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
• Ask an honest, objective friend to give you feedback on your speech after you've finished writing it. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• Never use a premade template you find on the internet to write a wedding speech. Your speech should be a product of your own unique thoughts, feelings and experiences. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 1
• Don't drink too much before delivering your speech. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 1
• Leave out especially embarrassing or offensive anecdotes. These are usually considered bad form. You're supposed to be honoring the married couple, not getting a laugh at their expense. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 3

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• ↑ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2110745/Lost-words-Top-tips-write-winning-wedding-speech-deliver-like-pro.html
• ↑ https://www.theknot.com/content/wedding-toasting-tips-for-the-maid-of-honor
• ↑ https://www.presentationmagazine.com/the-structure-and-etiquette-of-wedding-speeches-1041.htm
• ↑ http://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/07/22/how-to-write-deliver-good-best-man-speech/
• ↑ https://www.theknot.com/content/wedding-toasting-tips-for-the-maid-of-honor/
• ↑ https://finley-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/doe/sws/schools/f/finley-h/localcontent/how_to_write_a_speech.pdf
• ↑ https://mediacenter.toastmasters.org/2014-07-01-10-Tips-for-the-Perfect-Wedding-Toast

About This Article

To write a wedding speech, start by introducing yourself and explaining how you know the bride and groom. Then, share some fond memories, like stories from when you were kids or how you met. Next, offer well-wishes to the bride and groom, such as wishing them health, happiness, and prosperity. Alternatively, try opening with a joke or funny anecdote, but make sure that your remarks are appropriate for everyone in attendance. Finally, briefly thank everyone for coming and for making the celebration possible. For tips on how to memorize your speech so that it doesn’t sound rehearsed, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Struggling to Write a Wedding Speech? It’s All in the Details.

If you’ve been charged with saying a few words about the newlyweds, here are some tips to help ease your anxiety and inspire you to speak from the heart.

By Dina Gachman

Massive parties with 10-piece bands and champagne fountains gave way to backyard microweddings and Zoom celebrations during the pandemic. But one tradition has stayed strong, and even thrived, over the last year: the wedding speech.

Love them or hate them, “a speech gives people something to talk about, and it’s an amazing bonding juice,” says Heidi Ellert-McDermott, the founder of Speechy , a British company that creates bespoke speeches for weddings around the world. “It can really kick-start a party.”

Public speaking, whether it’s in front of 10 people or 100, can be intimidating, and if you’ve ever sat through a lengthy, cliché-riddled wedding speech, you know it’s not so easy to pull off a memorable toast.

“We’re all so acutely aware that no one has any idea what tomorrow will bring,” said Marisa Polansky, a founder of the Brooklyn-based speech writing service Speech Tank with Kristine Keller. “The fact that two people want to tackle that tomorrow together feels especially noteworthy. As such, there’s more pressure on speeches to bring a weightiness or gravitas to the event, I think. But it’s an opportunity, too.”

If you’ve been charged with saying a few words about the couple, there are a few things to remember that will help you ease your anxiety and inspire you to speak from the heart.

Ask Yourself ‘Why Me?’

If you’re staring at a blank page, take a step back and think about your relationship to the couple. “Start by asking yourself why you’re giving the speech,” said Tess Barker , 38, a Los Angeles-based comedian who has a “deep résumé as a bridesmaid.” Thinking about your relationship to the couple can help you focus on memories you share, and remind you that you’re not giving a State of the Union address — you’re simply speaking to someone you care about.

Don’t Do It Alone

There’s a tendency to think of the speech-writing process as something solitary, but Speechy’s Ms. Ellert-McDermott suggests making it a group effort. “Don’t confine it to this secret thing that has to be done in a dark room the night before when you’re panicking,” she said. Ms. Ellert-McDermott suggests inviting the couple or other friends to brainstorm with you. Gather stories or find out traits or quirks about the couple that other friends or family love.

Ditch the Thank Yous

Don’t start your speech by thanking the guests, the DJ, the florist, the parents, and the band. “Anyone who has listened to an Oscars acceptance speech knows that thank yous are boring,” Ms. Ellert-McDermott said. You can thank people individually, and instead center your speech on stories, humor and emotion. A quick, “Thanks for coming” won’t ruin a speech, but it shouldn’t be the focus.

Find a Theme

Instead of talking about everything there is to know about the couple , narrow it down by identifying a theme. “It will help you stay focused and not be too long-winded, and build an outline,” said Carla Eustache, 38, the owner of Style Perfect Events , which is based in Charlotte, N.C. Ms. Eustache said she has noticed an increase in speeches about resilience and perseverance since the pandemic, but your theme doesn’t have to be lofty. It can center on the bride’s obsession with finding the perfect taco, or the groom’s horrible singing voice. “If you can spot a theme in all the randomness, then that’s how it all comes together,” Ms. Ellert-McDermott said.

[ Sign up for Love Letter and always get the latest in Modern Love, weddings, and relationships in the news by email. ]

Cut the Clichés

It’s easy to panic and Google a wedding speech template, but cut-and-paste jobs rarely make memorable speeches. If you find yourself writing a string of clichés, toss your speech and get down to basics, said Jason Mitchell Kahn , a New York-based wedding planner and the author of “Getting Groomed: The Ultimate Wedding Planner For Gay Grooms.” “When a client comes to me,” he said, “we focus on three points to hit: how you met, what you loved about them before they met each other, and how you’ve seen their lives enriched as they’ve commingled.” Another tip: Don’t say things like “they’re perfect for each other,” because, as Ms. Ellert-McDermott said, “nobody’s perfect.” Also, try to avoid quotes. “We’ve never heard a good speech that started, ‘As Jane Austen once said,’” said Ms. Keller of Speech Tank.

Know Your Audience

The pandemic has caused many weddings to become smaller and more intimate, which means speeches can get more personal and casual. The key is to read the room, whether it’s virtual or in person. “Don’t talk about a wild night in Vegas on drugs,” Ms. Barker said. “Remember there might be grandparents there.” She also suggests addressing both of the newlyweds. “When someone just gushes over one of the parties, it can get awkward.” Another key to avoiding awkwardness is not leaving people out. “Inside jokes always fall flat,” Ms. Eustache added.

Keep It Short, and Speak Up

Longer doesn’t equal better. Most speech-writing experts suggest three to five minutes, tops. “No one ever gets upset if a speech is too short,” Ms. Keller said. Most experts also prefer holding a piece of paper to scrolling through a phone or device, since that can affect the flow of your speech. Leave the phone at the table, practice, memorize as much as you can, and don’t forget to breathe. With the popularity of outdoor weddings becoming a post-pandemic trend, Mr. Kahn offers another important tip: “Always have a microphone,” he said. “There’s nothing more frustrating than a good speech that people can’t hear.”

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Wedding Speeches: How to Write and Deliver a Memorable Toast

Wedding speeches are an important tradition that adds a personal touch to the wedding celebration. They allow loved ones to share their feelings and memories, express gratitude, and wish the newlyweds a lifetime of happiness. However, with the rising trend of online marriages due to the ongoing pandemic, wedding speeches have taken on a new form. Online marriages refer to weddings that take place virtually, with the couple and their guests participating from different locations through video conferencing platforms. 

In this post, we will discuss how to write and deliver a memorable toast, both for in-person and virtual weddings.

Who gives speeches at a wedding?

At a traditional wedding, certain people are expected to give speeches. These people include the father of the bride, the best man, and the maid of honor. 

Here is a breakdown of the traditional roles of speech givers at a wedding:

• Father of the Bride: This speech is typically the first one given, and it sets the tone for the rest of the speeches. The father of the bride welcomes the guests, thanks them for coming, and talks about his daughter and his relationship with her. He will usually end the speech by toasting the newlyweds.
• Groom: The groom will usually give a speech after the father of the bride. He thanks everyone for coming, talks about his bride and their relationship, and thanks her parents for their support. He will usually end the speech by toasting his bride.
• Best Man: The best man is responsible for giving the final speech of the night. He will typically start by thanking the groom for choosing him as his best man. He will then share stories about the groom, including some embarrassing ones, and end by toasting the newlyweds.
• Maid of Honor: The maid of honor will typically give a speech after the groom. She will thank the bride for choosing her as her maid of honor, share stories about the bride, and offer advice for a happy marriage. She will also usually end by toasting the newlyweds.

However, more modern variations have emerged over the years, and other people may give speeches at a wedding as well. These could include the mother of the bride, the bride herself, the groom's parents, or close friends of the couple. It's important to keep in mind the wishes of the couple and to ensure that all speeches are appropriate and in good taste.

Tips for Writing a great wedding speech

Here are some tips to help you write a great wedding speech:

• Prepare and Practice: Don't wait until the last minute to start writing your speech. Give yourself plenty of time to prepare and practice. Write down your thoughts and ideas, and then organize them into a logical structure. Practice delivering your speech several times, either by yourself or in front of a trusted friend or family member.
• Structure Your Speech: A great wedding speech typically follows a basic structure. Start with an attention-grabbing opening that will capture the audience's attention. Then, move on to the body of your speech, where you will share your thoughts, stories, and advice. Finally, end with a memorable conclusion and a toast to the newlyweds.
• Keep it Positive: A wedding is a joyous occasion, so keep your speech positive and uplifting. Share stories that celebrate the love and happiness of the couple, and offer words of encouragement and support.
• Use Humor Wisely: Humor can be a great way to connect with the audience and lighten the mood, but be careful not to go overboard. Avoid jokes that are inappropriate or offensive, and keep in mind that what may be funny to you may not be funny to everyone.
• Share Personal Anecdotes: Personal anecdotes are a great way to personalize your speech and connect with the couple and the audience. Share stories that highlight the couple's strengths and unique qualities, and that demonstrate the love and support they have for each other.
• Avoid Sensitive Topics: Avoid topics that may be sensitive or controversial, such as politics, religion, or past relationships. Stick to positive and uplifting messages that celebrate the love and happiness of the couple.

Tips for delivering a great wedding speech

Here are some tips to help you deliver a memorable speech with confidence:

• Manage Your Nerves: It's normal to feel nervous before giving a speech, but there are techniques you can use to manage your nerves. Take some deep breaths, visualize a positive outcome, and remind yourself that the audience is there to support you.
• Project Your Voice: Make sure you speak clearly and project your voice so that everyone in the audience can hear you. Take your time, speak at a moderate pace, and avoid rushing through your speech.
• Maintain Eye Contact: Maintain eye contact with the audience to help build a connection with them. Look around the room and make eye contact with different people, but avoid staring at one person for too long.
• Use Pauses: Using pauses can help you emphasize key points and give the audience time to digest what you're saying. Don't be afraid to take a moment to gather your thoughts and take a breath before continuing.
• Vary Your Tone: Varying your tone can help you keep the audience engaged and prevent your speech from sounding monotonous. Use inflection to emphasize key points, and adjust your tone to match the mood of the moment.
• Practice, Practice, Practice: The more you practice your speech, the more confident you'll feel on the day of the wedding. Practice in front of a mirror, record yourself or give your speech to a trusted friend or family member for feedback.

Examples of great wedding speeches

Here are some examples of great wedding speeches to inspire you:

• Father of the Bride Speech: This father of the bride speech is both touching and humorous. He speaks from the heart and uses personal anecdotes to illustrate his love for his daughter and his joy at seeing her marry the man she loves.
• Best Man Speech: This best man speech is funny, charming, and heartfelt. He tells stories about the groom that show both his good qualities and his quirks, and he ends with a touching message of support for the newlyweds.
• Maid of Honor Speech: This maid of honor speech is both heartfelt and inspiring. She talks about the bride's strengths and qualities and offers a message of love and support to the happy couple.
• Bride's Speech: This bride's speech is touching and emotional. She speaks about her love for her new husband and her gratitude for the support of her family and friends.

What makes these speeches effective is that they all have a clear structure, with an opening that captures the audience's attention, a body that tells personal stories or expresses heartfelt sentiments, and a conclusion that offers words of wisdom or congratulations to the happy couple.

For more inspiration, there are many online resources that offer examples of great wedding speeches, including Hitched , Wedding Forward , and LoveToKnow Weddings . 

Additionally, In the spirit of embracing new experiences, you may want to craft a heartfelt and personalized wedding speech by using Provenance , which has a number of modern online tools, including a Ceremony Builder, Vow Builder, and Toast Builder, as well as more in-depth services like professional speechwriting and public speaking services.

Wedding speeches are an important part of any wedding ceremony, as they provide an opportunity for loved ones to express their feelings and support for the happy couple. Whether you are the father of the bride, the maid of honor, or any other speech giver, there are certain tips and techniques you can use to write and deliver a great wedding speech that will be remembered for years to come.

Remember, a great wedding speech can have a profound impact on the newlyweds and their guests, and can create cherished memories that last a lifetime. So, if you have a wedding coming up, start preparing your speech early, and use the tips and resources we've discussed to create a memorable and meaningful tribute to the happy couple.

Common questions

What is the best time during the wedding for speeches?

Traditionally, speeches are given after the meal and before the cutting of the cake. This allows everyone to enjoy their food and drinks before the speeches begin and also ensures that the speeches do not run too late into the night. However, some couples may choose to have speeches earlier in the evening or during the reception, depending on their personal preference.

How long should a wedding speech be?

The length of a wedding speech can vary, but generally, it should be no longer than 5-7 minutes. This allows enough time to deliver a heartfelt message or share a few humorous anecdotes without losing the attention of the audience.

Is it okay to use humor in a wedding speech?

Yes, it is perfectly fine to use humor in a wedding speech, as long as it is appropriate and not at the expense of anyone present. However, it's important to balance humor with sincere sentiments, so that the speech doesn't become too light-hearted or frivolous.

What should I do if I forget my speech during delivery?

If you forget your speech during delivery, take a deep breath and try to remain calm. You can take a moment to gather your thoughts, look down at your notes (if you have them), or ask someone to prompt you with a question. If all else fails, you can simply speak from the heart and express your feelings in your own words.

How can I involve the audience in my speech?

One way to involve the audience in your speech is to ask them a question or invite them to participate in a brief activity. For example, you could ask them to raise their glasses for a toast or have them shout out a particular phrase or response at certain points in your speech.

How do I end a wedding speech?

A good way to end a wedding speech is to offer a message of congratulations or well wishes to the happy couple. You can also thank them for the opportunity to speak and express your gratitude to those who helped make the wedding day special. Finally, you can invite everyone to join you in raising a glass for a final toast to the newlyweds.

Online Marriage with Courtly

In recent years, online marriage has emerged as a popular alternative to traditional in-person weddings. Online marriage allows couples to legally tie the knot without the need for physical presence in a courthouse or a place of worship. One platform that has garnered a lot of attention for its online marriage services is Courtly. We offer customizable ceremonies, licensed officiants, and a virtual marriage license, making the entire process streamlined and efficient. 

Couples can choose from a range of ceremony options, including secular, religious, and interfaith ceremonies. Furthermore, we offer additional services such as wedding planning, premarital counseling, and online resources to help couples prepare for their big day.

One of the key benefits of online marriage with Courtly is convenience. Couples can get married from the comfort of their own home, without the need for travel or extensive planning. This can be particularly appealing for those who have busy schedules, are unable to travel, or simply prefer a more intimate ceremony. Additionally, the online marriage option may be more affordable than a traditional wedding, as it eliminates many of the expenses associated with a physical ceremony.

However, it is important to note that online marriage is not without its drawbacks. Some may argue that an online ceremony lacks the personal touch and emotional impact of a physical wedding. Some countries may not recognize online marriage as a legally valid option, which can be a barrier for couples looking to obtain legal recognition of their union. It is important to do thorough research and ensure that online marriage is a legally valid option in your location before making any decisions.

Let us handle the paperwork.

Getting married is complicated. Courtly simplifies the process and provides everything necessary to get married online, including providing a licensed officiant who can perform a remote ceremony.

Get married online.

Getting married is complicated. Courtly simplifies the process and provides everything necessary to get married online.

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How to Write Your Wedding Speech: Etiquette Tips and Wording Examples

Writing and delivering your wedding speech can feel almost as nerve-wracking as sharing your vows! While your wedding speech is an amazing opportunity to give a special thanks to your loved ones, it can also be seriously daunting.

The good news? There are some super simple guidelines to follow when it comes to writing an engaging and memorable wedding speech, and it’s probably easier than you think. Keep reading for our top wedding speech tips, templates and wording examples to inspire you for your own big day.

Should You Give a Speech at Your Wedding?

You might be wondering if you really need to give a speech at your wedding in the first place. Isn’t that job reserved for your cheeky best man and proud parents?

With all of the craziness surrounding your wedding day, it can be tempting to leave all of the speeches up to your loved ones. But truthfully, we think a speech from the happy couple is a beautiful addition to any wedding reception.

Think about it like this. How many opportunities do you have to show your appreciation for all of your favourite people together in one place? Not to mention any guests who have made an effort to travel, help out with the wedding preparations, or simply support your relationship over the years. There’s bound to be some well-deserved words of thanks for the special people in your life, and a heartfelt toast is the perfect way to show your gratitude.

What Does a Bride or Groom’s Wedding Speech Need to Include?

There are a few essential elements to tick off throughout your wedding speech to ensure it’s a great one. Your wedding speech doesn’t have to be long (or boring!). It can be short and sweet, formal or informal, cheeky or playful. You can deliver your speech together with your partner, or say a few words individually – whatever feels right for you!

No matter which format you choose, it’s important to thank the right people, keep your guests engaged, and maybe even get them laughing. Keep the following guidelines in mind as you begin crafting your wedding speech:

• A quick introduction. Whether it’s a formal welcome, or a funny joke to break the ice.
• A special thank you to any guests who have travelled
• A general thank you to everyone for attending
• A special thank you to any loved ones who have helped you out with the wedding preparations (like your parents, bridal party or siblings)
• How you met
• The moment you realised they were “the one”
• Your proposal story
• Your funniest memory together
• A memorable adventure shared
• Words of affection. If you’re delivering your speeches individually, take this time to share a few heartfelt words of affection to your partner. You can talk about how much they mean to you, their best qualities, and your hopes and dreams for the future.
• A toast. End your speech with a toast to your new partner – or if you’re delivering your speech together, a toast to all of your loved ones for being there.

Wedding Speech Wording Examples

Now that you know what needs to be included in your wedding speech, how do you pull it all together? Personally, we think the best wedding speeches are warm and light-hearted with a good dose of humour, while still being meaningful and sincere.

If you’re feeling stuck with writer’s block, draw some inspiration from our wedding speech templates below. We’ve included options that range from formal to cheeky to best suit the tone of your day!

The introduction:

“Hi everyone, and welcome to our wedding reception – it means the world to have you all here”

“Hi everyone – I guess it’s time for me to do this speech I scribbled down this morning over a glass of champagne!”

“Hi everyone. Before I go any further, I just wanted to make a quick toast to some really important people who I’m sure you’ll meet throughout the evening. Without them, honestly, none of this would be possible. Here’s to our bartenders!”

Words of appreciation:

“I want to first say a huge thank you to each and every one of you for being here. We feel incredibly grateful to have such an amazing group of friends and family, and it means the world to have all of our favourite people together in one place.

There are a few people in particular that deserve a special shout out. First, to our loved ones who have travelled interstate or overseas – [ make mention of guests who have travelled, or the different locations people have travelled from ]. We really appreciate you making the effort to join us – it wouldn’t be the same without you here!

I also wanted to say thank you to the people who have helped us plan this day, especially [ make mention of your bridal party members, parents, siblings or other helpers ]. We couldn’t have done this without your generosity and support.

And of course, to [ partner’s parents/family members ] who have always welcomed me with open arms. I feel very lucky to be joining such an amazing family today!”

Light-hearted anecdotes:

“It feels so surreal to be standing here at our wedding reception. It seems like only yesterday we [ share a funny anecdote about your first date, or the beginning of your relationship ]”

“I know that some of you might not remember how [ partner ] and I first met, and I feel like this is the perfect time to take a walk down memory lane – [ share a sweet memory or funny story about how you met ]”

When I first met [ partner ], I was instantly attracted to his rugged good looks and quiet confidence. Little did I know I was signing up to a lifetime of [ share a funny quirk, hobby or passion of your partner – for example, “failed cooking attempts and bad dad jokes”]

Where do I start with [ partner ]? They’re smart, good looking, kind, charming – sorry, [ partner ], I’m having trouble reading your handwriting. You’ll have to tell me the rest later.”

Words of affection:

“In all seriousness, I did want to say a few words to [ partner ]. You make me so happy, from the way you [ share something you love about your partner ] to the way you [ share some of your partner’s best qualities ]. Thank you for everything.”

“All jokes aside, I honestly don’t know where I would be without [ partner ]. Over the years, we’ve [ talk about your shared experiences, achievements and milestones ]. I can’t think of a better person to share the rest of my life with.”

“So with that being said, I’d like to raise a toast to the love of my life, my new [ husband/wife ]. Cheers!”

“So before we get back to the party, I want to raise a toast to my partner-in-crime, my best friend and my new [ husband/wife ]. Here’s to [ partner ]!”

“So now that the speeches are out of the way, let’s get back to the open bar! We love you all, and can’t wait to spend the rest of the night celebrating with you. We’d like to raise a toast to you guys, our favourite people on the planet. Thank you for being here!”

Wedding Speech Etiquette Tips

While the above templates and wording examples can be a great starting point, you have complete freedom to personalise your wedding speech however you like! Whether you want to keep things sweet and silly or romantic and heartfelt, your speech should reflect your personality and the relationship you share with your partner.

With that being said, there are a few etiquette tips to keep in mind for a well-received wedding speech:

• If you and your partner are writing your speeches separately, be sure to agree on length and tone before you get started. You don’t want to plan a hilarious speech packed with jokes and funny anecdotes, only to have your partner deliver something deep and meaningful in return.
• Don’t embarrass your partner! While playful jokes and funny stories are always a good idea, be mindful of where to draw the line.
• Keep it short and sweet, especially if you have loved ones delivering their own speeches, too. Between 3-5 minutes is ideal, with 10 minutes being the absolute maximum.
• You don’t need to go into specific detail when it comes to thanking your parents for any financial contributions. Talking about money during your wedding speech might feel a little awkward! Instead, make mention of their generosity and support instead.
• Practice makes perfect! If the thought of delivering your wedding speech feels seriously daunting, be sure to practice your speech out loud before the day to boost your confidence. Try to memorise the most important elements of your speech until you feel comfortable, so you don’t have to rely solely on your notes.

Remember, it’s usually the thought of delivering your wedding speech that feels the most terrifying. Once you get started, you’ll find the nerves will quickly fade away. Simply keep these wedding speech guidelines in mind, speak from the heart, and you can’t go wrong. You’ve got this!

Need some help writing your vows, too? Check out our ultimate guide to writing your wedding vows here for some wording examples to get you started.

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Image by Hugo Coelho . See more of this real wedding here . Read on about nailing wedding speeches and toasts

Wedding speeches and toasts may be the most daunting things to write and deliver, but they’re also one of the best parts of any wedding. They give guests a unique perspective on the couple, make you laugh, make you cry, and bring the room together. So, to take some of the pressure off your shoulders, here are some tried-and-true tips for writing a killer wedding speech and toast!

Image by Emily Delamater Photography . See more of this real wedding here

The Basics Of Wedding Speeches and Toasts

Who gives toasts and speeches.

Traditionally, the best man, the maid of honor (MOH), and both sets of parents give speeches for the couple. You’ll also find that the couple gives a welcome and gratitude speech. However, here at Junebug , we believe it’s entirely up to you and what you want for your special day. 

We’ve seen brides give the newlywed speech, and we’ve seen best friends give speeches instead of the MOH or best man. If you’re going the non-traditional route, we don’t recommend an open-mic situation where anyone can speak, and we don’t recommend having more than five speeches or guests will start to get restless.

When do speeches and toasts take place?

Most speeches and wedding toasts are given during the wedding reception , either before or after dinner. If you’d rather they be more intimate or you aren’t having a traditional reception, you can also have them take place at the rehearsal dinner .

What is the correct order for speeches?

Did you know that wedding speeches have a logistical order that is typically followed? While it may seem like such a minute detail, it actually makes more sense than you’d imagine. It usually starts with the couple. This gives you the opportunity to welcome and thank your guests for coming. From there, it traditionally goes in this order:

• The hosts (typically the parents)
• Maid of honor

Every couple has their preferences on who they want to speak and the order in which they want them to speak. As we mentioned earlier, it’s your wedding. If you have a maid of honor who hates public speaking, or you want your best friend to give the speech rather than your best man, go for it. The same goes for the order we just listed.

How long should wedding speeches and toasts go?

No matter how long you’ve known each other, try to keep speeches under five minutes. In fact, three minutes is the sweet spot. Even if you have countless things to say, three minutes can feel a lot longer than you’d expect. Keeping it short and sweet will keep everything, including the newlyweds, happy.

Image by Ana Hinojosa . See more of this real wedding here

Steps For Writing Killer Wedding Speeches and Toasts

The hardest part of writing a speech is knowing where to start. If you’re drawing a blank or having difficulty narrowing down the stories you want to tell, start by making a list of your favorite qualities about the newlyweds. Chances are there are many amazing qualities about them, so making a list of your top three favorites will help you craft a personalized speech tailored to them.

To expand beyond that, you can ask yourself these questions as well:

Questions To Ask Yourself

• Is there anyone speaking before or after you? If so, how will it affect the content of your speech?
• What is the general tone you want to convey in your speech? Emotional? Joy? Funny?
• What are some of your favorite memories with the newlyweds? These memories can be based on the individual getting married or them as a couple
• What do you see when you envision their future with one another?
• Is there any advice that you want to share?

When it’s time to start writing, use the following general outline to help create a great speech from beginning to end.

1. Introduce Yourself

Tell everyone your name and a brief explanation of how and when you met the couple or how you’re related. Everyone may not already know who you are, so a little context will go a long way.

2. Tell A Relevant Story

Go back to the list you created and choose a story that reflects the qualities you love most about the couple. This should be relatable, endearing, and appropriate. Make sure you have a point to the story so that you can seamlessly tie it into your speech at the end.

3. Reminisce about the day you met their partner

Everyone in that room will likely have seen different pieces of the couple’s love story, so tell their story from your perspective. Talk about the day you met their significant other for the first time and the moment you realized this was the person they were going to marry.

4. Talk about what you love about their partner

Although your main responsibility is to talk about one of the newlyweds, every speech should ultimately be about both of them. Tell their partner why they are the best choice for your friend and what qualities you love most about them.

5. Talk about your hopes for their future as a couple

If you’re married, this is where you can insert your best piece(s) of advice for a healthy marriage. If you’re not married, wish them a long, happy, and healthy life together. Make your wishes and your advice personal to their relationship and end on a positive, optimistic, and heartfelt vision of their future.

6. End with a toast

Ending a speech can be just as challenging as starting it, which is why we recommend ending with a wedding toast. Ask everyone to raise their glass and toast to the wonderful couple—and, in your own mind, to the killer speech you just gave!

Junebug Tip:

The Art of Etiquette’s wedding guest books include ten speech sheets that will give a beautiful space for your loved ones to write the perfect speech that is short, sweet, and sentimental. We love that they’ve included these thoughtful speech sheets that will double as a wedding keepsake in your guest book.

Image by Annabelle Agnew Photography . See more of this real wedding here

Tips For Giving Wedding Speeches and Toasts

Don’t drink too much beforehand.

We love open bars at weddings as much as the next person, but you don’t want to be slurring your words or drunkenly rambling in front of everyone. Just a couple of sips of liquid courage will get you through those few minutes in front of the crowd, we promise!

Don’t make it about you

It’s okay to be relatable by telling a story, but remember that this speech is about them . After you’ve introduced yourself, move on to talking about the newlyweds and their relationship.

Don’t humiliate the couple

There’s nothing wrong with jokes. In fact, some of the best toasts and speeches inject humor throughout. However, don’t use crude language, tell inappropriate stories, or mention past relationships. The moral of the story is if there’s even the slightest chance someone could feel uncomfortable about something you want to say, leave it out.

Keep it short and sweet

We mentioned this earlier, but it’s an important one! Chances are there will be at least two other people giving speeches before or after you, so keep your speech to five minutes max . If you go any longer than that, the couple and their guests may start getting a little antsy. If you aren’t sure how long your speech will take, our next tip will help.

Practice beforehand

You practice for speeches for school and work, why should a wedding be any different? Rehearse your speech with a friend or in front of the mirror. It will help get some of the nerves out and allow you to make sure it all flows before the big moment. 

Keep in mind that you’ll naturally speak more quickly when you’re handed the microphone, so as you’re practicing make sure you remind yourself to slow down. 

Write your speech down

With all the excitement and nerves of the day, there is a good chance you’ll blank out or forget parts of your speech. Even if you plan to memorize it, write it down and bring it with you just in case. Nobody will fault you for holding notes–just be sure to look up occasionally!

Pass these tips along to everyone giving a speech and toast at your wedding, and get ready for some pretty epic and heartfelt moments! Then start thinking about how to keep the party going all night with these wedding reception songs guaranteed to get your guests dancing .

Image by Jordan Jankun Photography

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Being the standout at the wedding speeches and toast is quite tricky. You have to be funny for everyone, or even a heartfelt story to tell for the guest and couple. This guide really tick all the boxes for build an ultimate wedding speech.

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How to write the perfect wedding speech

Easy Weddings

Whether you’re a wordsmith or not, the prospect of crafting and giving a wedding speech can be a little nerve-wracking — particularly if you’ve never had the pleasure. To make things easier, we’ve compiled 10 tips to help you nail your wedding speech.

If you’ve been sitting in front of a notepad for approximately two hours and three coffees, procrastinating writing a killer wedding speech because you haven’t the foggiest where to start, then let us provide some relief and inspo.

Between the team, we’ve brainstormed 10 tips we think will help you nix the butterflies, knuckle down, and write a bangin’ wedding speech that guests will be talking about (favourably) for years to come.

10 tips for writing the perfect wedding speech.

1. Engage your audience.

If you pay attention to only one of these tips, it should definitely be this one! Giving a wedding speech is a lot like telling a story. If you’re not making eye contact or speaking with tone, they’re going to lose interest very quickly. It’s always beneficial to put personality and flair into a speech.

This comes out naturally when chatting to a group of friends or when reading to a child. Take a deep breath, relax, and speak conversationally — not formally as if you’re about to give your year 11 science presentation.

Bonus tip: Try not to read from a sheet or cue cards if possible, and if you must use them, stick to brief notes and dot points. This will help you tell the story far more naturally.

2. Structure.

Sticking with the analogy of a speech being like a story, it’s a good idea to think carefully about the structure. Great stories have a beginning, a middle and an end — and your speech will be easier to follow should it be structured in a similar way.

Bonus tip: Conclude your speech by referring back to your opening remarks.

3. Balance humour with emotion.

Adding a couple of zingers or funny lines is a fantastic way to get the audience to engage with your speech, but remember, no one is expecting you to be the next Jerry Seinfeld!

Humour should ideally be used in moderation, and your bestie’s reception isn’t an opportunity for you to perfect your stand-up comedy routine (yes, even if it’s really good).

You might like to start out with a good joke to break the ice, but keep in mind that grandparents and children are likely to be present so avoid anything too risqué .

Bonus tip: Balancing jokes with emotional anecdotes is a surefire way to nail your speech.

4. Don’t get wasted.

Do we… even need to say this one? No matter how nervous you are, it’s not especially wise to down eight cocktails pre-speech. Giving a wedding toast when drunk is a recipe for disaster — and embarrassment for your friend.

It’s smart to set yourself a limit, such as only having one or two drinks before giving your speech. That way you can settle your nerves without being in danger of slurring your words.

5. Timing is everything.

Trust us, if you go on for too long, things will get a little… awkward. Cue guests shifting in their seats and polite smiles from the happy couple. When it comes to giving a wedding speech, it’s important that you keep it short and sweet. Aim for around five minutes and you will be on the right track.

Bonus tip: Time yourself when practising. Or better yet, present your speech to someone else and ask them if they think it’s getting a little monologue-y.

6. Take it seriously.

One thing that you need to keep in mind is that being asked to deliver a speech at someone’s wedding is * Anchorman voice* kind of a big deal . While it’s okay — nay, encouraged — to have a little fun with it, it’s still important to take the responsibility very seriously. You have the honour of telling the happy couple’s story so you need to treat it with the respect it deserves.

7. Practise makes perfect.

The less you need to rely on your notes, the more natural your speech is going to sound on the day. The best way to get yourself to a point where you are not dependent on your notes is to practise, practise, practise! Run through your speech at every opportunity using everyone and anyone as your trial audience.

Bonus tip: Beginning practising is difficult as you actually need to think about giving the speech. Try to push through the nerves and practise anyway, even if you feel silly — your future self will thank you for it.

8. Choose a quote.

If you’re at a loss finding somewhere to start, then it can be useful to include a quote or a song lyric. However, make sure that the quote you choose is appropriate.

Stay away from tired quotes that have been done to death and pick out something that really means something to the newlyweds.

READ MORE: Need song recommendations? These beautiful wedding songs are big hits with our readers.

9. Know your own style.

So, we’ve mentioned that when giving a wedding speech you’re going to want to connect with your audience. And if you’re forcing yourself to be someone that you’re not, then you’re going to find this a bit tricky.

If you’re not exactly known for being a laugh a minute then don’t feel pressured to make jokes! Similarly, if you’re generally a bit of a clown, then a formal, sentimental speech might not feel genuine. Instead, play to your strengths.

Bonus tip: Determine your own personal style and stay true to it.

Above all else, relax! Your speech is just a few minutes of the whole day, and everyone wants you to do well. Remember why you’re doing this: you love your friend and want to congratulate them and wish them a happy marriage — try to focus on them and what they mean to you.

READ MORE: Real brides share their best hens and bucks party ideas

So you’ve nailed the perfect speech, but have you planned the bachelor or bachelorette party? You’ll find some fab ideas when perusing our list of hens and bucks suppliers .

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How to Write a Wedding Toast: Examples, Tips, and Advice

Make sure your moment in the spotlight is memorable—in a good way!

Jaimie Mackey was the real weddings editor at Brides from 2013 to 2015. She also worked as a luxury wedding planner and produced over 100 high-end weddings and events in Colorado

Photo by Olivia & Dan Photography

In This Article

Figuring out how to write a wedding toast can be an incredibly intimidating and nerve-inducing task. Wedding toasts can go one of two ways: They’re either hilarious, memorable, and totally sweet, or a train wreck waiting to happen. Every couple hopes the speeches at the reception fall into the first category, but there’s no guarantee—until now.

To combat those awful speeches, Marisa Polansky and Kristine Keller founded Speech Tank , offering completely custom, one-of-a-kind toasts for any occasion. And what better reason to turn to the experts than for your best friend’s wedding? We sat down with Polansky and Keller to get the inside scoop on writing a totally killer speech . With their help, your audience will be begging for an encore!

Meet the Expert

• Marisa Polansky is a book editor, author, and co-founder of Speech Tank, a collaborative speech-writing service for any occasion.
• Kristine Keller is a writer and the co-founder of Speech Tank.

Wedding Toast Template

Your wedding toast should be meaningful, but not drawn out. Make sure to have a beginning, middle, and end.

While everyone's speech will be unique to them and their relationship with the couple, we put together a general outline to help you get started.

• Congratulate the couple. Express how happy you are that the two of them are getting married and what it means to you to witness it.
• Introduce yourself. Not everyone will know you met the bride or groom at the fourth-grade space camp, so be sure to let guests know about your relationship with the couple before you dive into your speech.
• Tell a (curated) story. When you’re writing your speech, “Choose anecdotes that all fit a theme and support your argument,” Keller says. The theme will help tie it together, making your toast feel intentional instead of random.
• Address both partners. You may not know them both well, but you shouldn’t focus all of your attention on your friend and ignore their new spouse. “Even if you’ve only met your friend’s partner once or twice before, find a way to include him or her in your toast,” Polansky says. “Tell the story of their engagement or share something your friend told you about them that proves what a great partner he or she is.”
• Go for the crowd-pleasers. “Anything that’s an inside joke may have been funny at the time, but no one else will understand what you’re talking about,” Keller says. “Run your stories and jokes by a neutral audience to see if they are as funny as you think.” And remember, a little humor is fine, but this is a toast, not a roast!
• Raise your glass for a toast. To wrap up your speech, invite everyone to raise their glass to the couple, or to love, etc., then cheers glasses together and take a sip.

Don’t count on your phone, which may lock or turn off mid-speech. Instead, print out your toast or put it on note cards for reference. “It’s your moment to have the floor, so don’t risk forgetting your point!” Keller says.

Wedding Toast Tips

Here are Polansky and Keller's best tips for writing and delivering your wedding toast.

• Just get started. It’s your big moment, but figuring out where to start can be tough. “When we work with our clients, we always start with a stream of consciousness,” Keller says. “We ask them to just start telling us stories. You might not think every anecdote is important, but all of a sudden you’ll land on a real gem.”
• Start writing things down. When you’re doing this at home on your own, Polansky says to just start writing stuff down. “Put it all down on paper. Don’t worry about editing as you’re writing, just get it out and then go back and pick and choose details when you’re done.” This will help you identify a theme, which is what you’ll need to make your toast really memorable.
• Use examples. “If you’re trying to make a point about the bride or groom's personality—say, that she or he's particularly loyal—don’t just say that and move on. Pick a specific moment that proves your point. Have something to back it up!” Polansky says. Including some proof will make sure your listeners really buy what you’re saying about the couple.
• Make it quick. “The best length for a toast is about three minutes,” Polansky says. “It’s enough time to say what you need to say, but short enough that you’ll still have everyone’s attention when you ask them to raise their glasses to toast the happy couple.”
• Practice. Think you know what three minutes feels like? Think again. “Practice reading your speech out loud (not in your head!) and time yourself,” Polansky says. “Don’t wing it, especially if you’re nervous,” Polansky continues. “Give yourself time to prepare. Practice with an audience to check your timing, and give yourself time to make edits.”
• Don't overstuff your speech. “If you’re a fast talker, try to slow yourself down so everyone will understand you,” Polansky says. Better to cut a few lines than to try to fit a 10-minute toast into a three-minute time frame!
• Keep it clean-ish. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important to know your audience. “Cursing and stories about exes are totally off-limits,” Keller says.
• Don't embarrass the couple. “Ask yourself how each story will present the couple. If it sheds any negative light on either person, avoid it.” Continues Polansky, “Think about how close you are with the family as well as who you know will be there. Will it make the bride or groom's great aunt uncomfortable?”

Every time you feel nervous, tell yourself you're excited instead.

Get Brainstorming!

Now that you know the basics, here are a few questions to ask yourself to help you get started writing that killer wedding toast.

• What is your first memory of the bride/groom?
• What is your favorite memory of the bride/groom?
• What did they say when they first told you about their partner?
• How did you know they were meant to be?
• What has the bride/groom or the couple as a whole taught you?
• What qualities do you admire in them?
• When are times that they displayed these qualities?

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How to Write a Wedding Speech (with Examples)

by Ryan Hart | Updated on September 22, 2023 | Post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Writing a wedding speech can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially if you’ve never given one before. You want to make sure you honor the couple, entertain the guests, and avoid any embarrassing mishaps.

But don’t worry, with a little guidance , you can write a memorable wedding speech that will leave everyone feeling touched and inspired.

In this article, we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to write a wedding speech, along with examples to help you get started.

Whether you’re the best man, maid of honor, or a close friend or family member, we’ve got you covered. We’ll cover everything from how to structure your speech, to what to include, and even tips on how to deliver it with confidence.

What is a Wedding Speech?

A wedding speech is a way for family members and friends to honor the newly married couple, share their thoughts and memories, and wish them a happy future together.

It is a chance to express your gratitude for being part of their special day and to thank them for inviting you to share in their joy.

Wedding speeches are typically given at the rehearsal dinner , the day before the wedding, and toward the end of the reception dinner on the wedding day.

The best wedding speeches are heartfelt, sincere, and personal. They should reflect your relationship with the couple and your feelings towards them. A good wedding speech should be short, sweet, and to the point. It should not be too long, as it may become boring and lose the attention of the audience.

Knowing Your Role

When it comes to writing a wedding speech, it’s important to know your role in the wedding party. Here are some tips on how to approach writing your speech depending on your role:

Father of the Bride’s Speech

As the father of the bride , your speech should be heartfelt and emotional. Share stories about your daughter and the joy she has brought into your life. Welcome the groom into your family and express your love and support for the newlyweds.

Maid of Honor’s Speech

As the maid of honor, your speech should focus on the bride and your relationship with her. Share some funny stories or heartfelt moments that highlight her best qualities. Be sure to also thank the groom and his family for welcoming you into their lives.

Best Man’s Speech

As the best man, your speech should focus on the groom and your relationship with him. Share some funny anecdotes or stories that highlight his best qualities. Be sure to also thank the bride and her family for welcoming you into their lives.

Mother of the Bride’s Speech

As the mother of the bride, your speech should be heartfelt and emotional. Share stories about your daughter and the joy she has brought into your life. Welcome the groom into your family and express your love and support for the newlyweds.

Father of the Groom’s Speech

As the father of the groom, your speech should focus on the groom and your relationship with him. Share some funny anecdotes or stories that highlight his best qualities. Be sure to also thank the bride and her family for welcoming you into their lives.

Mother of the Groom’s Speech

As the mother of the groom, your speech should be heartfelt and emotional. Share stories about your son and the joy he has brought into your life. Welcome the bride into your family and express your love and support for the newlyweds.

Structuring Your Speech

When it comes to giving a wedding speech, structuring it properly is key. This will help you stay on track and deliver a memorable speech that hits all the right notes. Here are some tips on how to structure your wedding speech:

The opening of your speech is crucial as it sets the tone for the rest of your speech. Start by introducing yourself and your relationship to the couple. You can also thank the couple for inviting you to be a part of their special day.

If you’re nervous, it’s okay to start with a joke or a light-hearted anecdote to break the ice. Just make sure it’s appropriate for the occasion and doesn’t offend anyone.

The body of your speech is where you can share your thoughts and feelings about the couple. This is where you can tell a story or anecdote about the couple that highlights their love for each other.

You can also offer some words of wisdom or advice for the couple as they embark on this new journey together. This can be a great opportunity to share a quote or a poem that resonates with you.

The closing of your speech should be short and sweet. You can end with a final thought or sentiment about the couple and their future together. You can also thank the couple and their families for including you in their special day.

If you’re giving a toast , make sure to raise your glass and offer a heartfelt congratulations to the couple.

Example Wedding Speeches

Maid of honor speech example:.

Hello, everyone! I’m beyond thrilled to be here today as the Maid of Honor for these two incredible people. You know, when [Bride’s Name] asked me to be her Maid of Honor, my first thought was, ‘Does she really know me? Is she sure about this?’ But here I am, and I couldn’t be happier!

[Bride’s Name] and I have shared so many laughs, tears, and unforgettable moments over the years. We’ve been through thick and thin together. And when she introduced us to [Groom’s Name], it was like the missing piece of the puzzle just clicked into place.

Now, [Groom’s Name], I have to say, you’ve really brought out the best in [Bride’s Name]. You’ve filled her life with so much love, laughter, and joy. And I can’t thank you enough for that.

To the newlyweds, may your love continue to grow stronger with each passing day. May your journey together be filled with adventure, kindness, and endless inside jokes that only you two understand. And may your love story be as beautiful and inspiring as the two of you are.

So let’s raise our glasses to [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name], to love, laughter, and a lifetime of happiness! Cheers!"

Best Man Speech Example:

Hey, everyone, I’m honored to be up here as the Best Man for this fantastic couple. Now, when [Groom’s Name] asked me to be his Best Man, I was like, ‘Really? Me?’ But then I remembered all the adventures, mishaps, and laughter we’ve shared over the years, and I thought, ‘Yep, I’m the guy for this job!’

[Groom’s Name] and [Bride’s Name], you two are a perfect match. I’ve watched your love story unfold, and it’s been a privilege to witness the love and respect you have for each other.

[Groom’s Name], you’ve always been there for me through thick and thin, and I have no doubt you’ll be there for [Bride’s Name] in the same way. And [Bride’s Name], you’re not just gaining a husband today, you’re gaining the best partner in crime you could ever ask for.

So, here’s to [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name], to a lifetime of adventure, love, and laughter. May your journey together be filled with joy, shared secrets, and lots and lots of dancing. Cheers!"

Best Friend Speech Example:

“Hello, everyone! Wow, what a beautiful day to celebrate the love between [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name]. I’m not the Maid of Honor or the Best Man, but I am a close friend, and I’ve been lucky enough to witness the magic of their love story from the beginning.

[Bride’s Name], we’ve been through so much together – from school crushes to college shenanigans. And when you introduced me to [Groom’s Name], I knew he was something special. He brings out the best in you, and together, you make an incredible team.

[Groom’s Name], you’re not just gaining a wife today; you’re gaining an amazing friend and confidant in [Bride’s Name]. You two complement each other in the most beautiful ways.

So, here’s to [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name], to a love that’s as strong as it is genuine. May your journey together be filled with laughter, support, and all the adventures you can dream of. Cheers!”

Family Member Speech Example:

Good evening, everyone! My name is [Your Name], and I am [Your relation to the bride and groom]. I’m thrilled to be here tonight to celebrate the love and commitment of [Couple’s names].

When they asked me to give a speech tonight, I was a little nervous. I mean, what do you say about two people who are so perfect for each other? But then I remembered something that [Bride’s name] once told me: “ Love isn’t about being perfect , it’s about being perfectly imperfect together.”

And that’s exactly what these two are. They’re imperfect in all the right ways, and that’s what makes them so perfect for each other. So here’s to [Couple’s names], two imperfect people who are perfect for each other. Congratulations, you two!

Close Friend Speech Example:

Hello, everyone! My name is [Your Name], and I am [Your relation to the bride and groom]. I’m honored to be here tonight to celebrate the wedding of [Couple’s names].

When I first met [Bride’s name], I knew she was something special. And when she introduced me to [groom’s name], I knew he was the one for her. These two have been through thick and thin together, and they’ve always come out stronger on the other side.

And that’s what love is all about, isn’t it? It’s about being there for each other through the good times and the bad. So here’s to [Couple’s names], a couple who knows that love isn’t just a feeling, it’s a commitment.

Incorporating Personal Touches

When it comes to giving a wedding speech, it’s important to make it personal and meaningful. After all, you’re speaking in front of the couple’s nearest and dearest, and you want to make sure that your words come straight from the heart.

One way to do this is to incorporate personal touches into your speech. This can be anything from a funny story about the couple to a heartfelt message about your own relationship with them.

When choosing what to include in your speech, think about what makes the couple special. What are their unique qualities and what do you love about them? What are some of the key moments in their relationship that have brought them to this point?

Once you have some ideas, consider how you can weave them into your speech in a way that feels natural and authentic. Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Keep it short and sweet: While it can be tempting to go on and on about how much you love the couple, it’s important to keep your speech concise. Aim for around 3-5 minutes, and focus on the most meaningful moments and messages.
• Use specific examples: Instead of making general statements about the couple, try to use specific examples that illustrate their qualities and personalities. This will make your speech more engaging and memorable.
• Get personal: Don’t be afraid to share your own experiences and feelings about the couple. Whether it’s a funny story about how you first met or a heartfelt message about what they mean to you, your personal touch will make your speech more meaningful.
• Practice, practice, practice: Finally, make sure to practice your speech ahead of time. This will help you feel more confident and comfortable on the day, and ensure that your words come across as genuine and heartfelt.

Addressing the Audience

When it comes to giving a wedding speech, one of the most important things to keep in mind is your audience. After all, you are speaking to a room full of people who are there to celebrate the happy couple, so it’s important to make sure your speech is engaging, entertaining, and appropriate for the occasion.

First and foremost, you want to make sure your speech is inclusive of everyone in the audience.

While you may have a close relationship with the bride or groom, it’s important to remember that there are likely guests in attendance who may not know you or the couple as well. Make sure to introduce yourself and provide some context for your relationship with the couple.

It’s also important to consider the tone of your speech. While it’s okay to inject some humor and lightheartedness into your speech, you want to make sure it’s appropriate for the occasion.

Avoid making any jokes or comments that could be perceived as offensive or inappropriate.

If you’re addressing parents or family members in your speech, make sure to acknowledge their role in the couple’s lives and express your gratitude for their support.

Similarly, if you’re speaking as the best friend of the bride or groom, take some time to reflect on your friendship and share some heartfelt memories or anecdotes.

Keep in mind that you’re speaking to a room full of people who are there to celebrate the happy couple, so make sure your speech is a reflection of that joy and excitement.

Delivering the Speech

Now that you’ve written your wedding speech, it’s time to deliver it. Public speaking can be nerve-wracking, but with a little preparation, you’ll be able to deliver your speech with confidence. Here are some tips to help you deliver your speech like a pro:

• Practice, practice, practice. Rehearsing your speech will help you feel more comfortable with the material and reduce your nervousness. Practice in front of a mirror or with a friend to get feedback on your delivery.
• Take deep breaths. If you feel nervous before your speech, take a few deep breaths to calm your nerves. This will help you relax and deliver your speech more effectively.
• Speak slowly and clearly. When you’re nervous, it’s easy to speak too quickly or mumble your words. Make a conscious effort to speak slowly and clearly so that everyone can hear you.
• Make eye contact. Look at your audience as you deliver your speech. This will help you connect with them and keep their attention.
• Use body language. Gesturing and moving around can help you convey your message more effectively. Just be sure to avoid any distracting movements.
• Don’t be afraid to pause. If you need a moment to collect your thoughts or take a breath, don’t be afraid to pause. This will help you deliver your speech more effectively and give your audience time to absorb your message.

With a little preparation and practice, you’ll be able to deliver a wedding speech that will be remembered for years to come.

Dealing with Nervousness

It’s completely normal to experience nervousness when giving a wedding speech. After all, you want to do your best and make a positive impact on the happy couple and their guests. Here are a few tips to help you manage your nerves and deliver a memorable speech:

• Practice, practice, practice : The more you practice your speech, the more comfortable you’ll feel delivering it. Practice in front of a mirror, with friends or family, or even record yourself and listen back to it.
• Focus on the positive : Instead of dwelling on your nerves, focus on the positive aspects of the experience. You have the opportunity to share your love and well-wishes with the couple, and that’s something to be proud of.
• Breathe deeply : Deep breathing can help calm your nerves and give you the energy you need to deliver your speech. Take a few deep breaths before you begin, and continue to breathe deeply throughout your speech.
• Visualize success : Visualize yourself delivering a successful speech. Imagine the audience laughing at your jokes, nodding in agreement with your sentiments, and giving you a standing ovation at the end.
• Project confidence : Even if you don’t feel confident, projecting confidence through your body language can help you appear more confident to your audience. Stand up straight, make eye contact, and speak clearly and slowly.

By following these tips, you can overcome your nervousness and deliver a wedding speech that you and the happy couple will remember for years to come.

Tips for a Memorable Speech

Writing a wedding speech can be intimidating, but with the right tips and tricks, you can deliver a memorable speech that will leave a lasting impression on the newlyweds and guests. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Tell the Couple’s Story

The most memorable speeches are the ones that tell a story. Start by brainstorming some memories or anecdotes about the couple that you can weave into your speech.

Think about the moments that defined their relationship, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the things that make them unique. By sharing these details with the audience, you’ll create a speech that feels personal and heartfelt.

Keep it Short and Sweet

While it’s tempting to share every detail about the couple, it’s important to keep your speech short and sweet. Aim for a speech that’s no longer than five minutes. This will give you enough time to share your message without losing the audience’s attention.

Practice Makes Perfect

The key to delivering a great speech is practice. Start by writing down your speech and then practice delivering it in front of a mirror or with a friend. This will help you get comfortable with the material and ensure that you’re able to deliver it confidently on the big day.

Focus on Friendship and Happiness

Weddings are all about celebrating love, friendship, and happiness. Make sure your speech reflects these themes by focusing on the positive aspects of the couple’s relationship.

Share stories that highlight their love for each other, their friendship, and the happiness they bring to each other’s lives.

Use Humor Wisely

Humor can be a great way to lighten the mood and engage the audience, but use it wisely. Make sure your jokes are appropriate for the occasion and that they don’t overshadow the message of your speech. Remember, the goal is to celebrate the couple and their love, not to steal the show.

Now that you’ve learned the basics of writing a wedding speech, it’s a good idea to read some real speeches to see how it all comes together.

Look for examples of speeches online or in books. Watching or reading other people’s speeches can give you inspiration and a better understanding of how to make your speech unique and special.

You might also want to check out books or articles about public speaking and storytelling, as they can help you improve your delivery and engagement skills.

And remember, it’s always a good idea to review some tips on wedding etiquette to make sure your speech is respectful and fitting for the occasion.

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How to Giving Wedding Speech: Best Tips & Examples

Of course, it is a matter of great honor for anybody to be asked to be a maid of honor or best man for a sibling or friend’s wedding. However, it doesn’t alone, along with lots of fun you will also be taking care of several responsibilities in this role, such as; organizing the bachelor/bachelorette parties , helping the bride/groom in shopping, to be there to help the bride/groom on the day of the wedding and on top of that standing up and giving a wedding speech to everyone in attendance.

Then there are parents who would definitely get a chance to give a wedding speech. Undoubtedly, daughter’s or son’s wedding is a very emotional day for any parents. They get emotional to see their son or daughter exchanging vows with the person they love. Wedding speech for any parents is an opportunity to express themselves and their feelings and wish their daughter or son a happy married life.

But for some, the only thought of standing and delivering a wedding speech in a room full of people is harrowing. It makes them really nervous even when all the people at the wedding are known to them. If you also feel the same, then you really need to read this post.

In this post we are going to share with you the tips to give the best wedding speech.

Before we move ahead let’s discuss the outline or the format of a wedding speech. It will help you write a wonderful speech that you can deliver on a wedding.

Here we go…

First things first, start your wedding speech with an introduction, in which you will tell everyone about yourself, like who you are and why you have been chosen to be the best man or maid of honor in the wedding. Well, make sure you start your speech with a light-hearted joke that will help you break the ice.

Then comes the body of the wedding speech. In the body of speech you will go into further detail about your relationship with the bride and groom. You can add some humor or funny story that you think is directly linked with the couple. When we say funny story, it has to be funny and not embarrassing. So, while writing the body of the speech make sure you are not using something that can inappropriately embarrass the bride or groom.

Also See : Complete Guide to Wedding Toast of Mother for Groom

Lastly, the ending of the wedding speech. In the last part of the speech or while ending the wedding speech make sure you throw in a parting joke or famous quote along with a toast to the bride and groom.

Yes, with a tad bit of preparation and thought, you would be able to give a memorable wedding speech that the couple would appreciate and the guests at the wedding will remember forever.

Well, this is about the format of writing a memorable and impressive wedding speech, now let’s head to the tips of delivering the best wedding speech.

A little bit of nervousness is natural, everybody gets nervous or stressed when it comes to speaking in front of so many people. So, there is nothing to worry much; however, you can always prepare yourself for a great speech with the tips given below, without having to get stressed or anxious about it.

Here are seven tips for giving a great wedding speech:

1. do not overthink.

Yes, it is the first and the foremost step. You need to be really relaxed before you start giving the speech. Believe you me, there is nothing to worry about as you are surrounded by your own people, your family and friends. All of them definitely want you to do your best. They are always by your side so you don’t have to think too much about it.

2. Know your audience.

Of course, before you prepare your speech you need to know your audience. If you know your audience beforehand it will be easy for you to deliver it perfectly.

3. Practice your speech.

We all know that practice makes a man perfect and how important it is to practice before actually doing. Likewise, you need to practice your speech in advance. The more you practice, the more confident you will feel while delivering your speech in a room full of guests.

4. Be prepared.

There are chances that you may forget your speech midway, so the best you can do is bring note cards for backup. It will help you avoid any momentarily lose that can cause uneasy situation for you.

5. Visualization.

Well, it is a very famous practice in which one visualize himself doing something successfully. If you feel that even after doing all this you won’t be at ease while giving your speech, then you can simply visualize yourself giving the best speech. All you have to do is – get a mental image of yourself standing in front of people at the wedding and delivering an impressive speech. If you want you can even visualize that people are appreciating your speech ☺ ☺

6. Make sure you are heard properly.

It is important that you check beforehand that you are audible to everyone, if it is an intimate wedding with too less guests, then surely you won’t need a mic. But if you think it’s a big hall and crammed with people, then it is good to arrange for mic in advance.

7. Keep your drink close for the toast.

Yes, it is essential that you keep your drink close to you so that you can take it in hands when you will be ending your speech and giving a toast to the bride and groom. So, don’t miss to keep your drink close by!

To pan out….

Hope you like the post, and now with these tips and tricks you would be able to give a wonderful speech on any wedding. So, write a stunning speech and give that at your friend’s wedding!

Related Posts

How to Write a Wedding Speech (With Tips + Template)

January 14, 2023

Giving a wedding speech is a huge honor. Still, if you’ve never given one before, or if you have a fear of public speaking, the thought of writing and giving a wedding speech could be intimidating. 

If you’ve been tasked with writing a wedding speech, don’t panic. We’ll break down everything you need to know about writing a wedding speech, from the preparation to the delivery. 

Plus, after the speech is written, we’ve got your back here at Yoodli. Yoodli is an AI speech coach that provides users with practical, personalized feedback based on speech analysis. Users can record and upload a video of them practicing a wedding speech, for example, and Yoodli provides feedback on everything from filler word usage to body language and even non-inclusive language that you might unintentionally use. 

Once you practice and get comfortable, you’ll be a more confident public speaker — perfect for giving a wedding speech. 

Now, here’s what you should know about how to write a wedding speech.

What Is a Wedding Speech?

Although it can vary pretty wildly, a wedding speech is usually a speech given sometime between the actual wedding ceremony and the reception. The purpose of the speech is to toast the new couple on their marriage and wish them a long life full of happiness.

If you’ve been chosen to give a wedding speech, you should feel honored and (hopefully) excited! But if you’re feeling the anxiety over the excitement, here are some quick tips for a smooth speech.

Wedding Speech Tips

If you’re tasked with writing and giving a wedding speech, there are a few key things to keep in mind, especially if you’ve never given one before. 

Don’t tell embarrassing or negative anecdotes.

Many people make the mistake of trying to embarrass or tease the new couple during their wedding speech. However, definitely steer clear from this. It can be awkward for everyone involved. After all, the point of your speech isn’t to humiliate the newlyweds — it’s to sing their praises and congratulate them on tying the knot. 

Practice beforehand (and record it).

This is huge. Don’t plan to wing your speech. Instead, write it beforehand (see the template below!) and practice, practice, practice. Try recording your speech so you can get a better idea of what you need to improve. 

With Yoodli, you can explore free courses and tutorials that cover everything from how to record your speech to understanding the analytics. 

Make sure it’s not too long.

Even though you might want to talk about the couple forever, try to keep it brief. Usually, a 5-minute speech is more than sufficient. Keeping your wedding speech short ensures a smooth transition and prevents the audience from getting tired or bored. 

Feel free to use a few notes.

There’s no rule that says you can use notes during your wedding speech. That’s not to say you want to be glued to your note cards; rather, plan to use them as a reference only if you need them. Jotting down a few key points to jog your memory is best.

Don’t drink before your speech.

One of the most common mistakes people make when writing and giving a wedding speech is drinking alcohol beforehand. Even though you may be tempted, it’s not a good idea. You want to be clear-headed so you can deliver a meaningful speech, and you can’t do this if you’re inebriated. 

Wedding Speech Template

Wedding speeches can come in all shapes and sizes. But to give you a little inspiration, here’s a general wedding speech template you can use.

Make an introduction.

Before anything, introduce yourself. Chances are, not everyone attending the wedding knows who you are. Usually, giving the audience your name along with how you know the couple is a good start. 

Zero in on a few main points.

It’s only natural to want to talk about everything — especially if you know the couple really well. Still, stick with a few main points . That way, you won’t start rambling. For example, you may want to talk about a meaningful anecdote involving the couple, such as how you met them or the moment you knew they were destined for each other. It’s really up to your best judgment. 

Speak to everyone, not just the couple.

There’s nothing more awkward than a wedding speech that ignores the rest of the room. Even though you’re toasting the couple, there are other people in attendance who want to enjoy your speech, too. Be sure to project your voice to ensure everyone can hear you. Make eye contact with a few people around the room, and make sure you’re not just preaching to the newlyweds. For more info on making appropriate eye contact, check out the below video: 

Conclude with a simple toast.

To end a wedding speech is simple: toast the happy couple! You can end with something as simple as, “Here’s to a lifetime of happiness!” The conclusion doesn’t have to be very complex. Just hone in on the final sentiment you’d like to express and take it from there. 

Start practicing with Yoodli.

Getting better at speaking is getting easier. Record or upload a speech and let our AI Speech Coach analyze your speaking and give you feedback.

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Perfect Short Wedding Speech Examples To Guide You

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Wedding speeches are a long-time tradition of weddings. And, if you have an important role at a wedding, such as best man, father of the bride or maid of honor, you would be expected to give a speech. While the thought of giving a speech might be nerve-wracking, it might comfort you to know that the best speeches are short and sweet. So, don’t feel any stress or pressure, because short wedding speeches are not only the best, they are easy to deliver.

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For your inspiration, we’ve put together a guide as well as some short wedding speeches examples to help you on your way to give the best wedding speech.

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Short Wedding Speeches Examples

Bride’s wedding speech.

“ Hello, everyone! Thanks for sharing this special day with us. A big shoutout to my amazing parents for making my dream wedding a reality. To my incredible groom (name), your joy fills my heart every day. I’m beyond grateful to have you as my husband, and today marks the start of countless joyous celebrations together. Cheers to love and a lifetime of happiness!”

Groom’s Wedding Speech

There are many ways to give groom short wedding speeches. Use this example as a guide to inspire you when writing your own.

“Hello, everyone! Thank you for celebrating this special day with us. A big thanks to our parents for making today possible. Today is beyond special, and we’re overflowing with gratitude. To my love, you’ve been my rock and best friend. Thank you for accepting me, flaws and all. I promise to be there for you always and to love you forever. Cheers to a lifetime of love and joy together!”

Father’s of the Bride Wedding Speech

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us on this special day. As (bride’s name)’s father, I’m overjoyed and grateful. Today, we gain a son and a supportive family. Thanks for making our dreams come true. I’m confident that (name of groom) will bring endless happiness to my daughter. Here’s to love, security, and many more joyous days ahead! Cheers!”

Father’s of the Groom Wedding Speech

“Thank you all for being here to celebrate with us. I am the happiest man today welcoming a new daughter into my family. Also, I am grateful to her family as well for being the best in-laws ever and supporting us in putting all of this together. I could not have asked for a better day for them, and all I can say is that I wish them the best. To you both, may this day be the beginning of a long and fruitful journey together. My wife and I love you both. Once again, thank you all. Cheers.

Wedding speech for mother of the bride

“Hello everyone. Thank you all for being here. My heart is full today, as you all must know. Watching my daughter take this important step in her life has made me very happy. We are all so happy to support them both in starting this new chapter in their lives. I have dreamed of this day so much; I am grateful to finally be able to see it. (Groom’s name) has been an excellent son-in-law and I am beyond happy to welcome him into our family. I am extremely proud of my daughter and happy to give her to someone who loves her just as much as we do. As we celebrate with you two today, may the sounds of celebration never leave you. All our love.”

Wedding speech for the mother of the groom

Another one of our short simple wedding speeches examples for the mother of the groom.

“Warm greetings to you all. I appreciate the time that you have taken to join us in celebrating (bride and groom). From the day my son introduced me to (name of bride), I have grown to love her as my own daughter, and it has been a joy to watch them grow in love with each other. I used to have a lot of anxiety about my son’s relationships in the past, but when I met (bride), I knew that he had met his match. I am happy to celebrate you both today in not just your union, but the union of our families too. Much love to you both. Cheers everyone!”

Best Man Speech

“Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention, please. Today, I stand beside an extraordinary couple, [Couple’s Names], on their special day. To [Bride’s Name], you look absolutely stunning, and [Groom’s Name], well, you clean up pretty well too! Here’s to a lifetime of laughter, love, and countless adventures. May your journey together be as incredible as this celebration. Cheers!”

Maid Of Honor Speech

Ladies and gents, let’s talk about the dazzling duo we’re celebrating today, [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name]. To my gorgeous bestie, you’ve found your lobster! And to the lucky guy who snagged her, good luck – you’re stuck with us now! Here’s to a love that’s as endless as the dance floor tonight. Cheers to the newlyweds!

One-Line Wedding Speech Examples

Crafting the perfect wedding speech is an art. Here are five examples that blend sentiment, humor, and celebration for your inspiration.

Today, we not only witness the union of [Couple’s Names] but also the merging of two hearts that beat as one. Here’s to a love story that transcends time and space.

As I stand before this extraordinary couple, I can’t help but marvel at the love between [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name]. Today, we celebrate not just a wedding but a promise of forever.

In the grand storybook of love, [Couple’s Names] have written a chapter filled with laughter, tears, and endless love. Here’s to turning the page to a beautiful new beginning.

To [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name], may your marriage be the masterpiece of a lifetime, painted with strokes of joy, understanding, and boundless love.

As witnesses to the love between [Couple’s Names], let us raise our glasses to a journey that begins today and unfolds into a lifetime of shared dreams and cherished moments.

A toast to love and laughter—here are five heartfelt expressions for raising your glass to the happy couple.

To the couple, may your love be as timeless as the vows you share today and as joyous as the celebration we’re all a part of!

Here’s to love, laughter, and a happily ever after for [Couple’s Names]. May every day be an adventure filled with shared dreams and endless love!

To [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name], may your journey together be as sweet as the cake we’re about to devour! Cheers to a lifetime of love and happiness!

Let’s raise our glasses to [Couple’s Names], whose love story is as enchanting as today’s setting sun. May your love glow brighter with each passing day!

A toast to [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name], may your marriage be as perfect as today’s weather, and your happiness as everlasting as the memories we’re creating!

How To Write a Short Wedding Speech

With this guide, you can create short and sweet wedding speeches that will just flow organically. Write a killer speech that would be easy to read and will convey your love for the couple perfectly.

• Remember who is in the audience: Whether you are giving short wedding speeches as the best man or groom, it is important to keep your audience in mind. Introduce yourself and acknowledge them. Focusing on the audience and engaging them will help you speak from the heart.
• Avoid alcohol: While getting some liquid courage can be tempting, it is best to lay off the alcohol until after your speech. Alcohol could turn short funny wedding speeches into something long and nonsensical. This is because you might slur or forget your words under the influence, and this is something you absolutely do not want.
• Use note cards: Although you are not encouraged to read out your short wedding rehearsal dinner speech completely, note cards are encouraged. With these cues, you can glance at your notes from time to time to help you remember your lines and keep you on track. The audience might not even notice, and your speech would be better for it.
• Structure your story: Structure your speech in a way that focuses on the bride and groom. Fine one, two or three points about them that you can elaborate upon and stories in which they are the hero. This will keep your message in the right direction, and you can be sure to end on a positive note.

In the next part, we have a list of some of the best short wedding speeches that can help inspire you to write your own.

Example of a Short Wedding Toast

“Cheers to [Couple’s Names]! May your days be filled with love, laughter, and countless joyous moments. Here’s to a lifetime of happiness together!”

How to Make a Short and Sweet Wedding Speech

Focus on key points like expressing happiness for the couple, sharing a brief anecdote, and offering a toast. Keep it concise, heartfelt, and light-hearted for impact.

Is a 1 Minute Wedding Speech Too Short?

No, a 1-minute wedding speech can be perfect. A concise speech ensures guests stay engaged and leaves a lasting impression. Focus on the essentials – expressing joy, sharing a quick story, and toasting the couple.

Not many people are trained public speakers, but it is hard to go wrong with short wedding speeches. Allow these tips and examples to guide you in making the best wedding speeches ever.

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The Ultimate Guide to Nailing Your Wedding and Anniversary Speeches

Feeling the pressure to give a memorable speech at a wedding or anniversary celebration? You’re not alone – hundreds of people find themselves in this scenario every year, tasked with articulating love stories and shared memories eloquently.

This blog post brings together essential advice on how to craft a heartfelt, funny, yet concise talk that is sure to leave an impression. Ready to wow your audience? Read on.

Key Takeaways

• Crafting a heartfelt and memorable wedding or anniversary speech involves acknowledging the couple’s love story, incorporating personal anecdotes, balancing sentimentality and brevity, practicing beforehand, and ending on a high note.
• Using humor effectively in wedding or anniversary speeches can bring lightheartedness and laughter to the occasion, creating a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
• When giving a wedding or anniversary speech in front of a large audience, it is crucial to maintain proper etiquette by being well-prepared, engaging the audience with eye contact and appropriate body language, tailoring the speech to fit the occasion, avoiding common mistakes such as referencing inside jokes or preaching during the speech delivery, thanking and acknowledging important individuals.

Crafting a Heartfelt and Memorable Wedding or Anniversary Speech

Craft a heartfelt and memorable wedding or anniversary speech by acknowledging the couple’s love story, including personal anecdotes, balancing sentimentality and brevity, practicing the speech beforehand, and ending on a high note.

Acknowledging the couple’s love story

Paying tribute to the couple’s love story forms the heart of any memorable wedding or anniversary speech. It offers an intimate look at their journey, carefully woven together in a narrative that resonates with every guest.

It’s essential to take cues from such heartfelt tributes while crafting personalized wedding vows or speeches for your loved ones’ grand occasions. Incorporate elements like emotional arcs and meaningful milestones; remember to highlight achievements, showcase good qualities, illustrating how these shaped the relationship over time.

This form of storytelling can turn any basic toast into one of those unforgettable emotional wedding speeches that leave everyone in awe!

Including personal anecdotes

Crafting heartfelt wedding speeches often involve incorporating personal anecdotes. These stories add a warm touch and offer an intimate look into the couple’s love story, making your speech genuinely unique and memorable.

For maximum impact, choose anecdotes that reveal something about the bride or groom’s character or illustrate their bond. Such narratives not only engage the audience but also help to paint a vivid picture of the couple’s journey together, cementing their connection with the guests.

However, it’s crucial to remember that simplicity is key in wedding speeches; ensure your anecdote is brief yet impactful.

Personal anecdotes can be particularly powerful when utilized in maid of honor speeches as they offer a behind-the-scenes view into the bride’s life and her relationship dynamics. They infuse authenticity into your words while adding humor or sentimentality as needed.

As you craft your speech, consider how you want your audience to feel – maybe moved by a touching memory or chuckling at a shared funny moment between you and the couple? Focus on this emotional response during practice sessions for a successful delivery on their special day ensuring everyone leaves with sincere and happy memories.

Balancing sentimentality and brevity

Achieving the perfect equilibrium between sentimentality and brevity in a wedding or anniversary speech may seem like quite the challenge. Yet, with thoughtful planning and diligent practice you can craft an address that is both emotionally resonant and pleasantly concise.

Let’s start by focusing on the heartfelt aspect; your speech should thread the needle of emotion, highlighting key moments in the couple’s love story without dragging down the celebratory mood of the occasion.

Personal anecdotes serve this purpose well as they add a touch of nostalgia while also keeping things relatable to all attendees. But here’s where conciseness comes into play — keep stories short and sweet! Remembering to confine yourself to poignant yet succinct narratives will make your words not only memorable but also enjoyable for listeners.

Etiquette expert Liz Bryant suggests having 13 essential rules for giving a memorable wedding toast which includes avoiding lengthy monologues, staying relevant, being timely amongst others making it more engaging than tiring speeches saving guests from what could potentially transform into an endurance test instead of endearing token of your affection towards them.

Practicing the speech before the big day

Crafting a heartfelt and memorable wedding or anniversary speech is no easy task, which is why practicing the speech before the big day is crucial. By rehearsing your speech beforehand, you can ensure that you deliver it with confidence and clarity.

Take the time to familiarize yourself with the content, focusing on capturing the essence of the couple’s love story and incorporating personalized anecdotes that will resonate with both them and the audience.

Balancing sentimentality and brevity is essential, so practice trimming unnecessary details while still conveying your emotional tribute effectively. By putting in the effort to practice ahead of time, you’ll be able to deliver a flawless speech that leaves a lasting impression on everyone present at this special celebration.

Ending on a high note

Crafting a memorable and impactful wedding or anniversary speech involves ending on a high note. It’s the moment where you leave the audience with a lasting impression and an emotional experience they won’t forget.

By carefully selecting your closing words, you can create a powerful finale that evokes heartfelt emotions and resonates with everyone in the room. Adding inspiring quotes to your speech is a great way to achieve this.

With  over 140 wedding quotes  available, you can find the perfect words to bring depth and meaning to your speech. These quotes are designed to stir emotions, evoke memories, and leave a lasting impact on both the couple and their loved ones.

Using Humor Effectively in Wedding or Anniversary Speeches

Using humor in wedding or anniversary speeches can bring lightheartedness and laughter to the occasion, creating a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

The role of humor

Humor plays a vital role in delivering an engaging and memorable wedding or anniversary speech. Incorporating comedy into your speech adds emotional variety to the event, providing a lighthearted counterpoint to more serious moments.

It helps create a bond between you as the speaker and the audience, allowing them to connect with you on a deeper level. By using humor effectively, you can not only entertain but also inspire your listeners.

Whether it’s sharing funny stories or incorporating clever jokes and quotes, adding humor to your speech can make it more enjoyable for everyone involved. So don’t be afraid to infuse your special occasion speeches with laughter and wit – it will truly leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Dos and don’ts of using humor

Using humor can be a powerful tool in wedding or anniversary speeches, but it’s important to understand the dos and don’ts of incorporating it effectively. Dos include using humorous anecdotes and witty remarks to engage the audience, maintaining a lighthearted tone throughout the speech, and delivering jokes with good timing and pacing.

It’s also crucial to ensure that the humor is appropriate for the occasion and doesn’t offend any guests. On the other hand, some don’ts to keep in mind are avoiding offensive or controversial jokes, not relying too heavily on inside jokes that only a few people will understand, and not making fun of anyone in a mean-spirited way.

By following these guidelines, you can captivate your listeners with captivating storytelling and leave them with fond memories of your speech.

Wedding and Anniversary Speech Etiquette

When giving a wedding or anniversary speech in front of a large audience, it is crucial to maintain proper etiquette and avoid common mistakes.

Giving the speech in front of a large audience

When delivering a wedding or anniversary speech in front of a large audience, it’s important to keep a few key things in mind to ensure that your words have the desired impact. First and foremost, make sure you are well-prepared and know your speech inside out.

Practice beforehand and familiarize yourself with the flow and structure of your speech. This will help boost your confidence when speaking in front of a crowd.

Additionally, engage the audience by maintaining eye contact and using appropriate body language. A confident posture and gestures can go a long way in capturing their attention. Remember that public speaking is all about connecting with your listeners, so try to speak clearly and audibly while conveying genuine emotion.

One helpful tip is to tailor your speech to fit the occasion – whether it’s lighthearted or more formal. Injecting humor at appropriate moments can also help break the ice and establish rapport with the audience.

However, be mindful not to overdo it as too much humor may detract from the sentimental aspects of wedding or anniversary speeches.

Avoiding common mistakes

To give an exceptional wedding or anniversary speech, it’s crucial to avoid some common mistakes. For starters, steer clear of referencing inside jokes that only a few people in the audience will understand.

Instead, focus on stories and anecdotes that resonate with everyone and highlight the couple’s love story. Another mistake to avoid is trying to impart wisdom or preach during your speech. Keep it light-hearted and heartfelt instead.

Furthermore, be mindful of the length of your speech. Going too long can lose the interest of your audience and make them restless. Remember, brevity is key when delivering a memorable speech.

Additionally, knowing your audience is essential for success. Consider who will be present at the wedding or anniversary celebration and adjust your content accordingly. Avoid telling stories that predate the bride and groom as they might not be familiar with them.

Lastly, adequate preparation is vital for avoiding blunders during your speech delivery. Don’t wing it! Practice beforehand to ensure you’re comfortable speaking in front of a large crowd.

Thanking and acknowledging important individuals

In wedding and anniversary speeches, expressing gratitude and recognition towards important individuals is crucial. Whether it’s the parents, members of the wedding party, or the guests themselves, acknowledging their role in the couple’s journey is a meaningful gesture.

A heartfelt thank-you toast can convey deep appreciation and touch people’s hearts. By mentioning specific contributions or sharing personal anecdotes, you can make your speech more personalized and engaging.

Understanding the  etiquette of wedding speech order  and avoiding common mistakes will ensure that your gratitude shines through while adhering to tradition. Don’t forget to express thanks for everyone who made the day possible – it will leave a lasting impression on all those involved.

In conclusion, crafting a heartfelt and memorable wedding or anniversary speech requires careful thought, personal anecdotes, and a balance of sentimentality and brevity. By practicing your speech beforehand and ending on a high note, you can captivate your audience and create lasting memories for the couple.

Remember to use humor effectively and adhere to proper speech etiquette while expressing gratitude towards important individuals. With these tips in mind, you’ll deliver an unforgettable speech that celebrates love, commitment, and cherished moments.

1. How long should a wedding or anniversary speech be?

The length of a wedding or anniversary speech can vary depending on the structure and format of the event, as well as personal preferences. However, it is generally recommended to keep speeches between 5 to 10 minutes to maintain engagement and avoid becoming too lengthy.

2. What are some tips for delivering a memorable wedding or anniversary speech?

To deliver a memorable speech, it is important to personalize your message, include heartfelt anecdotes or stories about the couple, practice beforehand to ensure smooth delivery, maintain good eye contact with the audience, and speak with genuine emotion and enthusiasm.

3. Should I use humor in my wedding or anniversary speech?

Using humor in your speech can add an entertaining element and help engage the audience. However, it’s vital to find a balance between lighthearted jokes that everyone can appreciate and avoiding potentially offensive material that could embarrass the couple or other attendees.

4. Can I include advice or words of wisdom in my wedding or anniversary speech?

Absolutely! Including advice or words of wisdom in your speech is often appreciated by couples and guests alike. Sharing insights about love, marriage, and relationships can bring depth and meaning to your message while also offering valuable guidance for the future journey of the couple’s life together.

Tips For Giving The Ultimate Wedding Speech

Give yourself six months.

“You should look to start writing the speech around six months before the wedding. This might sound early, but you will constantly think of funny stories and anecdotes following this point, which you can quickly jot down. The speech you start with will look very different to the one you end up with. If you start it shortly before the wedding, it will inevitably end up with cheesy and repetitive lines rather than heartfelt stories.” – Tom Bourlet from The Stag Company

Write from the heart 

“It’s no bad thing to open your heart to the emotions of the day and share your true thoughts about your partner and your guests. Points you can touch on include what you or your partner thought on your first date; how you met; how you feel now about your partner versus before; that moment when you knew they were the one for you; and how your partner makes you feel. Finally, try to include funny stories from your relationship – but always keep it clean.” – wedding planner Emma Murray Jones  

Choose an opening style

“First impressions count, so your opening line needs to be the one that grabs everyone’s attention and sets the tone for the rest of the speech. The first option is to go funny and start with a joke. Perhaps a hilarious story about you and your partner; an embarrassing fact about them or perhaps a tongue-in-cheek account of how you met. Just keep it PG and make sure you avoid revealing secrets that’ll turn the whole room sour. If you want to be more heartfelt, then this is your moment to show how much you love your family and friends. This will let your audience know your speech is going to be meaningful and that there’ll be no messing about. Finally, you might want to strike a more formal tone if you know the audience isn’t going to take kindly to jokes or soppy stories. In that case, give them the facts: how long you’ve known your partner; where you met and your plans for the future.” – the team at hen party company  Fizzbox  

Introduce yourself

“There is no use performing a killer speech if nobody in the room knows who you are. If you’re the bride or groom, most people will know you. But if you’re a bridesmaid or groomsmen, there’s likely to be distant relatives of the bride and groom and work colleagues who’ve never met you, so make sure you introduce yourself. Let them know how you know the couple and what your relationship is to them.” – the Fizzbox  team

“Just a quick one on the opening line – many people won't be fully concentrating, so don't burn your best joke at this point. You don't want it to fall on flat ears, so save it for further into your speech. I've heard a number of people admit they used their best joke straight away and half the audience didn't hear it.” – Tom 

Keep it short & sweet

“It is very difficult to distil a friendship or relationship into a couple of minutes but you will be thanked for this. I recommend sticking to three to five minutes and no more than eight. A clear, tight, structure will help you deliver a brilliant speech and leave everyone wanting more. This is equally important on the day itself; do not go off script and meander through your thoughts. If you lose your place, you can pause and refer to your notes, but do not freestyle and make it up as you go along. I have never seen a long wedding speech that has been well received.” – Matthew Shaw , founder of events & creative studio Sauveur.

ISTOCK/JACOBLUND

Stick to an angle

“Speeches can sprawl quite easily when you're trying to cover so much and this makes them difficult to follow. When you first start planning your speech it’s helpful to throw lots of ideas around but then try to focus on an overall theme or approach. This could be a personality trait, great jokes, or a more heartfelt approach, but it will help you and the guests if there is a clear angle to follow. In turn, this will help your guests follow along and you will be gifted with a better response from the room. As for content, keep it clean and universal. By all means poke fun at your subject but consider who may be present and keep the more shaming stories for another time. Similarly, you should consider what your audience can relate to too. No one wants to sit through a five-minute private joke.” – Matthew  

Acknowledge your new family 

“This works both ways – for grooms and for brides – but it’s worth remembering your partner’s family will now be in your life for the rest of your life. It therefore makes sense to thank them for welcoming you to the family and tell them how much you look forward to being part of it in the future. It might even be that they contributed to the wedding in some way, so make sure you’re saying the appropriate thank yous, too.” – Emma  

Respond to the other speeches

“This can be a slightly harder tip to follow, but it will make your speech seem more authentic. It will, of course, depend on when you are speaking during the day, but allowing a short section for this in your notes will work wonders. You should then take five minutes during the day to think through the celebrations so far and what you could add in. This could be something special said during the ceremony, a funny moment that has happened, or a detail you’ve picked up on. This really ties everyone’s experience together as it's a point everyone in your audience can relate to.” – Matthew  

Use notes, not a script

“As much as possible, I suggest rehearsing enough so you know the overall structure and points off by heart and then using notes as a guide on the day. Your speech will feel much more natural for this and it will also help you look up and out across the room. Depending on how comfortable you are, you can then take the speech down to key points and practise using those. For our weddings we often stick these into a spare order of service so they look smart and are also easier to hold and turn the page. This will also help you with your eye contact. Definitely don’t read it off your phone.” – Matthew  

Build up to a strong finish

When it’s time to round everything off, start by summarising what you’ve touched on and how much you’re looking forward to the rest of the day. Wish the couple a lifetime of happiness – or if you’re the bride or groom, emphasise how much you love your partner. You can even call back to earlier stories or jokes which will tie everything up before the final few words. It’s normally best practice to keep along the theme of ‘love’ for the toast. If you have been mainly jokey or philosophical, stick with that until the end. You don’t want to ruin all your hard work with something that’s out of place. Now make the toast and raise a glass. Make sure to enjoy the smiles and check to see the reaction.” – the Fizzbox team

Still in doubt? Follow Matthew’s Best Speech Ever (BSE) acronym…

“This is my acronym for putting the finishing touches on an excellent speech. Body language, speed, and energy. Once you’ve written your speech, the crucial next step is to rehearse it so you are comfortable with your material and delivery.

Body language: Make sure you rehearse in front of the mirror so you can see how you deliver the speech. Keep an eye out for any nervous ticks you may have and what your hands are doing. Ask if you will be using a microphone and, if so, practise with a hairbrush. You should hold it steady, a few centimetres from your mouth. 

Speed: Remember to keep it slow. We have a habit of speaking fast when we’re nervous, which will make it hard for your audience to follow. I suggest recording yourself so you can play it back and work out how much you need to slow down. It’s also important to allow moments for you to pause for reaction, and to take your breath or a sip of water. If helpful, write these into your notes as a reminder. Don’t try and rattle off the whole speech without any breaks.

Energy: To avoid monotone delivery, work out the energy of each section in your speech and practise moving between different registers. This will help keep it interesting as well ensuring your audience follows along.

For more information, visit TheStagCompany.com , EMJWeddings.com , Fizzbox.com & SauveurStudios.com

INSPIRATION CREDITS: ISTOCK/JACOBLUND DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at [email protected] .

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12 Groom Speech Tips: How to Make a Killer Groom's Speech

Are you nervous about giving your groom's speech? Our experts have 12 top tips to giving the ultimate speech and help calm your nerves

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Have you been worrying about giving your groom’s speech ever since you popped the question? You’re not alone! This is arguably one of the most daunting parts of your entire wedding planning journey. 

You’ll need to consider how long your speech should be, your groom speech structure, and who you should be thanking. If you’re following the traditional order of speeches, your speech will come after the father of the bride (or groom) speech , and he could have set the bar pretty high.

But, don’t fret! We spoke to wedding speech writing experts to help calm your nerves. Speechwriter Chris Dance , Adrian Simpson from All Speeches Great and Small  and Heidi Ellert-McDermott from Speechy gave their best advice on what it takes to deliver a great groom speech.

• Groom's Wedding Speech Tips
• Groom Speech Preparation
• Who Does the Groom Toast and Thank?
• How to Write a Groom's Speech?

What Does the Groom Say in His Speech?

• How Long Should the Groom's Speech be?

12 Groom's Wedding Speech Tips

So here are our top tips on giving a wedding speech, but we've also put together a handy video for wedding speech-givers in a hurry! This video explains our best wedding speech tips for grooms, in under a minute. 

1. Acknowledge This Special Moment

“A great groom speech should be a really good dollop of entertainment and fun, whilst at the same time acknowledging what a very special moment this is. It’s your chance to stand up and acknowledge the people who have brought you to this point and, of course, to talk about the person you’ve been lucky enough to marry,” explained Adrian.

2. Think Carefully About How to Begin

Heidi advises that the best way to begin your groom speech is “quickly”.

She says: “Grooms often make the mistake of thinking they should sound formal and get overly stressed about following traditional etiquette. The aim is to get people laughing as soon as possible, certainly within the first three lines of your speech as it puts everyone listening at ease.”

As well as keeping it light and funny, Adrian points out that it’s important to address your partner's father and thank him for his speech: “Make it a warm and inclusive introduction, however, don’t be tempted to detail his financial contribution. A reference to his generosity should be sincere but very general.”

3. Know Your Audience

Knowing your audience applies to all speech writing and Chris emphasises this by explaining that you should: "Keep in mind who you're talking to and make the speech accessible to everyone in the room. Don't use in-jokes that only you and your workmates will get, don't risk anything offensive or controversial, and steer clear of politics."

4. Add in a Few (Appropriate) Jokes

“There’s a lot of emotion on the big day and making people laugh with some wedding jokes or amusing stories is the best way to balance that out,” explains Adrian.

Keep your stories short, funny, and appropriate! You don’t want to be embarrassing your new wife or husband on your first day as a married couple.

“Are you already concerned that your bride’s ‘pinot posse’ have started chatting up the bar staff? Or are you finding it hard to recognise your middle-aged cycling buddies in clothes that they usually wouldn’t be seen dead in? Make your humour personal and seemingly spontaneous – your guests will really appreciate it,” adds Heidi.

Adrian advises grooms to steer away from a speech that’s more of a ‘dry procession of thanks’ as you’ll struggle to keep your guests’ attention – so even if you’re not a naturally charismatic person, make sure your personality shines through above the mere thank-yous.

Take a look at these groom speech jokes for inspiration! 

5. Remember to Thank Everyone

Traditionally, the groom will need to thank the following:

• Everyone for coming
• His parents
• His partner’s parents
• His best man and ushers (if there are any)
• The maid of honour and bridesmaids (if there are any)

Heidi advises that although there are probably plenty of other people who you would love to thank for their contributions and help towards your special day, try to avoid thanking half of the guest list.

A simple way to thank everyone would be to say:

"This is the best day of my life and it's because of all of you, and especially you (referring to your partner). I cannot thank you all enough for being here."

When it comes to thanking parents, there’s one thing Adrian warns grooms to be careful of. “Don’t fall into the trap of waxing lyrical about your new parents-in-law for several paragraphs, dismissing your own parents in a sentence. They should both be given equal measure.”

An example to combine them both would be to say:

"Thank you for my parents for bring me up to be the person I am today and thank you to my in-laws for welcoming me into your family."

6. Focus on Your New Partner

Heidi suggests that your new partner should be the main focus of your speech. She says, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to drop a public love-bomb on your partner and considering they’ve just agreed to tolerate all of your habits and box sets for the rest of their life, it’s the least you can do!

“Remember, every groom thinks his partner is gorgeous, kind and generally amazing so avoid cliché terms and words and concentrate on what makes them unique. Nailing their individual and quirky characteristics shows that you really get your new husband or wife and your friends and family will love you for that.”

Chris recommends that you do this by giving examples: "Don't just say that your partner is kind and thoughtful; illustrate it with the story about the time that they dressed up as Boba Fett and threw you a surprise Star Wars party, or about how they still hold your hand at the dentists because you hate the sound of the drill."

7. Forget Giving Out Gifts

Heidi advises that if you’re planning on giving thank you gifts to bridesmaids , parents or anyone else, either do it earlier on in the day or announce that you’ll be personally thanking them later as to not disrupt the speech.

She says: “Gift-giving is basically an excuse for guests to start checking their WhatsApp!”

8. Don't Be Too Ambitious

The time you take to the mic to make your groom's speech will no doubt be a big moment, but Chris shares that it is important to be realistic about what your comfort zone is and stay in it.

"It's a speech to your friends, not an audition for Britain's Got Talent. If you're terrified of public speaking, keep it simple. Don't give yourself unnecessary stress by filling your speech with tongue-twisters or trying to be Billy Connolly." 

9. Think Carefully About the Structure

Adrian says, “There are lots of people to talk about and you should deal with them one at a time and avoid repetition.

“Resist the urge to launch straight into how amazing your new partner looks and then pepper the speech with references to them. They are the star of the show so save the latter half of the speech to be dedicated to them and what they mean to you.”

10. Eight Minutes is the Perfect Length of Time

Adrian says that the length of a groom’s speech can really make or break it: “Too short and people are going to be wondering why you bothered. Too long and nobody will be listening. Keep it to a ‘stand up-sit down’ time of 10 minutes – that’s a talking time of around eight minutes and the rest will be made up from laughter, applause and heckles.”

Heidi also stressed the importance of not boring people with a lengthy speech, but also not coming across like you’re enjoying the attention a little too much.

11. Avoid Too Much Detail

Adrian explained that it’s too much detail that really slows a speech down: “A great speech demands the very least from the guests in order for them to enjoy it, so now is not the time to recount exactly how you know each of the ushers individually. A good guide is to aim for a total of 1,350 words – if you’re edging well over that, then it’s time to strip out some of the content.”

12. Think About Your Ending

According to Adrian: “Tradition says that you should end on a toast to the bridesmaids and a little aside to the best man. I’ve never found this works – in my opinion, the focus of the speech should be exclusively on your partner, that’s why I suggest toasting to the bridesmaids earlier in the speech and making the final words all about your partner.

“You should have talked about the best man earlier in the speech but there’s no harm in having a quick one-liner referencing him at the end but make sure it’s after the final toast.”

Groom Speech Preparation To Calm Your Nerves

Never Ending Stories

Heidi has a lot of advice when it comes to calming nerves around your wedding speech, starting with just how important the planning and preparation is.

“The key to being confident on the day is writing a wedding speech that’s so good you can’t wait to deliver it. If you know you’re going to make your friends laugh, your mum cry and your bride/groom love you even more then you’ll ooze confidence whilst delivering your speech.”

1. Film Yourself – Use your phone to film yourself practising your speech. Watch it back and channel your inner Simon Cowell – work out how your delivery could be improved and what you would change.

2. Dutch Courage Isn’t Always the Answer – Although lots of grooms swear by a bit of Dutch courage, this is based on wishful thinking rather than solid science!

3. Smile and Breathe – It may sound obvious but taking a deep breath is surprisingly effective at reducing those stress nerves and smiling is scientifically proven to be infectious, making them a fool-proof combination.

Does the Groom Give a Speech?

Traditionally, the groom will give a speech at the wedding reception, following the ceremony. You can do whatever works for you, but the traditional order for speeches is for the father of the bride to speak, then the groom, best man and any other toasts.

How to Write a Groom's Speech

If you are writing your groom's speech yourself the key points to remember are to compliment your new spouse and thank any key guests. Any other additions are nice extras! 

Writing not your strength? Hiring a professional speechwriter is a brilliant option. "It’s not cheating - if it is then so is ordering a wedding cake when you’ve got perfectly good eggs and flour at home," shares Chris.

"Speech writing is a specialist skill: giving the task to someone who can mould your words and articulate your thoughts is as valid a use of your budget as any other wedding service you’re paying for – arguably more valid, given that it’s probably the bit of the day you’re most worried about."

"The groom should focus on thankyous," explains Chris. "He should thank everyone for coming to the wedding - especially Jim and Tania who’ve kayaked all the way from Gdansk; anyone who contributed to it significantly, his partner’s parents for spawning such a catch; his own parents for loving and/or tolerating him.

"When he’s done that he can get on with lavishing praise on the person he’s married and saying how deliriously happy he is. That’s what the guests really want to hear from him, so he needs to do that bit well and sincerely."

How Long Should a Groom's Speech be?

Ideally, you want your groom's speech to be no more than ten minutes. Make sure to rehearse it a few times before the big day and time yourself - you don't want your guests to start getting bored!

"Just remember, if there are two or three other speakers then you’re asking your guests to sit still and listen patiently for half an hour, which is a long time when you’re stuffed full of wine, sea bass and tiramisu and you want to stretch your legs.

"However long your speech lasts (I find seven to ten minutes is usually enough), try to keep it punchy, lively and relevant: there is such a thing as a five minute speech that’s so dull it feels like a lifetime, yet fifteen minutes can race by if your speech is bright, engaging and funny," says Chris.

Still feeling nervous? Fear not – here’s our guide on how to deliver an amazing wedding speech !

Related Hitched articles

Wedding Speech Examples: Tips and Ideas for Writing a Memorable Toast

Need assistance with your wedding speech? Discover the first AI-powered wedding speech generator! Craft the perfect speech for your special day with ease. Simply provide your email here and say, 'I want to use the AI-generated wedding speech maker.' Let's make your moment unforgettable

Standing up to give a wedding speech can feel as daunting as popping the question itself. A good toast needs the right mix of humor, affection, and sincerity . Our guide is packed with tips, tricks, and examples that will help you craft a memorable message for the happy couple's special day .

Dive in for your dose of inspiration !

Key Takeaways

• Practice your speech many times and record yourself to improve.
• Stay sober for a clear and respectful toast.
• Be true to yourself , using personal stories that fit the couple's story.
• Keep the speech 3 - 5 minutes long so it's engaging but not too long.
• Use quotes or song lyrics carefully to add meaning without clichés.

Wedding Speech Tips

Rehearse regularly and record yourself practicing to perfect your delivery. Avoid alcohol before your speech, and use your nerves to your advantage by channeling them into enthusiasm.

Be yourself and speak from the heart to make a lasting impression on the wedding guests.

Rehearse Regularly

Practice your wedding speech many times before the big day. Find a quiet place and read it aloud . This will help you get comfortable with the words and improve your delivery. Try to practice in front of a mirror or friends who can give feedback.

Getting familiar with your toast will make you more confident when speaking.

Record every practice session on your phone or camera. Listen to yourself to catch any awkward phrases or places where you stumble. Make changes if certain parts sound unclear or don't flow well.

Regular rehearsal is key for delivering a memorable wedding toast that feels natural and engaging.

Record Yourself Practicing

To improve your wedding speech, record yourself practicing . This will help you assess your tone and delivery . Make sure to speak clearly and confidently when recording.

Watching yourself back can also help you identify areas for improvement . It's a great way to work on gestures, pacing, and overall presentation . Recording yourself practicing is a valuable tool for perfecting your wedding toast .

Avoid Alcohol

Steer clear of alcohol while preparing and delivering your wedding speech. It's crucial to stay sober to maintain composure and deliver a heartfelt and respectful toast. Alcohol can impair judgment and lead to embarrassing or inappropriate remarks , which could overshadow the sentiment you intend to convey.

By avoiding alcohol, you ensure that your speech is sincere, appropriate, and memorable for all the right reasons.

Remember that a sober mind allows you to focus on expressing genuine well-wishes for the couple without any potential negative impact that alcohol might bring. Keep in mind that staying away from alcohol during this important moment enables you to be fully present and attentive throughout the celebration as well.

Use Nerves to Your Advantage

Channel your nerves into positive energy during the wedding speech to add emotion and sincerity. Take deep breaths to calm your nerves before stepping up to speak.

The nerves you feel are a sign of how much you care about the couple, use this adrenaline to deliver a heartfelt and memorable toast that will resonate with everyone present .

Be Yourself

When delivering a wedding speech, authenticity is key . Ensure your words reflect your genuine feelings and personality. A heartfelt and sincere toast will resonate with the couple and the audience.

It's important to strike a balance between being true to yourself while also considering the sentiments of the newlyweds.

Embrace your uniqueness when crafting your wedding speech. Personal anecdotes and lighthearted humor that are in line with your character can make for a memorable and touching toast.

How to Structure a Wedding Speech

When structuring a wedding speech, it's important to introduce yourself and address your audience. Focus on a few key points and keep your speech an appropriate length. Brainstorming ideas for your speech can help you create a memorable toast that will be cherished by the couple and guests alike.

Tips for Introducing Yourself

When introducing yourself in a wedding speech , start with your name and how you are related to the couple . Address the audience with warmth and gratitude, setting a positive tone for your speech.

Avoid diving straight into jokes or long anecdotes – keep it brief , genuine, and focused on celebrating the newlyweds .

Addressing Your Audience

When addressing your audience in a wedding speech, it's essential to establish a personal connection by engaging with eye contact and inclusive language . This helps in making everyone feel involved and appreciated during the special moment.

It’s important to speak clearly and project your voice so that everyone can hear and understand your heartfelt words of congratulations for the couple.

To maintain the attention of the audience, consider sharing relatable anecdotes or endearing qualities about the newlyweds. Keeping your speech upbeat, positive, and focused on celebrating their love will resonate with everyone present.

Focusing on a Few Key Points

When crafting your wedding speech, focus on a few key points to keep it impactful. Introduce yourself warmly and address the audience with genuine warmth. Concisely highlight a couple of meaningful qualities about the couple, using appropriate length without being overly lengthy.

Brainstorm beforehand for ideas that resonate strongly with the newlyweds and aim for heartfelt sentiments in your speech.

Crafting a wedding toast requires focusing on key aspects such as personalization , brevity, and conveying positive wishes towards the couple. By structuring your speech around these essential points, you ensure that your words are well-received and leave a lasting impression on this special day.

Using Appropriate Length

When writing a wedding speech, it's crucial to maintain an appropriate length . A good rule of thumb is to keep the toast around 3-5 minutes long , ensuring it's concise and engaging .

This time frame allows for conveying heartfelt sentiments without becoming lengthy or monotonous, keeping guests attentive and not overshadowing other parts of the celebration. By sticking to this timeframe, you'll have enough room for meaningful content while avoiding any potential lulls in attention.

Remember that a shorter speech can often have more impact than a prolonged one. It enables you to deliver your message with clarity and sincerity without overwhelming the audience.

Brainstorming Ideas for Your Speech

When brainstorming ideas for your speech, consider the special qualities of the couple and your relationship with them. Reflect on memorable experiences , funny anecdotes , or touching moments that can be woven into your toast.

Use keywords relevant to their personalities, journey as a couple, or shared interests to guide your brainstorming process. Let these ideas shape the structure and content of your speech.

Crafting a unique and heartfelt wedding toast requires thoughtful consideration of what makes the couple special. Draw inspiration from the important facts you've gathered about them – this could be traditional elements like how they met or personal details such as their favorite hobbies or adventures together.

Sample Wedding Speeches

- Explore different types of wedding speeches, such as the best man speech, maid of honor speech, father of the bride speech, mother of the groom speech, and groom's speech. Get inspired by examples and tips on how to personalize your toast for the couple.

Best Man Speech

Crafting a memorable best man speech involves personal anecdotes and lighthearted jokes . It should celebrate the groom while also acknowledging the importance of love and commitment .

Incorporating humor can uplift the atmosphere, but it's crucial to strike a balance with sincerity to convey genuine well-wishes for the couple's future together.

Utilize keywords: Best man speech examples, funny wedding speech examples, memorable wedding speeches, short wedding toasts.

Maid of Honor Speech

Crafting a memorable Maid of Honor speech involves sincere sentiments and personal anecdotes . Begin by introducing yourself, expressing gratitude for being chosen as the Maid of Honor, and sharing heartfelt words about the bride.

Address the audience courteously, focusing on a few key points such as highlighting the bride’s qualities and wishing the newlyweds joy and love. Keep it brief but meaningful to maintain engagement.

Use humor tastefully while avoiding embarrassing stories. Focus on conveying good wishes towards the couple with sincerity and positivity. Personalize your speech for the couple, using relevant quotes or song lyrics to add depth to your toast.

Father of the Bride Speech

Crafting the perfect father of the bride speech requires thoughtfulness and sentiment. Begin by expressing gratitude to all attendees while sharing heartwarming anecdotes about your daughter .

Share how proud you are and offer warm wishes for her future. Use tasteful humor sparingly, keeping your focus on honoring the couple's love and commitment.

Incorporate personalized touches such as advice for a successful marriage, always addressing both your daughter and her partner equally . Conclude with a toast that encapsulates your love and support as their journey begins together, leaving everyone with heartwarming sentiments that celebrate this joyous occasion.

Mother of the Groom Speech

The mother of the groom speech is an opportunity to express love and well wishes for the newlyweds. Keep the speech warm, genuine, and heartfelt, focusing on your son's happiness in his new marriage.

Share some sweet memories or anecdotes about your son growing up, offer advice , and convey how proud you are of him on this special day. Use appropriate length and strike a balance between humor and sincerity to deliver a memorable toast that conveys positive sentiments towards the couple.

Crafting a meaningful mother of the groom speech requires thoughtfulness, planning, and practice to ensure it resonates with the couple and leaves a lasting impression on everyone present at the wedding ceremony.

Groom's Speech

The groom's speech should be heartfelt and positive , conveying good wishes towards the couple. It should have a clear structure , beginning with an introduction about how he knows the bride and his feelings for her, then transitioning into expressing gratitude to the guests and family.

The speech should also include a special mention of the bride and why she is important to him. Incorporating humor can lighten the mood, but it's essential to maintain sincerity throughout.

When delivering the speech, it's crucial for the groom to speak clearly and at an appropriate pace. Making eye contact with both the bride and guests will help in connecting with everyone present.

Additional Tips and Ideas

- Incorporate personal anecdotes and humor, but be mindful of the couple's preferences.

- Tailor your speech to reflect the unique relationship between the couple.

Including Humor and Personal Stories

Incorporate amusing anecdotes that are appropriate and relatable to the couple. Sprinkle in light-hearted jokes or funny incidents, but avoid anything offensive or embarrassing. Use personal stories about the couple sparingly to add a sentimental touch and connect with the audience emotionally.

Remember, maintaining a balance between humor and sincerity is key for delivering an engaging wedding toast that will leave a lasting impression.

Tailor your jokes and stories to fit within the overall tone of positivity and warmth , ensuring they contribute to a heartfelt message of love and support for the newlyweds. Keywords: wedding speech examples, bride speech examples, maid of honor speech examples, groom speech tips.

Avoiding Embarrassment or Offense

To avoid embarrassment or offense in your wedding toast, it's crucial to steer clear of anecdotes that could cause discomfort or awkwardness. Ensure your speech is respectful and doesn't delve into sensitive or private topics about the couple.

Keep humor light and tasteful, refraining from jokes that may be inappropriate for the occasion. Bestowing sincere compliments while being mindful of cultural and religious sensitivities will contribute to a thoughtful and well-received toast.

Balancing lightheartedness with respect ensures that you convey goodwill without crossing any lines. It's essential to remember that the focus should stay on celebrating the couple rather than airing personal grievances or inside jokes that might isolate some guests.

Customizing Your Speech for the Couple

Tailor your speech to reflect the unique qualities of the couple , highlighting their love story and special moments. Incorporate personal anecdotes and memories that showcase their individual personalities and their journey together.

Use specific examples to illustrate why they are a perfect match, connecting with the audience through genuine emotion. Emphasize qualities you admire about each person, while expressing well wishes for their future happiness and success as a married couple.

Acknowledge any cultural or religious traditions important to them in a respectful manner, bringing warmth and inclusivity to your toast.

Ensure that your words align with the tone of the wedding celebration and cater to both the bride and groom equally , avoiding any potential discomfort or awkwardness in your customized speech for this momentous occasion.

Using Quotes or Song Lyrics

Incorporate meaningful quotes or song lyrics that resonate with the couple's love story. Choose words that reflect their personalities and the journey they have shared. Ensure the quote or lyric adds to your toast without overshadowing your own heartfelt sentiments.

Keep it brief and avoid using overly popular or cliché phrases , aim for something unique to truly capture the essence of the couple's relationship.

Crafting a wedding speech can be made more impactful by drawing inspiration from well-fitting quotes or song lyrics that enhance your message. It is vital to strike a balance between personal anecdotes and external influences while tailoring your choice to perfectly encapsulate the couple's love story, making it both relatable and memorable.

Conclusion.

Ensure your wedding toast has a well-structured beginning, middle, and end . Keep it short but meaningful to convey good wishes without embarrassing the newlyweds. Use humor balanced with sincerity to create an engaging and heartfelt speech that reflects your genuine sentiments towards the couple.

Remember to plan, practice, and personalize your speech for a memorable and enjoyable moment at the wedding celebration.

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