How to Start and End a Wedding Speech

Wedding speeches are surely the highlight of the wedding reception. They have the power to make a room roar with laughter or bring a tear to every eye. 

However, crafting the perfect beginning and ending to your wedding speech can be tricky. The opening is your first impression, and you want it to be memorable for all the right reasons. On the flip side, nailing the conclusion to a speech means guests will remember it for years to come. Nervous about getting it right? Don’t be. We’ve got your back. 

In this post, we discuss the ins and outs of how to start and end a wedding speech. We talk about what you could use to kick off your wedding day toasts and how to end a wedding speech in a genuine and memorable way. Ready to start? Let’s dive in. 

What is a wedding speech?

A wedding speech, also known as a wedding toast, is a heartfelt dedication to the newlyweds on their big day. Wedding speeches usually follow a specific speech order, and are traditionally made by the father of the bride, the groom, and the best man. However, as it’s your big day, you can ask anyone you’d like to make a speech and have them in any order you prefer!

Wedding speeches typically last about 30 minutes during the reception, usually following the main course but before dessert is served. Guests are often provided with a glass of prosecco, champagne, or a non-alcoholic sparkling drink to raise a toast to the newlyweds, creating a celebratory atmosphere as they listen to heartfelt speeches from family and friends.

How to start a wedding toast or speech?

The opening of your wedding speech or toast will engage your audience, set the tone for what’s to come, and create an emotional connection between you and the audience. But it can also be the hardest part to write as there’s a lot of pressure to get it right. 

But don’t let that overwhelm you! Remember that your opening should reflect your genuine feelings for the couple and your joy to participate in their special day. Speak from the heart, and you won’t go far wrong. If you’re still feeling unsure about how to open your wedding speech, the following guide will help you. 

Introduce yourself

Starting your speech by introducing yourself is a standard and effective approach. It helps guests understand your connection to the couple and sets the tone for the rest of your speech. Even if many attendees already know you, introducing yourself creates a sense of formality and helps you feel more confident. Whether the groom is your brother or you’ve known the bride for years, taking a moment to state who you are and your role in the day’s celebration ensures everyone is on the same page and ready to listen to your heartfelt words.

Start with a quote or compliment

If you’re feeling stuck about where to go next, a quote about love, a compliment to the beautiful bride, or a comment on the gorgeous venue are all solid options. A well-chosen quote can add depth and wisdom to your speech, while a sincere compliment will bring a smile to the bride’s face or show your appreciation for all the work that went into planning the wedding. Either way, these opening elements will set a positive tone for your speech and make the audience more receptive to your words. 

Use a funny story or anecdote

If you’re feeling confident, a funny story or anecdote about your relationship to the bride or groom is a great way to open your speech. It not only adds a touch of humour and light-heartedness to the atmosphere, but also instantly connects you with the audience through shared laughter.

But remember that humor can be a double-edged sword, so be sure to keep it light, respectful, and in good taste. The goal is to make the audience smile, not cringe. If your joke is a little risqué, consider running it past the bride or groom first to ensure they’re okay with it. 

Say thank you to everyone present

If all else fails, say thank you to everyone present. Thank you to the couple for inviting you to their special day, thank you to the venue staff who have worked so hard to make it all possible, and thank you to everyone else for coming. Everyone likes it when their contributions and efforts are acknowledged, so thanking the wedding party and staff and guests is a fool-proof speech opener. 

How to end a wedding speech or toast

Often, the only part of a speech the guests remember is the beginning and end. You’ve nailed the opening, and now it’s time to wrap up on a positive note. Try using the below tips to help you craft a memorable conclusion to your wedding toast.

Recap your key messages

A great way to round up your wedding speech is to recap the message from the body of your speech. This reinforces the central point you wanted to convey and leaves a lasting impression. 

For example, if your speech was all about how perfect the happy couple is for each other, consider rounding off with, “We can all see how happy [couples’ names] make each other, and if I find a love that’s half as perfect as theirs, I’ll be a lucky, lucky person.”

This reiteration brings your speech full circle and highlights the love and happiness that radiates from the newlyweds. This will leave a heartfelt and enduring message to share with everyone.

Share your advice and thoughts

You could also round off your speech by giving your thoughts on love and marriage and any advice you may have for the newlyweds. If you aren’t in a position to offer any advice, a quote about love, a wedding reading, or a line from a song are also great ways to end your speech. 

This approach not only imparts wisdom and reflection, but also serves as a thoughtful and fitting conclusion to your wedding speech. 

End on a positive note

As with any part of a wedding speech, end on a positive note. This could be a final blessing, one last thank you, or even a warm smile. You’ve done the hard part; all that’s left is to seal the speech with a final dose of love and warmth. 

Cheers to the couple

The best part of any speech— it’s time to raise your glasses of fizz to the sky and toast the happy couple. Invite the rest of your guests to join you in a toast to the happy couple’s good fortune and good health. Cheers!

The bottom line on wedding toasts

Wedding speeches can be challenging, especially when it comes to starting and finishing strong. With thoughtful preparation, genuine emotions, and a celebratory toast to close, you can deliver a speech that not only captivates the audience but also leaves a memorable mark on the newlyweds’ special day.

A friendly introduction, expressing gratitude to the couple, venue staff, and guests, a heartfelt quote about love, and ending with a smile and a toast are simple yet effective elements that will ensure your speech is heartfelt and well-received. These steps provide a solid structure for creating a memorable wedding speech that shines.

If you’re still sitting there wondering how to start your own wedding speech, or how to end it, we’ve got plenty of fabulous wedding speech examples right here on Bridebook. We have brilliant examples of father of the bride, groom, and mother of the bride speeches that you’ll love!

Credits for hero image: Photo © Kari Bjorn Photography (https://www.karibjorn.com)

You Might Also Like…

• Wedding Speech Examples
• Top 10 Groom Speech Examples
• Top 10 Bride Speech Examples
• Top 10 Mother of the Bride Speech Examples
• Top 10 Father of the Bride Speech Examples

Happy Planning!