Speeches

Discover wedding speech ideas, etiquette advice, writing tips, and real examples to help couples, families, and wedding parties deliver speeches that feel personal, memorable, and genuine.
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Wedding speeches often become some of the most emotional and memorable moments of the entire celebration. Whether you’re writing a heartfelt toast, planning a funny best friend speech, or trying to calm public speaking nerves, finding the right balance between sincerity, humour, and confidence can feel challenging. This category covers wedding speech structure, etiquette, timing, writing tips, speech order traditions, and inspiration for every member of the wedding party. From parents and best friends to newlyweds themselves, every speech should feel authentic to the people delivering it. Many couples choose to personalise wedding speeches far more than traditional etiquette once suggested. Exploring examples, advice, and practical guidance can help speakers feel more prepared while creating moments that genuinely reflect the relationships being celebrated. Bridebook helps couples plan every stage of their wedding with expert advice, planning tools, and inspiration designed to make wedding planning feel less overwhelming and more enjoyable.

Who traditionally gives speeches at a wedding? Traditional wedding speeches often include parents, newlyweds, and members of the wedding party, although many couples now personalise the order and format. How long should wedding speeches be? Most wedding speeches last between three and seven minutes depending on the number of speakers and the style of celebration. What should you avoid in a wedding speech? It’s usually best to avoid overly embarrassing stories, private jokes, controversial topics, or anything that may make guests uncomfortable. Do both newlyweds have to give a speech? Not necessarily. Some couples choose to speak together, individually, or not at all depending on their preferences. How can you calm nerves before giving a wedding speech? Practising beforehand, keeping notes nearby, speaking slowly, and focusing on meaningful moments rather than perfection can all help reduce nerves.

Plan your wedding on the go

Everything you need to organise your wedding, from venue search to guest lists, budgets and planning tools, all in one place.

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