The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Speeches

Everyone loves a wedding speech, but there is so much to think about if you are organising a day to be remembered, from how to write a great wedding speech to figuring out which order the wedding speeches should be in.

Before we dive into everything you need to know about writing a wedding speech, we wanted to give you an overview of what type of wedding speeches to expect at weddings in the UK.

The father of the bride speech

The father of the bride speech is an opportunity for the father to express his love for his daughter, and to welcome the groom into the family. The speech often includes some memories from the bride’s life. The father of the bride may also offer his blessing and good wishes for the couple’s future together. The speech is often emotional and sentimental and is a special moment for the bride and her father to share.

The groom’s speech

The groom’s speech is an opportunity for the groom to express his love to his new wife and his family, and to thank everyone who has played a role in the wedding planning and ceremony. The groom may also thank his parents, the parents of the bride, the bridal party, and any other important people in attendance. He will often express his feelings and thoughts about the wedding day and his future with his new wife. The groom’s speech is often a blend of sentimentality and humour.

The best man speech

The best man’s speech is an opportunity for him to give his congratulations and well wishes to the newlyweds, and to share his thoughts and memories about the groom. The best man may also include some light-hearted humour and anecdotes. He may also thank the parents of the bride and groom and the bridal party for their support, and express his appreciation for the couple’s relationship.

The maid of honour speech

The maid of honour’s speech is an opportunity for her to give congratulations and well wishes to the newlyweds, and to share her thoughts and memories about the bride. She may also include some words the bride’s personality and character. As it’s the maid of honour’s duty to help the bride during the planning process, so she may also thank the wedding planner and vendors for making the day special.

The bride’s speech

The bride’s speech is a less traditional part of a wedding ceremony, but it is becoming more common for the bride to give a speech at her wedding reception. The bride’s speech is an opportunity for her to express her love and gratitude to her new husband, family, and friends. She may also thank the wedding planner and vendors for making the day special.

The parent of the groom speech

A parents of the groom speech is less traditional, but it’s becoming increasingly common for the parents of the groom to give a speech at their son’s wedding reception. The parents of the groom speech is an opportunity for them to express their love and pride in their son, and to welcome the bride and her family into their own family.

Nowadays, wedding speeches in the UK  are a much less formal affair than in previous years, so you can take the opportunity to give your speeches in whatever order you think works for your wedding day, but the wedding speech order traditionally follows this format and begins after the wedding breakfast is finished:

• The father of the bride speech
• The groom’s speech
• The  best man speech
• The maid of honour speech (if any)
• The bride’s speech (if she wishes)
• The parent of the groom (if any)

Remember, this is the traditional order, but can vary depending on the wedding and those attending. Some weddings also have speeches from other family members such as step parents that might change the order.

Tips for Writing and Delivering a Great Speech

Researching for your wedding speech can be a fun and rewarding experience. If you are stuck on where to begin when it comes to researching your wedding speech then think about working through the following tips.

• Reflect on your relationship: Think about your relationship with the bride or groom, and any special memories or moments that you’ve shared. This can make for great content in your speech.
• Talk to the couple: Speak to the bride and groom to get a sense of what they would like to hear in your speech. Ask them about their favourite memories, what they love about each other, and what they are looking forward to in the future.
• Research online: There are many resources available online that can help you gather material for your speech. You can find speech examples, tips, and advice on how to structure your speech.
• Get inspiration from others: Speak to friends or family members who have given speeches at weddings in the past. Ask them for tips, and gather inspiration from their speeches. But remember, never copy!
• Take your time: Don’t rush to write your speech. Take your time to gather material, reflect on your relationship, and think about what you want to say. A well-prepared speech will be more meaningful and heartfelt.
• Practice, Practice, Practice: The more you practice, the more confident you will be when you deliver your speech. It will also help you to time your speech and make sure it’s the right length.

Remember, the goal of your speech is to show your support for the couple, and to celebrate their marriage. With proper research, you will have no problem giving a wedding speech that is heartfelt, meaningful, and memorable.

Many people find themselves anxious at the thought of actually delivering the speech itself, even if they have spent time writing and researching a great speech. Spend some time focusing on these top tips to help your wedding speech go with a bang.

• Speak clearly and confidently: Speak in a clear, confident voice, and make sure to project your voice so that everyone can hear you.
• Make eye contact: Make eye contact with the audience, especially the bride and groom, to create a connection and show your sincerity.
• Speak at a natural pace: Speak at a natural pace, and don’t rush through your speech. Take your time and enjoy the moment.
• Use visual aids: Use visual aids such as photos, videos, or props to add some visual interest to your speech.
• Have a glass of water nearby: It’s good to have a glass of water nearby, in case you need it.
• Be yourself: The most important thing is to be yourself, don’t try to copy someone else’s speech. The couple and the guests want to hear what you have to say.

Examples of wedding speeches

Browse the examples below for inspiration and guidance on how to write and deliver a wedding speech. Whether you’re the father of the bride, the groom, the best man, or the maid of honour, they’ll help you create a speech that’s personal, meaningful and will be remembered for years to come. And for even more speech samples, check out our dedicated wedding speech examples post. 

Funny wedding speech examples

1. Use self-deprecating humour to make the audience laugh. For example, “I’m honoured to be standing here today as [couple’s name] best man/maid of honour, considering all the times I’ve been a bad influence on them.”
2. Share a funny story or anecdote about the couple. For example, “I remember the first time [couple’s name] met, they bonded over their love of [insert a shared interest] and it’s been nothing but laughs ever since.”
3. Use a pop culture reference to make your speech more relatable. For example, “I always thought [couple’s name] would end up together, it’s like a fairytale romance straight out of a Disney movie.”
4. Use a pun or play on words to add some humour to your speech. For example, “I always knew [couple’s name] were meant to be together, they’re truly a perfect pear.”
5. Use a hypothetical scenario to add humour to your wedding speech. For example, “I can’t imagine what [couple’s name] wedding would have been like if they had chosen someone else as their best man/maid of honour. It would have been a disaster!”
6. Use a silly or unexpected prop to add some humour to your wedding speech. For example, “I have a special gift for the couple, it’s a [insert a funny or unexpected prop] to symbolise their love and commitment to each other.”

It’s also worth keeping in mind that you should be careful with the use of humour in a wedding speech, as you don’t want to offend anyone or make anyone uncomfortable. Make sure you test your jokes with a few people before delivering your speech.

Romantic wedding speech examples

1. Share the story of how the couple met and fell in love. For example, “I remember the moment [couple’s name] met, it was love at first sight and it’s been nothing but romance ever since.”
2. Share your personal thoughts on the couple’s relationship and what makes it special. For example, “I’ve never seen two people more in love than [couple’s name]. Their love is truly inspiring.”
3. Share your hopes and wishes for the couple’s future together. For example, “I wish the couple a lifetime of happiness and love, may they always be each other’s best friend and partner.”
4. Use poetry or a quote to add romance to your speech. For example, “I leave you with a quote that perfectly sums up the love between [couple’s name]: ‘I love you, not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you.'”
5. Use a metaphor to describe the couple’s relationship. For example, “The love between [couple’s name] is like a beautiful garden, it has grown stronger with each passing day.”
6. Share a personal memory or moment that you shared with the couple and how it made you realise the depth of their love. For example, “I remember the time when [couple’s name] did [insert a special memory], it was then when I realised that they were truly meant to be together.”
7. Share a message of love and support for the couple. For example, “I want to tell the couple that I love them and I will always be there for them, through good times and bad.”

As you’ll now know, a wedding speech is a special moment during a couple’s big day when the couple and their loved ones can celebrate their union. Writing a wedding speech, no matter your part in the day, can be a daunting task, but with a little preparation and some helpful tips, it can be a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone when it comes to the day itself.

You Might Also Like…

• Tips: Father of the Bride Speech
• How To Write Your Wedding Speech (Grooms’ Edition)
• Tips: Maid of Honour Speech
• How To Write Your Wedding Speech (Brides’ Edition)
• Wedding Speech Examples
• Wedding Speech Order

Happy Planning!