Wedding speeches are a super important part of a wedding reception. They let the couple, family members and friends express their love, gratitude and well-wishes for the newlyweds. But if you’re not a confident public speaker, giving a wedding speech can be nerve-wracking for many people, which is why having a few examples up your sleeve can be a great starting-point.

Here are some simple wedding speech examples that can help you deliver a heartfelt, memorable and enjoyable wedding speech. Feel free to use them as a template to inspire your own writing.

And remember that these are just samples. Be sure to incorporate your own unique elements to personalise your speeches, which might mean having more gender-equal speeches compared to the traditional wedding speech line-up.

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Groom’s Speech & Bride’s Speech

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The groom’s speech and bride’s speech is a chance for the couple to thank their families, friends and wedding party for their support and to share their love for each other. Here’s a sample of a shared groom and bride speech:

“Good evening everyone, we are [bride’s name and groom’s name], the newlyweds. We want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for being here to celebrate this special day with us. Our families, friends and wedding party have made this day truly unforgettable, and we are so grateful for your love and support.

We also want to thank our parents for their love and guidance, and for raising us to be the people we are today. We are honoured to have both of our families come together to celebrate this special day with us.

And last but not least, we want to express our love for each other. [Groom’s name], you are my best friend, my soulmate, and my partner in life. I am so grateful to have you by my side, and I look forward to a lifetime of love, adventure and happiness with you. [Bride’s name], you are beautiful, kind, and loving, and I feel so lucky to be able to call you my wife. I promise to always cherish and love you, no matter what life brings our way.

To our friends and family, thank you again for being here to share this special day with us. We are so grateful for your love and support, and we look forward to the memories we will create together.

Cheers to love, laughter and happily ever after. Cheers to all of us!”

Check out our top 10 groom speech examples and top 10 bride speech examples for more inspiration if you’re each giving individual speeches rather than a shared one.

Father of the Bride Speech:

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A father of the bride speech is one of the most traditional and emotional speeches of the wedding. The father of the bride has the chance to both reflect on the love and relationship he has with his daughter and to welcome her new spouse into the family. Here’s a sample to inspire you:

“Good evening, everyone. Today is a very special day for me, as I stand here to give away my beautiful daughter [bride’s name]. She has grown into an amazing young woman, and I am so proud of the person she has become. [Groom’s name], I couldn’t have asked for a better match for my daughter. You are kind, caring and loving, and I am honoured to welcome you into our family. [Bride’s name], [groom’s name], I wish you a lifetime of happiness, love and adventure. To the newlyweds!”

Check out our top 10 father of the bride speech examples for more inspiration.

Best Man Speech:

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The best man speech is a fun and light-hearted speech that’s often filled with anecdotes and humour. The best man has the chance to pay tribute to the groom and to share some memorable moments from their friendship. Here’s a sample:

“Good evening everyone, I am [your name], the best man, and the groom’s closest friend. I have known [groom’s name] for [number of years], and it has been an honour to stand by his side today as he marries the love of his life, [bride’s name]. [Groom’s name], you are one of the kindest, funniest and most genuine people I know, and I am so grateful to have you as my friend. [Bride’s name], you bring out the best in [groom’s name], and I know you will have a lifetime of happiness together. To the newlyweds, congratulations, and here’s to a lifetime of love and laughter!”

Check out our top 10 best man speech examples for more inspiration.

Maid of Honour Speech:

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The maid of honour speech is usually given by the bride’s closest friend or sister, and can be a combination of humour and sentimentality. Here’s sample:

“Good evening everyone, I am [your name], the maid of honour and [bride’s name]’s best friend. I have known [bride’s name] since we were [age], and I have never seen her as happy as she is today. [Groom’s name], you have brought so much joy into [bride’s name]’s life, and I am grateful to have you as my friend as well. To the newlyweds, may your love continue to grow stronger with each passing day. Congratulations and best wishes!”

Check out our top 10 maid of honour examples for more inspiration.

Mother of the Bride Speech:

Photo © Eyeshine Photography | See their Bridebook profile

A mother of the bride speech, while not always a traditional element in the order of wedding speeches, is becoming gaining increasing popularity in modern celebrations. This beautiful moment lets the mother share her heartfelt sentiments, commemorate her daughter’s journey and extend a warm welcome to her daughter’s new spouse. Here’s a sample:

“Good evening everyone. Today holds great significance for me, as I stand before you to celebrate the union of my beloved daughter [bride’s name]. Watching her blossom into the remarkable woman she is today fills my heart with immense joy. [Groom’s name], from the moment you entered our lives, you’ve shown remarkable qualities of kindness, compassion and love. Welcoming you into our family is an honour beyond words. [Bride’s name], [groom’s name], may your lives be filled with boundless joy, enduring love and remarkable journeys together. To the newlyweds!”

Check out our top 10 mother of the bride speech examples for more inspiration.

Plan your dream wedding on Bridebook

These are just a few examples of the different types of wedding speeches you may give on a wedding day. No matter what type of speech you choose, the most important thing is to be yourself, speak from the heart and let your love for the newlyweds shine through. Best of luck and have a wonderful time celebrating the love and happiness of the newlyweds.

Be sure to also check out our top tips from former actress and wedding speech writer Naomi Marghaleet, based on 30 years’ experience in the industry.

And for even more wedding tips and tricks, sign up to Bridebook today. We’ve got plenty of articles to help you with your wedding planning and celebrations.