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How to Write The Perfect Groom’s Speech (With Examples)

Author: Hollie Bond

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How to Write a Grooms Speech

Funny groom's speech ideas, emotional groom's speech ideas, unusual groom's speech ideas, famous groom's speech ideas.

No idea where to start when it comes to making a speech on your big day? We’ve compiled all the best tips and inspiration to help you write and deliver the best groom’s speech ever.

The groom’s speech is always a highlight at a wedding. It’s a chance for guests to hear all the romantic and heartfelt sentiments that you, as a newlywed, will be experiencing.

It’s also a feel-good part of the day where you get to acknowledge all your guests and thank individuals who have helped you bring this special day together. Everyone in the ‘audience’ will be friends and family, so put any public speaking nerves aside, as everyone will be willing you on to do your best and if you stumble over your words or well up when you’re talking about your new wife or husband – well, they’ll just love you even more!

We’ve rounded up 40 of the best groom’s speech ideas, with inspiration for funny, emotional, and unusual speeches, plus examples from famous grooms, to help you write your own Oscar-worthy speech.

What should the groom say in his speech?

Good news! The groom’s speech is one of the easiest speeches to write and deliver as it is essentially just one big thank you.

A groom’s speech should focus on thanking everyone who has helped make the wedding day special including the mother and father of the bride (or equivalent), the guests, his own parents, the best man, the bridesmaids, ushers, and anyone else who has contributed to the wedding.

The other main focus of the groom’s speech is to lavish praise and compliments on his new wife (or groom) and to tell them how happy he is to be married. Finally, the groom should raise a toast to his new wife or husband.

How long should a groom’s speech be?

Any speech at a wedding, including the groom’s speech, should be no longer than ten minutes. When written down this is approximately 1500 words, but make sure to time yourself before the big day in case you’re a particularly slow or fast speaker.

Ten minutes is the ideal length to get across everything you need to say, but not so long that your guests get bored and start to fidget. If you’re not a confident speaker you can always just say a few lines lasting a couple of minutes.

Less is definitely more when it comes to speeches. That said, if it’s too short you could sound flippant! Anywhere between five and ten minutes and you’re in safe territory.

1. Don’t be too formal

Unless you’re known for your love of a bit of pomp and circumstance then you don’t suddenly have to become the master of all things etiquette and stuffy speech-making just because it’s your wedding day. Your guests will want to hear you speak in your usual way, and as long as you cover the expected formalities like thanking everyone for coming, both sets of parents, the bridal party, and anyone who went above and beyond to help you with something like making a cake, then you don’t have to worry about anything else.

2. Focus on the start

If you can get guests smiling from the very beginning of the speech, then both you and your guests will feel relaxed and enjoy the rest of it. Have a think about something humorous that specifically relates to your guests or wedding situation rather than an obvious/ heard-100-times-before gag. Perhaps you’re known for your non-stop chatter, so you could open with “I know you’re all thinking you should take a loo break before I start talking, but I promise I’ll keep this as short (as I can!)…”

3. Don’t forget the main purpose of the speech

A romantic and heartfelt ode to the person you’ve just married should be the main focus of this speech. Try to avoid just saying empty words that anyone could say like “she/he is wonderful, beautiful, kind” etc. Think of specific things that your other half has done that makes you proud/ really love them/ that makes them unique. Anecdotes and stories that highlight a personal trait are the best way to do this.

4. Be romantic, not cheesy

Try not to fall into the trap of sounding like a compilation of all the lines you might find inside a cheesy Valentine’s Day card. Instead of “I’m so lucky to have found you” think about “My parents always told me nothing good would come of always being late, but I’m so glad to say I proved them wrong. I missed my train (as usual) that fateful day and the best thing ever came out of it… you.” Or a simple list of all the things that you particularly love about your partner, from the way they constantly fiddle with their hair to the way they talk to your dog like it’s a human.

5. Don’t give out gifts

This isn’t prize-giving at school and giving out weddinggifts to bridesmaids and ushers etc. will just take up valuable partying time. Give your bridal party their gifts in the morning when you’re all getting ready as it’ll be more personal in private.

6. Think about timing

A speech around the 7 – 10 minutes mark is considered the perfect amount of time for a groom’s speech (written down that’s about 1200 – 1400 words). Any less and you’ll sound a bit flippant. Any more and guests will start getting bored.

7. Don’t go into massive amounts of detail

We all know someone that tells a story as intricate and descriptive as a Tolstoy novel and how we automatically glaze over as soon as they start speaking. Don’t be that person. Your guests don’t want War and Peace – they want a nice easy to listen to a speech that doesn’t mentally challenge them, especially once they’re a few drinks down.

8. Find the perfect quote

If you’re not a wordsmith, let someone else more qualified sum up your feelings for you. There are plenty of amazing quotes from authors and famous orators out there and one or two of them may be exactly what you need to succinctly put all your feelings about the day and your partner into one neat sentence. Just make sure to acknowledge the original author!

9. Give your partner a promise

A lovely way to be funny and also heartfelt at the same time is to make a promise or two to your partner in front of your guests. Don’t just repeat your vows here, promise something that is unique to her/him. Perhaps she’s an avid rock climber and you’re more of a couch potato? Promise you’ll learn to love her crazy hobby. Maybe you’re not exactly Heston Blumenthal in the kitchen? Promise you’ll learn to cook your partner more than beans on burnt toast. Perhaps she/he is the world’s greatest Swiftie. Promise you’ll learn the lyrics to all their favourite Taylor Swift songs… you get the idea.

10. Prepare the delivery

The biggest mistake you can make is to write a great speech on paper and then not read it out loud before the big day. You need to practice talking slowly and confidently and leaving little pauses after funny bits (for any of the slower guests to get it!). Also, some written sentences don’t sound great when spoken, so reading out loud will help you to iron out any clunky syntax. Plus, you’ll want to know the speech almost by heart so that you don’t have your head in a piece of paper reading word-for-word on the day. Eye contact with your guests is one of the most important parts of delivering a successful speech.

You don’t have to be the next Michael McIntyre, but giving your guests a giggle and making them smile is the quickest way to make both them and you feel at ease with the speech.

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you have to pepper your speech with gags and silly one-liners to make it funny. Instead, just focus on things that are unique to you as a couple or for the audience (perhaps the region you’re from for example) and have a bit of fun at your/ their expense. Be careful not to reference something that only a few members of the audience will understand as that will very quickly alienate your other guests.

Here are ten funny speech ideas to take inspiration from:

Focus on your differences

Comparing your differences can be an easy way to make the guests smile. Are you obsessively tidy and your new partner a bit of a slob perhaps? Can you cook like a pro while they can’t even heat soup without burning the place down? Whatever your differences, exaggerate them and make a joke out of them to get guests giggling.

Tell the crowd something they don’t know

Do you know some funny things about your bride/groom’s past that others in the audience might not? Now’s a good time to reveal that she/he did some hilarious hobbies or geeky things as a child. Perhaps they have a funny secret crush or can do a really odd trick.

Exaggerate your weaknesses

Putting yourself down and acknowledging something everyone knows about you can be a good way to make guests smile. E.g. “Would you believe it? The bride/ groom has finally given up holding out for Ryan Gosling and decided a bald, beer-swilling Insurance Broker from Newcastle is a better option instead.”

Here’s a good example of a funny, self-deprecating groom’s speech:

Make a joke about the wedding itself

“Before I begin, please can we ensure that all the aisles and fire exits are kept clear throughout the reception. There’s a medical team waiting outside the building and I’d like them to have a clear run when my in-laws are presented with the final bill.”

“I’d like to thank Mastercard and Visa, without whom this would never have been possible. My wife and I will be forever in their debt.”

Mother-in-law jokes

These always go down well if you actually get on with her! Reference something unique to your mother in law like her shopping obsession or how long she takes to get ready perhaps. Or keep it classic with: “I’ve been told that this is usually one of the only times in a man’s life when he can be around his wife/husband and mother-in-law and not be interrupted – so hang in there, I’m going to take full advantage.”

“In [in-law’s names], I have found the perfect in-laws. I always cringe when I hear jokes about difficult mothers-in-law because my own experience has been far from that stereotype. [Turn to in-laws and whisper audibly] Did I read that right? Please don’t hurt me…”

Tell a story

If your first date, engagement or the time you asked the in-laws if you could marry their daughter/ son has a funny element to it, go ahead and tell the story. Just remember not to kill the humour with too many details.

Talk about your partner’s quirks

Does your wife/ husband have any weird habits? Divulge a few to the guests but make it romantic by saying how much you love her/him even though they… still get drunk after one glass of wine/ still go to bed with a teddy bear at the age of 33/ always get the words to songs wrong/ always have to be the last person on the dance floor even when the lights come up…

Make the thank yous funny

Instead of a boring list of thank yous, try and inject a bit of fun. For example: “I’d like to thank my mother in law for passing on such wonderful traits to her daughter; her kindness, her humour, though unfortunately, an unwavering support for Arsenal has also slipped down the genetic line.”

Trip the guests up

Everyone expects the first line of the groom’s speech to mention his new wife/ husband. Momentarily confuse them with a sentence like this: “My ex-girlfriend/ boyfriend and I would like to thank you all for coming today” – and then pause while they work it out and laugh.

Use props or videos

If there’s a funny prop or a video that you can show during the speech go for it, plus holding something or giving yourself a break in video form can help stop the nerves.

Leave guests guessing

It’s fine to reference the stag do , but don’t tell a long and boring story about something that happened while you were on it. That’ll only be funny to the stags. It’s best to mention something and leave the end of the story untold as a cliff-hanger so that guests can fill in the blanks with all manner of funny thoughts.

As a groom, you have free reign to get emotional and if you’re not normally an emotional person it will really surprise and delight guests as they will realise just how much the day and marrying your loved one means to you.

You don’t want to get too over the top though and make your guests feel uncomfortable. Keep the really mushy stuff for your bride or groom on your honeymoon and instead focus on the sort of emotional sentiments that will make guests smile.

Here are some ideas for how to make your groom’s speech just the right amount of emotional:

Look guests in the eye

The quickest way to get guests to buy into what you’re saying and to feel the raw emotion of your words is by looking them in the eyes as you deliver each sentence. If you’ve had a difficult time in the run-up to the wedding and are really grateful for the support they’ve all shown, say so while looking sincerely at the guests you really want to show your gratitude to.

Put your heart into the thank yous

If you don’t want to make the thank yous funny or witty, how about making them emotional by not just thanking the person for what they did, but by explaining how much it meant to you.

Mention absent friends

If a member of your family or a friend isn’t at your wedding and is greatly missed then make sure to raise a toast to their memory. You don’t want to be morbid, but a few words about how much the person/ people meant to you both and how much you miss them, followed by inviting all guests to raise a toast to them is a lovely emotional gesture.

Let yourself feel the emotion

If you feel yourself welling up don’t stop the emotion – guests won’t mind if your voice breaks a bit or if you have to take a deep breath. In fact, it just shows how much the words actually mean to you.

Be creative when it comes to describing your partner

If you want to inject emotion into your speech, don’t just say sentences that could describe any bride/ groom. Think specifically about your partner and be poetic when you talk about them and it will be much more sincere than just saying: “My new wide is beautiful” or “My husband is kind”. Here’s a lovely example from a groom’s speech about how to reference your new spouse:

Want to make sure your speech is unforgettable? Make it unusual and unique with some of these stand-out suggestions…

Rap the speech

Got a hidden talent for rapping (or if you don’t it can still be hilarious), then why not attempt to rap the speech instead. You could do part of it normally, before breaking out into a fun rap perhaps.

Sing the speech

Got a good set of pipes on you? How about singing your speech instead? Choose a famous song and then write personalised lyrics to fit. You can make it funny or heartfelt – whatever suits your personality best. Having the words on PowerPoint beside you can help in case some guests miss the words.

Write your speech on blackboards around the room

If the idea of public speaking really is too much for you and threatens to ruin your whole wedding day, why not write it up on blackboards that can be displayed around the venue for guests to read instead. You could even pre-record a video of you reading the speech too. Guests who know and love you will appreciate the effort and know how stressful making a speech in person would be for you.

Speak in a different language

Are you marrying someone who is originally from another country and has another language that you don’t speak? Impress both your new wife or husband and especially their family members who make not speak your language by learning some lines in secret in their language. Starting the speech in English for example before changing seamlessly into French will wow your audience and be very emotional for your new partner.

Get other people to do it for you

Track down important guests who can’t make it to the wedding or some famous people if you can and ask them to say something special that you can record and play as part of the speech.

Borrow the words

If you don’t want to make a traditional groom’s speech, how about performing a poem or reading out the lyrics to a song that means a lot to you as a couple (just don’t make it as awkward as Pam and Mick’s rendition in Gavin & Stacey!)

Write a story

Why not make your groom’s speech sound like the start of a novel or children’s story in a ‘once upon a time’ format, but insert yourself and your new spouse as the main characters. After all, your wedding is part of your love story and you can end your speech with a toast to your happily ever after.

Get your guests involved

Don’t like the idea of all eyes being on you? Surprise your wife/ husband by prepping guests beforehand to each say a sentence. Or you can encourage audience participation by turning your speech into a quiz about you as a couple/ the wedding day.

Perform a musical mash-up

Make it themed.

If your bride or groom has a love for something specific, theme your entire speech around it. Take these maids of honour who did a Disney medley as an example:

Tom Fletcher from band McFly did one of the most famous and unusual groom’s speeches of all time. If you can hold a tune why not replicate his speech with your own song…

Nick Jonas went down the heartfelt route for his groom’s speech at his wedding to Priyanka Chopra in 2018 and nailed the thank you to his new mother in law.

Mark Wright from TOWIE gave way to the tears when talking about new wife Michelle Keegan at their wedding: “Not only are you beautiful, but you are one of the most incredible people I have ever met. You truly are sensational in every single way.” Take inspiration from his touching way to be emotional without making everyone feel awkward.

Not a groom’s speech, but you could definitely steal the idea from the best man speech of Danny McKenzie at footballer Jamie Milligan’s wedding – he pretended he had forgotten the speech and then played a video that “showed” him racing through fields and various places James Bond-style to retrieve it…

Hollie Bond

Hollie is a lifestyle journalist with over ten years’ experience working in the wedding industry as Lifestyle Editor for You & Your Wedding magazine Also a Regional Editor for Muddy Stilettos, Hollie has written for Square Meal magazine, Family History Monthly, BBC History magazine and Homes & Antiques. In her spare time you can find Hollie in a dance studio practising ballet…

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How to Write a Short and Simple Groom Speech

The Groom Speech is one of the most important pieces of the wedding ‘jigsaw’.

Get it right and you’ll be a hero in the eyes of your new Bride and leave your guests with big smiles on their faces.

Get it wrong and there could be a big, embarrassing hole in the middle of an otherwise perfect day.

So the pressure’s on and while the Groom speech is not a hard one to pull off, it’s also an easy one to screw up.

But there’s no need to panic! Take a deep breath, think calming thoughts and read my Stress-Free Guide to Writing a Short and Simple Groom Speech .

An Effective Groom Speech is as Simple as ABC

Some Groom speeches are masterpieces of speechwriting - full of touching stories, memorable details and clever jokes.

But the truth is that as long as you include just three essential elements you can deliver a rock-solid Groom speech that ticks all the right boxes.

So here’s my ABC for an effective Groom speech, which tells you exactly what to say, and when to say it…

A is for… Acknowledgements

This is non-negotiable - acknowledging the important people in your life, particularly those who’ve helped with the arrangements for the big day.

Forget to say “thank you” and you’ll not only look ungrateful but your speech could leave a bad taste in the mouth of anyone who felt they deserved a quick mention.

And remember, even if you’ve thanked someone in person - or plan to - nothing can quite replace giving them public recognition in front of the other guests.

”Thank You” Checklist

Here’s a checklist of people you might want to thank:

• The Father of the Bride for his toast to you and the Bride
• Your parents for their support over the years
• The Bride’s parents for:a) bringing up your wonderful wife, andb) for welcoming you into their family
• Your Groomsmen for their help on and before the big day
• The Bridesmaids for the help they’ve given the Bride

”Thank You” Gifts

If you intend to hand out any gifts you can do this as part of the acknowledgements.

Absent Family and Friends

It’s also customary to acknowledge absent family and friends.

This can be a poignant moment so make sure there’s a brief pause to remember important people, before diving into…

B is for… Bride

Once you’ve shown your gratitude by acknowledging all the key wedding players, it’s time to get to the main topic of your speech, which is of course - the Bride!

Yes, the thank you’s are absolutely essential, but they’re really just a polite preamble. It’s the bit where you start to talk fondly about your new wife that your guests are really looking forward to hearing.

Even if you’re the strong, silent type, your wedding day is the one occasion where you get to show your softer side and let a few honest feelings show through.

But don’t worry, it’s dead easy to write a crowd-pleasing Groom speech. Because although the Best Man’s speech, for example, is expected to be funny, all that the Groom’s speech really needs to be is sincere - and a little romantic.

In the spirit of minimalism, here’s a simple template to use if you’re lost for words when it comes to talking about your beautiful Bride:

• Tell the story of how you first met
• Say what you love about her - illustrated with a quick anecdote
• Tell us something about your hopes and plans for your future together

Do this right and you’ll score some serious points with your new wife and have all the guests (well the women at least!) thinking you’re the ultimate romantic hero!

C is for… Cheers!

So you’ve thanked everyone who needs thanking and you’ve made your new Bride swoon with some well-chosen words straight from the heart.

Job done, right? Time to sit down.

Well, not quite.

Wrap it up and end on a high

All good speeches have a clear beginning, middle and an end, and the Groom speech is no exception. You’ve just nailed the beginning and the middle, so let’s wrap things up neatly and end on a high.

Nothing gets a more enthusiastic response than an invitation to drink, and it’s traditional for the Groom’s speech to end with a toast to the Bridesmaids.

In an ultra-minimal Groom speech you could simply thank everyone for listening and immediately propose the toast.

However, it’s nice to acknowledge the next speaker - usually the Best Man - before you sit back down (and hopefully receive a big kiss from your wife).

A simple template for the perfect ending

So, with that in mind, here’s a quick guide to the perfect ending:

• Thank everyone for listening and say it’ll soon be time for the Best Man to speak
• Say a few short words about the Best Man and how much you’re looking forward to his speech
• Raise a toast to the Bridesmaids and hand straight over to the Best Man (or the MC)

So that’s it! You’ve reached the end of my Minimalist Guide.

Hopefully the prospect of writing your Groom speech is now about as stressful as gently raking the sand in your Zen garden whilst listening to an iPod full of whale song.

Now take a deep breath in, hold it for a few seconds, then slowly exhale any remaining worries and fears about your speech.

Just pick up a notepad and your favourite pen, and get writing.

Read More Like This

Boring! 5 Groom Speech Clichés That Make You Seem Dull and Unoriginal

Groom Speech: Common Questions

Funny Groom Speech Example

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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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Grooms' Speeches

Audrey is a freelance writer and editor with years of experience. Her work has been published in local and national magazines as well as online.

Learn about our Editorial Policy .

Groom wedding speech examples can help any groom give the perfect speech at the rehearsal dinner or wedding reception. A groom's speech or toast has no specific rules, being kind, open, and welcoming usually ensures success.

Three Groom's Speech Examples

Each groom's speech template can be customized to suit your wedding. Click on the image to print the groom's speech examples using your PDF program, like Adobe Reader , to download, print, and save them to your computer.

• Wedding Toast Examples for a Speech They'll Remember
• Free Wedding Speech Examples to Celebrate the Big Day
• Free Short Best Man Speech Examples That'll Capture Hearts

Sample Speech One

Hello everyone, I would like to thank you all for coming here today to celebrate with us. It means the world to myself and __________________ (bride's name) that you chose to take time out of your busy schedules and acknowledge our nuptials.

When I met ________________ (bride's name) on _________________ (date of first meeting), I felt __________________________________________ (describe how felt at time of meeting new wife). At the time we were both ____________________________ (describe place, situation or life events going on at the time), which meant ___________________________ (explain the impact of this event or situation). I had no idea then that she would become my wife, which I displayed by ____________________________________ (describe how the groom acted when he first met the bride).

However, after _________ years (or months), I finally understood that, without ________________________ (bride's name), I was incomplete. I have never been happier than when she agreed to marry me or today, when she finally became my spouse.

I cannot thank our parents enough for their support. I also cannot thank you all enough for demonstrating your support for our relationship by joining us here today. Thank you.

Sample Speech Two

Hi, there, everyone. When __________________ (bride's name) and I discussed my giving a speech, I never thought I'd be so nervous. The funny thing is that I'm more nervous now than ever, even when I was standing at the altar today. You see, I have never questioned my love for _________________ (bride's name) or our relationship. I know in my heart that she and I are made for each other and a perfect match because ________________________________________. Because of this, there is nothing I was more certain of in my entire life than marrying _______________ (bride's name). Although the wedding process can be stressful for some guys - as can be asking someone to marry them - I have always felt 100 percent secure in my decision. I am, however, still extremely glad that ________________ (bride's name) said yes and that she showed up today!

____________________ (bride's name), I love you, and cannot thank you enough for all you do for me and for being willing to become my wife. I think that everyone in this room can agree with the statement that you make me a better person. After all, it was you who got me to __________________________________ (insert something funny that the bride induced the groom to change or do). And obviously that was a huge success!

Also, thank you to everyone here tonight and our families. Your support means the world to us. I hope you all will join me in raising your glass to my beautiful bride, our parents, and all of you for being here today.

Sample Speech Three

Well, I think you all know me, but in case you don't, I'm __________________ (insert groom's name), the groom in this wedding. I speak on behalf of myself and __________________ (bride's name) when I say "thank you" for being here tonight to celebrate us.

Wow, to think that _______________________ (insert "in a short time" or "a short time ago", depending on when speech is delivered) ___________________ (bride's name) and I _______________________ (insert "will become" or "became") man and wife. We're officially a joint entity! _________________ (bride's name,), isn't it romantic to think of ourselves as a legal, joint entity? Although some people may say "no", I find our newfound partnership extremely romantic.

But seriously, though, thank you for marrying me. Without you I would be lost and definitely less loved.

And now, I introduce ____________________ (next speaker), ______________________________ (insert relationship of speaker to wedding party or couple), who would like to say a few words.

Common Elements to Include

There are no specific requirements for a groom's speech but there are some groom's speech tips to follow that will ensure you cover everything.

What the Groom Should Say in His Speech

Common elements make a speech appear complete and in tune with the event's mood. These include:

• Thanking parents for their support
• Thanking guests for attending
• Thanking the bride for agreeing to marry the groom
• Telling a sentimental story or explaining why the bride means so much to the groom

Regardless of content, however, the speech should reflect the couple's style, such as lighthearted or serious, and the mood of the event, meaning informal or formal. Giving an informal speech during a formal wedding reception could make the speech seem out of place or guests uncomfortable.

Concluding the Speech

How to end the speech is up to the groom, but may be accomplished by:

• Thanking the listeners
• Introducing the next speaker, such as the best man
• Raising a glass in a toast to the bride, couple's parents, or guests

Including several or all of these elements allows a groom to give a thorough, uplifting, and romantic speech.

Giving the Best Groom's Speech

While giving the speech, the groom should speak slowly and elucidate so that all guests can hear and understand him. The groom can give the speech at the couple's table, on the stage set up for the band, or on the dance floor - wherever he feels most comfortable. Note, however, that giving a speech at a table is considered informal.

It is perfectly acceptable for the groom to bring a copy of the speech or notes with him during the speech. However, the groom should not just read directly from those notes, but rather use them as guidance. He should practice the speech a few times prior to ensure that he knows its general outline, flow, and contents.

Also, if he plans on closing with a wedding toast , he should remember to bring his glass up to the microphone. This will avoid a delay in the speech while he retrieves his glass and allows him to close appropriately and on time.

Delivering Your Groom's Speech

Customize your speech to your wedding's mood and for your bride so that it reflects you two and your event. Remember, practice makes perfect!

• Inspiration
• Wedding planning
• Bride Speech: What, When and Examples

Brides speech: what to say, how to say it and examples

You’re getting married! So, surely you’ve got something to say about that? Traditionally, you’d expect to hear speeches from the groom, father of the bride and the best man. But we’re totally here for the tradition breakers. It’s becoming increasingly popular for brides to make a speech at their wedding. And we’re here to answer the big questions:

• So, as a bride, should you make a speech to your bride or groom? Spoiler - HELL YEAH (but only if you actually want to of course).
• Should it include references to friends and family or just your spouse?

How long should a bride’s speech be?

• What should it say?
• Should it be long or short, light and funny or heartfelt and emotional?
• When during the wedding day should it come?

If you want to know the above and much more, well, you’ve come to the right place!

When should brides start planning their speech?

There’s no harm in starting early, just to give you plenty of time to write, edit and practise your speech. As we’ll touch upon later, practice really does make perfect so it’s important not to rush this part! Generally we would suggest you start no later than a month before the big day.

The pros suggest practising your speech before bed, apparently your brain is in the best state to absorb information at this point in the day. Nifty!

What should a bride include in her speech?

The great thing about making a bridal speech is that there are no expectations and no template, however there’s a few things you might like to include. Generally, it’s stories, humour and meaningful tributes. It’s the perfect opportunity for you to thank your bridal party and family but also drop a few love bombs. While you’re at it, throw a few compliments at your spouse, as well. They’re probably not too bad, after all.

If you’re both making a separate speech or even a joint bride and groom speech, discuss who will cover what with your spouse to be and check who will thank who so that you don’t end up covering the same ground. You may even like to chat with the best man and father of the bride too. Don’t forget to stake your claim on the best stories! And above all else, avoid the cliches. Even in your darkest writing block moments, avoid the temptation of recycling jokes from the internet. The genuine and original anecdotes are the ones that’ll have your guests roaring with laughter. If you’re not comfortable landing jokes, keep things sincere and heartfelt.

If you’re struggling to get started, a good formula to follow is:

• Welcome and thank your lovely guests
• Thank your bridal party and family
• Chuck in a hilarious anecdote or story, don’t forget to relate it to your wedding day
• Finish off with a toast

Start planning early and brainstorm ideas without pressure - think of the highpoints in your relationship, ask yourself why you think your relationship works so well, and find humour where it doesn’t!

Should you include a theme to your bridal speech?

For sure - some of the most entertaining wedding speeches are based on a theme. If you’re both in the medical profession, base it around a humorous diagnosis, if one of you is a musician, include song lyrics. If you’ve travelled together, link your stories back to places you have visited. Consider using props or even an instrument (please… no recorders, unless it’s ironic of course). If you decide to use props, practise your timing so that you nail the delivery.

When does the bride make her speech?

The great thing about a bridal speech is that there are no traditions or expectations. So, you can choose when you give your speech. You might like to get in early, before the other wedding toasts so that you can be first to thank your wedding party and your new spouse (aww). And, let’s face it, guests may be a little bored of speeches by the last one!

If you’re feeling nervous, remember that you’re about to speak to the easiest audience of your life- they’re all there for YOU and are rooting you on. So, take a deep breath and enjoy it.

Keep it punchy, after you’ve written your wedding speech, look to edit and cut back any unnecessary bits (nobody likes a waffler). An ideal length is 900 words, this is the equivalent of 6 minutes speaking time. Any jokes that you’re slightly on the fence about? Have a trustworthy friend sense check and if in doubt, leave it out. Don’t forget, practice makes perfect - run through your speech plenty of times before the big day so you’re totally familiar with it.

When it comes to delivering your speech, fake it ‘till you make it with a smile and don’t take yourself too seriously. It’s no secret that speeches delivered with a smile come across with more warmth and sincerity than a deadpan delivery!

Looking for some more inspiration? Check out some cracking bride’s speech examples.

So, I know that a bride’s speech isn’t exactly traditional… but if you know me at all, you’ll know that today of all days, I wasn’t about to let the guys have all the limelight!

First, on behalf of MY HUSBAND and myself (pause for applause) I want to say a massive thank you to all of you for being here today. We were fully ready for today to be amazing, but I don’t think anything can really prepare you for how surreal & overwhelming it is to have all your friends and family, from all the different parts of your life, together in one room. The sheer volume of love here today has blown us away & we are SO grateful.

I know that my wonderful husband (LOVE saying that!) is doing all the proper thank yous in his speech, so I’ll leave those to him. But I do just want to thank my amazing team of bridesmaids… you ladies have made this whole process so much fun – getting me hyped when I needed to be hyped & keeping me calm when I needed to be calm. The impromptu dance party this morning was EXACTLY what I needed to burn off the pre-ceremony nerves!

So, since there are no real rules for a Bride’s speech, I thought it might be nice to tell you the story of how we met. There’s an old saying that a man decides to marry when he feels it’s the right time, while a woman chooses to marry when she feels it’s the right man. Well, I’d argue that the same could be said for online dating.

I had been stuck in an endless cycle of swiping, matching, texting, meeting & (I’m ashamed to say…) ghosting a parade of Mr Wrongs… for YEARS. This guy on the other hand… decides one day to join a dating app, matches with me on his first afternoon of swiping, sets up a date for the next day, meets me. Falls head over heels & the rest is history! … I mean, what can I say… He’s a lucky guy!

Seriously though, I’m the lucky one. This man is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best person I’ve ever met. I mean, sorry guys – you’re all fantastic & I love you…. But I love him the most.

My love, I love your big laugh & your even bigger heart. I love the life we’ve built together – our beautiful home & our gorgeous fur babies. I love the way you can always make me laugh, even when I’m upset & crying… especially when I’m upset & crying! And most of all, I love that even from that very first date, being with you felt like home.

So, everyone, can I ask you please to raise a glass… to love, home & happily ever after!

Ok, so I know it’s not strictly traditional for the bride to give a speech, but I couldn’t let the guys have all the fun now, could I?!

I think between them, they’ve already taken care of all the formal thank yous and shout outs… excellent work guys – smashed it! So, I won’t bore you with more of those.

But, if you’re all sitting comfortably, I thought I’d tell you a little story.

Once upon a time, not too far from here, there was a little girl. She didn’t dream about handsome princes & big white weddings. She was too busy playing with her dinosaurs and splashing in muddy puddles to think about boys, thank you very much!

Around the same time, in a kingdom far away, across the water, there was a little boy. Playing with his dinosaurs & splashing in muddy puddles.

Over the years, these two little people grew up into slightly bigger people, but they kept their love of dinosaurs & muddy puddles. So, when the time came to choose a uni course… Earth Sciences (with a healthy dose of palaeontology) was the only option.

And so it was that come September, the girl from London & the boy from Amsterdam rocked up at Bristol University, young, fresh-faced & single… but not for long.

Their eyes met across the lecture theatre, there was a moment, a little spark. A friend request was sent (hey, it was 2008!) and the rest, as they say… is history.

I will be forever grateful that those two crazy, outdoorsy, dinosaur-loving kids, grew up & followed their dreams. Because if they hadn’t, they would never have met. Never have fallen in love. And they wouldn’t now be spending their days together, splashing in muddy puddles with their dinosaur-replacement dogs – and by the way, can I get a cheer for the world’s greatest ring bearers, Dino & T-rex!

My love, you are the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I love you. And I can’t wait to keep on loving you, every day for the rest of my life.

So, lovely people, will you please join me in raising a glass, to following your dreams & falling in love!

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” Wise words indeed, written by a very wise woman.

But what, I wonder, about a single WOMAN, in possession of an equally respectable fortune?... It’s an entirely different kettle of fish if you ask me.

In fact, as many of you will know, If you’d have asked this particular woman about her views on marriage, not even 2 years ago… well… she’d have chewed your ear off.

“I’ll never get married. Are you joking? I love my life! I can go where I like, I’m free to travel, financially independent. I don’t need no man. I’m happy by myself!”

And I was. I really, truly was.

BUT. You never know what the universe has in store for you. And for me, it had the most amazing surprise.

Enter stage left… this guy… the actual man of my dreams.

Tall, dark & handsome, kind, funny, adventurous, spontaneous.

It takes a special kind of crazy person to agree to a tandem skydive as a 2nd date… but that just about sums it up really, doesn’t it? I’ve found my person. My adventure buddy, my partner in crime, a match for my particular kind of crazy. And I’m not gonna lie, it feels f***ing amazing.

I get to wake up next to this phenomenal human every day, for the rest of my life. And wherever in the world we are, I know I’ll be home, as long as you’re there with me.

That’s what I believe marriage is all about – and honestly, I can’t f***ing wait.

So please, join me in a toast – to getting married!

NOW LET’S GET MESSY!

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Home > Wedding Tips and Advice > Wedding Speeches > How to Please Your Bride with Your Groom Speech

How to Please Your Bride with Your Groom Speech

Wedding Speeches

The date is set, the venue booked, invitations are out, the stag weekend is in the diary; just the small matter of a groom speech still to write. You’re not worried, but why is your bride-to-be?

Here are a few tips on how to please your bride with your groom speech.

Don’t Spend More Time Building Up the Best Man Than the Bride

Although it’s nice to reference the best man and poke a bit of fun at him, remember that your wedding day is about your relationship with your bride, not your best mate!

Thank Your New In-Laws (Particularly If They Are Hosting the Wedding)

Your bride might not get the opportunity to thank her parents publicly for all they’ve done for her, so it’s up to you to do it on her behalf — and she’ll love you for it.

She’s Your ‘Wife’, So Feel Free to Mention It!

Nothing gets a more heart-warming cheer than the line “my wife and I…”. Yes it’s predicable and a little bit cheesy, but the novelty of hearing it for the first time never fails to please the bride, or the guests for that matter.

Keep It Original

It’s fine to include the odd predictable line, as above, but don’t go overboard or your speech will sound like an internet cut and paste. Your bride wants you to talk about her… so make it personal and original .

Mention How She Looks

Beautiful, gorgeous, stunning… however you chose to say it, make sure you remark on your bride’s appearance. Those manicures, hair stylists and facials weren’t for nothing!

Don’t Forget This is a Celebration of Love

It isn’t an opportunity for a 10 minute comedy stand up routine, so try to balance your hilarious one-liners with a good dollop of sincerity. What is it about your bride you love? How has your life changed (for the better!) since she’s been in it? Which of your bad habits does she have to put up with?

Leave Out the Ex-Girlfriends

However relaxed your bride is about your past, there’s a time and a place for referencing the exes, and the groom’s speech isn’t one of them.

Talk to Her

Although you’re giving a speech, you don’t always have to talk to the room. It will be far more powerful and personal if, when you’re talking about your bride, you actually look at and make eye contact with her.

Guest post by Lawrence Bernstein of Great Speech Writing

Image from Murray Clarke

Related Posts

How to Write A Killer Bride or Groom Wedding Speech

Writing a wedding speech can be a daunting task, especially if you’re nervous about speaking in front of a group. But it’s an awesome opportunity to let your nearest and dearest know how much they mean to you and how much you appreciate them celebrating the start of your marriage with you.

Traditionally, brides don’t give speeches. They sit quietly and listen while their dad, the best man and the groom give speeches. Brides were to be seen and not heard. But we’ve had enough of that. If you’re a bride who wants to speak at your own wedding – more power to you! We 100% support a bride being heard on her own wedding day.

Getting ready to write your bride or groom wedding speech? Awesome! We’ve got all the steps you need to write a killer wedding speech that will leave the room laughing, crying and applauding wildly by the time you drop the mic.

Decide on the logistics

Before you get to the nitty-gritty of speech writing, figure out some of the big picture issues. Who is going to be giving the speech? Are you speaking together or separately? If you’re giving two separate speeches, who is going first? When in the night are you giving the speech? How long will the speech be? What’s the tone going to be?

Start your wedding speech with some thank yous

This one is easy! You start your speech by giving a round of thank yous. Thank all of your guests for coming, thank your wedding party for supporting you, thank out-of-towners for making the trek, thank your parents for all their love, thank your new spouse’s parents for welcoming you into the family, thank special people who made the day possible, thank vendors, THANK THEM ALL! Or, y’know, thank who you want to thank.

Mention those who couldn’t be there

This step is optional, but if you’d like, it’s a great time to pay tribute to people who couldn’t be at your wedding. This could be important people who couldn’t physically make it, maybe they are unable to travel or sick. Or this could be people who have passed on that you want to honour on your special day.

Add a short & sweet anecdote to your wedding speech

Here’s the fun part: now you get to gush about your boo! Include a short story about how you met, when you knew you were in love or a funny tidbit from wedding planning. The idea here is that you want to share a cute story, nothing embarrassing. And you’ll want to keep it short, especially if you and your spouse are both sharing little stories. You’ll also want to double check with anyone else giving speeches that you’re not all re-telling the same story.

End with your partner

You made it! You’re at the end of your speech. Now all you have to do is address your partner and cue the waterworks. This is where you let your brand new husband or wife know how happy you are to be married to them, how much today has meant to you or anything you weren’t able to fit into your vows.

Practice makes perfect

Especially if you’re nervous, rehearse your speech. Stand in front of the mirror, ask someone in your wedding party to lend an ear or recite your speech to your dog. And if you’re planning on doing the speech together and splitting up the different sections, you’ll definitely want to practice with your partner. If there are parts of the speech you want to keep as a surprise for the big day, that’s totally fine. Just rehearse the rest together so you know who says what when.

You know what we say – your wedding, your way! So if you’re really nervous about giving your speech in front of so many people, maybe you can give a speech at your rehearsal dinner in front of a smaller audience instead. If you’re scared you’ll be all teary by the end of the speeches, forget the tradition of the couple speaking last and do your speech first. And if the idea of a speech totally terrifies you, skip it all together! You can give out cards to your loved ones or talk to them one on one and let them know how much you appreciate them making your wedding day magical.

Last minute dos & don’ts for writing the best wedding speech ever!

• DO: write it down and don’t try to wing it. Have a paper copy so you’re not frantically trying to find your phone only for it to die when you’re halfway done your speech.
• DON’T: wait until you’re too drunk to give your speech. If you think you’ll be sloshed by 8:00pm, give your speech by 7:00pm.
• DO: feel free to respond to other speeches. If you go last, you can totally improvise a bit and thank you dad for his sweet words or try to defend yourself in the story your best man just told.
• DON’T: hog the mic. If you and your partner are giving the speech together, divide it up so you can both speak equally.
• DO: be courteous of your guests’ time. Especially if you have a lot of speeches planned, try to keep yours short and to the point.
• DON’T: share anything too embarrassing, too intimate or too inside joke-y. Trust us, you’ll regret it when your nana comes up to you later and asks you to explain that story from the time you had a pregnancy scare in Vegas.

Are you planning to give a speech at your wedding?  For more wedding planning advice, visit our blog . And to learn more about our team of wedding officiants and book an officiant for your wedding, get in touch! 

written by Riana Ang-Canning

Wedding Speech Etiquette

• All Roles , Best Man , Bride , Father of the Bride , Father of the Groom , Gay Groom , Groom , Lesbian Bride , Maid of Honour , Mother of the Bride , Mother of the Groom
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Home » Wedding Speech Etiquette

(*Of course, if you’re looking for more than ‘advice’, check out all the different ways the Speechy team can help you write & deliver a great speech. Or check out our new AI-powered team member, SpeechyAI .)

Traditional etiquette is a good starting point for a speech but don’t feel restricted by it.

Is the climax of the groom’s speech really a toast to the bridesmaids? Do we really need the best man reading out Aunty Joan’s email? And do we even need a father of the bride speech when we all know the bride’s mum would be funnier? Surely not.

Every speech celebrates a unique couple (complete with different families, priorities & styles of weddings) and it’s ridiculous to think they should all start and end the same way. It’s also a bit lazy.

So this etiquette guide comes with a warning (like every good etiquette guide should). Most of it will make sense for you and your wedding, but some of it won’t.

Times evolve. Five years ago it would have seemed overly casual & somehow dismissive to read your wedding speech from your phone. These days, it’s commonplace. So question traditional etiquette & go with what feels right to you.

Scroll to your role…

Father of the Bride Wedding Speech Etiquette

The father of the bride is the wedding’s warm-up man. It’s your job to welcome all the guests, pay tribute to your daughter, and get everyone in the mood to party.

• Thank guests for attending as well as the people who played a crucial role in setting up the wedding but be careful not to get too carried away. The thank yous are actually the newlywed’s job.
• The main purpose of your speech is to remind the guests why your daughter is so darn incredible. Include funny stories from her childhood as well as those from her adult life. Don’t think you should leave the humour to the best man – you need to be funny too!
• Of course, the core of the speech should be heartfelt and sincere. This is not an opportunity to show off about her Grade 8 piano skills, but instead talk about what she means to you and what a wonderful person she is. Resist cliches and make sure you pay tribute to the unique individual she is. 
• Don’t forget your daughter’s partner; talk about your happiness getting to know them and their family (whether truthful or not).
• Conclude your speech with a toast to the couple. Traditionally it was to the ‘health and happiness of the happy couple but these days people welcome something a bit different. Try to reflect the personality of the newlyweds and the theme of your speech.
• Make sure your speech is short & sweet; aim for about six-eight minutes (or about 1,000 words, certainly less than 1.300 maximum)
• Avoid suggesting you’ve contributed to the cost of the wedding even if it’s meant only in jest! A gentleman should never tell (even if everyone already knows).

Remember this is the standard etiquette advice but a modern wedding allows for more flexibility.

Click on our Father of the Bride Speech Advice page for more tips on how to write a witty and memorable speech.

Groom Wedding Speech Etiquette

Traditionally the groom has the most speech ‘to dos’ but it’s important that the heart of the speech doesn’t get lost. It shouldn’t be about thanking the caterers or namechecking each of the ushers; instead, it should be about making everyone in the room feel special and your wife feel blooming brilliant.

So follow this guide…

• At straight weddings, it still seems the majority of grooms speak ‘on behalf’ of their brides. (Congratulations if your bride is giving a speech; you get to split the thank yous which, as you’ll see, is certainly a blessing!)
• Start by thanking the father of the bride (or equivalent) for his kind words.
• Thank both sets of parents; yours for a lifetime of care (advice, washing, personal taxi service etc) and your in-laws for raising such a fabulous daughter. 
• Traditional etiquette states you should also thank ‘everyone for coming’, your ushers, your best man and the bridesmaids. Depending on the size of the wedding party you may want to think about how you can thank the crucial players without individually namechecking them. Remember you’re not at the Oscars and no one wants your speech to turn into a long list of thank yous. Certainly don’t be tempted to thank the caterers, venue or anyone else who has been paid for their ‘help’.
• Traditionally it’s your job to hand out any gifts. This can make the speech a bit stilted (as presents are handed out) but you can avoid this by saying you’d like to give gifts personally later in the day (worth checking this idea with your partner first!).
• Of course, the centerpiece of your speech, its absolute core, should be explaining how happy you are about marrying your partner. This is your one chance in life where you’re legitimately allowed to shout about how darn fabulous they are without your mates wanting to throw things at you.
• Traditionally the groom toasts the bridesmaids but, as long as you’ve already complimented them, feel free to come up with something a bit more creative to end your speech. Maybe something about love that will appeal to all the guests.
• And finally, no longer than eight to ten minutes, please. That’s less than 1,300 words.

Our Groom Speech Advice page has loads more ideas on how to make your speech memorable (for the right reasons).

Best Man Speech Etiquette

Obviously, we know the best man’s speech is expected to be a comedy highlight but there are still a few bits of etiquette to think about…

• Everyone expects your speech to be a witty description of the groom with humorous anecdotes and funny one-liners but it should also be a thoughtful acknowledgment of a sincere friendship (you’re legitimately allowed to say the sort of thing a man usually only utters at 3am in a kebab shop).
• Of course, the best man must compliment the groom’s choice of partner. Make it sincere and make it seem like you actually know them by saying more than the usual wedding clichés!
• Traditionally the best man reads out messages from friends and family who couldn’t attend but that’s rare these days. In the world of Whatsapp, there’s really no need.
• Make sure you keep all the humour granny friendly. Do not include ‘in-jokes’, talk of exes, or anything edgy. Saucy is fine but beware – there may be children attending.
• No matter how rich your material or how funny you think your speech is, keep it to less than ten minutes. ‘That was a brilliant speech but I really wish it was longer’ has never been said.
• Some etiquette books say a best man shouldn’t toast the bride and groom as this has already been done by the father of the bride. In reality however (and according to Debretts which is good enough for us) the best man usually toasts ‘Mr and Mrs [newlywed’s Surname]’ and might announce the cutting of the cake.
• Then, finally, traditional etiquette states you’re entitled to exploit the free bar for the rest of the evening.

So that’s the etiquette advice, but for the full low down on how to write a fantastic speech, head to our Best Man Speech Advice .

Etiquette for Brides, Mums & Besties

This really depends on whether you’re replacing the traditional male speaker (for example mother of the bride instead of father) or if you’re giving an additional speech.

• If it’s the former, follow the same principles as the bloke would. If it’s the latter, yeah, the etiquette isn’t as rigid. 
• If you’re giving a speech in addition to a male speaker (for example the bride and groom are both speaking) then you’ll need to discuss who does what. It makes sense for the bride to thank the bridesmaids for example but the bride and groom should each thank both sets of parents.
• Don’t think you can leave the humour to the blokes. Sure you wouldn’t dream of it anyway. 
• If in doubt, toast the newlyweds (unless you’re one of them) or some romantic notion of long-lasting love. 

Speech Etiquette for Same-Sex Weddings

Whether you’re the bride or groom, or you’re just speaking at a gay or lesbian wedding, the etiquette is pretty much the same as outlined above.

• For same-sex marriages, couples will obviously have to consider who’s going to give a speech (just one of you, both separately or how about delivering a joint speech ?) 
• Whoever’s speaking, remember to avoid ‘jokes’ about there being two brides or grooms. Just NO!

Check out our advice pages for Gay Grooms and Lesbian Brides.  Everything you need to know to make your speech great!

The Speechwriting Experts

The Speechy team  are TV-trained scriptwriters/comedians by trade & we’ve helped 1,000s of speakers around the world deliver their dream speech.

Our advice has been quoted everywhere from  The New York Times  to  Grazia  and from Forbes to The Observer . Our founder has also featured on the  BBC Sounds’ Best Men podcast with Jason Manford and written ‘ The Modern Couple’s Guide to Wedding Speeches’ , published by Little, Brown.

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A catharsis for the frustrated moral philosopher in all of us, and a place to finally find out if you were wrong in an argument that's been bothering you. Tell us about any non-violent conflict you have experienced; give us both sides of the story, and find out if you're right, or you're the asshole. See our ~~*Best Of*~~ "Most Controversial" at /r/AITAFiltered!

AITA for telling my dad he's not allowed to give his speech at my wedding?

My fiancée and I (both 20s) are getting married in a month and there's a dispute with my dad now and he claims I'm being unfair, but I wanted to get some thoughts on it. So dad decided he was going to give a speech at the wedding without saying anything first. He had shared the contents of said speech with his sister, my aunt, and she knew the speech would not sit well with me and mentioned his plan to me.

So in this speech he already wrote he talks a lot about how his wife is the love of his life, how amazing she is, etc. It's very similar to the speech he gave at their vow renewal 10 years ago. He hasn't shied away from expressing in front of me and to me that he never loved anyone like he loved his wife, how all his past relationships pale in comparison. And that includes my mom who was his first wife, who left him widowered with an 8 year old son at the time. To make it even more difficult to hear. The vow renewal was held on my 18th birthday and I got to celebrate my birthday by hearing dad talk about how mom meant nothing because his second wife was so much better. They were married 8 years at the time. But a lot of family and friends didn't attend their actual wedding and they decided they'd basically have a second one to celebrate and they decided my birthday was the perfect time to do this.

Anyway, the speech he wrote for my wedding had a lot of this content from what my aunt heard from my dad and read herself. She knew on my wedding day the last thing I needed to hear was how much he adores his wife when he does so in a way that basically said my mom meant nothing to him.

I told him I knew about the speech and he didn't have permission to give the speech at my wedding. Dad asked why not and I told him I didn't want him to use my wedding to praise his wife. He said she means the world to us so why would I say that. I told him she means the world to him. But she pales in comparison to my mom who meant the world to me and still does. I told him he might have decided mom meant nothing but that didn't mean I shared his feelings. He accused me of being sensitive and then said it seemed like I didn't care about his wife at all, and then he said she was a good mom to me for the 8 years she raised me. I told him she was never anything more than his wife. My mom died when I was 8 and I didn't get a new one. And the last thing I need to hear is how little she meant on my wedding day. Dad told me to be reasonable and the parents of the bride and groom typically say something. I told him nothing he had to say had a place at my wedding. That this is mine and my fiancée's wedding, not his. I told him to get married again if all he wants to do is praise his wife. But it was not happening at mine.

He told me to stop acting like a little boy and grow up. I left. Then his wife called crying about the fight dad and I had. Which led to dad calling me again and telling me to grow up again.

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Bride's Friends Surprise Her with Hilarious Recreation of Bridesmaids Scene at Her Wedding Reception: 'Best Gift'

Bride Cathy Kerbey tells PEOPLE she and longtime friend Anna "watched and quoted 'Bridesmaids' all throughout college, nonstop"

Erin Clack is a Staff Editor for PEOPLE. She has been writing about fashion, parenting and pop culture for more than 15 years.

cathyireland_in_chicago/TiKTok

Two women pulled off an unforgettable surprise for their friend when they hilariously recreated a classic scene from one of her favorite movies, Bridesmaids , during her wedding reception.

In a now-viral video shared by bride Cathy Kerbey on TikTok, her longtime friend Anna and her husband Mike's best friend Courtney can be seen teaming up to act out the delightfully awkward scene in the 2011 comedy film when maid-of-honor Annie ( Kristen Wiig ) and bride Lillian's other best friend, Helen ( Rose Byrne ), give dueling speeches at Lillian's engagement party as they try to one-up each other.

Kerbey's video kicks off with Anna standing up at her June 9 wedding reception at Cloughjordan House in Co. Tipperary, Ireland, and telling the gathered guests that she's known Kerbey since they were 7 years old before explaining, "I'm not a big one for speeches so I just wanted to say thank you so much for letting me be a part of your celebration and Mike, welcome to the family."

As everyone clapped and cheered at the end of Anna's little speech, Courtney suddenly struts forward, holding a microphone, and begins, "Do you remember that trip that we took with the boys to Miami?" A few laughs can be heard as some of the guests catch on to the fact that something unexpected is unfolding.

À la Bridesmaids ' Annie and Helen, Anna and Courtney then continue to take turns at the mic, competing with their speeches, as the laughter from the audience grows louder. Throughout the clip, Kerbey can be seen giddily watching their performance, clapping and cheering and dancing in her seat.

"POV: Yours and the groom's best friends perform that scene from Bridesmaids on your wedding day," Kerbey captioned the TikTok video, which has so far racked up more than 1.2 million views. "Thank you so, so much @annahession and @carnett83. I am so happy that it will forever remain as one of our wedding memories. We love you both!"

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

Kerbey tells PEOPLE that she and Anna — who grew up together in Limerick, Ireland — "watched and quoted Bridesmaids all throughout college, nonstop." She says she can't even count how many times the pair have watched the movie together over the years.

"40 times? 4,000 times? I couldn't tell you. It was a staple most weekends in college, and during the week. We really love it so much because of the writing — the quotability of this movie scores a 10/10, and that's when you know you have something special," she says.

The two friends love the movie so much that they even promised each other that when one of them got married, the other would perform the speech scene at the wedding. When Kerbey got engaged, she set things in motion by creating a group chat with Anna and Courtney, an actress whom Mike worked with as part of an improv group.

Kerbey says the friends shared a few voice notes back and forth but then she forgot all about the scheme as she got swept up in the whirlwind of wedding planning. Little did she know, however, that Anna and Courtney remained determined to fulfill the college-days promise made between Kerbey and Anna.

"I created that group chat and the rest is really history," Kerbey tells PEOPLE.

"Anna knows this scene like the back of her hand and Courtney is an actor, so they really improvised on the day, adding personal details and letting their personalities shine. They absolutely nailed it!" she adds.

As for her guests, Kerbey says their reactions were "hilarious" to see.

"I really only got to appreciate [the reactions] once I was sent the video a few days later. My neck was sore just turning back between Anna and Courtney, and I could really only see the reactions of the guests immediately surrounding me," she explains.

"I would say a good 60% of the guests got the reference, and those who didn't caught on fairly quickly due to the comedic timing and delivery of the girls. If I had to guess, 10% of the guests had no idea this was a joke, and I had a few family members tell Courtney they were ready to kick her out of the venue," she continues. "But once we all hugged and laughed at the end, it was pretty obvious it was all in good jest."

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For Kerbey and her husband, the Bridesmaids performance is now a treasured memory from their special day. "It was really special for both of us to have our best friends do something so niche, personal and iconic for our wedding," she says.

She notes that she and Mike opted not to have bridesmaids and groomsmen, so they were limited in how their best friends could be involved in their wedding.

"Anyone who knows us knows that Mike and I live for this stuff," Kerbey tells PEOPLE. "I was never that little girl who dreamed of having a fairytale wedding, but I knew I wanted my friends and family to laugh their asses off — so that really is the best gift Anna and Courtney could have given us."

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The Ultimate Guide to the Wedding Processional Order

We're breaking down the processional orders for different types of weddings.

Stocksy / Design by Zackary Angeline

In This Article

The bride's walk down the aisle is always one of the highlights of a wedding ceremony, but a few other important people also make their grand entrance. The wedding processional refers to the group of people walking down the aisle in a specific order to mark the beginning of a wedding ceremony. The processional often includes a permutation of the officiant, the wedding party, flower girls, ring bearers, and the bride and groom and their parents.

Different types of weddings employ different processional orders , so we're breaking it all down to ensure your bridal march runs as smoothly as possible.

Aside from the processional order, who is involved and where they are seated vary depending on the type of religious wedding service. "Both Hindu and Jewish ceremonies include more family members than traditional or nondenominational ceremonies," says Victoria Miller of LUXE Atlanta Events . Jewish weddings, for instance, have both parties' grandparents walking down the aisle. While for Hindu weddings , the parents are more involved in the processional, and the bride's parents even sit with them under the traditional mandap.

Meet the Expert

Victoria Miller is the founder and lead wedding planner of LUXE Atlanta Events , a wedding planning and design firm.

If you want to switch things up and have more control over the processional, a nondenominational wedding may better suited for you. "Jewish, Hindu, and Catholic processionals are typically more stringent than traditional or nondenominational processionals," says Miller, so consider a nondenominational ceremony for more flexibility. Check out our ultimate wedding processional order guide below to help you with your processional needs.

Photo by Amanda Donaho Photography ; Design by Mehroz Kapadia

Traditional Christian Wedding Processional Order

The bride's mother.

The mother of the bride's entrance signals that the processional is about to begin. Once they reach the end of the aisle, they take their seat to the left of the aisle in the first row.

After the mother of the bride takes their seat, the groom will traditionally take their place at the head of the altar (coming in from the side of the venue or walking down the aisle solo). However, many couples choose to have the groom's parents escort them down the aisle (then his parents sit to the right of the aisle in the front row).

The Best Man

The best man either walks in from the side and takes their place at the altar next to the groom, or they can walk in as the last groomsman. They may also hold the bride's ring (or both rings).

The Groomsmen

The groomsmen open the processional as they walk down the aisle one by one.

The Bridesmaids

The bridesmaids walk down the aisle one by one before the maid or matron of honor. Some couples may choose to have the groomsmen and bridesmaids walk in together in pairs.

The Maid or Matron of Honor

Before the ceremony, the maid or matron of honor assists the bride with their dress, veil, and train, making sure everything looks perfect before they walk down the aisle. They then stand by the bride's side at the altar, holding their bouquet and sometimes the groom's ring.

The Flower Girl(s) and Ring Bearer(s)

The ring bearer and flower girl precede the bride down the aisle. Traditionally, the ring bearer carries the wedding rings (or decoys, if they're too little to be trusted with the real things), tied to a small pillow. The flower girl may carry a basket of petals, which they scatter as they walk, or a posy of flowers. After the procession is over and the rings are handed off to the best man, the children's work is done, and they can be seated with their parents.

The Father of the Bride and the Bride

The bride's father traditionally escorts their daughter down the aisle, standing to the bride's right. After the father of the bride " gives them away ," they lift the veil and kiss the bride, signifying their blessing, then takes their seat beside the bride's mother.

Photo by PS Photography + Films ; Design by Mehroz Kapadia

Traditional Jewish Wedding Processional Order

The rabbi and/or cantor.

Either or both officiants would stand at the altar under the traditional chuppah to signal the beginning of the processional.

The Grandparents of the Bride

The bride's grandparents walk down the aisle first. Once they reach the front, they are seated in the first row, on the right side. In Jewish ceremonies, the bride's family and guests sit on the right and the groom's family and friends sit on the left.

The Grandparents of the Groom

The groom's grandparents will follow. Once they reach the front, they sit in the front row on the left side. Jewish weddings involve more family members than other ceremonies, including both parties' grandparents.

At a traditional Jewish wedding, the groomsmen walk down the aisle in pairs, starting with those standing farthest from the groom.

During the processional, the best man walks solo after the groomsmen and takes their place as the right-hand man of the groom.

The groom proceeds to walk down the aisle accompanied by their parents, with his father on the left and his mother on the right.

The bridesmaids then proceed in pairs, starting with those standing farthest from the bride.

The bride's right-hand woman walks alone.

The Ring Bearer(s) and/or the Flower Girl(s)

The ring bearer walks down the aisle followed by the flower girl. They then sit with their parents after walking down the aisle.

The Parents of the Bride and the Bride

The parents of the bride escort them down the aisle, with the father on the bride's left arm and her mother on the right. Parents of both the bride and groom can stand under the chuppah with the couple if they wish.

Photo by Masson Liang Photography ; Design by Mehroz Kapadia

Traditional Hindu Wedding Processional Order

The groom, the groom's family, and friends.

"The groom enters with all of their friends and family in a celebration called a Baraat where traditionally they will arrive on a [white] horse as everyone dances around him," says Miller. This festive Baraat marks the beginning of a Hindu wedding ceremony.

The Bride's Family

The bride's family will wait for the groom and his family to arrive. The parents of the bride may feed the groom sweets and exchange gifts or flower garlands with the groom's parents. They will then head to the mandap , the traditional Hindu arch together.

The Bride and the Bridal Party

The bride then enters and walks down the aisle together with the rest of their family, wedding party, and friends. Their bridal party will walk down the aisle first in an attempt to hide the bride for the big reveal. Then the bride walks down the aisle until reaching the mandap and exchanges garlands with the groom. Then the couple, the parents of the bride, and the priest will sit under the mandap to begin the ceremony.

Photo by Danila and Lana's NYC Wedding Photography ; Design by Mehroz Kapdia

Traditional Nondenominational Wedding Processional Order

The officiant.

The officiant can be a friend, family member, or anyone ordained to perform weddings. The officiant will be standing at the altar to mark the beginning of the processional.

The groom and his groomsmen can already be at the altar before the processional starts, coming in from the side. However, many modern grooms choose to walk down the aisle.

Depending on what the groom decides, the best man will do the same. If the groom opts to enter from the side and wait at the altar, the best man should be by their side. If the groom decides to walk down the aisle during the processional, the best man will follow.

The Groomsmen Then Bridesmaids

The bridesmaids and the groomsmen will typically walk in pairs, starting from those who will stand farthest from the couple.

The maid or matron of honor will walk alone after other bridal party members.

The Flower Girl(s) and/or Ring Bearer(s)

The children chosen will walk down the aisle one after the other. They can sit with their parents once they are done.

The Bride and/or the Bride's Parents

The bride may be escorted by their father, mother, or both. Or they may decide to not have an escort and meet their parents halfway. Nondenominational wedding processionals are extremely customizable, so you can definitely make the entrance you want.

The wedding processional is the opener for the nuptial ceremony. Once all important members of the bridal party have entered and walked down the aisle, the ceremony begins.

A wedding processional typically lasts between three to five minutes, depending on the number of people taking part. The bride's walk down the aisle can take up to one minute of that time.

If the mother of the bride is taking part in the wedding processional, she is traditionally escorted by a close male relative like a son or brother or may enter alone. If the parents are divorced, she may be escorted by her partner. In some cases, a groomsman or best man will escort her down the aisle.

Processional traditions go back many centuries. When arranged marriages were common, fathers would bring their daughters to the wedding and walk them down the aisle to meet their husbands for the first time. The bridesmaids helped the bride-to-be prepare for the wedding and were part of the procession.

There are many ways to make your processional unique. You can accomplish this by having different members of your family or wedding party walk in the processional, either ahead of you or with you. Don’t feel constrained by only including those family members who are "traditionally" in the procession.

There are several options for a bride to enter without her father. The bride can enter by herself, with her mother, or with her spouse-to-be—it's completely up to her.

While the traditional "Bridal Chorus" (aka “here comes the bride”) is commonly used, don’t feel you are restricted to playing that. Choose a song that is special to you and your partner to  personalize the processional .

The Ultimate Wedding Ceremony Guide

• A Guide to Wedding Ceremony Order
• currently on Who Walks Down the Aisle and When
• Everything to Know About Your Ceremony Exit
• Writing Tips From Experts
• How to Create a Unique Wedding Ceremony
• How Long Should the Ceremony Last?
• Tips for Writing the Perfect Program
• Seating: Who Sits Where?
• Modern Ways to Walk Down the Aisle
• What Is a Unity Ceremony?
• Creative Ideas to Personalize Your Ceremony
• Questions to Ask Your Officiant
• How Much Does an Officiant Cost?
• How to Lead a Wedding Ceremony
• How to Write Your Own Vows
• Who Traditionally Goes First?
• Quotes About Love to Get You Started
• Traditional Vows to Inspire Your Own
• Modern Vows That Are Unique
• Unique Vow Ideas From TV Shows and Movies
• Should You Exchange Vows Before the Ceremony?
• The Best Vow Books to Keep Your Love Alive
• How to Choose Music for Your Ceremony
• Blessings and Prayers From Different Cultures and Religions
• The Best Songs to Play While Guests Arrive
• Non-Religious Readings We Love
• The Best Songs to Walk Down the Aisle To
• Incredible Altar Ideas
• Beautiful Ways to Decorate Your Aisle
• Unique Chair Layouts
• Stunning Ceremony Locations

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Groom shot in head during robbery at backyard wedding, police say

ST. LOUIS ( KMOV /Gray News) – A backyard wedding in St. Louis turned into a nightmare when two masked men entered the property and shot the groom in the head, according to police.

Now, 32-year-old Francisco Gonzalez is fighting for his life in the hospital.

The shooting happened early Saturday around 1 a.m. following the couple’s Friday night ceremony.

According to St. Louis Metropolitan Police incident reports, several people were gathered in the backyard when two men wearing ski masks entered the property and announced a robbery.

Police said as one of the suspects was going through peoples’ pockets, the other, armed with two handguns, stood behind Gonzalez with a gun to his head.

Yaribeth Pena, the bride’s sister, said she ran for help the moment the masked men entered the backyard.

“It was very terrifying,” she said.

Pena said she heard the gun go off, and her new brother-in-law was shot in the head.

He’s now fighting for his life at a local hospital.

The newlyweds have been together for a decade and have two children.

“He’s a family man. He loves his kids, they’re everything to him,” Pena said.

Surveillance video captured a brief shot of the two men walking toward the home and then running away. No arrests have been made.

Anyone with information is urged to call CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-8477 or online here .

Copyright 2024 KMOV via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

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