how to write a groom's wedding speech

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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…

Learn more about Hollie Bond

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The Ultimate Groom's Wedding Speech Checklist

Don't leave anyone or anything important off your list of thank yous.

The groom's wedding speech is often about covering all bases. It doesn't have the bravado and general LOLs of a best man speech , the gushing and poignant words of a bridesmaid speech, or all the nostalgia and tear-jerking words of a father of the bride or groom speech. Instead, a groom's speech is half admin, half emotion; kind of like an Oscar acceptance! A chance to shout out the wedding party, thank the ushers, and tell your new in-laws how chuffed you are to be part of the family. To help you write your speech - and to make sure you don't leave anyone out - we've put together a handy groom's wedding speech checklist . You'll thank us later!

A groom doing a speech solo is more common, but we've also seen lots of couples do their thank you speech together , as well as brides making speeches too ( more ladies on the mic please !). Our list covers all bases and standard family structures, but tweak it as is appropriate for you. Hopefully it comes in handy whatever kind of wedding thank you speech you're making.

Groom's Wedding Speech Checklist

(In no particular order, but this order makes for a nice crescendo!)

• Thank the guests for coming - give a special shout out to anyone who's come a long way
• Thank any staff or suppliers who worked on the day - only those present
• Thank the celebrant - if present
• Thank anyone who helped in the lead up to the day (outside of the wedding party and immediate family) - any one who gave lifts, stitched bunting, glued centrepieces, etc.
• Thank anyone who took part in the day itself - ceremony readings , music, wedding cake baker, etc
• Mention your new parents in law and siblings - this is a good time to tell them how happy you are to join the family, how welcome/terrified they made you feel, how you promise to be there for their son or daughter/brother or sister.
• Mention your siblings  - be specific about things they helped you with or special memories. This is also a good time to mention any other special family members, grandparents, step-parents, etc.
• Mention your parents - if both your parents are present, thank them both individually, usually an anecdote about the kind of person they've taught you to be goes down well.
• Thank your wedding party - make sure both sides get a mention, though it's fine to gush a bit harder about your best man!
• Thank your other half - for marrying you, for looking fabulous, for being wonderful, and all the other good things you can think of. Remember to tell them all about why you love them and why you can't wait to get started with married life!

Need more help with your wedding speeches - we've got you covered!

• 30 Funny Opening Lines for Wedding Speeches
• How to Begin a Wedding Speech: Great Opening Lines
• The Correct Order of Speeches at a Wedding?
• 9 Ways to Shake Up Your Wedding Speeches
• How to Give a Flawless Best Man Speech
• Everything You Need To Play Wedding Speech Bingo

Listen & Subscribe to The One Fab Day Wedding Podcast

Episode 22: wedding speeches 101.

You can listen to the One Fab Day Wedding Podcast wherever you get your podcasts , and search them on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Image credits

Tomasz kornas photography, via one fab day, see more in:.

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Groom Speech Examples

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(*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 .)

Lessons to Learn from Our Speech Examples

• Length – no more than 1,300 words
• Structure – Don’t begin with the thank-yous, start with the stories and hook in your audience
• Don’t let your speech become a tedious thank-you list
• Tell good stories
• Resist Googled-gags, cliches, and platitudes
• Pepper the speech with humour throughout
• Have the romantic summary towards the end of your speech

Ultimately though,  every speech should be unique and tailored to the individual speaker’s style.

For obvious reasons, we cannot share the full range of speeches we write for our clients but these are generic (and made-up) speeches to give you an idea of a good structure.

Your speech may be more sentimental, shorter, or poetic. Crucially, it needs to be more YOU!

Groom Speech Example – Delivered by Ryan

Background: Ryan has married Misty. They live in Edinburgh, Scotland, and met through friends. Ryan’s mum has passed away.   

INTRODUCTION

Honoured guests, welcome to what can only be described as the greatest day of my life. Well, second greatest day of my life, if you include the day Misty managed to not leave a wet towel on the bed. (Pretend to wipe tear away) Sorry, it’s an emotional memory.

Firstly, on behalf of both Misty and I, let me thank you all for coming. I know many of you have travelled long distances to be here. And a special thanks to our English friends, many of whom see travelling north of the border as akin to entering the Squid Games. Your bravery is greatly appreciated.

THE SPEECH-MEAT

Now, another person I’d like to thank is our mutual friend Lou who actually set us up six years ago. I mean, I say ‘set up’, she described me to Misty as ‘average looking, but has nice shoes’.

But uncharitable review or not, it certainly seemed to do the trick. When we met for the first time at Lou’s birthday drinks, we immediately gravitated towards each other. We talked intensely all evening. It was one of those conversations where you lose all track of time and everything else just seems to drift into the background. We talked about life, hobbies, future plans and how when she was a kid, she was obsessed with Winnie the Pooh. Which makes it not at all surprising that she’d end up with me: a chubby character with one shirt and an aggressive appetite.

I remember coming away from that evening in a bit of a haze, not only had I found someone I liked, and liked me back, but I’d also found someone who could still rap all the words to Eminem’s ‘Stan’.

I thought life couldn’t get any better until, as we went to leave, she nervously turned to me and uttered those three magic words all guys want to hear: Fancy a kebab?

It was then I knew I was in love.

It’s a weird feeling meeting someone that you know you’d happily spend the rest of your life with. Before meeting Misty ‘love’ felt like just a word, and all of a sudden, she comes along and fills that word with meaning.

To this day, I’ve always maintained that it feels like we are two halves of the same whole. It felt like that then, and still does now, that we were just the right amount of similar, and just the right amount of different to be perfect together.

We complement each other’s good traits, and soften each other’s bad ones. By which I mean, I occasionally pick up her wet towels and she does literally everything else.

But I also mean that she has taught me a lot. She’s taught me that kindness always wins, she’s taught me that it’s not the words you say, but the way you make people feel that gets remembered, and she’s taught me that marmite and cheese on crumpets is the greatest snack known to man.

She is the other side to my coin, the cheerful Winnie the Pooh to my grumpy Eeyore. And now, incredibly, she’s my wife.

THE THANK YOUS

If you’ll all allow me, I’d like to take this opportunity to mention some incredibly important people who have helped us not just today, but throughout our lives.

Firstly, I’d like to thank my dad, who has taught me that being a man isn’t about machismo and bravado, it’s about being warm, welcoming and caring. I’ve often been called a ‘mini David’, and it’s something I’ll continue to wear as a badge of honour.

To Misty’s parents, June and Martin, your help with the wedding planning has been utterly invaluable, and I can’t thank you enough for how you’ve both welcomed me into your family. I’ll look forward to many more Sunday dinners that end with Martin saying ‘I’ll get the whiskey’.

To my groomsmen, for turning up both fully dressed and mostly sober, and also for years of support, advice and knowing exactly when I need a chat and a game of FIFA.

To Misty’s bridesmaids for being amazing friends and helping everyone keep a cool head with yesterday’s dress disaster. Your sage advice and support has always been a great comfort to Misty and I both.

THE DEARLY DEPARTED

And finally, I’d like to say thank you to a very special woman who is sadly no longer with us: my mum. There’s no other way to say it, other than it’s heartbreaking that she can’t be here today. She was a person who was born to be at big events. A person who filled the room with her smile and her presence. And while she can’t be with us, I know how much she approved of Misty, because in the latter weeks of her life, she tapped me on the hand and gently said ‘Misty is a keeper’.

So mum, I love you and I miss you, and I hope you’re looking down on us today with your characteristic big smile on your face, safe in the knowledge that I’ve taken your advice on board.

ROMANTIC TRIBUTE

Now, I’m not one for massive promises and grand gestures, but now seems like as good a moment as any to break from that tradition. So Misty, before I end this speech, I’d like to give you three promises for our future life together: I promise whenever you say ‘fancy a kebab?’ I’ll always say yes. I promise to always back you up by singing the Dido chorus in ‘Stan’, and I promise that no matter what, I’ll spend the rest of my days attempting to make you as happy as you’ve made me.

So, without further ado, if you’ll all kindly be upstanding, and join me in a toast to my best friend and love of my life: The new… Mrs Misty Ferguson! (Raise toast).

Written by Ed and Tom , Speechy Writers

Groom Speech Example – Delivered by Alejandro

Background: Alejandro has married Michelle. They live in Boston. Alejandro is in his fifties and is originally from Spain. There are lots of people at the wedding for whom English is their second language.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends and family, Spaniards and Americans – today is a historic day. As Michelle has done me the great honour of agreeing to be my wife, it is a day when our countries’ traditions and cultures come together.

Today, the Spanish Imperial Eagle takes to the skies with the American Bald Eagle. Today, we scatter hamburgers and fries across the paella and create the McPaella. Today, we play the Marcha Real alongside the Star-Spangled Banner.

( PLAY MUSIC MASH-UP OF THE TWO NATIONAL ANTHEMS PLAYED AT THE SAME TIME).

As you can perhaps tell, a mix of cultures is not always an easy thing, but I believe that, with work, my wife and I can make it so that our music is harmonious, our meals are delicious and our nation’s birds do not peck each other to death.

Today, I have the joy of standing here as part of a married couple. As you may know, I am more mature than the traditional groom and I must admit that as, one-by-one, my friends and family members all got married, I sat there at a succession of weddings, always on the single table. In case you were wondering, the single table is Table Five today. Please stop by and pity them, it’s what they deserve. 

At every wedding, I was pestered by my mother and aunts about when I will marry. I looked at the grooms and I thought, ‘Thank God I am single.’ I will admit I have enjoyed the bachelor life. I have enjoyed being free to pursue my work, to not worry about when I come home, and to live in a house where there are fewer than two cushions in the entire place.

But then Michelle happened.

We met through the intervention of our friend Katya – there she is on Table Five, and, yes, she is single. I met Michelle in the street as we were passing and she was rude to me and bossy. I couldn’t understand this American powerhouse. She told me to take her out for coffee and I don’t know what happened. I lost the power to resist. All of my bachelor strength was drained, and I found myself nodding and doing as I was told for once.

I don’t know how but Michelle flies under my radar, she unpicks my defences and I find it impossible to resist her. And I have tried!

So, my beautiful wife Michelle arrived and my bachelor life ended. I am able to stand here today and say I am so grateful that it has. No more Table Five. No more aunts and mothers asking me when I will get married. So many more cushions.

Michelle has allowed me to speak for both of us today, which she did so on the condition that I understood this was to be the last time in our married lives that this was the case. From now on, I shall be the perfect trophy husband that Michelle wants, I will nod and I will look pretty.

I would like to take this opportunity then to say some sincere and heartfelt thank yous. First of all, I would like to thank you, our guests, for coming today. I know that for some of you, especially the guests today from Malaga in southern Spain, the journey to join us here today has been significant.

THE BIG THANK YOU

When people will fly nearly 5,000 miles to a wedding, you realise how powerful the offer of free food and drink truly is. I hope today is a celebration for you too and please know that we are so grateful for you making this day so special.

Now for the rest of you, I want to issue a warning that many of our Malagan guests might not have the greatest command of the English language. For some of them this is the first time that they have been abroad. I won’t embarrass him by name, but one of the guests asked me where Mickey Mouse was and I had to explain that the mouse isn’t everywhere.

So, to make them feel more welcome I thought maybe I could teach you some useful Spanish phrases that could help you integrate. If you look on your table you will see a card for you each so you can read along with me. So listen to me and repeat please!

‘He bebido demasiado Sangria y no puedo sentir mis piernas.’

Come on, I know you can do it.

That is a very useful Spanish phrase which means:

‘I have drunk too much Sangria and can no longer feel my legs.’

Ok, another:

‘Me gustaria bailar Flamenco contigo hasta una hora desaconsejable.’

That means:

‘I would like to dance the flamenco with you until an inadvisable hour.’

Excellent! Now finally:

‘Hola, me puedes llamar un Uber. No recuerdo nada de anoche.’

That translastes as:

‘Please call me an Uber, I have no recollection of last night.’

Now, as you may know I have been in America for nearly ten years now and I am starting to think of myself as part-American. For Michelle, I know this makes her laugh, because she often says that I am the most Spanish man in the history of the world.

But I think coming to a foreign country can be an amazing learning experience because every day you do things as an outsider. Everything is different here. Everything. You want to go to the toilet in America then you have to pay to go into the toilet. In America, toilets are also a business! Amazing!

I am an outsider with your food. Thanks to my mother I was raised eating home-cooked food bursting with flavour, then I come to America and I eat McDonalds every day and slowly my tastebuds fade away and now they are on life support, kept going only by the jamon iberico my mother sends me at Christmas.

But as an outsider I have also been shocked to see the difference in some people in America – the friendliness and the warmth that I am offered. I think this is why Michelle has overcome my defences.

As you know, she works as the director of a charity and she lives her life for other people. She thinks and she cares for other people all the time and I am amazed that she has agreed to be my wife today. Perhaps I am her biggest charity project yet and one day after years of rehabilitation she will release me back into the wild. I hope not.

By contrast, I am the greedy property developer, making money from the ruins of other people’s lives and hopes. I will not lie, my day is not complete until I have pushed at least three widows out of their houses and turned their homes into flats. But maybe this too has been useful for my marriage. After all, my work has taught me to look at ruined and dilapidated things and see the beauty there. Anyone drawing any comparisons to Michelle should be ashamed of themselves.

THE ROMANTIC SUMMARY

Seriously, I couldn’t imagine a more beautiful woman on any continent in the world today.

I want to thank you for coming to our wedding. I want to thank Michelle for agreeing to be my wife and I want to end my speech by offering her these traditional arras . These are Spanish gold coins that a groom gives to his wife on their wedding day. The coins are a symbol of how the man promises to provide for his wife. Not just in terms of finance but also for their emotions – to be a provider that gives her everything she needs.

My love, I give these coins to you today and promise that I will do my best to ensure that for you for the rest of our lives you have everything you ever need and, always, more than enough love.

Now everybody: please raise your glasses and repeat after me:  ‘¡Arriba! ¡Abajo! ¡Al centro! …. y pa dentro!’ That means put your arm up, put your arm down, health for you all, drink it down!

Speech written by Andrew, Speechy writer

Groom Speech Example – Delivered by Kanav

Background: Kanav has married Priyanka. They live in Nottingham, England and are of South Asian descent. Kanav is an architect. The wedding is traditionally large, with over 350 people attending.

Ladies and gentlemen, uncles and aunties, bhaiyon aur behano – namaste and welcome. My wife and I…(pause for applause) thank you so much for coming to share this wonderful weekend with us.

Of course, as much as we’d love to take credit for it, this has been a mammoth group effort with so many to thank for their involvement. After this, our parents are going to take a well-earned rest and sort out the global warming issue.

Now, you already heard the disastrous way Priyanka and I met from the best man, so I won’t go over that again. But it’s true what he said – we were… well, we are like chalk and cheese. Or some would say coal and paneer. And you can tell which one of us is paneer, can’t you?

As a primary school teacher, Priyanka is warm, caring, communicative – a real people’s person who works amongst a number of impatient clients every day. As an architect, I’m concise, introverted, and analytical – I need my space to focus on just one project, sometimes for months at a time. Basically, I’m boring, slow and don’t like hanging out with people.

(Look around) Really, I’ve no idea how this all happened.

But, as the saying goes, opposites attract and you can see that for yourselves in our wedding. Priyanka’s creativity and vivid imagination has gone wild. Getting married in October, she actually wanted this weekend to have a Halloween-themed twist, asking guests to wear Indian costumes, but ripped and bloodied so we’d all look like zombies.

At one point, there was even a Thriller dance routine being planned.

I, of course, shot down idea after idea with my pragmatism, wanting us to keep things traditional, low-maintenance and on the right side of sane. But, if any of you want to rip up your lehangas and kurtas and cover yourselves in the madras, feel free. Though, looking at my mother, maybe not!

Of course, I couldn’t reject all of Priyanka’s inspired ideas and you’ll spot many of them here this evening: the Indian food twists on pizzas and sushi, and the dosa-crepe stand were all her idea. The games of Antakshari, the Carrum tournament, the masala cocktails and the band that does rock covers of Bollywood numbers? All her.

Whilst she came up with all the cool ideas, I kept in my lane; compiling an Excel spreadsheet and making sure we could actually pay for it all. And when I say ‘ we ’, what I actually mean is we pay a small percentage while our parents pay the rest. Thank you Maa, Papa, Saasuma, Sasurji. We owe you. Literally!

But honestly, watching Priyanka plan our wedding has been an absolute joy and seeing how beautiful she looks today is truly humbling.

Priyanka’s knowledge and creativity as a teacher, even as an individual, has never failed to astound me. I had no idea how much my life lacked colour until I met her. She introduced me to different foods, different countries and cultures, and even different films and TV.

I honestly thought she was ready to break up with me when I told her I’d never watched Kuch Kuch Hota Hain . And I was sure it was the end of us when she forced me to watch Maine Pyar Kiya and I walked out halfway through the film. Those of you who don’t know, she loves Maine Pyar Kiya the same way I love KFC.

As I say, opposites attract.

ROMANTIC SUMMARY

Priyanka brings the fun and the excitement to the relationship, and I hope, as an architect, I bring the structure. It may not sound as fun as colour, but when you build the foundations of a relationship you need both passion and pragmatism to keep it from crumbling when confronted with life’s challenges.  

We visit monuments like the Taj Mahal and the Pyramids of Giza because of their colour and the emotions they evoke, and thankfully they continue to stand due to their intelligent architecture. Both foundation and beauty play equally important roles in maintaining the immortality of these international treasures. And I think it’s the same principle that means Priyanka and I will stand the test of time.  

We bring out the best in each other and push one another to challenge the people we are. Sure, this can lead to a few ‘debates’ but we’re ready to hear each other out, and most importantly, we’re ready to compromise. This wedding is the perfect example of the beauty that compromise can lead to. I’ve no doubt we have a few more disagreements ahead of us, but I’m equally sure that our compromises will lead to ever more beautiful times shared together.

Priyanka, before I met you, I already had strong foundations. In fact, I was an unmovable object, working in the same place I’d joined since graduation, living in the same flat. You came in like an unstoppable rainbow grenade, and I don’t think my life was ever the same again. I don’t want my life to ever be the same again.

Whenever you’re about, Kuch Kuch Hota Hain (something happens) and it’s fair to say, Maine Pyar Kiya (I fell in love).

Now, if you can all join me in a toast to my beautiful wife, my very own rainbow grenade, my wonderful Priyanka.

To Priyanka.

Written by Shai, Speechy writer (He has also written some specific South Asian groom speech advice )

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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

Riana Ang-Canning

Riana Ang-Canning has been working with Young Hip & Married since 2017. She is a professional content writer with experience in travel, lifestyle and weddings. Riana not only writes Young Hip & Married blog posts but is also involved with the company's internal communications, social media, copywriting and more. She knows YHM, and the wedding world, inside and out!

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Groom Wedding Speech Guide with Examples

The groom’s speech is a big part of the wedding experience for everybody and for good reasons. This is an opportunity for the groom to share with all guests, family, and friends just how much he loves, appreciates, and is excited to be the husband of his new wife.

It is also his chance to thank the bride’s parents, welcome everybody, perhaps while also showing his personality and funny side. Yep, the groom has a lot of work to do during his wedding speech.

To help you write an unforgettable groom speech we put together this helpful guide. It includes everything you need to write and deliver your groom speech.

THE BEST GROOM SPEECH COVERS A LOT OF GROUND

Like we mentioned, the groom’s speech has a lot to accomplish in a short amount of time. The most important part of the groom’s wedding speech by far is to acknowledge his new wife in front of all of the wedding guests. That is what makes a groom’s toast so meaningful. We like to see the groom focus on his wife. How they met, how much she means to him, why he loves her so much, and sharing just how excited he is about the future.

The groom’s wedding toast must also thank the people involved in making their wedding a memorable occasion, thank the parents of the bride for their daughter, and for welcoming him into their family. The best groom speech also thanks guests for supporting the bride and groom and for all their good wishes and gifts. Finally, the groom’s speech says thanks to specific people who helped organize the wedding and thanks to the bridal party.

Nice-to-have elements of the groom’s speech (if there is enough time) include mentioning family who couldn’t attend the wedding. The groom can also have a go at his best man in a lighthearted fashion, maybe saying some memories of the two terrorizing while single and young.

WHAT SHOULD YOU TALK ABOUT?

You could just get up and ramble for 10 mins, or you could plan ahead and write your groom’s speech ahead of time. You guessed it; we’re fans of planning ahead. Let’s start with the basic groom speech structure when you sit down to write. This is an easy starting place:

• Thank your new father-in-law; make a funny joke.
• Thank your bride’s family, for their warm welcome.
• Thank your family for their love and support; add a funny anecdote about your childhood.
• Thank the bridesmaids, praise their beautiful appearance, and give a toast.
• Thank your best man; add a funny (clean) story.
• Thank anybody else who helped during wedding planning.
• Thank your new wife for her love, support, and encouragement.
• Talk about how excited you are about the future.
• Give the microphone to your best man.

The tone of your speech needs to balance sincerity and humor. Spend some time thinking about how you want to deliver the speech. With the above vital points written, think about how you can add a touch of humor to them.

Humor helps make the speech entertaining for sitting guests and relieves some of the pressure felt standing in front of a crowd. Keep the humor appropriate and positive. Nobody wants to hear you giving off-color jokes. A joke or two and maybe a few one-liners is perfect.

Don’t be afraid to add some genuine comments about how you feel about your new wife and your family and friends. The easiest way to do this is to think about your new wife. Talk about your feelings for her, remember how you first met and why you wanted to marry her.

An easy technique is to directly address that part of the speech and tell her how happy she has made you, how you can’t believe your luck, and how you’re looking forward to building a future together.

Use specific anecdotes, such as when you realized you were in love and would be with your now wife forever. Also, don’t forget to tell her again how beautiful she looks.

Time is the other issue with the groom’s wedding speech.  Avoid a long toast at all costs. Remember that typically several speeches will take place, so you want to take up too much time, and you definitely want to avoid boring all the guests.

While your groom toast should have substance, keep it short and sweet for the best results. You have a lot to say and can’t spend 20 minutes doing so. When you sit down to write your groom speech, the most challenging part will be fitting in so much into such a short space of time.

Once you start writing, coming up with ideas and things to say won’t be the issue. It will be challenging to weave all these elements together in an original, memorable way while being very concise.

DO’S, DON’TS & MAYBE’S FOR GROOM’S WEDDING SPEECH

• Do: Thank their guests for attending, particularly those who have traveled from far and wide.
• Do: Mention any special guests (i.e., elderly relatives)
• Do: Thank their new in-laws (particularly if they are hosting the wedding)
• Do: Mention their own parents – this is an opportunity to thank them for all those years of help and support.
• Do: Talk about the bride in a way that balances warmth with a little bit of humor.
• Do: Introduce the best man.
• Do: Finish with a toast to the bridesmaids.
• Don’t: Spend more time building up the best man than the bride.
• Don’t: Waste too much time thanking people who’ve been paid to do a job (e.g., caterers or planners)
• Don’t: List so many ‘thank yous’ that the speech resembles a school register.
• Don’t: Talk for too long. Generally, we recommend 10 minutes as an optimum speaking time.
• Don’t: Forget this is a celebration of love, not an opportunity for a 10-minute comedy stand-up routine.
• Maybe: Mention any friends or family who has made considerable efforts in organizing the day
• Maybe: Say thanks to the flower girls, page boys, and ushers
• Maybe: Talk about those who are not able to be there on the day and relatives (grandparents) who has passed
• Maybe: Acknowledge a friend who has been a source of strength or inspiration over the years

GROOM SPEECH TIPS

• Focus on your wife: We know you love your best man. We know you want to talk crap about him in front of lots of people. Just remember what your wedding is about. It is about you and your wife: fewer jokes, more love.
• Yes, call her ‘my wife’: We recommend you do this early in the groom’s speech. Mention ‘my wife and me.’ Do it right, and you will. It will always receive a warm clap and will help set your nerves.
• Say thanks as a couple: Most grooms start their speech by thanking their guests for coming and thanking everybody involved. Remember to ask your wife if she wants to thank somebody and ensure you speak on behalf of both of you.
• Be nice to your in-laws: Thank your father-in-law for his words of wisdom after his speech. Mention that you are thankful to both parents for allowing you to marry their beautiful daughter. This is an excellent time to tell the bride or the first time how stunning she looks.
• Use humor, but not too much: Inject a little humor into the speech, but don’t feel the need to force it. It should be a balance of seriousness and heartfelt with some humor mixed in. It isn’t a chance to make jokes at the bride’s expense or include smutty jokes or do 10 minutes of stand-up comedy.
• Prepare for the speech: By this, we mean that you should stay somewhat sober for your toast. We also suggest that you should take this seriously and spend time writing the speech and practice.
• Dedicate part of the speech to your wife: The most important piece of a groom’s toast is the part where he talks about his feelings for his new wife. Address this part of the speech directly to her and tell her how happy she has makes you, how you can’t believe his luck, and how you are looking forward to building a future together. Use real anecdotes where you can.
• Compliment your wife: Make sure you tell your wife how beautiful she looks. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tell her in front of a large collection of your friends and family, so make the most of it and make her feel amazing.
• Keep it clean: Make sure you don’t use foul language or distasteful content. Anything that could offend should be left out.
• Make eye contact: The more meaningful parts of your groom’s speech will be more powerful if you make eye contact with your wife.
• Avoid lists: Boring. Period. Lists suck, and they are dull. Your guests will walk out on you (maybe).
• Thank your parents: Thank them for everything, for making you the man you are today: the lessons, the homework help, the advice. Overall, the support in every aspect of your life.
• Cross-reference: This is an easy one to forget. Check with your best man that you aren’t repeating things.
• A simple toast: End the speech with a toast to your wife.

GROOM SPEECH EXAMPLES

If you are not a talented writer or a professional motivational speaker, finding the right words to say at your wedding can be challenging. It is much easier to get started when you can see (or hear) what other grooms have done before you. We get it!

That’s why we rounded up some great examples of groom speeches. You can see from the list that we tried to cover various groom speech examples. Everything from funny groom speeches, the best groom speeches we could find, short groom speech examples, groom speech jokes, groom speech quotes, and more.

HEARTFELT GROOM WEDDING SPEECH EXAMPLE

When it comes to wedding speeches, humor is not the only thing that can and should be the focus. We absolutely love how this groom shared many heartfelt thoughts about his new wife. This groom speech is an example of how you can truly share the love you feel by using words.

TRADITIONAL GROOM SPEECH EXAMPLE

This groom speech example is more traditional in nature. It hits all the right points and is a safe play for a groom.

“Ladies and Gentlemen: I would like to thank Steve for those sincere words and both Bobbie and Steve for the love that they have both shown me, not only in preparation for today but from the first moment that we met some two and a half years ago.

I don’t know who was more surprised that first night when Marcella brought me home without warning when they were sitting there all ready for bed in their satin bath robes and Steve in his Snoopy slippers.

Anyway, quickly moving on, I did have a speech all worked out for this occasion, but, of course, now that I’m a married man, Marcella has insisted that I read from the one that she has written for me.

So here goes:

On behalf of my wife and me…I suppose I’m going to have to get used to that; I would like to start by thanking everyone here today for sharing our very special day with us. Thank you for all the wonderful gifts and cards that you have given us; we are very touched by your generosity. I’m certainly looking forward to seeing how Steve has managed to gift-wrap the Wheelbarrow!

We have both been very nervous about today, and it means a great deal to us that you are sharing our day with us; and we hope that you are enjoying the occasion every bit as much as we are.

Most people on their wedding day describe it as the happiest day of their lives. That worries me because it implies that tomorrow there’s a lifelong decline ahead, so I’m making the most of today. However, I’m so happy today that even days less happy would still be blissful.

I would like to say a special thank-you to those of you that have traveled some distance to be here today. It is quite a humbling experience to realize that you have friends and family that care so much for you. And I do genuinely mean that.”

STANDARD GROOM SPEECH EXAMPLE

This groom also took the traditional route. This sample groom speech is a little longer.

“On behalf of my wife and I, we’d like to thank you all for coming here today and sharing our special day with us. There are times when it’s good to be surrounded by people who are important to you, and for us, this is one of those occasions. We hope that you’re enjoying it every bit as much as we are, and we’d like to thank you for your kind wishes, cards, presents, and support.

We must say we’ve been impressed by the number of people that have rallied around to help us in preparation for today; if you’re not mentioned by name, and that’s most of you, please be assured that Kate and I are very grateful.

David and Maggie, thank you not only for your hospitality this evening and your kindness but also for giving me your very beautiful daughter. I promise I’ll take good care of her and, of course, do everything she tells me to, even if it involves golf! I must confess I did actually try it a while ago, and during one lesson with the local pro, I asked him whether he had seen any improvement since my last lesson. And he said, “er… yup, that’s a much better haircut”.

So, Maggie, we have a present here for you.

I also want to say thank you to my parents who put up with me for all these years; you have both been there for me when I’ve needed you and given me a wonderful start in life, and I’m very fortunate and proud to have you as my mum and dad. I have a present for you here, Mum, as a thank you.

I can imagine that Neil, my best man, is getting impatient to make his speech soon. Now many people don’t know that Neil suffers from a rare medical condition that causes him to invent fanciful stories. He really does believe these stories to be true, and I thank you for humoring him during his speech.

I am absolutely delighted to stand here today with Kate; I never knew what was missing in my life before I met her. Kate has been a source of friendship, support, and love. Of course, I do not doubt that she is going to tell me afterward that the only thing missing in my life at the moment is golf. However, I am still waiting for her to explain the attraction to a game that consists of a lot of walking, broken up by disappointment and bad arithmetic.

And finally, the bridesmaids, thanks for calming Kate nerves and helping in her preparation today. I’d also like to thank you for getting her to the church in one piece and on time; you’ve done a brilliant job. We have a small gift for each of you as a token of our appreciation.

Well, that’s it from me for now, but before I pass you over to my best man, Ladies and Gentlemen, please stand and lift your glasses and join me in a toast to bridesmaids.

SHORT GROOM WEDDING SPEECH

This is a short speech but gets to the point quickly. We love the simplicity, definitely one of the best short groom toasts.

“Firstly, I would like to say thank you to Bob and Karen. Thank you for your beautiful daughter, Amy. Your contribution to today has been amazing. Thank you for taking me into his family; it has meant a lot to me. Most importantly, thank you for raising such an amazing and beautiful woman. Doesn’t my wife look amazing today? Wow, called Amy, my wife. Feels weird.

Secondly, I’d like to thank all of you for coming today. It is amazing to feel all this love and friendship. Thank you for your good wishes and for joining us in our celebration. Thank you for your gifts; I am sure they will help us in our new life together, so thank you.

Also, thank you to the bridesmaids; you all look amazing. Today wouldn’t have been the same without you helping my beautiful bride through today. So thank you.

Finally, to my wife. I just want to say a massive thank-you for always being here for me, making me happy, and marrying me. I love you.

For those of you who don’t know, we men do have dreams of our wedding day when we are younger. They may not be about the same as you women, about dresses and big churches, but nevertheless, we do have the dreams. When I was younger, my dream was to marry a beautiful woman, be happy for the rest of our lives, have a family, and have a nice home. This is what I wanted from marriage. When I met Amy, I knew that she was different. She made me laugh in different ways, and the feeling of happiness I get when I am around her cannot be described. My wife is more than I could ever have hoped for. I love you, honey.

There are so many good times that Amy and I have enjoyed together, days out, holidays, and nights out with friends and family. But like all couples, we have had lows. Fallings out, family bereavements, and arguments between ourselves. But all these factors have made us who we are today—a strong couple who work brilliantly together.

Finally, I would like to thank you again to all of you for celebrating with us today.

And could you all please raise your glasses to my beautiful wife, the one I love, Amy?”

ANOTHER FUNNY GROOM TOAST FOR INSPIRATION

“Distinguished guests, guests of no particular distinction, relatives young and old, friends, freeloaders, hangers-on, gypsies, tramps, thieves, and anyone else who may have wandered in, you are all about to witness a unique event in history. The very first and very last time that my wife is going to let me speak on behalf of both of us. However, it is a privilege and an honor to do so. I just hope that, so soon into our married life, I don’t let Sue down.

My speech today will be like a mini-skirt. Long enough to cover the essentials but short enough to hold your attention! To be honest, I didn’t really know where to start, so I thought I’d trawl the internet. After a couple of hours, I‘d found some really, really good stuff. But then I remembered that I was supposed to be writing a speech. Before I start, there will be plenty of toasts over the next few minutes, so please make sure that your glasses are charged.

Firstly, we’d like to thank Philip for his kind words and good wishes. And to thank him for paying for this lovely reception …(pause and look at him) What? I thought you said…….No, I’m only joking – you don’t need to find the key for the padlock on your wallet!

It’s lovely to see so many of our family and friends here today to help us celebrate the happiest day of our lives. I know that some of you have traveled a long way to be here, and that means a lot to us. It really wouldn’t be the same without you all. It’d be a darned sight cheaper, but that’s not the point. Thank you all for your very generous gifts, and a special thanks to those of you who have given cheques. No, we are grateful for those, especially as we’ll be using the checks’ details to set up direct debits paying our bills for years to come. Who said that identity fraud is a bad idea?

Unfortunately, it’s not been possible to have everyone we love here with us today, but we know they’re here with us in spirit, and they’re not only in our thoughts today, but more importantly, they’re with us in our hearts. So, with them in mind, would you please all stand, raise your glasses, and join me in a toast to absent family & friends.

(To absent family and friends)

I’d also like to thank Sue’s mum sincerely and dad, Val and Peter, for making me feel like the son they never wanted – sorry, the son they never had, right from day two. Day one was a bit rough, but I *think* they’re over it now. Her brothers, too, have never made me feel anything other than welcome, and I thank them for that.

It can be very difficult when two families come together, but we have been extremely lucky. Sue’s children, Philip and Emma, have welcomed me into their family, and my children, Molly and Emily, have welcomed Sue into theirs. We all get on so well, and that is a rare thing indeed. And something that has been made possible by all of our children. So I’d like to propose a toast to Philip, Emma, Molly, and Emily.

 (To Philip, Emma, Molly, and Emily)

My Dad has helped me enormously over the years and has seen me through thick and thin. Mainly thick, if I’m honest, but he’s been there for me, and I hope that I have done him proud. I really couldn’t have asked for a better father, and I thank you for everything that you have done, not just for me but for my wife and me. Thank you.

There is an unwritten rule of wedding etiquette that states that nobody should look more handsome than the groom, and I’d like to thank our ushers, Steve and Peter, for sticking to that rule to the letter. They have both lent an air of ‘nightclub bouncer respectability’ to their roles, and I particularly admired the way they searched the ladies’ handbags and frisked the men as they came in with such discretion and subtlety. I’m not quite sure that saying “You’ll sit where you’re ruddy well put” was really in the spirit of the day, but we’ll let that pass. Thanks to both of you.

I have known Richard, my Best Man, for nearly seventeen years now, and throughout that time, he has been there for me when it matters and is always ready with an encouraging word and a welcome bottle of Rioja when things are going badly. And, if I’m honest, when things are going well. I’d like to thank him for all his help in organizing the stag do and for creating the table plan for us. But, most importantly, I’d like to thank him for being a true friend. However, there is something that I need to make you aware of. Rich suffers from a strange condition that occasionally causes him to drift in and out of weird, strange flights of fantasy. He has been known to make up fanciful stories, absolutely believing them to be true. Anyway, it’s only right that I advise you all of this ahead of his speech. As I say, he is a true friend, and I wouldn’t want you to go upsetting him, so if you could bear with him, even join with him on his journey of make-believe, I would appreciate it.

Apart from my wife, there are three other beautiful ladies here today: Sue’s daughter Emma and my daughters, Molly and Emily. We’d like to thank them very much for being such wonderful bridesmaids. So, please stand and join me in a toast to the bridesmaids.

(To the bridesmaids!)

Finally, I would like to thank my wife – I think I’m going to enjoy getting used to saying that – for agreeing to marry me and making me the happiest man in the world. I think you’ll agree that she looks absolutely gorgeous today, and when she walked up the aisle, she took my breath away.

They say you don’t marry someone you can live with-you marry the person who you can’t live without, and I think that sums us up perfectly. Now, if I had to single out one thing about why I love Sue so much, it would be the fact that she makes me happier than I ever dreamed I could be. And I intend to spend the rest of my life making sure that the reverse is also true. I know that Sue has put a huge amount of effort into making today perfect, and I think that she has done that and more. Having lived with Sue for a couple of years now, I have learned a valuable lesson – when I’m wrong, admit it. When I’m right, keep quiet! Seriously though, I never have a problem finding the words to express my love for Sue, but if I start then, I probably won’t be able to stop. Suffice to say that, Sue, I love you so much, and I can’t wait to grow old with you. Ladies and gentlemen, please stand and raise your glasses to my wife, Sue.

Now, I’m not going to stand here all afternoon and bore you all with a load of stale old jokes. That’s the Best Man’s job! So, without further ado, I’d like to hand it over to Richard.”

SHORT GROOM SPEECH EXAMPLE

“Ladies and Gentlemen, friends and family, on behalf of my beautiful wife and myself, thank you very much for being here today. I can safely say it wouldn’t have been the same without you all…although it would have been cheaper.

More specifically, I’d like to thank Jerry, my new father-in-law, for all the kind words and wishes.

In addition, I’d like to thank both Jerry and Jan for all their kindness in the last 2 years and for keeping a straight face when they heard I had proposed to their daughter. I’ve always chosen to assume those were tears of joy, Jan.

I would also like to thank mom and dad, Beth and Lee, for all their love and support growing up. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be standing here now. Thanks for the ride, guys.

Thanks to Ross, my best man who’s been a speech is, we might even stay friends.

I’d also like to thank Jen’s bridesmaids, Grace and Zoe, for keeping her calm over the last 24 hours or so and, of course, for being such good friends to her all this time.

Which love, support, friendship, trust, and a million other things. Basically, thank you for being you.

So with no further ado and despite my better judgment, I’ll hand you over to Ross.”

HUMOUROUS GROOM SPEECH EXAMPLE

Here is a great video example of a groom using humor to get past his fear of public speaking. Check it out now.

CROSS-CULTURAL GROOM SPEECH EXAMPLE

What an incredible speech! This is an example of a groom speech that touches on two cultures joining together. In this speech, the groom shares why he still believes in “weddings”. He has some great promises to his bride. You can really get some great groom speech inspiration from this awesome speech. Have some tissues handy, you may shed a few tears. WOW! Love is so magical.

GROOM SPEECH JOKES

Here are some fun quotes you can use in your wedding speech. These groom speech jokes should be used sparingly; remember that the idea is to add some humor but not go overboard.

• “My speech today will be like a mini skirt, long enough to cover the essentials and short enough to hold your attention.”
• “I planned to do a very short speech today, but someone reminded me that this would be the only opportunity that I would have with my wife and mother-in-law in the same room and not get interrupted, so I may be some time!!!”
• My ex-girlfriend and I would like to thank you all for coming today…..
• “Komrades, we gather here on the brink of our greatest attack.” Then say, “sorry- wrong speech.”
• ‘And so, without further ado, let me ask those of you who still can to stand up and join me in a toast…’
• ‘And so will everyone now please raise their glasses – and themselves…’
• ‘And so, in the words of my ex-girlfriend, “I’m going to leave you now…”’.
• A wise man once said to me… If you love her, let her go. No… Wait. Sorry. Got that wrong. A policeman once shouted out at me … If you love her, let her go and come out with your hands up! Yeah, that was it.
• “When I sat down with my wife-to-be to sort out the seating plan, we decided to place those who had given us the best presents closest to the top table. So <insert names here>, if you can hear me at the back, many thanks for the oven glove.”
• “When I proposed, I got down on one knee – then the other, and asked <brides father> ‘Please pay for the wedding’ He said yes, and the rest is history.”
• I’m a bit nervous… this is the first time I’ve had to make a Groom speech.
• Thanks to everyone that offered their advice when I told them I was getting married. The comments ranged from “Well done” to “about time” and “What are you doing, you stupid fool!”
• When thanking the best man… “Thanks for what you said… and more importantly for what you didn’t say”
• We’d like to thank our parents because… quite frankly we wouldn’t be here without them.
• Tradition says we should give flowers, but Andrea and I wanted to give you something more permanent. So we are getting you a tattoo each!
• Thanks, Dad, for the kind words. I hope $20 was enough.
• I have to thank you both (Father of the bride) & (mother of the bride) for bringing up such a beautiful and intelligent daughter. I’ll leave you to argue over which trait comes from who.
• (Father of the bride) has written out a receipt for me, it says:
• “Received one daughter in perfect condition, fully guaranteed, fully warranted. Comes complete with all extras. Keep topped up with expensive jewelry and fine wine.”
• But not to be outdone, (Father of the groom) has a receipt to give to (my wife), it says:
• “Received one son, sold as-is, no refunds under any circumstances. We’ve changed the locks, so you’re stuck with him.

GROOM SPEECH QUOTES

• May your love be like the misty rain, gentle coming in but flooding the river.
• In so much as love grows in you, so beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul.
• We never live so intensely as when we love strongly. We never realize ourselves so vividly as when we are in the full glow of love for others.
• To love someone deeply gives you strength. Being loved by someone deeply gives you courage.
• Love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction.
• Night and day, you are the one—Only you beneath the moon and under the sun.
• Marriage is like a golden ring in a chain, whose beginning is a glance and whose ending is eternity.
• “My heart is ever at your service.” – William Shakespeare.
• “You don’t marry the person you can live with… you marry the person you can’t live without.” – Unknown.
•  “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” – -1 Corinthians 13:7
• “A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” – Mignon McLaughlin.
•  “Grow old with me. The best is yet to be –the last of life which the first was made.”

Groom Speech Examples

The groom often gets a good roasting from the best man, so the groom’s speech is a chance to get in a few jokes of his own! As well as thanking the wedding party and both sets of parents, what all the guests are waiting for are some romantic and heartfelt words about his new spouse. You’ll find plenty of example groom speeches to help inspire you when the time comes to write yours, plus jokes and delivery tips.

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• Who Gives a Speech at a Wedding Reception? How to Write a Wedding Toast Tips for the Father of the Bride Speech How to Write a Best Man Toast Advice for the Maid of Honor Speech What to Know About a Newlywed Toast Public Speaking Experts' Wedding Speech Tips 60 Quotes to Use for Your Wedding Toast

Public Speaking Experts Share Their Top Tips for Giving an Amazing Wedding Speech

Check out their best examples and advice to learn how to knock it out of the park.

Photo by Kurt Boomer

In This Article

Most people would agree that public speaking isn't easy, and this is especially true when you're feeling the added pressure that comes along with giving a speech at a loved one's wedding. Not only do you have the attention of dozens (if not hundreds!) of guests you probably don't know, but you're also trying to appeal to a group of people in a wide range of ages from all different phases of the couple's lives. What's more, you want your speech to delight the couple of the hour and be as appealing to your group of friends as it to the newlyweds' grandparents. All in all, it's a tough task.

Before you panic, know that we're here to help. Ahead, we're sharing a comprehensive guide on what you should include in your speech , how to nail your delivery, and questions to consider to get the brainstorming process started—all from noteworthy speakers, well-established speechwriters, and wedding planners (who have seen it all).

Wedding Speech Template

Every great wedding speech has one thing in common: the right flow. Factor in these guidelines to help you find your own organic rhythm.

Open With a Statement or Question

Don't lead with a joke or a reference to how nervous you are. "The goal is to engage your audience, not make it a boring one-way message," says award-winning motivational speaker Jaime Pfeffer . "You'll lose them if you do this."

Introduce Yourself

After your opener, introduce yourself, says Fallon Carter , a wedding planner, even designer, and professional speaker. "A lot of times, people don't know who is speaking, and they don't know their relationship to the bride or the groom," she says. "It's really important to identify yourself, so make sure you've prepared something."

Address Your Audience

As speaker and life strategy coach Mark Black, CSP , points out, focusing on yourself only enhances nerves. "Instead, concentrate on your audience and how you want them to feel. This will help you to speak from the heart, allowing your speech to do what it's supposed to do: Make the couple feel special while also engaging the audience."

Focus on a Few Points

Seasoned speaker Susan Bender Phelps, CEO of Odyssey Mentoring & Leadership , says her top guideline is to select one to three aspects of the newlyweds that you love and appreciate, along with no more than three short stories to illustrate each of these points (or that one point). "The simple, succinct story or stories where the bride and groom are the hero will work best." This is an excellent way to structure your speech and keep your message focused.

How Long Wedding Speeches Should Be

The ideal length for a speech is three to five minutes, with five minutes being the absolute maximum you should speak for. That's it. "I’ve never been to a wedding where anyone said, 'That was a great wedding, but the best man speech was just too short and that  ruined  it,'" says David Litt , the speechwriter for former President Barack Obama and author of Thanks, Obama .

Carter agrees: "I always say anywhere between two and five minutes—and no more than five minutes," she says. "You want to keep things short and sweet." It's just as important to keep in mind when the speech will take place when determining length, since toasts are often timed with meal courses: "Be mindful of how long a course generally takes or how long it takes people to eat," Carter adds, noting that most courses last between 15 and 20 minutes and that several speeches have to fit inside each window. "If there are other people speaking, you want to be mindful and give them space."

Wedding Speech Tips

Now that you've established the right framework for your words, take note of these essential tips for acing the delivery from a few speaking pros.

Rehearse Regularly

The better prepared you are, the more confident you'll be and the better your speech will be, says author and professional speaker Barry Maher . A good rule of thumb is to practice the speech enough that you can remember the points you want to make and the order in which you want to make them. That way, you can look out to the crowd and make eye contact every so often.

Record Yourself Practicing

Use your phone to take a video of yourself practicing, suggests Kate Kenfield , speaker and sex educator. "It can be a little uncomfortable to watch yourself, but you'll be able to identify distracting mannerisms, such as the verbal pauses 'um,' 'uh,' and 'like'." It's also a good idea to practice your speech in front of someone else. "A second opinion can help you craft your piece and make it that much stronger," she says.

Don't forget body language! Rehearse the speech in front of a mirror and notice things like your facial expression, eye contact, and hand position.

Avoid Alcohol

Although it may be tempting to look for some liquid courage, alcohol definitely won't do you any favors, warns keynote speaker Amy Morin , author of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do . "It may cause you to slur your speech and forget your lines, so wait until after your toast to celebrate," she advises. If you need a drink to loosen up the nerves or can't refrain from participating in a toast without being rude, stick to one glass of Champagne before you address the crowd.

Use Nerves to Your Advantage

A little nervousness can actually liven up your speech. "I get worried if I'm not a little nervous," says Maher. "I'll actually try to make myself a little tense to get my energy level up." The key is to harness that energy and communicate it in a positive, genuine way; tensing up to the point that you forget your words or panic won't make for a great presentation.

Be Yourself

Keep in mind that you're not putting on a show, only sharing your personal perspective. Trying too hard to force the funny can yield the opposite of the desired effect, cautions Matt Dalley, co-founder of Simply Eloped . "I've noticed that keeping it short and sweet, heartfelt and warm, and coming across as authentic and focused on the couple is something we are all capable of and generates some very wonderful moments," he says.

Never Embarrass the Newlyweds

It's a wedding toast, not a roast. While this should go without saying, keep the bachelor or bachelorette party jokes out of it, and remember that grandma and possibly a few colleagues are in the audience, notes Laurie Battaglia , a keynote speaker and workplace strategist. "It's okay to look back at childhood and refer to something funny, but ask yourself if you'd like 200-plus of your closest friends knowing that story about you."

Use Your Notes

Reading your speech straight from a piece of paper is a big no-no. However, having a couple of note cards handy is encouraged. "You're likely to be nervous, excited, and exhausted, which can make you forget your lines," explains Morin. "The audience won't care if you glance at your notes. In fact, there's a good chance they won't even notice."

Wedding Speech Brainstorm Ideas

Need some inspiration? Ask yourself these questions to get the brainstorming process going.

• Who will speak before you? After you? How will this affect the content of your toast? (Perhaps you want to include a reference to their speech, thank them for an introduction, or introduce the next speaker).
• Is there someone you should thank for making the event possible and inviting you to speak?
• What would you want to hear in this speech if you were in the audience?
• Is there a favorite story or memory that the couple would want you to share with their friends and family?

Wedding Speech Examples to Make Your Own

So, what does it look like when all these elements come together? Wedding vow and speechwriter Katelyn Peterson , owner and creator of Wedding Words , offered us three examples of successful toasts to inspire your own.

Maid of Honor Wedding Speech Example

"Hi, I’m Maya, the bride’s older sister . With Lucy being three years younger, we fell right into our respective roles as sister-rivals growing up. We constantly fought over stolen clothes, monopolizing the phone back when landlines were a thing, and what boy band to blare from the car speakers. I’m still Team Backstreet Boys while Lucy is forever indebted to NSYNC.

Looking back on those memories, I should have stepped up and granted Lucy permission to wear my favorite sweater for picture day, to hand her the phone once in a while, and to let her play, 'Bye Bye Bye.' Even I can admit that’s a good one. But despite Lucy being the younger sister, she has always been more patient, more accommodating, and more thoughtful than me. And that’s because when it comes to the people she loves, she’s all in.

She’s the one to prioritize their desires. She’s the one to compromise first. And, she’s the one to support their dreams as if they were her own. 

This is why it makes me so happy to know that Lucy has found a home in David. He matches her in compassion, thoughtfulness, and warmth. And I know he’ll spend his life prioritizing her desires, being ready to compromise, and supporting her dreams as his own.

Cheers to Lucy and David! May you always feel loved because you always put each other first."

Best Man Wedding Speech Example

"Hello, everyone. My name is Luke and I’m the best man . I met Robert eight years ago when I became his neighbor. His reputation preceded him as I had heard about the 'Block Party King' before my closing papers were inked. 

Rob has never been the guy to wear fancy clothes. In fact, I’m still in shock seeing him in that tux tonight. And he’s never been the guy to show off even though the work he’s put into his vintage Mustang could make Henry Ford himself envious.

But when it comes to cooking, he should receive an award. His pulled pork is a staple at our summer block parties and his homemade barbeque sauce has remained our neighborhood’s best-kept secret. But the most satisfying part about his delicious dishes is that there’s always plenty to go around. And Rob makes sure your plate is never empty. I have no idea how he pulls it off, but Rob has a covert ability to scoop seconds onto your plate without you ever seeing him do it. I hope you all came hungry tonight, folks. You’ve been warned! 

The first time I met Jasmine I could immediately tell she was an amazing person. She laughed at his jokes which I never thought anyone would get. She supported his career and the nonstop travel involved. But most importantly, whenever we’re all hanging out, Jasmine is the one always topping off Rob’s plate with more pasta, more chicken, more of everything. When she’s around, it’s never empty. 

And that’s when I saw what a perfect match they were for each other. I know they will always put each other first, make sure their needs are met, and will never allow the other to go hungry.

So let’s raise our glasses to toast the newlyweds! As you begin this next chapter together, may your plates and your hearts always remain full."

Father of the Bride Wedding Speech Example

"Good evening, family, and friends. I’m Daniel Lee, the father of the bride. I’d like to welcome you to this special occasion where we get to celebrate the love between my daughter Allison and her new wife, Kristin. 

Standing up here today, I’m reminded of all the moments that led to this significant one. The dance recitals that ended with standing ovations and the soccer games that concluded with winning scoreboards. 

But, while those were fun and rewarding times, those aren’t the moments I cherish most with Allison. The memories that make me smile the brightest are those in-between the big stuff moments. It’s the makeshift magic shows in our living room using a bedsheet that Allison confiscated from our linen closet to convert into a curtain. It’s the countless tea parties she hosted with exclusive invitations just for me and her beloved stuffed bear, Buttons. And it’s the way she’d beg to stay up for just five more minutes but was asleep on the couch by minute number two.

Those everyday, blink-and-you’ll-miss-them moments with Allison are the ones that gave color to my life and filled my heart with a happiness I never knew could exist.

So, my beautiful daughter, as you begin your life with Kristin today, I have one wish for you: May your warmest memories come from the ordinary moments throughout your marriage, and may those moments give you a reason to smile brighter every day. Cheers! I love you both." —Daniel

What Not to Say in a Wedding Speech

Your job when delivering a wedding speech is to keep things light—tell an anecdote, make an emotional connection, then wish the couple well before you close out. Anything that doesn't feel definitively positive should be avoided. "I would advocate against bringing up negative details, specifically past relationships or past spouses," says Carter. "Skip anything that you wouldn't want to be physically recorded and played over and over again—this is a rule of thumb."

Keep it light, delicate, and present- and future-focused, Carter adds. "If you're going to go into the past, make those stories really intentional," she says. "Bring those stories back to who they are now. Your mission is to create a great environment and vibe and to potentially give some information about one of the newlyweds, so that it's enlightening for all guests."

A Guide to Wedding Reception Toasts

Who Gives a Speech at a Wedding Reception?

How to Write a Wedding Toast

Tips for the Father of the Bride Speech

How to Write a Best Man Toast

Advice for the Maid of Honor Speech

What to Know About a Newlywed Toast

Public Speaking Experts' Wedding Speech Tips

60 Quotes to Use for Your Wedding Toast

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Voices of Love: Unforgettable Wedding Speeches

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Wedding speeches are an essential part of every wedding. They let all the members of the bridal party and guests share their overwhelming emotions about the big day. Best wedding speeches stay in our memory forever, marking the significance of the wedding day for everyone involved. It can be quite challenging to fit all the feelings you want to share into a single toast . In this article, you will find invaluable tips from the expert Amanda Layton, an experienced wedding vow and speechwriter, in crafting memorable wedding speeches.

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Wedding Speeches Examples

Best wedding speeches.

Writing a wedding speech can seem daunting, but with some preparation and guidance, you can deliver a heartfelt and memorable speech that will be cherished by the newlyweds and their guests.

Good evening, everyone. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Sarah, and I’m the ___ I’ve known the bride, Emily, since we were little girls, and we’ve been best friends ever since. I remember the first time she told me about Alex, and how excited she was to go on a date with him. From that moment on, I knew he was something special. Seeing them together over the years has been such a joy, and I’m so happy to be here today to celebrate their love. Emily, you are the most kind, caring, and generous person I know. And Alex, you are her perfect match. I’ve never seen her so happy as she is with you. I know you will continue to be each other’s best friend, confidant, and partner in all of life’s adventures. So, let’s raise a glass to the newlyweds. May your love continue to grow stronger with each passing day. Congratulations!

Groom Wedding Speech

“I would like to thank my parents for all the help they have given me over the years, if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be here now. I would also like to thank (my wife’s) parents for making me feel like the son they never wanted, sorry the son they never had, right from day 2. Day 1 was a bit rough, but hey, they’re over it now. I would also like to thank them for having such a beautiful, intelligent, kind, and caring daughter. I hope to do you both proud and thank you both for everything you have done today and to make today happen.”

The groom’s wedding speech starts at the reception. On behalf of himself and his bride, he expresses his gratitude to everyone involved in the wedding preparations. He toasts his parents, bridesmaids, and the groom’s party, and mentions their help and support. His speech is often quite sentimental, as he shares some personal memories. He also mentions how his life has changed since he met his bride.

Wedding Speeches for Parents

When the kids find love, the parents are also happy. So, it rests upon them to give wedding reception speeches in honor of their children. Now, depending on the chosen style, you’ll have to fit in with the wedding theme. Most times, a funny speech is just perfect, because it works for every wedding. Below, we’ll see wedding speech examples for different parents.

Wedding Speeches for Mother of the Groom

“The first time I saw you, it was love. My little baby grew into a wobbly toddler, and then a smart child. The pre-teen and teen years and the next thing I knew, you’ve become a man. I am so proud of you. You’ve made us proud of everything you’ve done. And on your wedding today, we wish you only the best.”

As a mother of the groom, wedding speeches for your son will be an emotional one. You’ll talk about his growing up, the bond you share, and how he was well-raised. You can add one or two romantic quotes  and close. See the wedding speeches sample below.

Wedding Speeches for Mother of the Bride

“It’s no news that we love our kids so much, and seeing them grow up is hard. Everything they do fills you with pride. But you also miss the little girl who cuddles into you. And cried to you when she scraped her knee. Now my daughter is older and I’m grateful and proud that she found love in the groom. May your lives be long, happy, and peaceful together.”

The wedding speeches for mother of the bride isn’t a norm. But today, it’s becoming acceptable especially if the father isn’t involved. Tell your daughter that she’s beautiful and strong. Talk about the good memories in her growing years. And if her father has passed, talk about him with fondness.

Wedding Speeches for Father of the Groom

“My greatest blessing is having a son, one that mirrors me in many ways. But like his dream, he’s grown into his own person. He has taught me as much as I’ve taught him and I’m proud. My son is someone who goes the extra mile for people and I know he’ll make an amazing husband. I wish you every best, as we raise our glass to the groom and his amazing bride.”

Your son getting married excites you because he carries on the torch. Again, he will be looking to you for support and wisdom for marriage. So, good wedding speeches from the father of the groom must contain lots of quotes about marriage . Draw inspiration from talking about your own marriage, the bond you share, and why he’s a great son.

Wedding Speeches for Father of the Bride

“Looking at both of you in your beautiful dress and dapper suit, my wedding day comes to mind. We were quite excited, filled with love, merriment, and of course nervousness. From me to you, I’ll tell you for free that a successful marriage requires falling in love many times. And doing it with the same person always.”

As the father of the bride, you have responsibilities to your baby girl. From walking her down the aisle to the father-daughter dance. Throwing in a great speech is just perfect. Let your love for your baby shine through and talk about her growing up. Remember the groom, give them pieces of advice, and your best wishes. See the wedding speeches template below for some inspiration.

Wedding Speeches for Sister

Ladies and gentlemen, today I stand before you with immense pride and joy as I celebrate my sister’s union with [Groom’s Name]. As her older sister, I’ve had the privilege of watching her grow into the amazing woman she is today. She has found in [Groom’s Name] the love and support she deserves. Here’s to a lifetime filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. Cheers to the newlyweds!

When delivering a wedding speech for your sister, begin by expressing your love and pride for her. Share heartfelt stories that illustrate her special qualities, highlight her relationship with the groom, and offer well-wishes for their future. End your speech by raising a toast to the newlyweds.

Best Man Wedding Speech

Take a look at this great example of a witty speech, presented by the best man.

“There comes a time in everyone’s life when they meet their one true love, their soul mate, the person that’s going to know and love them for the rest of their life. That moment came for the groom…3 years ago when he met me. Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, for those of you that don’t know me my name, is Dan, What-would-you-like-to-drink. I hope you’ll come and say hello at the bar later, but please…call me by my full name. On behalf of the bride and groom, I’d like to thank you all for coming. And I want to give special thanks to the parents of the bride and groom… it’s amazing how far some people are willing to travel, just for some free food and drink. And finally, I’d like to thank my best friend (the groom), for giving me the first EVER opportunity…. to be able to speak for five minutes without him interrupting!”

“They say, in a good marriage the husband is the head, and the wife is the heart. So let us drink to the fact that our young people did not know in life either headaches or heartaches!”

“Love is not a fire, it will catch fire, you will not put out. In the hearts of our young people, the fire of love burns. This is a sacred fire. So, fill our glasses and amicably drink to ensure that it never goes out in their hearts!”

“I drink to ensure that our newly married and in 10 years and 20 years of family life, looking at his charming wife, lost his head, but not reason.”

“Friends! I offer a drink for a kiss! After all, he came up with a man, because he did not find any other way to close a mouth to a woman.”

Wedding speeches best man deliver are usually the most humorous of all the others. Thank you’s are also appropriate, especially to the bridesmaids and fellow groomsmen. Some anecdotes about the groom would be also much anticipated. People expect wedding best man speeches to be memorable, funny, with well wishes to the couple . Humor is a must.

100+ Best Wedding Toasts For Different Types Of Guests

Maid of honor speech outline.

“Before I go any further, I just want to say, Bride, you look absolutely beautiful and Groom, you’ve never looked more handsome. For those of you who don’t know me and for those who can’t tell, I’m Bride’s sister. Thank you Bride for the honor of being your bridesmaid. Obviously, I’ve known Bride all of my life and we know more about each other than we would probably care to. We’ve laughed together, cried together, and laughed until we’ve cried. We’ve also had the odd fight! We also have so many inside jokes that only we find funny.”

“A real woman can make a man who surrendered to her, always think that he is the winner. Look at our groom. He looks like a winner. Therefore, let us drink to his beautiful victory and the woman who allowed herself to be defeated, the bride.”

“What is the difference between the fairy tale and the reality? A fairy tale is when he married a snake, and she became a princess. A reality when it on the contrary. Let the life of our newlyweds be like a fairy tale!”

There is one thing all wedding speeches maid of honor makes have in common: they boost the bride. Like any other wedding speech, the maid of honor’s speech can be witty and humorous, but the most important feature of this category is love and sentimentality. Add a couple of memorable stories you have of the newlyweds. Don’t forget well wishes!

Wedding Speeches for Best Friends

“I’m here to talk about two very special people, John and Eve. I’ve been friends with Eve since kindergarten. On our first day at school, we met and formed a friendship that has lived two decades and some. We got into trouble a lot and got grounded many times by the parents. My bestie is free-spirited and has a strong will to date. James, I hope you’re prepared for marriage with a woman who is full of life and spirit. With her, you’ll never live the same day twice. I wish you heaven’s best all your life. A toast…”

Wedding Welcoming Speeches

“Welcome to the celebration of James and Eve’s wedding. A tale of love that promises to last forever. Today promises to be one of beauty, friendships formed, and bonds lasting forever. For you all who have come from far and near to celebrate, we hope you take joy home with you. The happiness of marriage is the highest happiness on earth. And this is what we’ve witnessed today. Sit back, relax, have the time of your lives, and thank you for choosing to share in our joy.

Funny Wedding Speeches

Good evening everyone! For those who don’t know me, I’m the groom’s brother. I’d like to start by saying that I’m delighted to see so many people here tonight, and I hope you’re all enjoying the celebrations as much as we are. Now, it’s not often that you get to make a speech at your brother’s wedding, so I thought I’d take this opportunity to share a few stories about him. Growing up, my brother was always the smart one. He was top of his class and excelled at everything he did. And then he met his beautiful bride-to-be, and everything changed. Suddenly he became clumsy, forgetful, and absent-minded. I guess you could say that love really does make you do crazy things. But in all seriousness, I couldn’t be happier for the two of them. They truly are a perfect match, and I have no doubt that they will have a long and happy life together. So let’s raise a glass to the newlyweds – may your marriage be filled with love, laughter, and lots of adventures!

Writing a funny wedding speech can entertain guests and create lasting memories. Keep it appropriate, short, know your audience, and practice for a smooth delivery.

Short Wedding Speeches

“Groom, thank you for being an anchor, a friend, and brother. And I can’t be more proud that you married an amazing bride. Man! You’ve won a lottery! We celebrate both of you tonight, and all of the good things you are. You care for everyone and I’m sure you’ll care for her. We wish you success, laughter, and love. May your humor in bad times and appreciation in good times never leave you. May you get answers to prayers. May the friendship you share keep growing till death parts you. Cheers to you!”

Whether you’re giving wedding speeches for the bride, best man, or brother; the shorter the better. This will help make sure you don’t bore the audience. 11 /14

Wedding Thank You Speeches

“We (couple) worked really hard to make this day perfect. But we remembered that being bound to the one you love in the presence of your loved ones — is what makes the day perfect. I’m overjoyed that we had beautiful weather. The food and drinks were great and everyone is happy. Thank you all, especially my beloved, because today I’m bound to him to start a beautiful journey together. And after all my fears and jitters, today turned out to be much more memorable than we planned. Thank you.”

Wedding thank you speeches give you the opportunity to thank your guests. You will also extend your appreciation to everyone who made your day possible. If you intend to mention names, have a list, so that you don’t leave anyone out. This speech can come from the bride or groom. But it’s always better to skip the names. Also, infuse some humor. 12 /14

Wedding Officiant Speeches

“Shall we all sit? Today, we gather to witness and celebrate the matrimony of Eve and James. What they have is an existing bond, and we’ve come together to strengthen it. As family and friends, it’s our honor to witness today. Marriage is a lifetime commitment where two people work tirelessly to bring out the best in each other. You get an opportunity to share your joys, success, failures, and burdens with an ally for life. You get an opportunity to share and grow. One relationship which no other can equal. You are in for a physical and emotional binding that has the promise of a lifetime.”

Great wedding officiant speeches must be short, sweet, and have the perfect length to keep guests dialed in. The officiant should leverage the relationship and how much they know the couple. You must also tailor your speech in line with the wedding style. 13 /14

Wedding Anniversary Speeches

“Anniversaries are beautiful recollections of the past years and reflections for the years to come. The years past were happy and successful ones in many ways. They’re shrouded in a kaleidoscope of great relationships, supportive families, and happy memories. I’m not saying it’s smooth, but with your support, the journey became easier. We can only be grateful, even as we look forward to better years. As we celebrate our 50th year, I want to thank you for walking with us. It’s not a question of where you, it’s who goes with you. Thank you, everyone.”

A wedding anniversary speech must be heartfelt, sweet, and short. Whoever is giving the speech must know that it’s a time to reminisce and give good wishes. So, you’ll talk about the marriage, throw in some humor and bless the couple. If it’s the couple giving the speech, some advice will go a long way. 14 /14

Wedding Quotes for Speeches

“I’ve seen nothing more satisfying than two people coming together to become one. They share in each other’s pleasure, and bear each other’s pain. They crush their enemies together and make home with their friends.” “The pain and weight of life vanish from our lives by one word. It sets us free and we live again. It’s called LOVE.” “If you want to keep your marriage cup filled and running over, always admit your wrongs. And, if you’re right, be kind to shut up.”

Wedding Speeches Tips

Ready to seize the mic, command the room, and leave everyone applauding your wedding speech? Not quite yet? Amanda Layton, a Professional Wedding Speech Writer, shared top 5 tips to help you craft and deliver an epic wedding speech. With a little bit of guidance, you’ll be delivering an unforgettable toast that captures hearts and makes memories for years to come!

• Keep it Short and Sweet First things first–when it comes to wedding speeches less is more. Did you know that a 5-minute speech is approximately 700 words? It’s important to keep your speech concise and to the point, ensuring that every word is impactful and resonates with the audience.
• Skip the Roasts Steer clear of roasting the couple. It might sound funny in your head, but trust me, some things are better left unsaid. Avoid cringeworthy moments by focusing on heartwarming and positive anecdotes that celebrate the couple’s journey and love.
• Harness the Power of Storytelling Capture everyone’s attention by using storytelling to highlight either the bride or groom’s wonderful qualities. Is she loyal, adventurous, generous, or kind-hearted? Is he optimistic, resilient, hilarious, etc? Share a touching story that really showcases one of these character traits, allowing everyone to get a deeper insight into how amazing this person truly is.
• Celebrate the Path to Becoming a Husband or Wife Remember that this is a wedding celebration and your wedding speech is a great opportunity to encourage the bride in her new role as a wife or the groom in his new role as a husband. Share your heartfelt wishes and why you believe they will make an amazing partner in this new chapter of their life.
• Practice Makes Perfect Confidence is key! Practice your speech a few times to build up your self-assurance. Remember to speak slowly when practicing because you are more likely to speed up in front of a crowd. Think of the areas you might tear up at and remember to pause and take a second to breathe. You don’t have to rush through the toast. Everyone wants to hear what you clearly have to say. Here’s the thing, the audience wants you to succeed, so embrace those nerves and let them fuel your confident delivery! You’ve got this, my friend! With these tips and a little bit of preparation, your speech is bound to be a show-stopper that leaves everyone applauding and reaching for the tissues! Crafting a memorable wedding speech is an art form, and your words have the power to touch hearts and create lasting memories.

Wedding Speeches Order

The order of wedding speeches can vary depending on cultural traditions and personal preferences. However, a common order for wedding speeches is as follows:

• Father of the Bride: Welcomes guests, and expresses love and pride for his daughter.
• Groom: Thanks guests, expresses gratitude to both families, and shares love for the bride.
• Best Man: Shares humorous anecdotes about the groom, and proposes a toast.
• Maid/Matron of Honor: Expresses friendship and admiration for the bride, offers wisdom, and proposes a toast.
• Additional speeches: Other family members or friends may give shorter speeches or toasts as desired. Note: The order and inclusion of speeches can be customized to the couple’s preferences. Communication with the wedding party beforehand is essential for a smooth flow of the reception.

Wedding Speeches Template

Introduction:

• Greet the guests and introduce yourself.
• Express your gratitude for being chosen to speak at the wedding.

Personal Connection:

• Share a personal story or memory about the couple.
• Talk about your relationship with either the bride or groom (or both) and how you’ve seen their love grow.

Compliments and Qualities:

• Compliment the couple individually and as a pair.
• Highlight their qualities and what makes them a great match.

Anecdotes and Humor:

• Share light-hearted and funny anecdotes about the couple.
• Keep the humor appropriate and avoid embarrassing stories.

Words of Wisdom:

• Offer advice or lessons on love, marriage, or relationships.
• Use heartfelt and meaningful quotes or poems if desired.
• Raise a toast to the couple’s happiness and future together.
• Invite guests to join in raising their glasses and toasting.
• Express well wishes and congratulations to the newlyweds.
• End with a final heartfelt message or a toast to love.

Remember to personalize the speech to your relationship with the couple and make it heartfelt and authentic. Practice it beforehand to ensure a smooth delivery and consider keeping the speech around 3-5 minutes in length.

Things You’d Better Exclude From Any Wedding Speech

At the same time, there are things great wedding speeches avoid.

• Do not include any embarrassing information.
• Do not mention previous boyfriends or girlfriends of the newlyweds.
• Do not say rude things like ‘We thought that day would never come’.
• Do not include any crude language, there are all sorts of guests around, and what is totally appropriate in a group of friends is inappropriate at the celebration.
• Adding humor, don’t make fun of the bride or groom. This is your best friend’s wedding, do not spoil it! If in doubt – use examples above, but by no means copy them. It is only a piece of speech to boost your imagination.

Wedding Speeches can be tricky to write, but we hope that now you have everything you need to deliver a perfect speech. A couple of jokes, a sentimental story, and letting your love for the couple shine is all it takes.

What Not to Say in a Wedding Speech

• Embarrassing Stories : Steer clear of tales that could embarrass the couple.
• Negative Remarks : Refrain from negative comments or jokes.
• Excessive Inside Jokes : Ensure your speech is inclusive for all guests.
• Lengthy Monologues : Keep it concise and engaging.
• Controversial Topics : Avoid sensitive or controversial subjects.
• Overuse of Clichés : Aim for originality over clichés.
• Inappropriate Humor : Be mindful of cultural or personal sensitivities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you say in a wedding speech.

• Express your love and support for the couple.
• Share personal anecdotes or stories about them.
• Offer well-wishes for their future together.

What is a good speech to give at a wedding?

• A good wedding speech is heartfelt and genuine.
• It engages the audience with humor or sentiment.
• It balances praise, personal stories, and wishes for the couple.

What is an example of a short marriage speech?

To [Couple’s Name], may your love be as endless as the horizon, your laughter as infectious as a melody, and your journey together full of joy. Here’s to a lifetime of love and happiness. Cheers!

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How to write a Groom’s wedding speech

Nail your nerves and craft a groom’s speech that’ll blow your wedding guests away.

As a groom, what makes the perfect wedding speech? Should you be funny like the best man? Emotional like the maid of honour ? Or pull the heart strings like the father of the bride? Well, the answer is, a little bit of each would be ideal! With some admin thrown in. Unlike many of the other wedding speeches being given on the day, the groom’s speech is basically one big thank you. There’s no set things you should say, no style it has to be written in, or reaction it needs to receive. Essentially, you just have to praise and complement those closest to you for all their hard work ( and money ), while thanking the assembled guests for being there. Easy, right…?

If you’re not used to speaking in public, or you’re unsure of exactly how to lay out your speech, don’t worry. We’ve put together some easy-to-follow tips that’ll help you write the perfect groom speech for your wedding day.

The people you need to thank

As mentioned, the groom’s speech is all about thanking friends and family who were involved in putting the wedding together. Alongside that, it’s nice to also welcome the other side of the family, as well as remembering those who couldn’t be there on the day. Suppliers too, if you feel they played a really significant part in your day being a success, share the ones who deserve a special mention. You never know, it could lead to one of your loved ones hiring your wedding photographer for their big day.

Give your speech structure

It could be tempting to just run head first towards all those thank-yous, desperately trying not to miss anyone out. This approach, although potentially fun to watch, will seem quite chaotic and almost certainly lead to you missing important members of the wedding party out. Instead, organise your thoughts, and create an outline. You don’t need to write your groom’s speech out and follow it word by word on the wedding day. But you should have bullet notes you can (mentally) tick off as you go. Here’s a simple outline that will work for most groom speeches: · Introduce yourself, and say a few words about the day so far. · Welcome everyone, and thank them for coming · Thank specific people involved in the wedding. · Share a personal anecdote or story about your wedding planning journey, or relationship. · Share how you feel about your spouse. · Thank everyone for coming again and let guests know any information the venue has given you. Food or bar times, when certain events will be, that sort of thing. · Raise a toast.

Keep it light, but don’t force humour

We’re not all blessed with a funny bone. If you’re someone who’s never been the joker in the pack, the wisecracker in the group. Don’t force yourself to be one during your groom’s speech, on your wedding day! Your guests know you, they love you, and they want to hear a speech that sounds like it came from you, not Seinfeld. However, if making a joke here and there is part of your personality, by all means, use humour in your speech. But it’s important to strike a balance between laughs and sentiment. Guests should get a sense of how serious you are about the day, and feel your emotions. And they can’t do that if you’re just delivering a stand-up routine. Keep wedding guests interested and engaged in your groom’s speech by bouncing back and forth between playfulness and sentimentality. Jokes, interspersed with more serious, and emotional parts, is the key to a successful groom’s speech.

How long should a Groom’s wedding speech be?

The secret to any good speech is to keep it short and sweet. However humorous, or emotional your groom’s speech is, wedding guests will soon start to nod off if it goes on too long. Likewise, if you only share a couple of words, there’s no way loved ones will get a sense of how you feel about the day, or their contribution. Recite, or practice your groom’s speech ahead of the wedding day, multiple times, so you know how long it is. And remember that nervous energy will potentially take over on the day, speeding up the whole speech , and shaving off 30 seconds from the total time. Another reason why it’s important to practice. Overall, on your wedding day, aim to keep your groom’s speech around 2–3 minutes long. In that time, you should be able to convey just how delighted and thankful you truly are. Without sending any older relatives off to sleep! We hope we have inspired your groom’s speech, and hopefully settled some nerves ahead of the wedding day! It would be a pleasure to guide you further, and introduce you to our lovely wedding venue in Co Kildare. The Abbey is only an hour away from Dublin, and has an 18th century chapel on-site, a stunning ballroom, multiple events spaces and 38 contemporary style rooms. You are welcome to have a browse of our wedding venue online , and if you like what you see, please get in touch via our contact page to book a viewing. And while you wait for your visit, you can find out more about us via our online brochure .

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

“All Of The Wannabes”: Groom’s Parents Deliver The Most Insulting Speech, Think It’s Funny

Weddings are supposedly among the happiest moments of a person’s life. They’re a special occasion shared with friends, family, and the person they intend to spend the rest of their days with. 

But not all ceremonies are beautiful tearjerkers. There are disastrous exceptions, much like today’s story courtesy of Reddit user honey-smile. It was their firsthand account involving the groom named Jon, who had to sit through an insulting speech from his own parents. To make matters worse, the old couple also made rude remarks to some of the guests.

It can be difficult to have sharp-tongued parents

Image credits: Getúlio Moraes (not the actual image)

In this story, the groom endured harsh words from both his mother and father during his big day

Image credits: oneinchpunchphotos (not the actual image)

Such behavior from parents can be greatly damaging, experts say

It’s not clear whether or not the groom went through the same cycle of verbal attacks from his folks when he was young. But as pointed out by New York-based psychologist Dr. Asa Don Brown , a parent’s constant belittling of their children can be as damaging as physical or sexual abuse. 

What’s more problematic is that the damages caused by such harsh treatment aren’t easily seen. 

“But, with no bruises to spot, pediatricians, teachers, and family members may have trouble recognizing these and other forms of psychological abuse,” he wrote in an article for the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.  

“Not only are there no obvious physical scars, there is no universally agreed-upon definition of what constitutes psychological maltreatment of children, and a fine line can exist between not-so-great parenting and outright abuse.” 

Dr. Brown also reiterated the importance of immediate care for a child who had endured a lot of chastising from their parents and the potential consequences if not taken care of. 

“The urgency for aid is crucial to the child’s recovery. If you avoid seeking out aid, the child may harbor resentment. Likewise, the type of aid may, and will vary, depending upon the type, frequency, longevity, and the overall duration of the event.” 

Image credits: Mario Schafer (not the actual image)

Emotional abuse from parents carries over until later in life

There’s a chance that the groom in this story could carry any resentment he may have harbored into his later years of life. A few people shared their stories with author Peg Streep, who published them in Psychology Today . Many of them were already in their mid-life at the time the article came out. 

A 43-year-old woman named Becca shared her experience dealing with a “bully” and “control freak” father and a mother who “staunchly” defended his actions. According to her account, her mother considered her father’s put-downs as “a way of keeping us from getting too full of ourselves.” 

“I t has taken me years to really understand that loving someone doesn’t require you to lose your soul and that how she treated me was about her, not me. I still have trouble trusting people and feeling safe,” Becca said. 

Others experience their parents’ resentment for their existence. As a woman named Julia explained, her birth “was the cause of all hardship and strife.”  

“That was the family story, and they have never deviated from it, not in 50 years. I am still the source of all their disappointments, large and small, and that is part of their bond. In a weird way, their marriage has thrived, because they had someone to blame for their occasional unhappiness from the very start.”

Image credits: Andrea Piacquadio (not the actual image)

The speech concluded with a compliment (sort of)

Image credits: honey-smile

The original poster shared more details for added context, but most commenters felt bad for the groom

How to Craft a Heartfelt Mother of the Groom Speech

• Lauren is a contributor for The Knot covering topics such as music, cakes, venues and speeches.
• She has been published in a wide array of lifetsyle-oriented publications including SELF and Allure.
• Lauren is a proud graduate of Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School of Public Communication.

Your son's wedding is sure to be a happy (albeit emotional!) day. After all, watching your son exchange vows with his new spouse is sure to bring a tear to your eye. In fact, it's fair to say your son's big day is just as significant for you as his mother as it is for him. On top of all this, you'll also be tasked with presenting a mother of the groom speech. In honor of your son's special day, you'll have the honor of toasting to your son and new son-in-law or daughter-in-law as they embark on this new chapter together as newlyweds. While this speech has traditionally been given at rehearsal dinners , it's not unusual for the mother of the groom to speak at the wedding reception , either.

If you're struggling to put words on paper to express the joy, happiness, and love you have for your son, you're not alone. To help combat writer's block—and get your creative juices flowing—we reached out to wedding planners and professionals for expert insight. Below, you'll find everything you need to know about crafting the best mother of the groom speech.

How Long Should a Mother of the Groom Speech Be?

When it comes to length, "short and sweet it the way to go," says wedding planner Nora Sheils of Bridal Bliss in Lake Oswego, Oregon. She says that 3 to 5 minutes is the perfect amount to time to get your point across.

But when should a mother of the groom speech be delivered? While the father of the bride speech is most often given during the wedding reception, can the groom's mom give hers then, too? "I believe the mother of the groom can give a speech at both the wedding rehearsal and at the wedding celebration," says celebrity wedding and event planner David Tutera .

However, if you prefer to speak in a more intimate environment, you may opt to present your speech at the rehearsal dinner . According to Sheils, the rehearsal dinner is "the perfect opportunity for a more personal mother of the groom toast."

How to Write a Mother of the Groom Speech

"The wedding is about the couple, so keep that in mind when you're writing your speech, so it's not just one-sided," explains Lynne Kennedy of The Gilded Aisle Weddings in Chicago. She continues, "Guests always love to hear how the couple met or when you knew this love interest was 'the one' for your son."

With all this being said, "Don't talk solely about your son," says Sheils. Instead, she recommends talking about his new spouse, what you love about them, and how they fit into your family.

Mother of the Groom Speech Template

Feeling overwhelmed with emotion? Not sure where to begin? Don't fret. This template from Hester Parks of Park Avenue Events in Atlanta can easily be personalized—all you need to do is fill in the blanks.

Introduce yourself. Of course, everyone will know who you are, but you'll need to greet your guests by introducing yourself.

Thank the wedding guests for coming. Open up your speech by thanking your guests for attending this special occasion. Express your gratitude and share how grateful you are that they were able to celebrate your son's wedding with you.

Talk about your son. Katelyn Peterson of Wedding Words , a wedding vow and speech writing service, advises sharing two to three "short and concise" stories about your son that spotlights their personality.

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Talk about your son's partner. Be sure to highlight your son's new spouse, and express what you appreciate about them, Peterson says.

Share your heartfelt wishes for your son's marriage. Conclude your mother of the groom speech with a cheerful toast to the happy couple.

Who does the mother of the groom thank in her speech?

According to Kennedy, the mother of the groom should thank the bride's parents for raising a kind and beautiful person. Sheils agrees with this sentiment. She adds that this could be done at either the beginning or end of your wedding toast (depending on your preference).

The mother of the groom should also thank friends and family members for coming out to celebrate the joyous occasion.

How to Give a Mother of the Groom Speech

You'll want to avoid calling attention to your nerves or public speaking fears, says Peterson. This will only make people aware of the one thing you want to minimize."

Mother of the Groom Speech Jokes

Depending on who you speak to, you'll receive mixed opinions regarding jokes during wedding speeches. However, Sheils loves when wedding speeches are infused with humor. She tells The Knot: "Some of the most memorable toasts I've heard did the perfect job of mixing humor with sentimentality."

Lauren Smith of EventSmith Planning and Productions in Santa Fe, Texas, is another fan of jokes in wedding speeches. "Bringing in a joke or two keeps the crowd engaged and keeps some of the tears from falling during the entire speech," she says. What's more, she continues, "A good opener and a zinger here and there is just the right touch for a wedding."

All this being said, if you do choose to crack some jokes during your speech, make sure that they're respectful and appropriate—and don't overdo it. After all, Smith says it best: "This isn't Amateur Hour at the Improv."

Mother of the Groom Speech Example

Seek inspiration in this fully written mother of the groom wedding speech from The Knot:

Good evening, friends and family members! As Jordan's mother, I wanted to take this time to thank everyone for being here tonight. Your presence means so much to us. I also wanted to thank Blake's parents, [mother of the bride/groom name] and [father of the bride/groom name], for raising such a kind, wonderful, and compassionate daughter. I couldn't be more grateful.

When Jordan was a little boy, my husband and I were big worriers: Did Jordan have enough to eat at kindergarten today? What if he fell and injured himself on the playground? The worries continued as he grew older: What if he got homesick at overnight camp? Did he drink enough water to stay hydrated throughout the day? These anxieties, which I know are now trivial, once consumed me.

See, people always told me that my job as a mother—and a parent in general—was to worry. It's true, up to a certain degree, but I've since learned that kids, at any age, are strong and resilient on their own. Like when Jordan spent his 10th birthday sleeping out at his best friend's house. In the morning, Jordan returned with a large cut on his arm. Jordan came home laughing about the accident, which happened when he was trying to cut a bagel open at 1:30 a.m. because he was hungry. I guess some things just don't change. Instead of freaking out, he remained calm, grabbed his best buddy—who, by the way, is now his best man—and applied pressure to stop the bleeding.

This is just one of many funny stories that have (and continue to!) define Jordan's, shall I say, daring, adventures. In college, he slipped over a beer can in his fraternity house. With two thumbs up and a broken ankle, he was rolled out on a stretcher to the local hospital. He ended up being fine, but he became the butt of the joke for the remainder of the school year.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself not to spend so much time worrying. I know now that my son is in great hands with his beautiful spouse, Blake. From the first time they met, I knew he was smitten. He came back from dinner already planning a second and third date. When I asked when I could meet this special person, he promised me that he would invite them over for dinner if they were still seeing each other in three months. Fast-forward three months later, and guess who came over for dinner? Today, two years later, we are all here in celebration of their wedding! Jordan and Blake, watching you exchange vows at your wedding ceremony was nothing short of spectacular. Blake, you are truly everything I could have wished and hoped for and more for my son. And to have a new child is a dream come true. I am honored to be your mother-in-law.

Now, if you would, please join me in raising your glasses for a special wedding toast to the newlyweds. May you enjoy a lifetime of love, health, and happiness together!

How to End the Mother of the Groom Speech

To end the mother of the groom speech, Tutera recommends "making a warm reference to the bride and welcoming her into the family." He continues, "Share your excitement, joy, and love for her." He also recommends acknowledging your new in-laws by name.

Another option is to raise a glass and invite all of your wedding guests to join you in a toast at the wedding reception. Sheils says "My go-to is 'Here is to love, to laughter, and happily ever after. Cheers!'"

What NOT to Say in a Mother of the Groom Speech

While there are certain points you'll want to make in your mother of the groom speech, there are also several topics to avoid:

Don't embarrass your son. "Unless the groom can take it in good fun, I wouldn't put him up for any embarrassment," says Laura Maddox of Magnolia Celebrates in Roswell, Georgia.

...or his partner. "Stay away from embarrassing stories, especially of the bride." Maddox advises. "No one wants to be raked over the coals on their wedding day."

Skip the inside jokes. Otherwise, according to Sheils, you'll run the risk of leaving others feeling excluded.

Don't mention the exes. "Do not, for any reason, bring up a past relationship, good or bad," says Sheils, adding: "It never sits well."

Sibling Speech For Wedding

Ai generator.

Good evening,

For those who don’t know me, I’m [Your Name], the proud [brother/sister] of [Bride’s/Groom’s Name]. It is an absolute honor to stand before you today and share in the celebration of [Bride’s/Groom’s Name] and [Groom’s/Bride’s Name]’s wedding.

Reflecting on Our Relationship

Growing up with [Bride’s/Groom’s Name] has been one of the greatest joys of my life. From our childhood adventures to the countless moments of laughter and support, you have always been more than just a sibling—you have been my confidant, my partner in crime, and my best friend. Your kindness, determination, and sense of humor have always inspired me, and I am incredibly proud of the person you have become.

Meeting [Bride’s/Groom’s Name]

When you introduced me to [Bride’s/Groom’s Name], I could see right away how special they were to you. [Bride’s/Groom’s Name], you have brought so much happiness and love into my sibling’s life. Your warmth, intelligence, and genuine nature are truly remarkable, and I am thrilled to welcome you into our family. It’s clear that you two are perfect for each other, and I couldn’t be happier for both of you.

Cherished Memories

Let me share a few stories that highlight just how amazing [Bride’s/Groom’s Name] is. One of my favorite memories is [insert a funny or heartwarming anecdote from your childhood or growing up together]. This story perfectly illustrates [Bride’s/Groom’s Name]’s [character trait, e.g., adventurous spirit, sense of humor, kind heart].

And [Bride’s/Groom’s Name], I’ll never forget the time when [share a memory that involves both the bride and groom, showcasing their relationship and love]. This moment showed me just how perfect you two are for each other and how deeply you care for one another.

Words of Wisdom

As you both embark on this new journey together, I want to share some words of wisdom that I’ve gathered over the years:

• Communication : Always communicate openly and honestly. It’s the foundation of a strong and healthy relationship.
• Support : Be each other’s biggest supporters. Celebrate each other’s victories and stand by each other during challenging times.
• Laughter : Keep laughter at the heart of your relationship. It’s essential for maintaining joy and resilience in your marriage.
• Love : Nurture your love with small, thoughtful gestures and never take each other for granted. Love is a living thing that grows and flourishes with care.

Now, if everyone could please raise their glasses.

Here’s to [Bride’s/Groom’s Name] and [Groom’s/Bride’s Name]. May your marriage be filled with endless love, joy, and laughter. May you continue to grow together, building a life rich with beautiful memories and happiness. Here’s to a lifetime of love, companionship, and incredible adventures.

Thank you, and congratulations to the newlyweds!

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Diver shows what you should do if a shark approaches and it's the opposite of what everyone expected

The video showed a safety diver demonstrating how to safely deal with an approaching tiger shark.

Kit Roberts

Video shows a safety diver demonstrating how to properly handle an approaching Tiger Shark.

So-called for their distinctive striped sides, Tiger Sharks are one of the species of shark which can be dangerous for humans.

They are large predatory sharks that grow to around five metres in length when they reach maturity.

Tiger Sharks have a huge range of food sources that they feed on, including sea turtles, dolphins, fish, and even other sharks.

They are also the species with the second highest number of recorded fatal attacks on humans , after the Great White.

However, it is important to note that these are still exceptionally rare, with animals such as bees, wasps, and dogs having higher numbers.

Some tourist diving spots even offer dives specifically to dive with Tiger Sharks, which includes instructors to monitor the sharks during the dive.

But while sharks in these areas are accustomed to humans and live in clear, shallow water, divers still need to take great care around them, as this video shows.

While they are very large predatory animals, Tiger Sharks usually approach a human out of curiosity, not aggression.

The video shows the proper way to respond to this, starting off by showing how not act with a Tiger Shark.

What not to do is to behave 'like prey', such as splashing a lot or seeming like you're trying to escape the shark.

This will only make the shark think that you might be something tasty, which is obviously not what you would want it to think.

What you should do is face down the Tiger Shark, giving it the impression that you too are an ocean -going terror from the deep.

If this doesn't work and the shark continues to approach you, there is one final thing that you can do to protect yourself.

However, it was also made clear that this is very much a last resort tactic if the shark approaches you.

This is to place your hand on top of the shark's nose and push it down away from you, before letting it swim past.

In diving, the technique is called 'redirecting', and just lets the shark get on with its swimming and eating, though eating something else.

People were left saying the same thing after watching the video, with one writing on social media : "I will just stay away from the water lol," while another posted: "How about just don't ever go swimming where there are sharks?"

A third joked: "Unless the shark climbs out of the water and lays on a sun lounger, I think I'll be ok."

Topics:  News , World News , Animals , Shark

Kit joined UNILAD in 2023 as a community journalist. They have previously worked for StokeonTrentLive, the Daily Mirror, and the Daily Star.

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