what to say for a wedding speech

How To Write A Wedding Speech: The Ultimate Guide For Do’s, Don’ts, and Delivery PART 1/3: Do’s

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How To Write A Wedding Speech: The Ultimate Guide For Do’s, Don’ts, and Delivery PART 2/3: Don’ts

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how to write a wedding speech dos

Someone you love is getting married, and you’ve just been asked to give a speech at the wedding. What an honor! But also, if you’re not used to giving speeches, what a nightmare! Public speaking can be scary , which is why many people prefer to avoid it. But when your bestie asks you to make a speech at his or her wedding, it’s time to rally. But now you’re wondering if you even know how to write a wedding speech! What makes some wedding speeches fun and memorable, and what makes others cringy and fall flat? We’ve got you. We’ve put together the ultimate guide for how to write a wedding speech, focusing on things you definitely should do, things you definitely should NOT do, and then how to deliver your killer wedding speech like a pro.

If you’re wondering how to write a wedding speech, here are a few “Do’s” to keep in mind.

• Start planning early
• Introduce yourself and how you know the bride and groom
• Thanks to hosts, guests, and wedding party; congratulate the couple
• Make it personal
• Think of 3 traits with 3 stories
• Talk about the couple
• Have a beginning, middle, and end
• Consider your audience
• Keep it short and sweet
• It’s okay to be simple and meaningful

1. Start planning early

If you don’t know how to write a wedding speech but the bride just asked you to give one, this is not a time to procrastinate. Public speaking is one of the number one fears many people have, so it’s likely you’ve avoided giving too many public speeches before this. And unless you’re a performer or a veteran improv comedian, you might not do too well winging this one. If you get nervous in front of an audience (as most of us do), the best defense against freezing up when you take the mic is being prepared. 

As soon as you know you’ve been asked to give a speech at the wedding, begin jotting down notes immediately. Whenever you’re inspired by a thought of the couple or remember an anecdote that might be worth retelling, make note of it. This will help to give you a pool of ideas to draw from when you start writing down the speech.

Begin gathering ideas and writing the speech a couple of weeks to a month before the wedding. You’ll need time to edit, fine-tune it, and make it concise. And as wedding showers, bachelorette parties, and other wedding festivities begin, you might find there are entertaining stories from these events you want to add as well. If you want to write it all at once, you can do that too. However, make sure to sleep on it and come back with fresh eyes. You don’t want just “okay,” you want your speech to be heartfelt and meaningful.

You will also want to begin early to give yourself time to practice and rehearse your speech plenty of times.

2. Introduce yourself and how you know the bride and groom

No matter how large or small the wedding is, it’s likely you will not be familiar with many of the guests on one or both sides. And they won’t be familiar with you either. So don’t leave them guessing! 

Make sure when you start to write a wedding speech to introduce yourself and mention how you know the couple. This will help them understand the context of your speech, which will also help it to be more well-received. 

3. Thank hosts, guests, and wedding party; congratulate the couple

It’s also courteous to take this time to thank the hosts and other members of the wedding party for all the hard work that went into the event, and to thank guests for being there to support the newlyweds, especially those who had to travel far. 

It’s also a good time to officially congratulate the newlyweds and offer them your personal well-wishes for their future. It is imperative that you don’t forget this part, because they are the whole reason you’re there and giving a speech!

4. Make it personal

Whether you are the maid of honor, the best man, father of the bride, or just a friend, you were asked to give a speech because of your close connection and relationship with either the bride or groom (or both). 

And since you know your friend as well as you do, you probably have plenty of stories to share; so the next tip for how to write a wedding speech is don’t hesitate to make it personal and share those stories! This will also help guests get to know the other half of the couple they might not know as well or are just meeting for the first time. And those guests who do know them will love hearing some entertaining stories they might not have heard yet.

5. Think of 3 traits with 3 stories

If you’re finding it difficult to come up with anything, a useful approach for how to write a wedding speech is to think of 3 positive defining traits or qualities of the bride or groom and recount three stories or examples that illuminate a time they exhibited these traits. These stories could be comedic, heartwarming, or both. Just make sure they are relevant and entertaining!

6. Talk about the couple

If you’re the maid of honor and have been chatting up the bride for the whole speech, part of how to write a wedding speech is to make sure at some point it circles around to the groom, too, and to the two of them as a couple.  

Recount the time you met him, or how you remember talking about him with the bride in the beginning stages of their relationship. If you don’t know the groom all that well, talk about how good they are as a couple and about how happy he makes her. 

And If you’re not a fan of the groom, this is not the time to air your grievances. Always keep it positive. 

7. Have a beginning, middle, and end

All good speeches have a good flow and take the audience along with it. 

Don’t let your speech fall flat or jumble together in a haphazard confusion of disconnected anecdotes. Give it the structure of an overarching theme, with a beginning, a middle, and an end. 

We are not talking about a novel here, just make sure there is a direction to where the speech is going, and that the destination, end, or sentiment is achieved. It doesn’t need to be Charlie Chaplin in The Great Dictator, but a three-act structure does help keep you grounded. Most people also follow a story easier when there is a clear direction for a story or speech. 

8. Consider your audience

The next thing to keep in mind when considering how to write a wedding speech is to make sure you consider who your audience is. 

This is not the bachelor or bachelorette party. There will be a wide range of people present from children to the elderly, and from close friends of the bride and groom to casual acquaintances and coworkers. Make sure your speech is free of any crudeness that might not be fit for such a varied audience. Also, this isn’t the time to take a shot at any of the religious cermonies.

Be considerate and keep it positive and use language everyone can relate to. 

9. Keep it short and sweet

You want your speech to be meaningful and memorable; but the wedding is not about you, and yours is not the only speech. 

No one ever complains about a speech being too short, but they do begin to grumble if it runs on too long. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind when figuring out how to write a wedding speech is to keep your speech between 2-5 minutes long. Any longer than 5 minutes and you’ll lose everyone to thoughts of cake and whether or not to Cupid Shuffle later. 

10. Add humor

Don’t be afraid to be funny! Another tip for how to write a wedding speech is that if you’ve got a lighthearted, creative, joking side, use it and add humor to your speech! Everyone likes to be entertained. 

This doesn’t mean you should scour the internet for generic wedding-themed jokes, but if you’ve got some good original material to use that helps relate a story about the bride or groom in a comedic way, do it. As long as you’re not making fun of the couple but having fun with them, jokes are great. Or you can even poke fun at yourself to illuminate a higher quality in your bestie. It’s all about making the newlyweds shine. 

If you’re creative and have other talents, use them! If you are musical, bust out your instrument and/or vocal cords and make the speech in the form of a song! Use props, and get the other guests involved! The newlyweds will feel special because you created something for them, and the guests will love joining in the fun.

11. It’s okay to be simple and meaningful

If entertaining isn’t your thing, that’s okay! Don’t force it – just be yourself. It’s okay to be simple and meaningful with your speech. Always keep in mind when you go to write a wedding speech that what’s important is that you are genuine and speak from the heart.

Hopefully, you found these tips for how to write a wedding speech helpful, and can start writing today! And stay tuned to our blog for the next part in this ultimate guide for how to write a wedding speech where we highlight a few things you should definitely avoid.

Love this content and want more? Read more about weddings on our blog ! Involved in the wedding planning process and the bride is still looking for a venue ? Give us a call today and we’ll help you find the perfect place!

Jennings Trace

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How to Write a Wedding Speech (with Examples)

by Ryan Hart | Updated on September 22, 2023 | Post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Writing a wedding speech can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially if you’ve never given one before. You want to make sure you honor the couple, entertain the guests, and avoid any embarrassing mishaps.

But don’t worry, with a little guidance , you can write a memorable wedding speech that will leave everyone feeling touched and inspired.

In this article, we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to write a wedding speech, along with examples to help you get started.

Whether you’re the best man, maid of honor, or a close friend or family member, we’ve got you covered. We’ll cover everything from how to structure your speech, to what to include, and even tips on how to deliver it with confidence.

What is a Wedding Speech?

A wedding speech is a way for family members and friends to honor the newly married couple, share their thoughts and memories, and wish them a happy future together.

It is a chance to express your gratitude for being part of their special day and to thank them for inviting you to share in their joy.

Wedding speeches are typically given at the rehearsal dinner , the day before the wedding, and toward the end of the reception dinner on the wedding day.

The best wedding speeches are heartfelt, sincere, and personal. They should reflect your relationship with the couple and your feelings towards them. A good wedding speech should be short, sweet, and to the point. It should not be too long, as it may become boring and lose the attention of the audience.

Knowing Your Role

When it comes to writing a wedding speech, it’s important to know your role in the wedding party. Here are some tips on how to approach writing your speech depending on your role:

Father of the Bride’s Speech

As the father of the bride , your speech should be heartfelt and emotional. Share stories about your daughter and the joy she has brought into your life. Welcome the groom into your family and express your love and support for the newlyweds.

Maid of Honor’s Speech

As the maid of honor, your speech should focus on the bride and your relationship with her. Share some funny stories or heartfelt moments that highlight her best qualities. Be sure to also thank the groom and his family for welcoming you into their lives.

Best Man’s Speech

As the best man, your speech should focus on the groom and your relationship with him. Share some funny anecdotes or stories that highlight his best qualities. Be sure to also thank the bride and her family for welcoming you into their lives.

Mother of the Bride’s Speech

As the mother of the bride, your speech should be heartfelt and emotional. Share stories about your daughter and the joy she has brought into your life. Welcome the groom into your family and express your love and support for the newlyweds.

Father of the Groom’s Speech

As the father of the groom, your speech should focus on the groom and your relationship with him. Share some funny anecdotes or stories that highlight his best qualities. Be sure to also thank the bride and her family for welcoming you into their lives.

Mother of the Groom’s Speech

As the mother of the groom, your speech should be heartfelt and emotional. Share stories about your son and the joy he has brought into your life. Welcome the bride into your family and express your love and support for the newlyweds.

Structuring Your Speech

When it comes to giving a wedding speech, structuring it properly is key. This will help you stay on track and deliver a memorable speech that hits all the right notes. Here are some tips on how to structure your wedding speech:

The opening of your speech is crucial as it sets the tone for the rest of your speech. Start by introducing yourself and your relationship to the couple. You can also thank the couple for inviting you to be a part of their special day.

If you’re nervous, it’s okay to start with a joke or a light-hearted anecdote to break the ice. Just make sure it’s appropriate for the occasion and doesn’t offend anyone.

The body of your speech is where you can share your thoughts and feelings about the couple. This is where you can tell a story or anecdote about the couple that highlights their love for each other.

You can also offer some words of wisdom or advice for the couple as they embark on this new journey together. This can be a great opportunity to share a quote or a poem that resonates with you.

The closing of your speech should be short and sweet. You can end with a final thought or sentiment about the couple and their future together. You can also thank the couple and their families for including you in their special day.

If you’re giving a toast , make sure to raise your glass and offer a heartfelt congratulations to the couple.

Example Wedding Speeches

Maid of honor speech example:.

Hello, everyone! I’m beyond thrilled to be here today as the Maid of Honor for these two incredible people. You know, when [Bride’s Name] asked me to be her Maid of Honor, my first thought was, ‘Does she really know me? Is she sure about this?’ But here I am, and I couldn’t be happier!

[Bride’s Name] and I have shared so many laughs, tears, and unforgettable moments over the years. We’ve been through thick and thin together. And when she introduced us to [Groom’s Name], it was like the missing piece of the puzzle just clicked into place.

Now, [Groom’s Name], I have to say, you’ve really brought out the best in [Bride’s Name]. You’ve filled her life with so much love, laughter, and joy. And I can’t thank you enough for that.

To the newlyweds, may your love continue to grow stronger with each passing day. May your journey together be filled with adventure, kindness, and endless inside jokes that only you two understand. And may your love story be as beautiful and inspiring as the two of you are.

So let’s raise our glasses to [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name], to love, laughter, and a lifetime of happiness! Cheers!"

Best Man Speech Example:

Hey, everyone, I’m honored to be up here as the Best Man for this fantastic couple. Now, when [Groom’s Name] asked me to be his Best Man, I was like, ‘Really? Me?’ But then I remembered all the adventures, mishaps, and laughter we’ve shared over the years, and I thought, ‘Yep, I’m the guy for this job!’

[Groom’s Name] and [Bride’s Name], you two are a perfect match. I’ve watched your love story unfold, and it’s been a privilege to witness the love and respect you have for each other.

[Groom’s Name], you’ve always been there for me through thick and thin, and I have no doubt you’ll be there for [Bride’s Name] in the same way. And [Bride’s Name], you’re not just gaining a husband today, you’re gaining the best partner in crime you could ever ask for.

So, here’s to [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name], to a lifetime of adventure, love, and laughter. May your journey together be filled with joy, shared secrets, and lots and lots of dancing. Cheers!"

Best Friend Speech Example:

“Hello, everyone! Wow, what a beautiful day to celebrate the love between [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name]. I’m not the Maid of Honor or the Best Man, but I am a close friend, and I’ve been lucky enough to witness the magic of their love story from the beginning.

[Bride’s Name], we’ve been through so much together – from school crushes to college shenanigans. And when you introduced me to [Groom’s Name], I knew he was something special. He brings out the best in you, and together, you make an incredible team.

[Groom’s Name], you’re not just gaining a wife today; you’re gaining an amazing friend and confidant in [Bride’s Name]. You two complement each other in the most beautiful ways.

So, here’s to [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name], to a love that’s as strong as it is genuine. May your journey together be filled with laughter, support, and all the adventures you can dream of. Cheers!”

Family Member Speech Example:

Good evening, everyone! My name is [Your Name], and I am [Your relation to the bride and groom]. I’m thrilled to be here tonight to celebrate the love and commitment of [Couple’s names].

When they asked me to give a speech tonight, I was a little nervous. I mean, what do you say about two people who are so perfect for each other? But then I remembered something that [Bride’s name] once told me: “ Love isn’t about being perfect , it’s about being perfectly imperfect together.”

And that’s exactly what these two are. They’re imperfect in all the right ways, and that’s what makes them so perfect for each other. So here’s to [Couple’s names], two imperfect people who are perfect for each other. Congratulations, you two!

Close Friend Speech Example:

Hello, everyone! My name is [Your Name], and I am [Your relation to the bride and groom]. I’m honored to be here tonight to celebrate the wedding of [Couple’s names].

When I first met [Bride’s name], I knew she was something special. And when she introduced me to [groom’s name], I knew he was the one for her. These two have been through thick and thin together, and they’ve always come out stronger on the other side.

And that’s what love is all about, isn’t it? It’s about being there for each other through the good times and the bad. So here’s to [Couple’s names], a couple who knows that love isn’t just a feeling, it’s a commitment.

Incorporating Personal Touches

When it comes to giving a wedding speech, it’s important to make it personal and meaningful. After all, you’re speaking in front of the couple’s nearest and dearest, and you want to make sure that your words come straight from the heart.

One way to do this is to incorporate personal touches into your speech. This can be anything from a funny story about the couple to a heartfelt message about your own relationship with them.

When choosing what to include in your speech, think about what makes the couple special. What are their unique qualities and what do you love about them? What are some of the key moments in their relationship that have brought them to this point?

Once you have some ideas, consider how you can weave them into your speech in a way that feels natural and authentic. Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Keep it short and sweet: While it can be tempting to go on and on about how much you love the couple, it’s important to keep your speech concise. Aim for around 3-5 minutes, and focus on the most meaningful moments and messages.
• Use specific examples: Instead of making general statements about the couple, try to use specific examples that illustrate their qualities and personalities. This will make your speech more engaging and memorable.
• Get personal: Don’t be afraid to share your own experiences and feelings about the couple. Whether it’s a funny story about how you first met or a heartfelt message about what they mean to you, your personal touch will make your speech more meaningful.
• Practice, practice, practice: Finally, make sure to practice your speech ahead of time. This will help you feel more confident and comfortable on the day, and ensure that your words come across as genuine and heartfelt.

Addressing the Audience

When it comes to giving a wedding speech, one of the most important things to keep in mind is your audience. After all, you are speaking to a room full of people who are there to celebrate the happy couple, so it’s important to make sure your speech is engaging, entertaining, and appropriate for the occasion.

First and foremost, you want to make sure your speech is inclusive of everyone in the audience.

While you may have a close relationship with the bride or groom, it’s important to remember that there are likely guests in attendance who may not know you or the couple as well. Make sure to introduce yourself and provide some context for your relationship with the couple.

It’s also important to consider the tone of your speech. While it’s okay to inject some humor and lightheartedness into your speech, you want to make sure it’s appropriate for the occasion.

Avoid making any jokes or comments that could be perceived as offensive or inappropriate.

If you’re addressing parents or family members in your speech, make sure to acknowledge their role in the couple’s lives and express your gratitude for their support.

Similarly, if you’re speaking as the best friend of the bride or groom, take some time to reflect on your friendship and share some heartfelt memories or anecdotes.

Keep in mind that you’re speaking to a room full of people who are there to celebrate the happy couple, so make sure your speech is a reflection of that joy and excitement.

Delivering the Speech

Now that you’ve written your wedding speech, it’s time to deliver it. Public speaking can be nerve-wracking, but with a little preparation, you’ll be able to deliver your speech with confidence. Here are some tips to help you deliver your speech like a pro:

• Practice, practice, practice. Rehearsing your speech will help you feel more comfortable with the material and reduce your nervousness. Practice in front of a mirror or with a friend to get feedback on your delivery.
• Take deep breaths. If you feel nervous before your speech, take a few deep breaths to calm your nerves. This will help you relax and deliver your speech more effectively.
• Speak slowly and clearly. When you’re nervous, it’s easy to speak too quickly or mumble your words. Make a conscious effort to speak slowly and clearly so that everyone can hear you.
• Make eye contact. Look at your audience as you deliver your speech. This will help you connect with them and keep their attention.
• Use body language. Gesturing and moving around can help you convey your message more effectively. Just be sure to avoid any distracting movements.
• Don’t be afraid to pause. If you need a moment to collect your thoughts or take a breath, don’t be afraid to pause. This will help you deliver your speech more effectively and give your audience time to absorb your message.

With a little preparation and practice, you’ll be able to deliver a wedding speech that will be remembered for years to come.

Dealing with Nervousness

It’s completely normal to experience nervousness when giving a wedding speech. After all, you want to do your best and make a positive impact on the happy couple and their guests. Here are a few tips to help you manage your nerves and deliver a memorable speech:

• Practice, practice, practice : The more you practice your speech, the more comfortable you’ll feel delivering it. Practice in front of a mirror, with friends or family, or even record yourself and listen back to it.
• Focus on the positive : Instead of dwelling on your nerves, focus on the positive aspects of the experience. You have the opportunity to share your love and well-wishes with the couple, and that’s something to be proud of.
• Breathe deeply : Deep breathing can help calm your nerves and give you the energy you need to deliver your speech. Take a few deep breaths before you begin, and continue to breathe deeply throughout your speech.
• Visualize success : Visualize yourself delivering a successful speech. Imagine the audience laughing at your jokes, nodding in agreement with your sentiments, and giving you a standing ovation at the end.
• Project confidence : Even if you don’t feel confident, projecting confidence through your body language can help you appear more confident to your audience. Stand up straight, make eye contact, and speak clearly and slowly.

By following these tips, you can overcome your nervousness and deliver a wedding speech that you and the happy couple will remember for years to come.

Tips for a Memorable Speech

Writing a wedding speech can be intimidating, but with the right tips and tricks, you can deliver a memorable speech that will leave a lasting impression on the newlyweds and guests. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Tell the Couple’s Story

The most memorable speeches are the ones that tell a story. Start by brainstorming some memories or anecdotes about the couple that you can weave into your speech.

Think about the moments that defined their relationship, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the things that make them unique. By sharing these details with the audience, you’ll create a speech that feels personal and heartfelt.

Keep it Short and Sweet

While it’s tempting to share every detail about the couple, it’s important to keep your speech short and sweet. Aim for a speech that’s no longer than five minutes. This will give you enough time to share your message without losing the audience’s attention.

Practice Makes Perfect

The key to delivering a great speech is practice. Start by writing down your speech and then practice delivering it in front of a mirror or with a friend. This will help you get comfortable with the material and ensure that you’re able to deliver it confidently on the big day.

Focus on Friendship and Happiness

Weddings are all about celebrating love, friendship, and happiness. Make sure your speech reflects these themes by focusing on the positive aspects of the couple’s relationship.

Share stories that highlight their love for each other, their friendship, and the happiness they bring to each other’s lives.

Use Humor Wisely

Humor can be a great way to lighten the mood and engage the audience, but use it wisely. Make sure your jokes are appropriate for the occasion and that they don’t overshadow the message of your speech. Remember, the goal is to celebrate the couple and their love, not to steal the show.

Now that you’ve learned the basics of writing a wedding speech, it’s a good idea to read some real speeches to see how it all comes together.

Look for examples of speeches online or in books. Watching or reading other people’s speeches can give you inspiration and a better understanding of how to make your speech unique and special.

You might also want to check out books or articles about public speaking and storytelling, as they can help you improve your delivery and engagement skills.

And remember, it’s always a good idea to review some tips on wedding etiquette to make sure your speech is respectful and fitting for the occasion.

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How to Write a Wedding Toast: Examples, Tips, and Advice

Make sure your moment in the spotlight is memorable—in a good way!

Jaimie Mackey was the real weddings editor at Brides from 2013 to 2015. She also worked as a luxury wedding planner and produced over 100 high-end weddings and events in Colorado

Photo by Olivia & Dan Photography

In This Article

Figuring out how to write a wedding toast can be an incredibly intimidating and nerve-inducing task. Wedding toasts can go one of two ways: They’re either hilarious, memorable, and totally sweet, or a train wreck waiting to happen. Every couple hopes the speeches at the reception fall into the first category, but there’s no guarantee—until now.

To combat those awful speeches, Marisa Polansky and Kristine Keller founded Speech Tank , offering completely custom, one-of-a-kind toasts for any occasion. And what better reason to turn to the experts than for your best friend’s wedding? We sat down with Polansky and Keller to get the inside scoop on writing a totally killer speech . With their help, your audience will be begging for an encore!

Meet the Expert

• Marisa Polansky is a book editor, author, and co-founder of Speech Tank, a collaborative speech-writing service for any occasion.
• Kristine Keller is a writer and the co-founder of Speech Tank.

Wedding Toast Template

Your wedding toast should be meaningful, but not drawn out. Make sure to have a beginning, middle, and end.

While everyone's speech will be unique to them and their relationship with the couple, we put together a general outline to help you get started.

• Congratulate the couple. Express how happy you are that the two of them are getting married and what it means to you to witness it.
• Introduce yourself. Not everyone will know you met the bride or groom at the fourth-grade space camp, so be sure to let guests know about your relationship with the couple before you dive into your speech.
• Tell a (curated) story. When you’re writing your speech, “Choose anecdotes that all fit a theme and support your argument,” Keller says. The theme will help tie it together, making your toast feel intentional instead of random.
• Address both partners. You may not know them both well, but you shouldn’t focus all of your attention on your friend and ignore their new spouse. “Even if you’ve only met your friend’s partner once or twice before, find a way to include him or her in your toast,” Polansky says. “Tell the story of their engagement or share something your friend told you about them that proves what a great partner he or she is.”
• Go for the crowd-pleasers. “Anything that’s an inside joke may have been funny at the time, but no one else will understand what you’re talking about,” Keller says. “Run your stories and jokes by a neutral audience to see if they are as funny as you think.” And remember, a little humor is fine, but this is a toast, not a roast!
• Raise your glass for a toast. To wrap up your speech, invite everyone to raise their glass to the couple, or to love, etc., then cheers glasses together and take a sip.

Don’t count on your phone, which may lock or turn off mid-speech. Instead, print out your toast or put it on note cards for reference. “It’s your moment to have the floor, so don’t risk forgetting your point!” Keller says.

Wedding Toast Tips

Here are Polansky and Keller's best tips for writing and delivering your wedding toast.

• Just get started. It’s your big moment, but figuring out where to start can be tough. “When we work with our clients, we always start with a stream of consciousness,” Keller says. “We ask them to just start telling us stories. You might not think every anecdote is important, but all of a sudden you’ll land on a real gem.”
• Start writing things down. When you’re doing this at home on your own, Polansky says to just start writing stuff down. “Put it all down on paper. Don’t worry about editing as you’re writing, just get it out and then go back and pick and choose details when you’re done.” This will help you identify a theme, which is what you’ll need to make your toast really memorable.
• Use examples. “If you’re trying to make a point about the bride or groom's personality—say, that she or he's particularly loyal—don’t just say that and move on. Pick a specific moment that proves your point. Have something to back it up!” Polansky says. Including some proof will make sure your listeners really buy what you’re saying about the couple.
• Make it quick. “The best length for a toast is about three minutes,” Polansky says. “It’s enough time to say what you need to say, but short enough that you’ll still have everyone’s attention when you ask them to raise their glasses to toast the happy couple.”
• Practice. Think you know what three minutes feels like? Think again. “Practice reading your speech out loud (not in your head!) and time yourself,” Polansky says. “Don’t wing it, especially if you’re nervous,” Polansky continues. “Give yourself time to prepare. Practice with an audience to check your timing, and give yourself time to make edits.”
• Don't overstuff your speech. “If you’re a fast talker, try to slow yourself down so everyone will understand you,” Polansky says. Better to cut a few lines than to try to fit a 10-minute toast into a three-minute time frame!
• Keep it clean-ish. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important to know your audience. “Cursing and stories about exes are totally off-limits,” Keller says.
• Don't embarrass the couple. “Ask yourself how each story will present the couple. If it sheds any negative light on either person, avoid it.” Continues Polansky, “Think about how close you are with the family as well as who you know will be there. Will it make the bride or groom's great aunt uncomfortable?”

Every time you feel nervous, tell yourself you're excited instead.

Get Brainstorming!

Now that you know the basics, here are a few questions to ask yourself to help you get started writing that killer wedding toast.

• What is your first memory of the bride/groom?
• What is your favorite memory of the bride/groom?
• What did they say when they first told you about their partner?
• How did you know they were meant to be?
• What has the bride/groom or the couple as a whole taught you?
• What qualities do you admire in them?
• When are times that they displayed these qualities?

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How to Write—And Deliver—The Perfect Wedding Speech

If one of your nearest and dearest is tying the knot, it’s possible you may be asked to give a speech during the wedding festivities. And while having an opportunity to share your love and memories at a major milestone event is an honor, there’s no denying that it’s a big ask—especially if public speaking isn’t your forté. A wedding speech presents a unique challenge: There’s no set formula for how the speech should play out, but it often requires sentimentality, a touch of humor, and the good sense to know when to wrap it up.

Are you a member of the wedding party that wants to (or has been asked to) give a toast at an upcoming celebration? Read ahead to learn how to write and prepare for your big moment.

Who Gives a Wedding Speech?

First off, it’s important to make sure that the couple definitely wants you to give a toast at their celebrations. Traditionally, the maid of honor, best man, and parents of the couple will give a speech at the wedding. However, the couple should explicitly ask these guests well in advance to give a speech so they have plenty of time to prepare. They may also choose additional wedding party members to give toasts at the reception or pre-wedding parties; but if the couple has not asked you to give a speech, do not prepare one. Speeches are carefully placed into a wedding timeline so the day will stay on schedule, and an additional five minutes could cut into strategically timed moments of the celebration.

The to-be-weds also have the right to curate the day as they wish, and occasionally at a rehearsal dinner or welcome party, the couple may open the floor to additional toasts. But if this doesn’t happen, grabbing the mic unexpectedly for an off-the-cuff speech (especially after a few glasses of wine) will not be appreciated.

How to Write a Wedding Speech

If you are asked to give a toast, it’s important that you don’t just wing it. “First, recognize that speechwriting is a creative process,” shares Allison Shapira, founder and CEO of Global Public Speaking . “Give yourself plenty of time to be creative (i.e. not the night before, when you already have so much to stress about). Wait for your most creative time of the day, and turn off any distractions. Spend some unrushed time thinking about your relationship to the couple, and what you’d like to say.”

While there’s no exact template to follow, there is a good basic formula to adhere to. “The framework I recommend for a wedding speech is: story, message, blessing,” she shares. “Tell a heartwarming story, share the message or value behind that story, and then offer a blessing or wish for the couple based on that message.”

“Typically, we advise our speakers to try to bring the audience on a journey where you initially try to make them laugh, then get to the real depth of the speech and earn some tears, then bring the whole speech full circle with a deep insight or story about the couple that ends with a funny final punch,” shares Steven Greitzer, CEO and founder of Provenance , an AI company that specializes in helping write personalized wedding vows, ceremonies, and toasts. “It’s important to have a good balance of humor and sentimentality because, if it’s a full roast, it can feel like you’re just doing a standup comedy show for your own benefit and it could lack substance. Or, if it’s too overly emotional, it can get heavy and perhaps a bit too somber for a wedding celebration.”

When choosing a story, Shapira recommends reading the room. “It should obviously be good-natured, without making anyone look bad. And, it all depends on the family dynamics,” she says. “What one family considers good-natured, another family could consider scathing. Choose someone in the audience whom you think could give you some helpful feedback, and practice the speech with them in advance.”

Greitzer adds that it's important that both members of the couple are highlighted in the speech. “Great anecdotes showcase who each person was before meeting, their synergy together, and their individual and collective growth,” he shares. If you don’t know one member of the couple very well, don’t be afraid to get creative. “One of the best speeches I’ve seen was from a bridesmaid who hadn’t really been able to spend too much time with her best friend’s fiance because of the pandemic,” Greitzer shares. “She creatively read texts she found in her phone that gave her a hilarious timeline of her friend falling in love.”

If you’re still not sure where to begin, consider giving an AI platform a try to help you form your toast. “The Provenance tools guide speakers to create unique, and personal ceremonies, vows, and toasts without the stress. It’s a partner in your brainstorming process; a way to help you verbalize what you were trying to say—but faster,” explains Greitzer. “Instead of being some outdated, mad-libs-style template, the expert-curated prompts inspire special stories and insights, ultimately weaving your responses together into a custom, editable first draft.”

A final writing tip from Shapira? “I definitely recommend creating an outline but do not recommend writing the speech out word for word. When we script the entire speech, it sounds too formal,” says the public speaking expert. “I recommend first brainstorming the content, rearranging it into a logical structure, then drafting a general outline which you can bring with you to the event. While it may look better to simply give the speech ‘from the heart,’ the stress involved in trying to memorize your speech is simply not worth it.”

How to Deliver a Wedding Speech

Writing a wedding speech is half the battle—next comes your performance. It’s important that your toast has a good flow, feels natural, and doesn’t drag on. Here’s where the idiom “practice makes perfect” rings true. Shapira advises giving yourself a few weeks of rehearsal to make your speech feel authentic and fluid. Her recommendations? “Read your speech out loud and make sure it stays within the time you have allotted. Read it to someone else and get their feedback. Record it and watch it back. We use a tool called AMPLIFY to get AI-based feedback.” She adds, “Don’t memorize the speech, but do read it out loud and make sure it sounds like your voice.”

The ideal length of a toast is between two to four minutes, which translates to around 500 to 1000 words on a page. Still, Greitzer notes, “The perfect length for the wedding toast complies with whatever length the couple wants it to be. Many guests don’t realize that long speeches can impact the whole evening’s timeline and affect the caterer, DJ, and so much more.”

While it’s now common to see toasts being read off a phone, both experts agree that it’s much better to print out your speech. “Reading off of a phone comes with the risk of distractions from notifications, a weird backlight that can affect the color of your face in photos, finicky technical difficulties, and having that annoying sound interference with the mic,” says Greitzer. (You also should make sure your speech is legible with a large font and wide spacing so you can easily find your place.)

The final hurdle of giving a wedding toast is getting over your nerves. “Find a quiet place right beforehand to center yourself (perhaps the bathroom or a corner of the room), pause and breathe, and remind yourself why you care about the couple,” recommends Shapira. She also adds—perhaps unsurprisingly—that it’s best to hold back on alcohol consumption ahead of the toast. “No one expects a perfect or professional speech; they want a unique, authentic message. The speech isn’t about you—it’s about the couple. Once you reframe the fact that the center of attention isn’t on you, you can relax.”

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How to Begin a Wedding Speech: Great Opening Lines

Handy one-liners to get your speech off to an amazing start.

If you've read our post on how to make a great wedding speech , you'll know that it's really important to start strong! Well, here we're showing you how to do exactly that, with a list of the best wedding speech opening lines . The beauty of this list is that it works for any kind of wedding speech, whether you're the bride, groom, best man, bridesmaid, father-of-the-bride, or even the flower girl or the groom's granny!

We've made sure to include lots of different options so there's something to suit every style of speech, whether you want to keep it simple, bring the audience to tears, or give them a giggle with a joke . Some of our wedding speech opening lines can be customised, too, to help you make your speech even more personal. So, let's dive in!

Our Favourite Wedding Speech Opening Lines

To help you find what you're looking for, we've split our sample opening lines into three categories; simple and sincere opening lines, funny opening lines and opening lines with quotes from famous people.

Note: (name) can indicate yourself, the bride/groom, the couple as a whole, or another member of the wedding party.  

Wedding Speech Opening Lines: Simple and Sincere Opening Lines

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you (name) for the kind introduction."

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. As (name's friend/relative), I'm delighted to welcome you all here tonight."

"Thank you so much, (name), for such a wonderful introduction. I only hope I can live up to your kind words!"

"Hello everyone. I hope you're all having a great night so far."

"Hello, I'm (name) and, for those of you who don't already know me, I'm (relation to couple)."

"Hi everybody, I'm (name), and I'm here to talk a little bit about my good friend (name)."

"Hi everyone, I'm (name), and I'm going to talk a little bit about (name). When I was writing this speech, I asked myself how I could sum up (X) years of friendship, laughter and adventures in one speech, and I decided that I can't. We'd be here all night."

"Hello everybody and welcome. I think we can all agree that it's been a wonderful day so far. (Couple names), you should be really proud of the amazing day you've put together. We're all very lucky to be a part of it."

"Hello everyone. I hope you're all having a great night so far. My life changed completely on (date, year), when (name) came into my life, and it changes again today, as they embark on their latest adventure with (name)."

"Hi everybody. Thank you for the warm welcome. Mark Twain once said that 'there are only two types of speakers in the world. 1. The nervous and 2. Liars.' I'm definitely in the former category, so I hope you'll forgive me if I'm a little bit shaky this evening."

Wedding Speech Opening Lines: Funny Opening Lines to Make Guests LOL

"Hi everyone, I'm (name), and before any of you ask, yes I am single."

"Hi everyone, I'm (name), and I'll be your speaker for the next 95 minutes."

"Hi everybody. If you don't know who I am... well, you're probably at the wrong wedding! But stick around, we need extra people for the conga line."

"Hi everyone. You're probably wondering why I gathered you here today. I've got a once-in-a-lifetime investment opportunity that I know you're going to - sorry, wrong speech!"

"Hello everyone! Thank you all for being here on such an exciting night. Yes, the rumours are true, I will be debuting some new choreography on the dance floor this evening. But in the mean time, I suppose I should talk a little bit about (couple names)."

"Hello, and welcome. You may know me as (name's friend/relative), but tonight, I go by the title, (name), Lord of the Dance."

"Hi everyone. Just in case you don't already know, I'm (name) and I'm the best man. There are some really successful, good-looking, charming men in the room tonight, but now that it's written on the ceremony program in black and white, it's official - I am the best."

"Hi everyone, I'm (name), and I'd like to begin my speech with a quote from the great Seamus Heaney/Maya Angelou/Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr./Mother Teresa... but unfortunately I left my speech in my other jacket. So you'll have to make do with me!"

“Hi everyone. If I could just say a few words … I’d be a better public speaker! That gag was actually stolen from Homer Simpson, which should give you an idea of the caliber of speech you can expect from me tonight.”

"Hi everyone, and welcome. Webster's dictionary describes a wedding as, 'The process of removing weeds from one's garden'. That's a Homer Simpson quote, which should give you an idea of the caliber of speech you can expect from me tonight.”

"Hello everyone, I'm (name.) According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right?"

"Hi everyone. When I was preparing this speech, (name) gave me a list of topics that were strictly off-limits, so I'd like to start with those."

"Hi everyone. I'm (name). Anyone who knows me knows that I'm (name)'s biggest fan. So much so, that I was actually quite hurt when I learned that I wasn't going to be involved in the first dance!"

"Hi everyone. I just want to take a few minutes to talk about my good friend (name). I first met (name) when we were 13, and since then, I've always looked up to him. He was, after all, the only 6ft 2' student at (school name)!"

"Good evening everyone. To our English speakers, I'd like to say welcome, we're delighted that you could be with us today to celebrate the marriage of (couple names). To our (other language) speakers, I'd like to say (use Google Translate or ask a native speaker to translate, 'My llama is very handsome. I hope my translation is correct.')"

Wedding Speech Opening Lines: Beginning with a Quote

"Hi everyone. I'd like to begin my speech with a quote from Dr. James Dobson, who said, 'Don't marry the person you think you can live with; marry only the individual you think you can't live without.' "

"Hi everyone. I'd like to begin my speech with a quote from Franz Schubert, who said, 'Happy is the man who finds a true friend, and far happier is he who finds that true friend in his wife.' "

"Hi everyone. I'd like to begin my speech with a quote from The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who said, 'There is no more lovely, friendly, and charming relationship, communion, or company than a good marriage.' "

"Hi everyone. I'd like to begin my speech with a quote from Franklin P. Jones, who said, 'Love doesn't make the world go 'round; love is what makes the ride worthwhile.' "

"Hi everyone, I'm (name.) I hope you're all having a wonderful day so far. When I got married to my partner (name), somebody told me, 'Don't just be husband and wife, be president of each other's fan clubs,' and I'd like to pass on that same advice to (couple)."

"Hello everyone. I'd like to begin with a quote from Mignon McLaughlin, who said, 'A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.' Over the past (x) years, I've had the pleasure of watching (name) fall in love with (name) over and over again."

Click herefor a handy checklist of people to thank in your wedding speech , plus how to keep the speeches from being too long !

Image credits

Adam and grace, via one fab day, see more in:.

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The secret to a perfect wedding officiant speech (with examples)

Published Wednesday, Oct. 5th, 2022

Written by Jessica Levey

Find the perfect wording for your wedding officiant speech or wedding ceremony script by thinking of a wedding ceremony as a theater play, with you and your couple performing unique roles. Use this simple advice for first-time officiants to write an original wedding script, using examples of the invocation, vows and rings exchange, pronouncement, and more, from some of AMM's most popular ceremony scripts and outlines.

Write a memorable wedding officiant speech or wedding ceremony script with this simple advice from the pros. 

A sked to officiate a close friend or relative’s wedding ceremony, but have no idea what to say (or do) during your speech? 

First off, congratulations on being asked to officiate! It’s a huge honor to be chosen to conduct a wedding or vow renewal ceremony. As you’ve probably guessed, couples generally ask someone special to officiate, someone who’s been an important part of their journey toward marriage. 

So before you get too stressed out about what you’re going to say on the big day, take a moment to appreciate being asked. And remember: They chose you because they know you’ll do a wonderful job. 

• Don’t forget to order your AMM Minister Credentials and supplies to prepare. 

Now, about that officiant speech… 

It might come as a surprise to learn that a wedding officiant does not need to deliver a wedding ‘speech’ at all, at least not in the traditional sense. Take a look at the typical outline of a wedding ceremony included below, and you’ll see what we mean.

Instead of delivering a single speech, the wedding officiant speaks at several important moments throughout the wedding ceremony. You’ll also instruct the couple on when to exchange wedding vows and rings, and guide them from each part of the ceremony to the next. 

Related: The Parts of a Wedding Ceremony

The secret? 

It helps to think of a wedding ceremony as a theater play.  .

It helps to think of a wedding ceremony as a theater play, instead of as delivering a speech. Although you will need to do some talking, you can keep things conversational and collaborative. 

Like a play, each person on stage has a unique role, and everyone will take turns delivering their lines from a script. (Professionals call this a wedding ceremony script. ) Most importantly, the officiant will act as the stage director of a ceremony, rather than just another actor. 

The officiant’s longest speaking part is usually the ‘invocation.’ This is when you’ll welcome guests, talk about the meaning of the day, and share a few details about the couple’s love story. This is often the part of the wedding ceremony people are thinking about when they refer to an ‘officiant’s speech.’

The ceremony outline below includes examples from several sample wedding ceremony scripts.

This outline can help you better understand what to say on the big day, and the officiant’s important role as a ‘director’ in guiding the wedding ceremony. 

It's helpful to think of the wedding ceremony as a theater play,

with the officiant serving as an on-stage director. 

Photo: Unsplash / Natasha Dale

Outline of a Wedding Ceremony  with sample officiant scripts

Part One: The wedding ceremony begins. The wedding officiant welcomes guests, introduces the couple, and talks about the meaning of the day and the couple’s relationship. This part of the ceremony is probably the most similar to a traditional speech or toast.

Officiant to Guests: 

"Dear friends and family, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B]. In the years that they have been together, their love for each other has grown, turning them into the couple you see before you. Now, they are ready to spend the rest of their lives together as husband and wife."

Officiant to the Couple: 

"A true marriage begins well before the wedding day, and the efforts of marriage continue well beyond the ceremony. A brief moment in time and the stroke of the pen are all that is required to create the legal bond of marriage, but it takes a lifetime of love, commitment, and compromise to make marriage durable and everlasting."

Today you declare your commitment to each other before family and friends."

( Taken from the full sample wedding script: Short Non Religious Wedding Ceremony With Heartfelt Invocation ) 

Declaration of Intent

Part Two: The couple publicly declares their intent to marry, guided by the officiant. 

Officiant to the Couple:

"With this wisdom – and your love - in mind, I now ask you:"

Officiant to Partner A:

"(Partner A), do you welcome (Partner B) to be your (wife/ husband/ spouse), and your cherished best friend?"

( Partner A responds ‘I do.’ )

Officiant to Partner B:

"(Partner B), do you welcome (Partner A) to be your (husband/ wife/ spouse), and your cherished best friend?"

( Partner B responds ‘I do.’ )

( Taken from the full sample wedding script: Lighthearted Wedding Ceremony Script with Funny Reading on Marriage )

Wedding Vows Exchange

Part Three : The couple exchange their wedding vows, either by repeating after the officiant or by reading personal vows written before the ceremony.

"Your wedding vows are an outward sign of your love and commitment. While there is a legal aspect of this wedding, a signed document does not create a marriage. What creates a marriage is the promises made and kept in your hearts.

As you look lovingly at each other, you’ll speak the promises that you’re pledging for a lifetime."

"(Partner A), please repeat after me:   Today, I give you my heart to hold and my life to keep I take you as my partner in life and with this promise: I will support you and encourage you, during the good times, and the trying times. I will laugh with you, and cry with you,  And love you faithfully, for all the days and sea sons ahead of us both."

(This section is repeated for Partner B )

( From the full sample wedding script: Fall Wedding Ceremony Script with Reading From "Harvest Moon" ) 

Wedding Ring Exchange

Part Four: The couple exchanges their wedding rings, sometimes this is combined with the vows. 

"The wedding ring serves as a reminder of the promises you make today to each other. 

The circle is a symbol of an eternal bond -- there is no beginning and no end. That means you two are stuck with each other!"

"(Partner A), place this ring on (Partner B)’s finger and repeat after me."

"I give you this ring as a symbol of my commitment and devotion. I choose you to share in my life’s journeys.  I give you this ring as a pledge to love you,  today, tomorrow, always, and forever. With no take-backs.

( Partner A repeats each of these lines in turn)

( From the full sample wedding script: Funny Wedding Ceremony Script with Simple Unity Ritual )

Pronouncement of Marriage

Part Five: The wedding officiant says a few closing words on the importance of marriage and love, offers any final blessings, and pronounces the couple officially married.  

"Now that you have joined yourselves in matrimony, may you strive all your lives to meet this commitment with the same love and devotion that you now possess.

By virtue of the authority vested in me by the State of (Name of State) and American Marriage Ministries, I now pronounce you husband and wife (or "spouses for life," or whatever descriptors the couple prefers)"

( From the full sample wedding script: Quick & Simple Civil Wedding Ceremony Script )

The couple should be the focus of the wedding day, not the officiant. 

Photo by Leonardo Miranda

Bringing it all together

As you can see, there’s no need for you to stress out about writing a complicated speech! 

The purpose of the wedding ceremony is to keep the focus on the couple, not the wedding officiant. You will need to do some talking, but you can keep things collaborative and conversational. You do not need to deliver a monologue, or a speech in the traditional sense.

Your role as the officiant of the wedding is to lovingly guide and direct the couple through each part of the wedding ceremony, while sharing details of their love story with their guests. 

Congratulations on being asked to officiate, and don’t forget to have fun! 

Get ordained online for free with american marriage ministries and start officiating weddings right away.  |* ordination-button *|, become a wedding officiant with amm and officiate a wedding .

American Marriage Ministries is a nondenominational inclusive internet church that ordains and trains ministers to officiate marriage ceremonies. We are a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit church, and welcome people of all backgrounds and beliefs.

Officiating weddings is an incredible honor, and a great way to show your love and support for the people getting married. As a wedding officiant, you will help to create memorable ceremonies and memories that last a lifetime.

Our ordinations are free, accessible, and never expire. Just  click here to start the online ordination application,  it only takes a minute to complete.

AMM Ministers are authorized to officiate weddings in every state (except Virginia). After getting ordained with AMM, you might need to register your ordination with your local county clerk’s office. Click the links below to get started! 

• Become an AMM Minister today!
• Weddings by State: Officiant Registration Requirements

Asked to give a wedding speech or toast? 

Here are some examples of what NOT to do! 

Avoiding a Terrible Wedding Toast -- What *Not* To Do  

Asked to Officiate

Your step-by-step guide to the perfect wedding ceremony

Asked to Officiate is the most comprehensive and easy-to-use guide ever written for wedding officiants, designed to help new and first-time officiants to write and conduct an original wedding ceremony. 

ORDER NOW 

This 'how to' guide contains detailed advice on how to write personalized wedding vows, a heartwarming invocation, and everything that goes into officiating a successful ceremony. Written by wedding professionals, this book is like having an experienced wedding officiant looking over your shoulder every step of the way!

You might also like: 

• Are there legal wording requirements in a wedding ceremony?  
• Write a Wedding Ceremony Using a Classic Story Arc
• Everything You Need to Know About California’s Confidential Marriage Licenses  
• Can you get married without a marriage license? What if you lost it? Or forgot it?

What should you do if you lose your marriage license, forget to bring it to the wedding ceremony, forget to mail it after it's signed, or never even apply for one? Read the full article here. 

Lead Staff Writer & Illustrator

Jessica loves exploring the history and magic of ritual, the connections between people and places, and sharing true stories about love and commitment. She's an advocate for marriage equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and individuality, and is an ordained Minister with AMM. When she’s not writing or illustrating for AMM, she enjoys city hikes, fantasy novels, comics, and traveling.

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Free Wedding Speech Examples to Celebrate the Big Day

These wedding speech examples will help your write a memorable wedding toast for the big day.

If someone has asked you to make a speech at a wedding, then you probably know the wedding couple pretty well. And since you know and love them, you'll want to make that speech personal, meaningful, engaging, and maybe even a little charming. Don't worry - we've got your back with free wedding speech examples you can use as guides. Use any of these sample wedding speeches as a jumping off point to help you speak from the heart. You've got this.

Best Man's Wedding Speech

The best man's speech is usually upbeat and lighthearted. He may tell some stories about the couple, and if he has known one or both of them since childhood, he may add a few tales from that period, too.

• Say 'I Do' to Free Samples of Wedding Announcement Wording

Lighthearted & Amusing Best Man Speech Example

(Name) has asked me to talk today about what a great guy he is, and so I can honestly say that he's handsome, brilliant, funny and perrr.... (TURN TO GROOM) ... (Groom's name), I can't read your writing. What's this last word? Since we met, I have seen his transformation from an awkward youth to a slightly less awkward adult, and it is my great pleasure to speak on this important occasion.

Of course, we wouldn't be here today without (partner's name) and his/her/their ability to get shy old (groom's name) to propose. (Partner's name), I'm sure it was worth the wait. I often think that (partner's name) makes (groom's name) look good. Mainly by standing next to him. He/she/they is/are full of warmth, humor, and initiative.

Marriage is a serious matter which shouldn't be entered into without careful consideration and since (groom's name) took his sweet time proposing, I think it's safe to say he's thought about this for a long time. (Add humorous story about his commitment issues here).

In conclusion, these two married today for better and for worse. (Groom's name) couldn't have done better and (partner's name) couldn't have done….. (look down at notes and pause) better either. I'd like to thank the attendants on behalf of the couple. They all look wonderful, and I'm sure you'll all agree they have performed their role splendidly. And finally, on behalf of everyone here, I can truly say we wish nothing but the best for your future. You are a unique and perfectly matched couple, and we hope that all your dreams come true, and you have a magical life together. Ladies and Gentlemen, please join me in a toast............. To (couple's names).

• Toasts for a Best Man to Give

Groom's Wedding Speech

The groom's speech should be one that primarily expresses his appreciation for the love and support of his friends and family. He should also express his devotion to his new spouse.

Heartfelt Groom's Speech Example

I would just like to thank everybody for coming today, especially those that have traveled quite a ways to celebrate this day with us. Ever since I first started dating (spouse's name), his/her/their family has made me feel welcome and, well, like a member of the family. Now, I am officially part of that wonderful family, and I'm very grateful.

I would like to thank both sets of parents since neither (spouse's name) nor I would be here today if it weren't for them. I would also like to thank you for all your love and support over the years, and for all the advice you have given us. If we can raise a family half as wonderful, then we will be very happy.

I must also thank my new in-laws for bringing up such a compassionate and intelligent son/daughter/child. And, to my husband/wife/partner, you look absolutely gorgeous. Thank you for everything you've done. You know everything about me and love me just the same. I have my faults, yet you still agreed to marry me. I am extremely lucky today to be the one to marry you, and I know this is the start of many happy years together. I would like to thank (best man's name) for agreeing to be my best man and all the attendants for their help and support. Here's a toast to you all.

Bride's Wedding Speech

The bride's speech is very similar to the groom's speech. She should also express her appreciation to her family and friends and express her love for her new spouse.

Elegant Bride Speech Example

(Spouse's name) and I feel privileged to be sharing our day with all our friends and family who have been so important to us throughout our lives. Many of you traveled for quite a long distance. Thanks to all of you for the efforts and sacrifices you have made to be with us today.

I also want to thank the most wonderful parents a child could ever have. Not only for the love, support and guidance over the years, but also for everything you've done to help make this day perfect. We would have never managed without you both, and today would not have been possible or so special. Thank you to both sets of our parents from the bottom of our hearts.

Now it's time to thank my beautiful bridesmaids for everything they've done and for being the greatest friends ever. To my maid of honor, (maid of honor's name), you have been a lifesaver. You truly are the definition of a best friend and sister. Thank you for always being there for me.

(Spouse's name), I want to thank you for making my life complete. I am so lucky to be your wife, and I look forward to our life together. Finally, we would like to thank each one of you for being here with us on this special day.

Groom's or Bride's Father Speech

The groom's or bride's father should give a speech that welcomes the bride or groom into the family. He should also mention the joining of the two families and express well wishes and thoughts of happiness for the newly married couple's future.

Thoughtful Welcome Speech Example

Good afternoon everyone. First of all, on behalf of my wife and I, I would like to welcome (groom's or bride's parents) into the family. I'd also like to welcome relatives and friends of both families and thank you all for being here, especially those of you who have traveled a long way to make this special occasion so memorable. (Bride and groom's names) have obviously worked really hard on this beautiful wedding, and I'm sure everyone here agrees that the ceremony was wonderful.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone else involved in making the day so special. At this point, I would like to formally welcome (bride or groom) into the family, even though you have been part of it for a good while now. Without sounding too corny, (bride or groom's name), you are a great person who clearly loves our (son/daughter/child) and obviously makes him/her/them very happy. I think you have been with (groom or bride's name) long enough now to know what you are getting yourself into by joining our family, so, to be honest, I don't have any sympathy for you. Seriously though (groom or bride's name), we are glad that you are part of our family, and I am proud to have you as a (son-in-law or daughter-in-law).

Sticking with tradition, I'd like to leave the new couple with some words of advice as they enter into this next stage of their lives together. As a great philosopher once said, a man who gives in when he is wrong is a wise man. Whilst a man who gives in when he is right is married. All that remains is for me to ask that you all join me in a toast to the happy couple. May you both live as long as you like and have all that you need for as long as you live. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you (bride and groom's names).

Maid of Honor's Speech

The maid of honor's speech might give thanks to the bride for being chosen as the honored attendant. She might also give a little history as to how the bride and groom met, as well as when she first noticed that they had fallen in love. The bride's maid of honor could also relate some humorous, though not embarrassing, stories about the bride or the newly married couple.

• Free Maid of Honor Speeches

Gracious Maid of Honor Speech Example

When (bride's name) asked me to be her maid of honor, I started wondering where the custom of having a bridesmaid originated from. My research led me to the interesting origins of many of our wedding customs, and everything is done to protect the bride from misfortune on her wedding day.

In the old days, sometimes marriage was by capture, and a maiden was guarded by her family to prevent seizure. The bridesmaids would often act as decoys by wearing dresses similar to the bride's to confuse the kidnappers and to keep evil spirits away. Today, I have done my best to keep the evil spirits away, but at least the family wasn't a problem!

Both of you have found your other half. Thank you (bride's name) for being such a wonderful best friend. I'm glad you have found (spouse's name), and I know that he/she/they will always love you. Always love and respect each other. Remember that a married couple are indeed best friends, and good friendships are built not with time, but with trust! May you grow old together on one pillow, and may your life be filled with happiness and joy! My love to the both of you!

Craft Your Perfect Wedding Speech

Giving a wedding toast or speech doesn't have to be complicated or difficult. Base your speech ideas on your history with the couple, your friendship, and their love. With these examples to follow, you can craft a wedding speech that honors the newlywed couple and expresses your gratitude for being a part of their special day. Remember, the most important part of your wedding day speech is to speak from the heart.

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How to Write a Wedding Speech

Last Updated: March 19, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Jenny Yi . Jenny Yi is the Founder of Chloe+Mint, an award-winning full service event planning company that specializes in wedding planning, design and floral design. Jenny has been in the industry for over 5 years, and also works closely with notable brands and celebrities on branding and events. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 608,097 times.

For most people, their wedding day will be among the most important days of their lives. As such, it is customary for a close friend or loved one to deliver a speech congratulating the newlyweds on their union. This can be a nerve-wracking prospect if you’re the one called upon to give a speech in front of a big, expectant crowd. As the speechwriter, it will pay off to make sure that you’re organized, keep it concise and practice extensively beforehand.

Things You Should Know

Professional wedding planner Jenny Yi says the wedding speech should be “impactful, short, and sweet.” Explain how you know the bride and groom, share a quick backstory on how they met, then wish them well as a couple.

Sample Speeches

Writing a Meaningful Speech

• The best man and maid of honor are usually each asked to make a short speech on behalf of the wedding party. After that, the microphone is sometimes turned over to whoever would like to say a few words.
• Saying your name and briefly summarizing your history with the bride or groom will be enough. Don’t talk about yourself too much. Remember, the focus of your speech is the married couple.

• Use jokes judiciously to break the initial tension and keep the crowd relaxed. Try not to let your speech turn into a stand up comedy routine.
• Keep your humorous stories and remarks appropriate. There will be people of all ages in your audience, including children.
• Funny stories might include a funny story about the bride and groom's meeting, or an anecdote about one of them as a child.

• Sharing unique memories or stories is much more effective than simply complimenting the bride or groom because it is a more personal touch.

• If you decide to use a quote for this segment of the speech, make sure it is short, relevant and not a cliche.

• Acknowledging the people who helped make the wedding festivities possible will make you appear humble, as well as making them feel appreciated.
• Express your gratitude in a couple sentences. There’s no need to go on and on thanking every person individually by name.

Making Sure You're Prepared

• Treat your speech like you would a school assignment. Compose several drafts, check it for errors and have a friend proofread it to make sure it sounds good.

• Familiarize yourself with the order of presentation if multiple speeches are to be given.
• Don’t spend the entire ceremony fretting over your speech. If you’re sufficiently prepared, you won’t need to give it a second thought until it’s time for you to deliver it.

• Know your speech word for word, but try not to sound like you’re simply reciting it from memory. Pace yourself and give every passage emphasis, emotion and clarity.

• Put your entire speech on a couple note cards rather than a several large sheets of paper. Not only will this look better, it will help you keep your speech at the appropriate length.
• Only look at your notes if you draw a blank or forget the next part. This will allow you to keep your eyes up and engage your audience. Even the most riveting speech will be a bore if the person giving it is reading off a note card the whole time.

Giving the Speech

• Take a few slow, deep breaths. Think about what you’re saying and shut out all other distractions. Imagine that you’re giving your speech to one person instead of a room full of people.
• Have a drink or two if it helps your nerves. Just don’t have too many—you want to be focused and clear-headed when it’s time for you to take the floor.

• It’s perfectly okay to give a short speech. Simply say a few kind words, raise a toast and hand back the microphone.
• Speak slowly and deliberately. It’s easy to start chattering too fast when you’re nervous. By talking slower than you feel like you need to, you’ll probably be going at just the right speed.
• People who are underprepared or extremely anxious tend to talk aimlessly. Avoid this by sticking to what you’ve written and look to the crowd for cues about when their attention is evaporating.

• Take a moment to speak to the bride and/or groom directly.
• It’s normal to get a little choked up! As long as you can finish your speech, there’s no need to worry. It may even be flattering, as it will show the people you’re talking about how much you truly care.

• It’s customary for the best man or groomsmen to toast the bride, and the maid of honor to toast the groom.

Expert Q&A

• Keep quotes to a minimum, as other people's words can distract from what you're trying to say yourself. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
• If you're stumped on how your speech should flow, approach it the way you would a story: give it a beginning, middle and end. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
• Ask an honest, objective friend to give you feedback on your speech after you've finished writing it. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• Never use a premade template you find on the internet to write a wedding speech. Your speech should be a product of your own unique thoughts, feelings and experiences. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 1
• Don't drink too much before delivering your speech. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 1
• Leave out especially embarrassing or offensive anecdotes. These are usually considered bad form. You're supposed to be honoring the married couple, not getting a laugh at their expense. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 3

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• ↑ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2110745/Lost-words-Top-tips-write-winning-wedding-speech-deliver-like-pro.html
• ↑ https://www.theknot.com/content/wedding-toasting-tips-for-the-maid-of-honor
• ↑ https://www.presentationmagazine.com/the-structure-and-etiquette-of-wedding-speeches-1041.htm
• ↑ http://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/07/22/how-to-write-deliver-good-best-man-speech/
• ↑ https://www.theknot.com/content/wedding-toasting-tips-for-the-maid-of-honor/
• ↑ https://finley-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/doe/sws/schools/f/finley-h/localcontent/how_to_write_a_speech.pdf
• ↑ https://mediacenter.toastmasters.org/2014-07-01-10-Tips-for-the-Perfect-Wedding-Toast

About This Article

To write a wedding speech, start by introducing yourself and explaining how you know the bride and groom. Then, share some fond memories, like stories from when you were kids or how you met. Next, offer well-wishes to the bride and groom, such as wishing them health, happiness, and prosperity. Alternatively, try opening with a joke or funny anecdote, but make sure that your remarks are appropriate for everyone in attendance. Finally, briefly thank everyone for coming and for making the celebration possible. For tips on how to memorize your speech so that it doesn’t sound rehearsed, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Write the Perfect Maid of Honor Speech

As the maid of honor at your sister’s or friend’s wedding, one of your most important maid of honor duties will be to deliver a speech at the wedding reception. 

Some MOHs prepare their speeches months in advance. But some procrastinate because they don’t know how to begin to write a speech, what to include, or how long it should be.  

We've got you covered if you’re getting ready to write your speech! And you don’t have to be an expert in speech writing to nail the delivery on your bestie’s special day!

Here’s how to write a maid of honor speech, plus tips on how to deliver your speech on the big day: 

Write an Introduction

Begin your speech by saying good evening (or good afternoon), introducing yourself, and describing yourself in relation to the bride and to the couple. 

Wedding guests that don’t know you will want to know if the bride is your:

Once you’ve explained who you are, wrap up your introduction. Thank the mother and father of the bride, her partner, and any other family members who had a role in hosting or paying for the wedding.  

Shop our collection of modern bridesmaids’ dresses now!

Talk About Your Personal Relationship with the Bride

After your introduction, give some details and personal anecdotes about your relationship with the bride. 

You can do so by:

In this portion of the speech, it’s okay to show your sense of humor, be sentimental, or both! Don’t pressure yourself into writing the funniest speech ever or writing a speech that will have every guest in tears. The key is to keep it lighthearted and heartfelt.

This is not the moment to spill lifelong secrets or attempt to embarrass the bride or her new spouse. So steer clear of certain topics, such as drunken girls’ nights out, bachelorette party antics , sex, and ex-relationships or previous marriages. 

It’s not the time to tell inside jokes, either. No one in the room will understand what you’re talking about, and you could lose the crowd's attention. 

Talk About Your Relationship With the Bride’s New Spouse

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Philadelphia | Derek Kerzner

You don’t have to go into lengthy detail about your relationship with the bride’s new spouse, but it’s nice to include a sentence or two about them. You could mention how you first met the bride’s partner or when you realized they were her perfect match!

Talk About the Couple as a Pair

Towards the end of your speech, show support for the newlyweds and their relationship by talking about them as a couple. 

You can talk about things like:

Finish Your Speech With a Wedding Toast

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Birmingham | Brittany Driver Anderson

Finally, wrap up your amazing speech with a toast to the happy couple! You should literally raise a glass and cheers, encouraging all the wedding guests to follow suit. 

More Speech Tips for Writing an Amazing Maid of Honor Speech

When writing a speech, timing is everything! 

Here are a few additional tips to keep in mind when putting together your MOH speech:

Keep It Short and Sweet 

The ideal length for a wedding speech is about 2-5 minutes. Anything longer than that, and you could start losing the crowd. Plus, the longer your speech, the less time you’ll have for partying and dancing!

No matter how long your history with the bride is, don’t overcomplicate things or tell endless stories in your speech. All you need is one good one.

Practice Ahead of Time 

Practice delivering your speech to a fellow member of the wedding party or your own partner and ask for feedback. 

If you want your speech to surprise everyone , practice it with anyone not invited to the wedding that you trust to give honest feedback. This could be your mom or even a coworker.

Even if you’re 100% confident in the words you’ve penned, it’s a good idea to at least practice it in front of a mirror. When practicing aloud, set a timer. If the speech is too long, make some edits to keep it under five minutes.

Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute 

Writing your speech at least a few weeks before the wedding is best. That’ll give you plenty of time to practice it and make changes as needed. 

It’s also important to know that there’s no such thing as a perfect maid of honor speech. Just be yourself, and write the best speech you can!

Related: Matron of Honor vs Maid of Honor: What's the Difference?

Tips for Delivering a Great Maid of Honor Speech

Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Charleston | Source

Nervous about public speaking? 

Don’t worry — a lot of people are! Here’s a tip to get you through the moment. And no, it doesn’t require you to imagine everyone in the room in their underwear.

Instead of speaking to the crowd, speak directly to the couple. Focusing solely on the couple can help ease your nerves and make it easier to deliver your words.

One final tip for all you MOHs out there:

Don’t drink too much alcohol before your speech!

It’s best to wait until you finish your speech to start serious partying. Consuming too many drinks beforehand may make you slur your speech, speak too fast, or appear lethargic. 

You want to appear energized and happy… not under the influence. 

Writing a maid of honor speech can be a fun experience, and delivering it on the wedding day should be an even greater one! The bride has already honored you by asking you to be her MOH. 

Your wedding speech is the time to honor her in return with kind, heartfelt words and well wishes for a long and happy marriage. It’ll be a moment the two of you will never forget.   

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No laughing matter: Humorless scolds on the left want to silence your 'offensive' views

We have a broad guarantee of free speech under the u.s. constitution, and that includes misinformation and hate speech..

Tim Walz, Minnesota governor and Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, has received a lot of criticism for fudging details of his military service . 

That’s definitely worthy of scrutiny, but something else that Walz said in an interview in late 2022 deserves attention, too. 

“There’s no guarantee to free speech on misinformation or hate speech and especially around our democracy,” he told MSNBC . 

Walz is wrong. We do have a broad guarantee of free speech under the U.S. Constitution, and that includes misinformation and hate speech. Walz probably missed the irony, but his misinformation on free expression is protected speech. 

While Walz has a right to spread misleading comments, it’s concerning that a governor and now vice presidential nominee seems confused about what protections we have under our First Amendment. 

Unfortunately, Walz is not alone in his views. Many on the left – and some on the right – are turning to the government to regulate ( or force, in the case of Florida and Texas laws ) speech that some may find offensive.

That is antithetical to one of this country’s most important values. 

Speech under threat in Europe

We can already see how such intolerance is playing out in Europe . The United Kingdom has a notoriously harsh policy against speech, including social media posts, that it finds hateful or racist. 

The Crown Prosecution Service recently posted the following warning on X : ‘Think before you post! Content that incites violence or hatred isn’t just harmful – it can be illegal.” 

It's not kidding. Police this month arrested a woman over a social media post the government claimed was "inaccurate."

In France, “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling and Tesla founder Elon Musk have been named in a criminal complaint from Algerian boxer and recent Olympic gold-medal winner Imane Khelif over alleged “acts of aggravated cyber harassment.” 

Their “crime”? Contributing to the discussion over whether it was fair for Khelif to compete against women, after being disqualified from a previous competition because of questions related to Khelif’s sex. 

Fairness at the Olympics: Olympic boxers deserve compassion. But questions of fairness shouldn't be brushed aside.

Liberal states want to be thought police

These speech crackdowns aren’t just happening across the Atlantic. We’re seeing them more and more in the United States, too. 

Even comedy and satire are getting caught up in the mix. And that isn’t funny in the least.

Musk, the face of Tesla and X (formerly Twitter) who has become one of the left’s most despised figures, last month reposted a “deepfake” video created by someone else, poking fun at Harris’ run for president. It was clearly a joke. 

Yet, California Gov. Gavin Newsom failed to see the humor in Musk’s repost. “Manipulating a voice in an ‘ad’ like this one should be illegal,” he said on X , promising to sign a bill to make it so. 

California dreaming: Harris and Walz champion the Californication of America. Voters should say no way, San Jose.

But political satire like the video Musk reposted is perfectly legal – and Newsom’s attempt to limit it would not be. 

“The First Amendment protects things like satire and parody which have, of course, deep roots in American history and could be potent forms of political or social criticism,” says Aaron Terr, director of public policy for the Foundation for Individuals Rights and Expression (FIRE). “And that's especially true when politicians or other public figures are on the receiving end.”

FIRE is representing the plaintiffs, which include First Amendment scholar and blogger Eugene Volokh , in a lawsuit against a New York law that seeks to target “hateful” speech but is overly broad in its expectations of what online platforms should be expected to do to combat the offending speech.

In practice, the law would chill protected speech for fear of retribution – not unlike the “ bias response teams ” on public university campuses that encourage students to spy on each other and that have faced similar legal challenges . 

The federal judge in the New York case issued a preliminary injunction to block enforcement of the law, but the case is on appeal . 

Christian satire site The Babylon Bee is among the groups concerned about New York's law and how it could be used to target its content. The Alliance Defending Freedom filed an amicus brief on behalf of the Bee. 

“These tattle-tale requirements chill reasonable people’s speech by discouraging them from making comments that might arguably fit within a reportable category of speech,” the brief states . “The marketplace for ideas and debate becomes a sea of suspicion and retaliatory reports.”

Can satire offend? Yes. And that's OK.

Seth Dillon, CEO of The Babylon Bee, says he’s confident New York's law won’t stand judicial scrutiny, but that he thought it was important to call out its unconstitutionality. 

“What the law basically does is it requires platforms to have hate speech policies, and to publish the state’s definition of what hate speech is and then to provide a reporting mechanism for that hate speech so that readers on the site can report it,” Dillon told me last week. “That is all extremely problematic.

“When you look at the constitutionality of these things, you know the state can't regulate your conduct, your speech, that way where disfavored viewpoints are made unlawful.”

The Babylon Bee has learned firsthand about intolerance for its views.

He points to stories that the Bee has posted that have come with consequences, including “ fact-checks ” of its obvious satire from news organizations , including USA TODAY. My favorite is a fact-check of this Bee headline , “ Ninth Circuit Court Overturns Death Of Ruth Bader Ginsburg .” 

There have been much more serious repercussions, too. 

In early 2022, Twitter suspended The Babylon Bee for sharing a headline that named U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health Rachel Levine, who is transgender, as “Man of the Year.” (Levine had recently been named one of USA TODAY’s “ Women of the Year .”)

The Babylon Bee remained banned for much of that year and was reinstated only by new owner Musk, who bought Twitter in part because of these speech crackdowns .

Does satire have the ability to offend or make people uncomfortable? Sure. That’s the point. And to open it up to government oversight is a huge problem.

As the author Salman Rushdie, who faced an assassination attempt and near death for his own views, has observed, it’s vital to “ defend the art of satire , which has always been a force for liberty and against tyranny, dishonesty and stupidity.” 

Biden's overreach: Student loan borrowers beware: Biden and Harris keep making promises they know are a scam

Americans are losing their love of free speech

The United States has the most robust protections for free speech in the world. I’m worried whether we can keep them.

The Freedom Forum has found that about 40% of people surveyed say “preventing hate speech is more important than protecting free speech,” and that “about the same number say that hate speech should be illegal.”

And a new poll from FIRE found that 53% of Americans think the First Amendment “goes too far in the rights it guarantees.” 

Even more alarming, about 40% trust the government somewhat, very much or completely "to make fair decisions about what speech is considered" terrifying, intimidating, threatening, harassing, annoying, disturbing and indecent.

Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store .

“Hate speech” and “misinformation” may sound like good things to push back against. But that is not power we should ever cede to the government. The definitions of what constitutes offensive speech or misleading information are constantly changing.

For instance, during the peak of COVID-19, the Biden administration tried to pressure social media companies to silence views it thought were incorrect at the time. Plenty of this “misinformation” ended up being true , however, proving that the government has no business being the arbiter of truth.

As Dillon says: “Things that we think are false today, we might learn tomorrow are true. Well, how do we learn what's true and what's false if we can't even engage in the debate because we've preempted everything by deciding upfront? 

“That's not how truth-seeking works.”

Ingrid Jacques is a columnist at USA TODAY. Contact her at [email protected] or on X, formerly Twitter: @ Ingrid_Jacques .

You can read diverse opinions from our USA TODAY columnists and other writers on the Opinion front page , on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and in our Opinion newsletter .

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Wedding Wishes: What to Write in a Wedding Card

Written by  Shutterfly Community Last Updated: Jul 26, 2024

Drafting the perfect wedding message doesn’t have to be difficult at all. With a few tips, tricks, dos, and dont’s to keep in mind, you will be on your way to crafting personalized wedding wishes that shine a spotlight of love on the couple and their one-of-a-kind happily ever after. The newlyweds will be sure to appreciate your well-chosen words when they cozy up post-honeymoon for a thoughtful look through their treasure trove of cards. Whether you are attending a fancy wedding or a simple elopement, these thoughtful wedding wishes will show the happy couple your best wishes for them at the start of their lives with one another. Browse our entire guide of wedding wishes or quickly jump to a section that best suits you:

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What to write in a wedding card, wedding congratulations messages, casual wedding wishes, formal wedding wishes, funny wedding card messages, religious wedding wishes, wedding card messages for friends, wedding wishes for a family member, wedding sayings for brother or sister, wedding sayings for son or daughter, what to say in a wedding card to a coworker, wedding card closing.

Navigating the sentiments to inscribe within a wedding card can often feel like finding the perfect harmony between heartfelt emotion and concise expression. Whether you’re celebrating the union of dear friends, cherished family members, or beloved colleagues, crafting the right message is key to conveying your warmest wishes and congratulations. In this guide, we’ll explore a myriad of thoughtful and inspiring ideas to help you pen the perfect sentiments for any wedding card, ensuring your words resonate with joy, love, and sincerity on this momentous occasion.

• A congratulation is in order. No matter what your personal writing style, this common expression is a great way to warm up your wedding greeting.
• Add a wedding wish tailored to the couple. Use the next few lines of the card to create a personalized wedding wish for the couple. Before you begin to fill the blank space, think about your relationship with the couple. What will the bride and groom enjoy reading after their big day?
• Thank the couple.   Save a line in your greeting to express your gratitude to the bride and groom for inviting you to be a part of one of the biggest days of their lives.
• Sign off with a warm closing.  Before you sign your name leave the newlyweds with a warm closing.

Wishing a couple congratulations is often an expression people choose to include in their wedding greetings. It serves as support as well as a celebratory way to let the couple know they did a great job finding their soulmate. Saying “congrats” is appropriate regardless of which side of the aisle you are sitting on. Whether you’ve been best friends with the bride for years and have just met the groom, or know both parties all too well, you can never go wrong with a sincere wedding congratulations message. Follow step one from above and pick one of your favorite congrats messages below or add them to your own words to get started on your wedding card . Examples:

• Congratulations to the wonderful two of you!
• This calls for congratulations and probably champagne.
• I hope through the years you become even better friends and share every possible kind of happiness life can bring. Congrats.
• May your marriage be filled with all the right ingredients: a heap of love, a dash of humor, a touch of romance, and a spoonful of understanding. May your joy last forever. Congratulations!
• Your wedding day may come and go, but may your love forever grow. Congratulations to the perfect couple!
• Through the storms of life, may your love for one another be steadfast and strong. Wishing you joy and happiness on your wedding day. Congratulations!
• Congratulations on finding each other! Your greatest adventure has just begun.
• Congratulations to you both on your very special day! May your wedding be filled with special memories you can treasure forever!
• Congratulations on tying the knot!
• You guys are great together. So happy for you two!
• ‘Two become one’- what a beautiful thing. Congratulations!
• Heartfelt congratulations.
• Warmest congratulations and love!
• Congratulations on your wedding day and best wishes for a happy life together!
• Feeling so much joy for the two of you as you join your lives in marriage!
• Seeing you two make promises and step forward into the future is so inspiring and wonderful.

After the ceremony when the couple opens their wedding cards, they are going to enjoy reading each card for various reasons, but most importantly, because of whom they are from. Be yourself as you are writing your wedding card and make sure that your personality shines through. If you are more casual, there is nothing wrong with keeping your wishes short and sweet. Just make sure that you build upon your congratulations and say something that comes from the heart. Examples:

• Best wishes!
• We’re/I’m so happy for you!
• Wishing you lots of love and happiness.
• Wishing you a long and happy marriage.
• Wishing you the best today and always.
• So happy to celebrate this day with you both!
• Best wishes for a fun-filled future together.
• Wishing you fulfillment of every dream!
• Time flies and things change, but I wish that your love for each other would stay unchangeable.
• You’ve made me believe in true love. And I hope my belief will be unwavering forever, because it seems like you’ll stay together until the end.

You can also use your wedding wishes to mirror the theme of the ceremony. Formal wedding wishes are perfect for when your want your message to be timeless, traditional and of course, romantic. If floor-length dresses, glistening chandeliers, and lavish centerpieces are a few big day details, look into using formal wedding wishes to express your happiness for the happy couple. Below are some examples of formal wedding wishes. Examples:

• Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness.
• May the years ahead be filled with lasting joy.
• Best wishes on this wonderful journey, as you build your new lives together.
• Thank you for letting me share in this joyful day. I wish you all the best as you embark on this wonderful union.
• Wishing you joy, love and happiness on your wedding day as you begin your new life together.
• May the love and happiness you feel today shine through the years.
• When you two are knotted as one, both families and friends share in oneness of their marital union; may this marriage be a bridge to usher happiness, peace and prosperity.
• As you step into a new life as new couples, you become treasure to our community and the world.
• Let love be the focal point of your daily life. May you find hope, peace and faith in each other’s arms.
• Blessed is the man who finds a wife. May the joy of your new home be filled with laughter, smiles, kisses, hugs, respect understanding and faithfulness. Happy wedlock.

If you think a funny wedding card message will put a smile on the bride and groom’s faces then go ahead and write something laugh-worthy. Just proceed with caution, you don’t want your wedding message to come off as sarcastic or insincere. Remember that a sentiment that may easily come across as a joke can be taken the wrong way on paper. With that being said, divorce jokes are off limits! Use your best judgement when writing your funny wedding wish and you’ll be well on your way to creating the perfect wedding card with a side of smiles. Examples:

• Thanks for inviting us to eat and drink while you get married. Congrats!
• Our marriage advice: love, honor and…scrub the toilet.
• Thanks for the free booze. Best wishes on a long, happy marriage.
• Marriage marks the end of a love story and the start of a wrestling match. Wishing you the very best of everything anyway.
• I’ll tell you the secret of a happy marriage. It remains…a secret to all! Wishing you all the best of times ahead.
• On your wedding day today, you have now become two from one. Does that mean I will get two birthday gifts from you both every year?
• As Bill and Ted said, ‘Be excellent to each other.’
• Getting married is like going to drama school. May there be more comedy than melodrama.
• Marriage is so beautiful. You have finally found that one person you get to annoy all through your life.
• Today I realized that life is not fair for single people like me. Until now I had to buy you a gift only once a year on your birthday. Now I have two birthdays plus a wedding anniversary to buy gifts for. Congratulations to my best friend on tying the knot.

Sharing a religious bond with the bride and groom can be the perfect way to tailor your wedding wishes. Religious wedding messages let the soon-to-be-wed couple or newlyweds know that you’re thinking of them and asking for God’s blessings for their marriage. Think about the couple’s religious beliefs and views before you begin writing your card. Use their practices to guide your religious wedding wishes. Review the list below and perhaps you’ll be inspired to write a religious wedding wish of your own. Examples:

• May God bless you and your union.
• May God grant you all of life’s blessings and love’s joys.
• Love God first and it will be easier to love your spouse second.
• We are looking forward to finding out what God has planned for you two.
• Your marriage will be strong because the two of you are strong in your faith.
• May God’s love be the glue that holds your marriage together.
• We pray that God will bless your marriage and guide you in your new journey together.
• May the One who brought you together bless your marriage, enrich your lives and deepen your love throughout the years.
• ‘God has poured out his love into our hearts.’ Romans 5:5
• ‘Love is patient. Love is kind…Love never fails.’ 1 Corinthians 13:4-13

Your best friend is getting married? Wish him or her well on their new journey with their other half with the perfect greeting. When writing a wedding card message for friends you can choose to be very personal or keep things more general. Again, the key is to think about your relationship with him or her and their significant other. If you stick with this, your love for these newlyweds will shine through your greeting. Examples:

• I’m so happy to call you both my friends.
• May you bring each other as much happiness as your friendship has brought to my life–and more!
• Here’s to love and friendship.
• We all need somebody to love, care about and trust. I’m really happy that my best friend has found this special person. Congratulations on your wedding and may your life together be a continuous honeymoon.
• We’ve been friends since childhood and who would have thought that we all would be married one day. But it happened and today is your marriage! Wish you two trust and understanding, patience and love.
• We’re so thrilled to celebrate this wonderful day with you both.
• Of all the big life events we’ve celebrated over the years, today tops the list.
• The fortune-teller we saw in Vegas was right. You did meet the man/woman of your dreams. Best wishes to you both.

Celebrating the wedding of a close family member? For those that know you best and whom you know best, you’ll want to create an over the top wedding wish. Writing a personal wedding card message is a great way to welcome their new partner into your family. Whether you’re thinking of the wedding messages for mom, dad or your siblings, these kin-friendly wedding wishes are sure to do the trick. You might want to personalize your wedding card wording to include one of the following sentiments.

• Welcome to the family, we couldn’t be happier to have you. Best wishes to you both!
• We’re delighted to share this day with you.
• What a wonderful day for our family and especially you two. May the joy you feel today last a lifetime.
• Today, we add one more member to our family and we couldn’t be happier.
• I love you both. Thanks for letting me share in your celebration.

When writing a card to one of your siblings who is getting married the best idea is to write what feels natural. You grew up with this person and have shared many of life’s greatest memories with them. Today is one of those new memories that will top this list and you can make it even sweeter by sharing a sweet moment or inside joke from the past. Make sure that you also mention the new addition to the family! Examples:

• For my sister who’s found love. May your wedding be the first day of many years of happiness to come.
• Today is the beginning of an incredible new journey looking toward the future and all that it offers. For my beautiful sister who deserves only the best, may your wedding day be everything you’ve dreamt of. Wishing you love, joy, and a long life spent together.
• We’ve been together for so long, as close as sisters can be and now it’s time for each of us to move in different directions. As your wedding approaches I wish for you every happiness. May you both enjoy all that this life has to offer.
• To my sister who has always meant so much to me. I am so happy for the wonderful love you’ve found. May your marriage be everything you’re hoping for. I’m wishing you all the best on your wedding day.
• To my sister, my friend, my childhood confidante. Now you’re all grown up and about to be a bride. Even though you’ll soon be walking down the aisle married and starting a new life with your husband, you’ll always be my sister and forever in my heart. So, I’m wishing you much joy on your wedding day and many years of happiness in your marriage.
• Brother, thank you for showing me what it means to have someone to count on. Take care of her, and be well.
• I know that the two of you will do great things in this world together. You are my brother, and a fine man; any person with whom you would share your life cannot help but be equally excellent, and two such people cannot help but make us all better for being.
• We may have struggled as we grew up, yet now we stand together and are better for it. You and your love may struggle as you grow together, and you may struggle more than you and I ever did- but you will grow closer for it.
• We have shared good times, brother, and we have share times less good. And now I have gotten to share with you the joy of finding love and confirming it for all to see. I am sure there will be better yet- but what a thing to have to try to top!
• I cannot be happier as a brother than I am to see you so happy now on your wedding day. Be brave in your new life together, for there will be challenges, but you will overcome them.

It’s a big deal when your son or daughter gets married. In fact, you may even be asking yourself where in the world did the time go? In addition to that, when wedding day rolls around you will also be feeling a multitude of emotions. With a pen in hand, chances are, you may not even know where to start. Start by wishing well to the couple and the life that awaits them. You could also offer some of your own advice about marriage and love. This occasion is going to be one of those that’s extremely hard to put into words, so use your heart and let these example wedding sayings assist you. Examples:

• Walking you down the aisle is something that seemed so far away from the day you were born. It is my privilege to give you away to such a deserving and loving guy. My heart feels whole with the new son-in-law I am gaining. I have faith that you two will take care of each other and raise a beautiful family.
• I have never seen you look as beautiful as you do in a wedding dress. There is something angelic about my sweet daughter all grown up. You’ve got touches of your mother in you, but you’ve always had my smile. Best of luck on the future adventures and memories with your new husband. I love you.
• The first date you went on, we worried about our little girl. You’ve matured into a fine young lady that can take care of herself. It’s no longer our job to worry now that you’ve taken a great husband. Be wonderful to one another, and don’t forget to do the little things.
• The day you announce your engagement, I thought your dad was going to have a stroke. You have to forgive him for being so quick to assume the worst. Your new husband has found a place in our hearts like a son of our own. Love one another as best you can with every single day that the sun rises.
• I spent the majority of our life teaching you how to be a great woman. There are times that I am in awe of how much you know about life. You seem to have it all figured out, but marriage is a different type of lesson. It will turn out great as long as you are always supportive, forgiving and patient.
• I am so happy to see that you have grown into the man I had always wished you would be. Now as you move forward into the unknown with a sense of adventure, I wish you both so much happiness and hope you know how much you are loved!
• We are so happy to be adding this wonderful young woman into our family! It’s so wonderful to see how happy she makes you, and how happy you make her. So congratulations on this very special occasion and may you have only peace and love in your hearts for the rest of your lives.
• You are reaching a milestone in your life as you marry your beautiful bride. I couldn’t ask for a better daughter-in-law and am so happy to see the wonderful man you have become. She is truly a gift. I love you both.
• Seeing you as a little boy and now a grown man is a very unique sight. You have become responsible, gifted and a generous young man and now you have the chance to marry your one true love. May you both be blessed on your future together, and please know how much we will always love and support you both.
• As you move forward into the next part of your life, please know that I will always love you as my little boy. But I also know that each passing day brings more wisdom and growth. So, I proudly pass my little boy on to the woman that will make you whole. I love you.

When trying to determine what to say in a wedding card to a coworker, keep in mind that you’ll probably want to keep your greeting pretty casual and standard. It can be a great idea to find a wedding quote that inspires you and share that with the almost newlyweds. Again, what you decide to write will all depend on your relationship with your coworker. If you have a close relationship with a colleague getting married you may want to find message inspiration under what to write in a wedding card for a friend. If not, these office appropriate greetings are the perfect addition.  

• Best of luck to you during this special time of life. We cannot wait to see the way that marriage improves your life and how a spouse makes you a better person.
• You’re giving hope to all of the single people left in the office. Best wishes to you and your new spouse with your new life together.
• A marriage is a perfect union when two people become a team.
• We’ve seen such a change in you at the office and we’re so happy that you’re happy. Congratulations on your marriage and we wish you the best during this new stage of life.
• So happy you’ve finally found the one that completes you and enhances you as a person. Wishing you the best during this special time in your new life.
• Thank you for inviting me to share in this day with you and your family.
• I am so glad that I have gotten to know you at work and I wish you and your new husband/wife a long happy life together.
• Wishing you success-and most of all happiness-in your marriage.
• What a wonderful day to celebrate my coworker. All of the best to both of you in marriage.
• Everyone at the office is so happy for you. Congrats!

Above all, if your wedding card wishes are warm, genuine and written from the heart, you really can’t go wrong. Simply think about the kind of sentiments you’d love to hear in your own wedding cards, and use this as inspiration to get started. Before you sign your name on the card make sure that you add a sweet closing for the couple! Examples:

• Lots of Love to you Both,
• Congratulations Lovebirds,
• Congrats Newlyweds,
• Love Always and Forever,
• Best Wishes for Your Future,
• Take Good Care of Each Other,

Final Thoughts On Wedding Wishes: What to Write in a Wedding Card

Weddings are such joyous unions that bring not only the bride and groom together but their friends and families too. Use your wedding congratulations card (from our wide selection of wedding stationery ) to make the newlyweds feel special. In fact, a thoughtful wedding card is the perfect addition to personalized wedding gifts , especially with the right words scripted inside. You can even add one of these sweet wishes for the couple in a wedding photo book . What a great way for the bride and groom to cherish their big day memories! We can hear the wedding bells ringing.

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In This Article

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The Ultimate Guide To Creating The Perfect Best Friend Wedding Speech

lichttrunken via Instagram

It’s easy to panic if you’ve been tasked with giving a best friend wedding speech, especially if you’re not good at public speaking. However, no need to worry; with the right tips and a bit of guidance, giving a wedding speech for a best friend would be no trouble at all.

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Read on to get helpful writing techniques and guides in delivering your speech in the best way possible.

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The best friend’s speech at a wedding should be heartfelt and personal, focusing on the couple’s friendship and shared experiences. It can be delivered by anyone close to the couple, regardless of gender. Typically, it should be around 3-5 minutes long and is usually delivered after the maid of honor and best man speeches.

Best Friend Wedding Speech Examples

Emotional wedding speech for best friend.

From the first giggle-filled sleepovers to being your wingwoman in love, our journey has been a rollercoaster of joy. Today, as I stand by your side, my heart swells with pride and love. Your love story isn’t just a chapter; it’s a masterpiece, and I’m grateful to be a part of it. Here’s to the friend who found her happily ever after. May your days be filled with the same laughter and love you’ve given me throughout the years. Cheers to your beautiful forever!

Best Friend Wedding Speech Funny

Here’s to my partner in crime, my confidante in chaos, now tying the knot! Our friendship survived questionable haircuts and fashion faux pas, so I’m confident your marriage can handle anything. As you embark on this adventure called wedded bliss, remember: a successful marriage is just like a successful prank – it takes careful planning, a dash of spontaneity, and a partner who’s always ready to laugh. May your love story be the ultimate comedy, filled with inside jokes and a lifetime of shared laughter. Cheers to the bride and groom – let the hilarity ensue!

Heartfelt Best Friend Wedding Speech

Hello everyone! My name is _, I am the best friend of the bride. They say that good things happen to good people. And today, we can see this for ourselves! I have known the bride since childhood and the groom for about 5 years. And I think they are just made for each other! They had found their balance; she had found her calm, and he had found his fire. _ is without a doubt one of the most amazing people I know; she is kind and loving, funny and fierce. So I can confidently say that I am very lucky to have such a friend. _, I want to thank you for loving my girl. There is no one who can do it as well as you. For the newlyweds! Be happy!

Maid of Honor or Best Friend Wedding Speech

Good evening ladies and gentlemen! For those who don’t know me – I’m _, the bride’s best friend. I am honored to be here today and, in general, to be her friend. Her warmth and generous nature draw people to her. She is brave and full of love. This is the kindest person I know, and I am sure that _ will be able to make her happy for many, many years. They are so similar! Don’t you think? Both in their appearance and in personality! This is truly one of those unions that were made in heaven! Let’s raise our glasses to this beautiful couple! You are perfect! Cheers!

Friendly Best Man Wedding Speech

Hi all! My name is _, I am the best friend of the groom. What is love? It is a short word, easy to spell, difficult to define, and impossible to live without. I’m just incredibly happy that _ was able to find such a beautiful girl, and today we are all here at their wedding, celebrating their love! When we were 9 years old, we promised each other never to get married. Haha. _, do you remember? And here we are, and today I am happy as ever, oh, I already said that, sorry! Be happy, my dear, you have a long and interesting life ahead of you! Enjoy it! Cheers!

Best Friend Wedding Speech Template

It’s always an honor to be asked to give a short wedding speech for a best friend on their special day. However, if you have difficulty writing or giving speeches, you can use these practical template as a guide.

• Opening Introduce yourself and your relationship with the couple. Express gratitude for being chosen as the best friend and the honor of speaking on their special day.
• Body Share heartfelt anecdotes and cherished memories that illustrate the bond between you and the couple. Additionally, reflect on the unique qualities that make them perfect for each other. Finally, offer sincere wishes and congratulations for their future together.
• Closing Raise a toast to the newlyweds, inviting everyone to join in the celebration. Express appreciation to the guests for sharing in the joyous occasion. Conclude with a heartfelt sentiment or quote about love and friendship.
• Optional Feel free to infuse humor or personal touches to make the speech memorable. Practice beforehand to ensure a confident delivery. Aim for a concise presentation to maintain audience engagement.

Dos And Don’ts For Wedding Toast Speech For Best Friend

• Start with an introduction: It’s the polite thing to do, but also not everybody might know who you are.
• Welcome the newlyweds and the guests: Welcome everyone, and thank the guests, especially for taking the time to be there for the celebration.
• Share stories about your best friend: You know them more than most, so this would be a good time to highlight their good qualities. If you’d like to give a funny best friend wedding speech you could include a hilarious memory here.
• Say something nice about your friend’s partner: If you have any anecdotes about how they met, you could include that too.
• End with good wishes for the couple: Say some inspiring words. Then, you can add a toast as well.

Don’ts:

• Do not introduce bad memories: This is a day to celebrate with your friend and their family. If you have any bad memories or even any disagreements, this is not the place to bring that up. Focus on the happiness and love of the day. Everything else can come afterwards.
• Don’t overshare: Be careful what you share. Some things are too personal to tell to a crowd. Choose to share what you know your friend would be comfortable with and the guests will be happy to hear. Don’t share any stories that would make anyone uncomfortable.
• Do not make costly jokes: Jokes are only great when they are in good humor. Keep your jokes clean and try to strike a balance. Do not allow your jokes cross the line from funny into offensive. Light humor is always best.
• Don’t make your speech long and boring: The perfect timing for a speech is between three and five minutes. So, don’t make your speech too short that the message gets lost. But don’t allow it get so long that the audience begins to get bored and distracted.
• Do not mention any exes: Whether it’s your friend’s exes or their partner’s. This is not a good time to mention them. Exes belong in the past. Focus on the present, on the couple and on their joyous celebration.

What should I say in my best friend’s wedding speech?

Share heartfelt stories and memories, express your joy for the couple, compliment each person’s qualities, and offer best wishes for their future together.

What is an example of a short wedding speech for a friend?

“To love, laughter, and a lifetime of happiness! I’ve seen these two create countless beautiful moments together, and I couldn’t be happier for them. May your journey be filled with endless joy and unforgettable adventures. Cheers to the newlyweds!”

What do you say at your friend’s wedding?

Express your happiness for the couple, share stories that reflect their love, highlight their positive qualities, and offer genuine well-wishes for their marriage.

There is no need to worry or fret if you have been asked to give a best friend wedding speech. With the right tips and guidance, you can improve your writing techniques and create a wedding speech that your friend will be proud of. Once you’re done writing a speech that you are sure of, delivering it on that day will be a like a walk in the park.

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David French

Colleges Can’t Say They Weren’t Warned

By David French

Opinion Columnist

“In the year 2024, in the United States of America, in the State of California, in the City of Los Angeles, Jewish students were excluded from portions of the U.C.L.A. campus because they refused to denounce their faith.” Those are the first words of an angry court opinion by Mark Scarsi, a Federal District Court judge in California.

On Aug. 13, he issued an injunction that requires U.C.L.A. to keep its campus fully and equally open to Jewish students, including Jewish students who believe “they have a religious obligation to support the Jewish state of Israel.”

Scarsi’s decision ( which U.C.L.A. is appealing ) was one of three court opinions rendered in the past three weeks that collectively send a message to American universities: This year, there cannot be a repeat of the antisemitic harassment we saw on all too many college campuses over the last year. The cases are still in their early stages. Many facts are still contested, and we may face years of litigation before the cases are finally resolved, but the decisions so far teach an important lesson nonetheless.

In the aftermath of the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, a number of universities were taken by surprise by the sheer sustained disruption and by the antisemitic animosity on their campuses. They struggled to respond effectively. As the war continues — and as the conflict with Hezbollah escalates on Israel’s northern border — universities can no longer claim to be surprised.

They know what might happen this school year, and this knowledge has legal significance. If they fail to protect the free speech of students or to protect students from antisemitic or Islamophobic harassment , there will be consequences.

The case at U.C.L.A. includes claims by Jewish plaintiffs that they were discriminated against and blocked from gaining access to parts of campus because of their religious support for Israel, a viewpoint the First Amendment protects. The other two cases — one at M.I.T. and the other at Harvard — focused on claims of antisemitic harassment under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

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