Wedding speeches should suit the occasion.

No two weddings are alike. Some are formal affairs and some are family events. Some cost a fortune while others don’t break the bank. One thing that is common to them all though is that at some time during the day someone will give a speech.

Most speeches are given after the wedding breakfast but nervous speakers may prefer to speak first and then relax and enjoy their meal. It seems a shame that toasting a happy couple should cause such stage fright. In many cases it is because the speaker is unused to speaking in public. Certainly many wedding speeches are given by speech amateurs who just don’t know what they ought to say.

There are traditions, of course, and most people are happier if they say what is the norm on such occasions. The father of the bride, for instance, will extend a welcome to the guests, to his new son-in-law and to that son-in-law’s parents. He may give the couple a few words of advice about marriage, talk about his daughter’s growing up days and end by wishing her happiness. Then he toasts the bride and groom.

Traditionally, the father of the groom doesn’t have to say anything. However he usually likes to say how wonderful his son is, how happy he is that he has found such a lovely wife and how much he hopes the two families will have in common from now on. He may end his speech with a wedding prayer or an old saying or blessing.

The groom has reason to be nervous but he also has reason to compliment his bride. He certainly ought to thank his parents for their care during his growing days. He should mention his appreciation for the lovely gifts the couple have received. He may have a few words of appreciation too for his best man although this might be light-hearted in tone. He ought to end his speech by toasting the lovely bridesmaids.

The best man will introduce speakers, say something civil about the hosts and something teasing about the groom. He will praise the bride’s beauty and end his speech by replying to the groom’s toast to the bridesmaids.

Although these things are traditional the way they are said need not be. Some couples would enjoy being roasted for instance. Alternatively, the speeches might all be very sentimental indeed. A bride might want to have her say or the best man may be a best buddy. The bride’s father may be dead or missing and a relative may toast the couple in his place. There are second weddings and weddings of mothers and fathers.

A good speech is not difficult to write as long as what you say is sincere and expresses your best wishes for the couple in question. Above all, make it short.




Niamh Crowe has written thousands of Speeches for every event including Wedding Speeches, Informative speeches, Father of the Groom Speeches and more.