How to Write a Bride / Groom Speech. Nail Your Wedding Speech: Guide and Sample for Brides and Grooms. Step-by-Step Bride/Groom Speech Writing Guide with Example. Ultimate Guide to Writing a Memorable Bride/Groom Speech + Sample.
- Coordinate & Create
- Share your love story briefly
- The Thank You’s
- Credits
- Address your partner
- Prepare
And cue the emcee announcing the newlyweds would like to say a few words..
You have already almost checked off everything on your wedding checklist. Now it’s time to write the speech!
You and your partner can definitely work together and share the stage and/or mic! We got tips for you and your partner on how to execute this. Short and sweet, or long and endearing, whichever you prefer!
Writing a bride or groom speech is a wonderful opportunity to express your love, gratitude, and excitement. By planning ahead, writing from the heart, and practicing your delivery, you can create a speech that will be remembered and cherished by all.
We’re here to sort out your problem with these easy tips to help you write your speech and win over your guest’s hearts.
Sample Speech Outline
- Opening:
- “Good evening, everyone. For those who don’t know me, I’m [Your Name], the lucky [bride/groom].”
- “I’d like to start by thanking everyone for being here today and celebrating this incredible moment with us.”
- “I also want to give a special thanks to our parents for their unwavering love and support.”
- Middle:
- “I’ll never forget the day we met. [Share a brief story about your first meeting or a significant moment in your relationship].”
- “One of the things I love most about [Partner’s Name] is [mention a few specific qualities].”
- “We’ve had so many wonderful adventures together, from [briefly mention a few memorable experiences].”
- Closing:
- “As we look forward to our future, I’m filled with excitement and joy. I can’t wait to see what life has in store for us.”
- “Thank you all once again for being here and sharing in our happiness.”
- “Please join me in raising a glass to [Partner’s Name] and to a lifetime of love, laughter, and adventures together. Cheers!”
How to Write a Bride / Groom Speech
1. Coordinate & Create
Before preparing the speech, discuss with your partner and talk about how you will coordinate accordingly.
Meaning, you will have to determine the flow and style. As well as the length and points to remember. Jot down notes in point form and make a rough draft to understand how you would approach it.
It is also essential that you schedule the speech/es at a time when the crowd and/or guests are in a very “active” state, as opposed to the end of the night when guests had already quite a lot to drink so much or are getting ready to leave.
Consult a wedding planner/consultant when to schedule the speeches at the reception and ensure to include them in your wedding day-of timeline.
PRO TIP:
- Begin writing your speech well in advance of the wedding. This gives you ample time to gather your thoughts, revise, and practice.
- Remember that your audience will include family, friends, and possibly new acquaintances. Keep your speech appropriate and inclusive for all guests.
- Aim for a speech that’s 3-5 minutes long. This is long enough to convey your message without losing the audience’s attention.
2. Share your love story briefly
Even if you feel like the guests already know your love story, giving them a brief reminder will set the tone for the next points that you will make.
Starting with a story will help your guests engage better and relate to the following points as you go on with your speech. Adding funny tones and notes within the story will keep the crowd’s energy going.
STRUCTURE YOUR SPEECH:
- Greet the Audience: Start with a warm greeting and introduce yourself if necessary.
- Anecdote or Quote: Begin with a relevant story or a meaningful quote to capture attention.
- Your Love Story: Share the story of how you and your partner met, significant moments in your relationship, and what brought you to this special day.
- Compliments: Highlight the qualities you love and admire in your partner. Be sincere and specific.
- Acknowledgements: Recognize the support and love from family and friends. Mention any key individuals who have played a significant role in your journey.
3. The Thank You’s (How to Write a Bride / Groom Speech)
Now from your story, incorporate your thank yous. You and your partner are for sure grateful for your family, friends, relatives, and all your guests for being there. Let them know about thankful you are and honor their presence.
If there are specific people that you would like to name, you can definitely do so. Be mindful as you do this so as not to offend anyone.
TIP: You can use a projector screen and play a video compilation with clear text of the names of the people you want to mention specifically. This can be either before your actual speech, like a “pre-speech” video, or you can also use this in conjunction with your speech.
Even when other special people in both your lives cannot make it, still mention them. During these times when not everyone can make it, mention them, and again, per the above tip, include them in a mini-video compilation.
4. Credits (a great top on how to write a bride / groom speech!)
This can be similar to the Thank You’s, but credit isn’t just about saying thank you, but it’s also about commenting on what they have actually done.
Saying something like “Thank you to my sister-in-law for helping out with the decor.” is a great way to give thanks.
Adding a credit tone sounds like this: “The beautiful flowers and the elegant decor that we all are adoring tonight is a result of a collaboration with my creative sister-in-law. I don’t think this night will be as pretty and special as it can be without your input, and for that, we are very thankful.”
Did you feel the difference? Adding those short credit notes truly elevates the thank yous!
5. Address your partner
Don’t forget to end your speech with a nod to your partner and your life together. As mentioned above, say thanks and provide credit.
“Thank you for being patient with me not just through the wedding planning process but every single regular day, even when I am the crankiest. You always find a way to see through me and get to my heart with your love and understanding.”
“I’m sure everybody here will agree that you are always beautiful, inside and out, but today, you are extra radiant and glowing.”
Mention something particular that you know your partner will appreciate and be very happy that you have voiced out loud in front of the ‘world’ to hear!
Nailing their ‘love language‘ during this public moment will also leave a bigger impact!
CLOSING:
- Look to the Future: Share your excitement and hopes for your future together.
- Final Thanks: Thank your guests once again for being part of your celebration.
- Toast: End with a heartfelt toast to your partner and the future ahead.
6. Prepare
We don’t want to sound so scripted and stuck up. But going over your speech/es will help you be comfortable with the flow and the words you are to use.
Write the speech you will make alone FIRST. If you would like to speak side by side, you can then incorporate both speeches with a good flow, and/or you can take turns accordingly.
Reading your speech out loud helps you catch awkward phrases and ensure it flows smoothly.
Time it. Decide how long you want your speech to be. 5-7 minutes (8-10 minutes combined!) is a safe timeframe that you want to stay in. Per the mentioned tip, consider creating a complimentary video presentation that will help keep your guests engaged and visually appealing!
Practice! Go over the speech with your partner. Check the parts you want to “make better.” This is not a professional performance that needs hours and hours of practice, but you sure would like your guests to understand your message clearly.
Incorporate pauses to emphasize key points and give the audience time to absorb your words.
Use strategic props. Especially nowadays, when we use our phones for everything, it might be tempting to use them for speeches. But if you have the challenge of speaking fast, reading off your phone will not make it any better.
If you use index cards, the act of switching the cards is actually a “pause” that you have to make, which will automatically slow you down and give you a chance to look up to your guests and even add in some funny and witty adlibs!
If you are all about electronics, you can use your phone, but not on notes or messages, but as a PDF document where you only do 1 paragraph per page with larger fonts so you can ‘turn’ to the next page for a ‘pause.’ The key is to be strategic and creative.
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to make this perfect! Be yourself and have fun at your wedding!
Wrapping Up : How to Write a Bride / Groom Speech
Writing a heartfelt bride and groom speech is a wonderful way to honor your partner and share your love story on your special day. As you craft your wedding speech, think about the memories and experiences that have shaped your relationship. This is your time to express gratitude to loved ones, the wedding party, and all the guests who have gathered to celebrate with you. Use examples from real weddings to inspire your speech writing, and don’t shy away from adding a touch of humor or personal anecdotes.
Remember, public speaking can feel daunting, but focusing on the love you share will make it easier to connect with your audience. A well-prepared wedding toast not only highlights your journey as a couple but also sets the tone for a joyful wedding reception. Take your time to practice and ensure your speech flows smoothly, and remember, this is just one of many beautiful moments you’ll share together in life. So, embrace the experience and enjoy every moment of your wedding planning and the speeches that come with it!
