Wedding Speech Examples

Wedding speeches are a meaningful part of any celebration—they give the couple, family, and friends a chance to share their love, appreciation, and well-wishes for the newlyweds. But for many, the idea of giving a speech can feel a bit daunting. That’s where a few examples can really help.

We’ve put together some straightforward wedding speech examples to help you craft something heartfelt, memorable, and enjoyable. Use them as inspiration or a base to build your own.

And don’t forget—these are just guides. The best speeches reflect your personality and your relationship with the couple, so feel free to add your own flair. You might even want to shake things up with a more modern, gender-equal line-up than the traditional format.

Groom’s Speech & Bride’s Speech

The groom’s speech and bride’s speech is a chance for the couple to thank their families, friends, and wedding party for their support and to share their love for each other. Here is a sample of a shared groom and bride speech:

“Good evening everyone, we are [bride’s name and groom’s name], the newlyweds. We want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for being here to celebrate this special day with us. Our families, friends, and wedding party have made this day truly unforgettable, and we are so grateful for your love and support.

We also want to thank our parents for their love and guidance, and for raising us to be the people we are today. We are honoured to have both of our families come together to celebrate this special day with us.

And last but not least, we want to express our love for each other. [Groom’s name], you are my best friend, my soulmate, and my partner in life. I am so grateful to have you by my side, and I look forward to a lifetime of love, adventure, and happiness with you. [Bride’s name], you are beautiful, kind, and loving, and I feel so lucky to be able to call you my wife. I promise to always cherish and love you, no matter what life brings our way.

To our friends and family, thank you again for being here to share this special day with us. We are so grateful for your love and support, and we look forward to the memories we will create together.

Cheers to love, laughter, and happily ever after. Cheers to all of us!”

Father of the Bride Speech:

Bride and her father

A father of the bride speech is one of the most traditional and emotional speeches of the wedding. The father of the bride has the opportunity to both reflect on the love and relationship he has with his daughter and to welcome her new spouse into the family. Here is a sample:

“Good evening, everyone. Today is a very special day for me, as I stand here to give away my beautiful daughter [bride’s name]. She has grown into an amazing young woman, and I am so proud of the person she has become. [Groom’s name], I couldn’t have asked for a better match for my daughter. You are kind, caring, and loving, and I am honoured to welcome you into our family. [Bride’s name], [groom’s name], I wish you a lifetime of happiness, love, and adventure. To the newlyweds!”

Best Man Speech:

The best man speech is typically a fun, light-hearted moment during the wedding, often filled with humour and a few cheeky anecdotes. It’s a chance for the best man to honour the groom and share some memorable stories from their friendship—ideally without causing too much embarrassment!

Here’s a sample speech to give you an idea of how to strike the right balance between heartfelt and hilarious:

“Good evening everyone, I am [your name], the best man, and the groom’s closest friend. I have known [groom’s name] for [number of years], and it has been an honour to stand by his side today as he marries the love of his life, [bride’s name]. [Groom’s name], you are one of the kindest, funniest, and most genuine people I know, and I am so grateful to have you as my friend. [Bride’s name], you bring out the best in [groom’s name], and I know you will have a lifetime of happiness together. To the newlyweds, congratulations and here’s to a lifetime of love and laughter!”

Maid of Honour Speech:

The maid of honour speech is usually given by the bride’s closest friend or sister and can be a combination of humour and sentimentality. Here is a sample:

“Good evening everyone, I am [your name], the maid of honour and [bride’s name]’s best friend. I have known [bride’s name] since we were [age], and I have never seen her as happy as she is today. [Groom’s name], you have brought so much joy into [bride’s name]’s life, and I am grateful to have you as my friend as well. To the newlyweds, may your love continue to grow stronger with each passing day. Congratulations and best wishes!”

Mother of the Bride Speech:

Bride walking with her mother

A mother of the bride speech, while not always part of the traditional wedding speech line-up, is becoming more and more popular at modern weddings. It’s a special moment that allows the mother to share heartfelt words, reflect on her daughter’s journey, and warmly welcome her new son- or daughter-in-law into the family.

Here’s a sample to help inspire your own message:

“Good evening everyone. Today holds great significance for me, as I stand before you to celebrate the union of my beloved daughter [bride’s name]. Watching her blossom into the remarkable woman she is today fills my heart with immense joy. [Groom’s name], from the moment you entered our lives, you’ve shown remarkable qualities of kindness, compassion, and love. Welcoming you into our family is an honour beyond words. [Bride’s name], [groom’s name], may your lives be filled with boundless joy, enduring love, and remarkable journeys together. To the newlyweds!”

Check out our top 10 mother of the bride speech examples for more inspiration.

Plan your dream wedding on Bridebook

These are just a few examples of the different kinds of wedding speeches you might give on the big day. Whatever your role is, the most important thing is to be yourself, speak from the heart, and let your love and support for the couple shine through. Good luck—and enjoy every moment of celebrating their love and happiness!

For even more wedding tips, inspiration, and planning tools, sign up to Bridebook today. We’ve got loads of helpful articles to guide you through every step of the journey.

You Might Also Like…