Wedding Speech Tips
As a wedding photographer, I’d love to give you some ideas on how to write wedding speeches that feel right to you. From the happy couple to parents to the wedding party and other guests, speeches are a common part of any wedding day. They are a great way to share some laughs, stories, and good energy, but they can be a bit daunting to write. So let’s walk through intentional wedding day speeches and how they might add some love throughout your day.
When it comes to how to write wedding speeches, first we must talk about what kinds of speeches are possible on your wedding day! Ultimately, your day is ruled by YOU and what YOU want, but we can’t deny that family and friends love to get in on the fun. So it’s best to plan ample time into your timeline for speeches to make sure everything is going smoothly and no one’s kind words turn into stressful situations! Here are some of my favorite times for wedding speeches that flow with your timeline and give your favorite people a chance to toast to your special day!
WELCOME SPEECHES
A welcome toast is a beautiful way to switch gears from the ceremony and set intentions for the evening ahead! Traditionally, these speeches are given after all the guests are settled and the couple + wedding party has been announced to the reception.
In one full sweep, you can personally thank everyone for being there on your big day, without having to chat with every single person throughout the evening.
When it comes to how to write wedding speeches for a welcome toast, you’ve got a couple of options! You, the newlyweds, could give the speech yourselves. Or you could ask your parent(s) to give one.
Are you a couple giving a welcome toast? Here are some ideas for you!
Express your appreciation! Your guests have come together to celebrate a day that is so important to your story.
Acknowledge your connection! Everyone in the room has played their own part in your lives so far. How special is that?!
Shout out to your family or close loved ones! These are the people who likely played a big part of planning your day. Express your gratitude and give them some extra love!
One last thank you! Sign off with a thank you for all of the love and support! Then give a little nod to the fact that you’ve got a whole evening ahead to spend together!
Are you a parent giving a welcome toast? Don’t worry, I’ve got ideas for you too!
Acknowledge the monumental day! Your children are going through a huge life moment, make sure to express how that makes you feel!
Introduce yourself! Don’t assume everyone knows who you are.
Greet the guests! Your family and other friends have come in from far and wide to celebrate with you and your kids. Thank them for coming and express unlimited gratitude for taking time to celebrate with you!
Talk about the newlyweds! Why does their marriage make you happy? What are you looking forward to in their lives? Why are they perfect for one another?
Give best wishes! It’s always a good way to wrap up a welcome speech! Share a wish for the rest of the evening and for the rest of the lives of the happy couple.
Wedding Party Speeches
Are you a best man frantically googling “how to write a wedding speech?” or a maid-of-honor scouring the internet for speech prompts to help you write a top-notch narrative?!
Just breathe. You wouldn’t even believe how many others have felt the same way. So what if I gave you a template for a wedding speech that wows the room!
Introduce yourself! Who are you? How are you important to the couple?
Tell a story. Consider a quality, trait, or story of the bride/groom that you love or has impacted you personally. Here are some story questions to help get you thinking!
How did you meet them?
Have they done something special that has impacted your life?
Was there a time where their partner impacted you?
What is your favorite memory with them?
How have you seen their life change since their partner entered it?
What is a funny memory that you won’t soon forget?
Do you have any special moments with their pets, children, or family?
Offer your wish! What do you want for the couple and their future? Share your well wishes with them as they start forever together.
Close with a toast. An easy way to end a winning speech! To love! To the happy couple! To forever!
Quick tips
for a crowd-pleasing and couple-approved wedding speech!
Less is more. Keep in mind that we are dealing with TikTok attention spans these days! A surefire way to lose your audience is to give a long and monotonous speech. Remember, this isn’t about you! It’s about the couple. Share your story, send them love, and then wrap it up!
Be yourself. Wondering whether to crack and joke and be funny? Or to tear up with some sappy words? There is no right or wrong approach. Just be yourself. If you are known for your quick-witted humor, then absolutely be the clown you are! But it’s okay if you are more sentimental or sweet or quirky. Deliver a speech that feels good to YOU! There is a reason the couple chose you on their special day.
Tell a story, but make it relevant! Don’t make your entire speech one long story. Hook the attention of others with the story and relate it back to the couple, their relationship, and your wishes for their future. Which brings me to…
This isn’t about you, it’s about them. In the nicest way possible, the guests don’t care so much about you. They are there for them! This doesn’t mean don’t talk about yourself at all, it just is a gentle reminder to always keep the focus on the couple.
And as a last little tip for how to write a wedding speech, I wanted to inspire you to ask yourself why you are writing the speech to begin with! The couple love you enough to make you a big part of their day. Channel that love and connection as you write and it will undoubtedly be a good one.
If you happen to be the happy couple planning a wedding day and want some guidance on writing perhaps the most important speeches of all, your wedding vows, head over to my blog Wedding Vows: How to Write with Intention