Wedding Speech Examples

Wedding speeches are a super important part of a wedding reception. They let the couple, family members and friends express their love, gratitude and well-wishes for the newlyweds. But if you’re not a confident public speaker, giving a wedding speech can be nerve-wracking for many people, which is why having a few examples up your sleeve can be a great starting-point. 

Here are some simple wedding speech examples that can help you deliver a heartfelt, memorable and enjoyable wedding speech. Feel free to use them as a template to inspire your own writing. 

And remember that these are just samples. Be sure to incorporate your own unique elements to personalise your speeches, which might mean having more gender-equal speeches compared to the traditional wedding speech line-up

Groom’s Speech & Bride’s Speech

Photo © Benjamin Toms Photography | See their Bridebook profile

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’s 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!”

Check out our top 10 groom speech examples and top 10 bride speech examples for more inspiration if you’re each giving individual speeches rather than a shared one. 

Father of the Bride Speech:

Photo © James Merrick Photography | See their Bridebook profile

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 chance to both reflect on the love and relationship he has with his daughter and to welcome her new spouse into the family. Here’s a sample to inspire you:

“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!”

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

Best Man Speech:

Photo © Take Two Wedding Photography | See their Bridebook profile

The best man speech is a fun and light-hearted speech that’s often filled with anecdotes and humour. The best man has the chance to pay tribute to the groom and to share some memorable moments from their friendship. Here’s a sample:

“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!”

Check out our top 10 best man speech examples for more inspiration. 

Maid of Honour Speech:

Photo © Memories & Milestones Photography | See their Bridebook profile

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’s 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!”

Check out our top 10 maid of honour examples for more inspiration. 

Mother of the Bride Speech:

Photo © Eyeshine Photography | See their Bridebook profile

A mother of the bride speech, while not always a traditional element in the order of wedding speeches, is becoming gaining increasing popularity in modern celebrations. This beautiful moment lets the mother share her heartfelt sentiments, commemorate her daughter’s journey and extend a warm welcome to her daughter’s new spouse. Here’s a sample:

“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 types of wedding speeches you may give on a wedding day. No matter what type of speech you choose, the most important thing is to be yourself, speak from the heart and let your love for the newlyweds shine through. Best of luck and have a wonderful time celebrating the love and happiness of the newlyweds.

Be sure to also check out our top tips from former actress and wedding speech writer Naomi Marghaleet, based on 30 years’ experience in the industry. 

And for even more wedding tips and tricks, sign up to Bridebook today. We’ve got plenty of articles to help you with your wedding planning and celebrations. 

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Happy Planning!

Meghann & Joseph – Real Wedding (Garden + Outdoor)

Faye and Adam Hughes in the church getting married

Meghan and Joseph’s stunning romantic and intimate wedding at Oldwalls Gower was simple, clean and Classic. What makes this wedding special? Oldwalls has such a special and wonderful look. The standard that everything is done to, from the rooms to their the Rustic Retreat cottages, there is such attention to detail. You really feel the luxury.

Videographer: Break every chain productions

Florist: Ruth Milton Jones|Catering: Oldwalls Weddings|Wedding Dress Designer: Eddy K and Riki Dalal (two dresses from Eva Ashley bridal)|Wedding Cake: Bella cakes|Stationery Provider: Brogan Evans|Hairdresser: Kristin Davis|Make-up artist: Louise Williams|Menswear Provider:Moss Bros

Colours: Green, White & Black| Styles: Classic, Traditional, Formal & Luxury

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Adam and his best man standing outside the wedding venue in their wedding suits
Faye smiling on her wedding day
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Could this luxury Welsh countryside venue be the venue for you? Click here to find out more about Oldwalls Gower!

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Venue Showcase: Applewood Hall

Situated in the quaint village of Banham, one of Norfolk’s best-kept secrets Applewood Hall offers an undeniably unique wedding venue for your special day.

Once the grounds of the Grove Farm orchard, Applewood Hall served as the store during the harvest season. Now an elegantly decorated entertaining space, it offers a licensed bar, dance floor, stage and seating for up to 200 guests. Applewood Hall is a harmonious combination of rustic charm and contemporary style.

We talked to Kiera Goymour , Wedding Executive at Applewood Hall

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Tell us a little bit about yourself

Hello I’m Kiera…
I’m a lover of gin and our unofficial wedding cake taster. I always enjoy a piece of cake with my morning coffee the day after a wedding! I’m also the owner of resident hound and team mascot, Frankie Sausage. You’ll usually find me dashing about in flats, there’s a reason I wear a step counter! And one thing you might not know, I have locked myself in the wedding garden at least 5 times (just this year!), which has meant having to climb over a very tall gate to get out!

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Credit to @jackboskett

What drew you to the wedding world?

Having worked in the corporate events world in London for 10 years, I felt the pull to return to Norfolk where I grew up. I missed the drive and challenge of being involved in the family business. Due to my events background, my Dad asked me to take on the management of Applewood Hall and its sister business, Applewood Countryside Park (family camping and glamping). Four years on and I haven’t quite found the work/ life balance I was hoping for but I wouldn’t change it. Helping couples plan the wedding day of their dreams and seeing it all come together is so rewarding. There’s no job quite like it!

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What do you think makes Applewood Hall unique?

Applewood Hall is located right next to the award-winning family attraction Banham Zoo. So if couples fancy something a little bit different, whether it’s a giraffe feeding experience, private Bird of Prey display, a ceremony within the zoo grounds or photos with some of the stunning animals – anything is possible!

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How do you get to know your couples before the big day?

When couples make a booking with us, we start with a planning meeting as it really helps us get to know our couples; along with their style, how they picture their perfect day and what we can do to make it happen. This process really helps to pinpoint the small things that will make their day feel extra special and unique to them. For example, we have recently introduced bespoke cocktails and mocktails, offering couples the opportunity to choose seasonal flavours, favourite ingredients and personalise the cocktail names so they tie into their theme or tell a story!

What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?

Fun, laughter and a tipple or two. It’s that simple!

Photography credit @meganduffieldphotography
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Photography credit @photographyby_lucy.s

Why should a couple book Applewood Hall?

Applewood Hall is a proudly family run business, offering a personal and friendly service. Our aim is to ensure that every couple is able to bring to life the day of their dreams no matter their budget. We achieve this by going above and beyond, getting creative with ideas, ingredients and scale to ensure we can give each couple a unique experience.

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Styling by @ido_photography_norwich

What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?

It’s YOUR day, so don’t be afraid to be a bit selfish when it comes to things like your menu choices, drink selection and seating plans. Prefer to have canapés during your drinks reception rather than a starter, why not! If you want an indulgent, gooey chocolate dessert, go for it! If you’d prefer to have a classic G&T rather than bubbles for the toast, do it! If you want the seating to be more informal with no seating plan, be bold! These small things will help your day feel special and unique to you.

What’s the best photo spot at Applewood Hall?

Our wedding garden! This beautifully landscaped space features a stunning gazebo, contemporary outdoor furniture, lots of lush greenery, fire pit tables and festoon lighting. The perfect backdrop for wedding photos and alfresco drinks in the sunshine!

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Photography credit @dblakephotography111

What part of your business are you most proud of? 

Our team! We have a small, dedicated team, which means our couples experience a friendly, hands-on approach from their initial enquiry and showround appointment to their menu tasting, planning meetings and of course, the big day itself.

How do you feel technology is changing the industry?

Couples are planning their weddings online more than ever before. We have been making use of Facebook Live to host virtual tours and hosting monthly #wedminwednesday sessions to help couples along their wedding planning journey.

What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?

We are in this together and and we will all get through this together. If you’ve had to postpone, it must be heartbreaking to move from your original date and to have to wait a bit longer for your wedding, but it will be so worth it. We want your day to be a day of celebration, love and special memories; focused on you (not coronavirus, that’s had enough attention!).

What do you love about Bridebook?

It’s great to be able to showcase everything we offer all in one place; from pricing and photos to reviews and offers. Tracking enquiries and following our analytics is super simple too.

Are you looking to promote your beautiful venue to our community of couples? Contact our Venue Consultant team at [email protected]. Also, if you enjoyed this article, see more here.

Venue Showcase: The Manor House

Nestled within Castle Combe village in the wooded Bybrook Valley lies the 14th century Manor House and there is no more idyllic or romantic a setting in which to celebrate your marriage.

We talked to Jennifer, Wedding and Events Manager at The Manor House and Cassie the Wedding Executive at The Manor House.

Tell us about yourself!

We have both worked in weddings for a couple of years now but have been in the hospitality industry our whole careers. In our free time, we love to read, go for walks and bake sweet treats!

What drew you to the wedding world?

There is something incredibly rewarding about making someone’s big day go smoothly. Seeing the happiness on the couples faces on the day when all of the planning comes together, knowing we contributed to that, it’s a great feeling.

An archway that is part of the building serves as a place for the ceremony.

What do you think make The Manor House unique?

We are so blessed to have the beautiful hotel and grounds that we do, but what makes us unique is our people. From housekeeping preparing the bedrooms to our chefs creating the perfect wedding breakfast, the whole team has a passion for creating exceptional guest experiences. Our couples will not only be provided with the highest level of service and great attention to detail, but character, passion and laughter along the way.

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How do you get to know your couples before the big day?

We make sure we always take time to get to know our couples from the very beginning of their enquiry. It’s all about them. Taking the time to sit, have a coffee and a chat and learn about their story is so important. It also makes it so much more enjoyable along the way- it’s as if we are helping friends plan their wedding!

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What do you think makes for the perfect wedding?

A beautiful location, with delicious food in a room filled with great company, love and laughter.

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What is your #1 wedding planning tip for couples?

It’s all about you! Make sure that every decision you make is what you both want, try not to think about other people’s opinions too much. Enjoy the experience building up to the big day! It can pass by you in a flash so enjoy every single moment including all the planning.

What do you love about Bridebook?

All of it! It’s incredibly handy and easy to use. It helps us communicate effectively with all enquiries and helps the couples keep on track with their planning!

What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve had at The Manor House?

A summer wedding had a family fun day including dodgems and a carousel on our lawns – it was amazing!

Why should a couple book The Manor House?

Why not?! We have the most stunning location, amazing food and exceptional service so it really will be the best day of their lives.

What’s the best photo spot at The Manor House?

We have so many beautiful spots but our favourite is our entrance bridge over the Bybrook river that has a gorgeous shot of the whole of the Manor in the background.

What part of your business are you most proud of?

Definitely the people, we are like one big family. Everyone works incredibly hard and always supports each other.

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How do you feel technology is changing the industry?

In terms of wedding planning, it is a game changer! There are so many apps, websites and companies that can help you now, it’s great! It takes away a lot of the stress.

What is the one piece of advice you would give to couples that are currently struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis?

Firstly, I hope you are ok! We have seen first hand how the pandemic has affected couples, and made what should be a really enjoyable time, really stressful. Please just know we will be here to support you the whole way, and do whatever we can to help make it easier and as special as it can be.  

A huge thank you to Jennifer and Cassie for answering our questions. Check out The Manor House on Bridebook!

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Looking for more venues in Wiltshire? Find your unforgettable venue by searching venues here.

Are you looking to promote your beautiful venue to our community of couples? Contact our Venue Consultant team at [email protected]