Month: November 2024

A wedding speech, or wedding message, should always be written from the heart and in your own words.

But if you’re feeling stuck or your words aren’t flowing as easily as you’d like, there’s no harm in borrowing a little inspiration from others. You can do this by sprinkling your speech or message with love quotes or wedding day quotes.

Love and marriage quotes offer profound insights into the beauty and complexities of relationships. They bring timeless wisdom and elegance to your words, adding that perfect finishing touch.

Looking for some ideas? Check out our post featuring 110 love quotes for your wedding day. Whether you’re after a classic love quote, a heartwarming Disney line, a lyric from a song, or a memorable quote from a book or film, we’ve got you covered!

What makes a good love quote?

A good love quote is anything that touches your heart. If it resonates with your love story, has a specific significance to you and your partner, or simply summarizes how you feel perfectly, then it’s a good love quote. 

Our advice is to read lots of different love quotes from different sources. There will be one or two that fill your heart with love or just capture your feelings perfectly. You’ll know them when you read them, and they’re the ones you should pick. 

How can I incorporate quotes about love in my speech or message?

We suggest adding love quotes to your wedding speech, vows, or readings for a meaningful touch. While most quotes are too brief to replace full vows or readings, such as love poems, they work beautifully when sprinkled throughout a pre-written speech or set of vows to add a little extra charm and emotion.

Try opening or closing your wedding message with a quote for maximum impact. For example, you could end with something like: “Thank you for listening to my speech today. I’d like to sum everything up with the immortal words of Nicholas Sparks, ‘I am who I am because of you. You are every reason, every hope, and every dream I’ve ever had’. Thank you.”

General love quotes

1. “Love is friendship that has caught on fire” — Ann Lander
2. “Love is a force more formidable than any other” — Barbara de Angelis
3. “Love is bigger than a tsunami, stronger than any fear” — Bethany Hamilto
4. “Romance is the glamour which turns the dust of everyday life into a golden haze” — Elinor Glyn
5. “You never lose by loving. You always lose by holding back” — Barbara de Angelis
6. “To love is to receive a glimpse of heaven” — Karen Sunde
7. “I love you” begins by I, but it ends up by you — Charles de Leusse
8. “To lose balance sometimes for love is part of living a balanced life” — Elizabeth Gilbert
9. “For small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through love” — Carl Sagan
10. “Our love cannot be measured, it just is” — John Paul Stevens

Inspirational love quotes

1. “Where there is love there is life” — Mahatma Gandhi
2. “Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope” — Maya Angelou
3. “Every heart sings a song, incomplete, until another heart whispers back. Those who wish to sing always find a song. At the touch of a lover, everyone becomes a poet” — Plato
4. “Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies” — Aristotle
5. “The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart” — Helen Keller
6. “Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction” -— Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
7. “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend” — Martin Luther King Jr.
8. “The best thing to hold onto in life is each other” — Audrey Hepburn
9. “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive” — Dalai Lama
10. “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength while loving someone deeply gives you courage” — Lao Tzu

Love quotes by famous people

1. “I would rather spend one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone” — J.R.R. Tolkien
2. “The real lover is a man who can thrill you by kissing your forehead or smiling into your eyes or just staring into space” — Marilyn Monroe
3. “You know it’s love when all you want is that person to be happy, even if you’re not part of their happiness” — Julia Roberts
4. “The best thing to hold onto in life is each other” — Audrey Hepburn
5. “My blind eyes are desperately waiting for the sight of you” — Richard Burton, in a letter to Elizabeth Taylor
6. “I would find you in any lifetime” — Kanye West
7. “My most brilliant achievement was my ability to be able to persuade my wife to marry me” — Winston Churchill
8. “I think the perfection of love is that it’s not perfect.” — Emma Stone
9. “Love is a promise, love is a souvenir, once given never forgotten, never let it disappear” — John Lennon
10. “Love is a verb. It’s an action requiring your involvement and your active participation” — John Legend

Love quotes from Disney films

1. “I’d rather die tomorrow than live a hundred years without knowing you” — John Smith, Pocahontas
2. “It’s there, I know it is, because when I look at you, I can feel it. And I look at you, and I’m home” — Dory, Finding Nemo
3. “Some people are worth melting for” — Olaf, Frozen
4. “All at once everything looks different, now that I see you” — Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, Tangled
5. “People do crazy things when they’re in love.” — Meg, Hercules
6. “You are my greatest adventure.” — Mr. Incredible, The Incredibles
7. “To infinity and beyond!” — Buzz Lightyear, Toy Story
8. “Love is not an emotion, it’s a choice” — Maui, Moana
9. “I wouldn’t have nothing if I didn’t have you.” — Mike Wazowski, Monsters, Inc. 
10. “My dream wouldn’t be complete without you in it” – Princess Tiana, The Princess and the Frog

Love quotes from songs

1. “Love is old, love is new. Love is all, love is you” — The Beatles, Because
2. “With our love, we could save the world, if they only knew” — The Beatles, Within You Without You
3. “I could make you happy, make your dreams come true. Nothing that I wouldn’t do. Go to the ends of the Earth for you” — Adele, Make You Feel My Love
4. “You’re still the one I run to, the one that I belong to, you’re still the one I want for life” — Shania Twain, You’re Still The One
5. “Cause all you need is love, love. Love is all you need” — The Beatles, Love Is All You Need
6. “I belong with you, you belong with me, you’re my sweetheart” — The Lumineers, Ho Hey
7. “You’re the closest to heaven that I’ll ever be, and I don’t wanna go home right now.” — Goo Goo Dolls, Iris
8. “Take my hand, take my whole life too, for I can’t help falling in love with you” — Elvis Presley, Can’t Help Falling in Love
9. “You’re my end and my beginning, even when I lose, I’m winning” — John Legend, All of Me
10. “And isn’t it just so pretty to think all along there was some invisible string tying you to me?” —  Taylor Swift, Invisible String

Love quotes from plays, theatre shows, and musicals 

1. “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none” — William Shakespeare, All’s Well That Ends Well
2. “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind”  — William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream
3. “Say you’ll share with me one love, one lifetime. Let me lead you from your solitude. Say you need me with you, here beside you. Anywhere you go, let me go too” — The Phantom (Erik), The Phantom of the Opera
4. “She loves me and to my amazement, I love it, knowing that she loves me” — Georg Nowack, She Loves Me
5. “Tonight, tonight, I’ll see my love tonight. And for us, stars will stop where they are” — Tony, West Side Story
6. “Love will stand when all else falls” — Moses, The Prince of Egypt
7. “Love is like oxygen. Love is a many-splendored thing. Love lifts us up where we belong” — Christian, Moulin Rouge
8. “I saw you and the world went away” — Tony, West Side Story
9. “When someone needs you, you love them so” — Nancy, Oliver!

10. “Can it be us and only us? And what came before won’t count anymore or matter” — Evan Hansen, Dear Evan Hansen

Love quotes from books

1. “I wish you to know that you have been the last dream of my soul” — Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities
2. “If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you” — A. A. Milne, Winnie The Pooh
3. “I know I am in love with you because my reality is finally better than my dreams” — Dr. Seuss
4. “You don’t love someone because they’re perfect, you love them in spite of the fact that they’re not” — Jodi Picoult, My Sister’s Keeper
5. “I love her, and that’s the beginning and end of everything” — F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
6. “I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once” — John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
7. “I am who I am because of you. You are every reason, every hope, and every dream I’ve ever had” — Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook
8. “Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same” — Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights
9. “You are my heart, my life, my one and only thought” — Arthur Conan Doyle, The White Company
10. “Love is how you stay alive, even after you are gone” — Mitch Albom, Tuesdays with Morrie

Love quotes from poetry

1. “To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides” — David Viscott
2. “Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired” — Robert Frost
3. “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways” — Elizabeth Barrett Browning
4. “I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride” — Pablo Neruda
5. “If I had a flower for every time I thought of you, I could walk in my garden forever” — Alfred Lord Tennyson
6. “Love is an endless mystery, for it has nothing else to explain it” — Rabindranath Tagore
7. “You are my sun, my moon, and all my stars” — E.E. Cummings
8. “If my lover were a comet hung in air, I would braid my leaping body in his hair” — Djuna Barnes
9. “Love is not consolation. It is light” — Friedrich Nietzsche
10. “Love is the only reality and it is not a mere sentiment. It is the ultimate truth that lies at the heart of creation” — Rabindranath Tagore

Love quotes from films

1. “You had me at ‘hello'” — Dorothy Boyd, Jerry Maguire
2. “Storm clouds may gather and stars may collide, but I love you until the end of time” — Christian, Moulin Rouge
3. “What I’m trying to say, very inarticulately, is that, um, in fact, perhaps despite appearances, I like you, very much. Just as you are” — Mark Darcy, Bridget Jones’s Diary
4. “To me, you are perfect” — Mark, Love Actually
5. “I’m not a smart man, but I know what love is” — Forrest Gump, Forrest Gump
6. “I think I’d miss you even if we never met” — Kat Ellis, The Wedding Date
7. “A marriage is a promise. With the ceremony and ring, you’re saying to one another, ‘Every experience I am going to have, I want to experience with you'” — Diane Keaton, The Big Wedding
8. “You’re my air” — Dre, Brown Sugar
9. “So it’s not gonna be easy. It’s gonna be really hard, and we’re gonna have to work at this every day. But I wanna do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever. You and me. Every day” — Noah Calhoun, The Notebook

Love quotes from TV shows

1. “It’s you. It’s always been you” — Fitz Grant, Scandal
2. “You make me happier than I ever thought I could be, and if you let me, I will spend the rest of my life trying to make you feel the same way” — Chandler Bing, Friends
3. “You’re my one in five billion” — Fox Mulder, The X-Files
4. “Some love stories aren’t epic novels. Some are short stories, but that doesn’t make them any less filled with love” — Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City
5. “I love our story. Sure, it’s messy, but it’s the story that got us here” — Ted Mosby, How I Met Your Mother
6. “I love you, in a really, really big pretend-to-like-your-taste-in-music, let-you-eat-the-last-piece-of-cheesecake, hold-a-radio-over-my-head-outside-your-window, unfortunate way that makes me hate you, love you” -— Meredith Grey, Grey’s Anatomy
7. “I love you and I like you” — Leslie Knope, Parks and Recreation
8. “I love you more than words, and I am a big fan of words” — Buffy Summers, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
9. “You are the love of my life. Everything I have and everything I am is yours” — Chuck Bass, Gossip Girl
10. “I love you even when you’re sick and look disgusting” — Jim Halpert, The Office

Love quotes from the Bible

1. “We love because He first loved us” — 1 John 4:19
2. “Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves” — Romans 12:10
3. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs” — 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
4. “Let all that you do be done in love” — 1 Corinthians 16:14
5. “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” — 1 Peter 4:8
6. “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgement: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” — 1 John 4:16-18
7. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love” — John 15:9-10
8. “Do everything in love” — 1 Corinthians 16:14
9. “Above all, be loving. This ties everything together perfectly” — Colossians 3:14
10. “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves” — Romans 12:9-10

The bottom line on wedding love quotes 

Love quotes are a timeless way to express your feelings and show your partner what your big day means to you. Or, if you’re a guest, they’re a lovely way to share well-wishes with the couple and inspire them about their marriage. 

Don’t worry about being unoriginal or cliché by including these quotes. Instead, let them inspire your wedding speech or message, tying your personal vows to a broader, shared understanding of love. People enjoy hearing familiar quotes in speeches, and you can even use them as a fun inside joke with your spouse or guests. For instance, referencing a quote from your favorite book, movie, or TV show is sure to bring a smile to their faces.

So, feel free to use love and marriage quotes in your wedding speech or message. Embrace the timeless nature of the phrases and pepper them throughout your speech or message like the seasoning in a good dish.

If you need some more guidance, browse our wedding speech examples to help you craft the perfect wedding speech. 

You Might Also Like…

• Wedding Speech Examples
• Top 10 Groom Speech Examples
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• Top 10 Father of the Bride Speech Examples
• How to Start and End a Wedding Speech

Happy Planning!

Wedding speeches are surely the highlight of the wedding reception. They have the power to make a room roar with laughter or bring a tear to every eye. 

However, crafting the perfect beginning and ending to your wedding speech can be tricky. The opening is your first impression, and you want it to be memorable for all the right reasons. On the flip side, nailing the conclusion to a speech means guests will remember it for years to come. Nervous about getting it right? Don’t be. We’ve got your back. 

In this post, we discuss the ins and outs of how to start and end a wedding speech. We talk about what you could use to kick off your wedding day toasts and how to end a wedding speech in a genuine and memorable way. Ready to start? Let’s dive in. 

What is a wedding speech?

A wedding speech, also known as a wedding toast, is a heartfelt dedication to the newlyweds on their big day. Wedding speeches usually follow a specific speech order, and are traditionally made by the father of the bride, the groom, and the best man. However, as it’s your big day, you can ask anyone you’d like to make a speech and have them in any order you prefer!

Wedding speeches typically last about 30 minutes during the reception, usually following the main course but before dessert is served. Guests are often provided with a glass of prosecco, champagne, or a non-alcoholic sparkling drink to raise a toast to the newlyweds, creating a celebratory atmosphere as they listen to heartfelt speeches from family and friends.

How to start a wedding toast or speech?

The opening of your wedding speech or toast will engage your audience, set the tone for what’s to come, and create an emotional connection between you and the audience. But it can also be the hardest part to write as there’s a lot of pressure to get it right. 

But don’t let that overwhelm you! Remember that your opening should reflect your genuine feelings for the couple and your joy to participate in their special day. Speak from the heart, and you won’t go far wrong. If you’re still feeling unsure about how to open your wedding speech, the following guide will help you. 

Introduce yourself

Starting your speech by introducing yourself is a standard and effective approach. It helps guests understand your connection to the couple and sets the tone for the rest of your speech. Even if many attendees already know you, introducing yourself creates a sense of formality and helps you feel more confident. Whether the groom is your brother or you’ve known the bride for years, taking a moment to state who you are and your role in the day’s celebration ensures everyone is on the same page and ready to listen to your heartfelt words.

Start with a quote or compliment

If you’re feeling stuck about where to go next, a quote about love, a compliment to the beautiful bride, or a comment on the gorgeous venue are all solid options. A well-chosen quote can add depth and wisdom to your speech, while a sincere compliment will bring a smile to the bride’s face or show your appreciation for all the work that went into planning the wedding. Either way, these opening elements will set a positive tone for your speech and make the audience more receptive to your words. 

Use a funny story or anecdote

If you’re feeling confident, a funny story or anecdote about your relationship to the bride or groom is a great way to open your speech. It not only adds a touch of humour and light-heartedness to the atmosphere, but also instantly connects you with the audience through shared laughter.

But remember that humor can be a double-edged sword, so be sure to keep it light, respectful, and in good taste. The goal is to make the audience smile, not cringe. If your joke is a little risqué, consider running it past the bride or groom first to ensure they’re okay with it. 

Say thank you to everyone present

If all else fails, say thank you to everyone present. Thank you to the couple for inviting you to their special day, thank you to the venue staff who have worked so hard to make it all possible, and thank you to everyone else for coming. Everyone likes it when their contributions and efforts are acknowledged, so thanking the wedding party and staff and guests is a fool-proof speech opener. 

How to end a wedding speech or toast

Often, the only part of a speech the guests remember is the beginning and end. You’ve nailed the opening, and now it’s time to wrap up on a positive note. Try using the below tips to help you craft a memorable conclusion to your wedding toast.

Recap your key messages

A great way to round up your wedding speech is to recap the message from the body of your speech. This reinforces the central point you wanted to convey and leaves a lasting impression. 

For example, if your speech was all about how perfect the happy couple is for each other, consider rounding off with, “We can all see how happy [couples’ names] make each other, and if I find a love that’s half as perfect as theirs, I’ll be a lucky, lucky person.”

This reiteration brings your speech full circle and highlights the love and happiness that radiates from the newlyweds. This will leave a heartfelt and enduring message to share with everyone.

Share your advice and thoughts

You could also round off your speech by giving your thoughts on love and marriage and any advice you may have for the newlyweds. If you aren’t in a position to offer any advice, a quote about love, a wedding reading, or a line from a song are also great ways to end your speech. 

This approach not only imparts wisdom and reflection, but also serves as a thoughtful and fitting conclusion to your wedding speech. 

End on a positive note

As with any part of a wedding speech, end on a positive note. This could be a final blessing, one last thank you, or even a warm smile. You’ve done the hard part; all that’s left is to seal the speech with a final dose of love and warmth. 

Cheers to the couple

The best part of any speech— it’s time to raise your glasses of fizz to the sky and toast the happy couple. Invite the rest of your guests to join you in a toast to the happy couple’s good fortune and good health. Cheers!

The bottom line on wedding toasts

Wedding speeches can be challenging, especially when it comes to starting and finishing strong. With thoughtful preparation, genuine emotions, and a celebratory toast to close, you can deliver a speech that not only captivates the audience but also leaves a memorable mark on the newlyweds’ special day.

A friendly introduction, expressing gratitude to the couple, venue staff, and guests, a heartfelt quote about love, and ending with a smile and a toast are simple yet effective elements that will ensure your speech is heartfelt and well-received. These steps provide a solid structure for creating a memorable wedding speech that shines.

If you’re still sitting there wondering how to start your own wedding speech, or how to end it, we’ve got plenty of fabulous wedding speech examples right here on Bridebook. We have brilliant examples of father of the bride, groom, and mother of the bride speeches that you’ll love!

 

Credits for hero image: Photo © Kari Bjorn Photography (https://www.karibjorn.com)

You Might Also Like…

• Wedding Speech Examples
• Top 10 Groom Speech Examples
• Top 10 Bride Speech Examples
• Top 10 Mother of the Bride Speech Examples
• Top 10 Father of the Bride Speech Examples

Happy Planning!

An engagement party is a brilliant way to celebrate your engagement and surround yourself with your family and friends. Whether you choose to have a formal bash at a countryside hotel or an intimate barbecue in your back garden, everyone will be there to celebrate your engagement and talk about your future wedding plans.

As part of the celebrations, it’s common for there to be speeches at an engagement party to thank everyone for coming. It’s also likely that other members of your family, friends and future wedding party will want to say a few words as well, and offer you love and encouragement for the journey you’re about to take.

But what do you say in an engagement party speech? Should it be long? Funny? Lovey-dovey? Who should give a speech and do you have to give one even if you don’t want to?

In this post, we’re going to dive into everything you need to know about how to write the perfect engagement party speech so you can approach your speech with confidence and say exactly the right things.

Who gives a speech at an engagement party?

Traditionally, you should be prepared to give a short speech at your engagement party. This could be one of you or both of you, depending on who feels confident enough to stand up and speak in front of your family and friends.

If someone is hosting the party, such as the father of the bride, then it’s also common for them to thank everyone for coming.

Depending on your guests, anyone else is also more than welcome to say a few words. This could be any of your parents, a member of your wedding party (such as the best man or maid of honor), your siblings or your friends. There are no hard and fast rules at an engagement party, so if anyone would like to wish you well and congratulate you, it should be encouraged.

Do you have to give a speech at your engagement party?

While giving a speech at your engagement party isn’t mandatory, it’s a thoughtful way to thank your guests. The type of party you host can influence expectations. For a formal celebration with a full meal, DJ, and dancing, a speech will likely be anticipated. However, for a more casual gathering, like a game night with pizza and drinks, it might not be expected — but it’s still a nice touch to express your gratitude for everyone attending.

What if you’re too nervous to speak at an engagement party?

If you’re really not happy to give a speech at your engagement party, then there are no rules stating that you have to. There’s always the option to have someone do it on your behalf, such as your mom or your best man.

If you can find the courage to do so, your guests would love it if you could give a very short speech. It doesn’t have to be a 20-minute stand-up routine, just 30 seconds to thank everyone for being there to celebrate with you.

When do you give a speech at an engagement party?

Unlike a wedding, there aren’t strict rules about when to give a speech at an engagement party. It depends on the event’s tone. For a casual gathering, you might want to offer a quick thank you early on, once everyone has arrived. At a more formal affair, it’s best to give your speech either just before or after dinner, as that’s when guests are already gathered together.

Is an engagement party speech the same as a wedding speech?

Engagement party speeches and wedding speeches have a lot of similarities, but they’re not exactly the same. Read our article on wedding speech examples to see the sort of thing they include. There are a few subtle differences that mean they’re not exactly interchangeable. These include:

• The tone is more relaxed and informal in an engagement party speech. You may not even choose to write a speech, and instead speak from the heart to thank your guests for coming.
• Wedding speeches are often a lot more sentimental and emotional.
• Unlike a wedding speech, you might not choose to talk about your relationship at all and save that for the wedding. However, if others choose to speak, don’t be surprised if they talk about you a lot.
• Engagement party speeches are short, sharp and to the point, whereas wedding speeches can last a comparatively long time.

Can an engagement party speech be funny?

An engagement party speech can take any shape you like. If you want to keep it light with a few jokes, that’s great. If you prefer just a short, simple thank you, that works too.

Expect a variety of tones if others speak. The best man might go for laughs, while parents may be more sentimental. For a humorous touch, share fun anecdotes about how you met, but keep things light and avoid too many inside jokes. Balance the humor with sincerity and always finish by expressing your gratitude to the guests.

How long should your engagement party speech be?

Unlike a wedding speech, which could be as long as 10 minutes (or more, depending on the speaker) an engagement party speech is usually far shorter. Generally, you wouldn’t want to speak for more than a couple of minutes so you can save most of what you have to say for the wedding itself. The main point you should get across is how glad you are that your guests could make it to be there to celebrate with you.

What should you include in an engagement party speech?

Depending on who’s giving an engagement party speech, there’s different information you might want to include:

You’re giving a speech at your own engagement party:

• Thank everyone for coming and how much it means that they’re there to celebrate with you and your new fiance.
• Acknowledge your loved ones and the loved ones of your fiance.
• You might want to talk about the proposal and how it felt. Highlight anything funny that might have happened and make a joke out of it.
• Reference how you feel about your partner and how you’re excited to take this next step in your relationship together.
• Talk about what you have in store for your wedding. If you haven’t secured a date yet, keep this part relatively vague.
• Raise your glass and thank your guests again for being there.

You’re giving a speech at someone else’s engagement party:

• Introduce yourself and how you know the couple.
• Congratulate the couple and how excited and happy you are for them.
• Share something personal, such as an anecdote. This is a great opportunity to be funny, but keep things as positive as you can.
• Offer compliments about the strength of the couple and how great they are together.
• Express your support for the couple and offer to help them should they need it throughout their wedding planning journey.
• Acknowledge friends and family, and thank everyone for being there.
• Wish the couple luck for the future and raise a toast.

Whether you’re giving a speech at your own engagement party or someone else’s, aim to keep it light, brief, and heartfelt. Save most of your material and top jokes for the wedding itself — after all, the engagement party is just a warm-up for the big day!

Tips for writing the perfect engagement party speech

Before you sit down to think about what to say in your engagement party speech, think about these tips:

• Don’t forget to let the guests know who you are. There might be some guests you haven’t met which can be quite confusing for them.
• Don’t be afraid to be truthful and honest. You might not want to shed a tear in front of people, but it’s about two people falling in love and getting engaged – tears are practically expected.
• Don’t outstay your welcome – no one expects an engagement party speech to go on longer than two minutes or so.
• Make notes about what you want to say, and learn your speech by heart. That way, it’ll come across as more natural and not like you’re reciting lines.
• Practice, practice, practice.
• Avoid too many in-jokes. If you have to include one, try to give the rest of your guests some context.
• Short is most definitely sweet.

Engagement party speech examples

Ready to start writing your engagement party speech but need a little more inspiration to help you get started? Here are a couple of engagement party speech examples you can use as a starting block for your own.

Example 1: the humorous yet heartfelt one (for those who don’t mind public speaking):

Good evening everyone. I’m Jackson, and on behalf of my beautiful new fiance, Rebecca and I, I’d like to thank you all for coming to our engagement party. We’re so happy you could all be here tonight to celebrate with us. You all get to spend the next few hours in my company, which is a shame for you all, but you can at least be thankful you’re not Rebecca, who now gets to spend the next fifty plus years with me.

For those of you who don’t know, I proposed to Rebecca in Toronto, in the shadow of the CN Tower. Yes, cliché, I know.

Rebecca, I just wanted to say that I’m so excited about our future together. You saying yes was one of the greatest moments of my life and I know what we have in store will continuously top it. We’ve already started browsing venues and you’ve already made what will be a long and difficult challenge so much easier by just being yourself. You make me a better person and I can’t wait to undertake this journey together.

Thank you so much, everyone, for being here, it means the world to Rebecca and me. So, I’d like to raise a glass to say you’re all fantastic and we both love you all very much. Cheers!

Example 2: the short and sweet one (for those not fond of public speaking):

I just want to take a moment, on behalf of myself and my new fiance, to thank you all for coming tonight. We really appreciate everyone taking the time to come and celebrate our engagement with us. So I’d just like to raise a glass in appreciation for you all being here tonight. Thank you!

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Happy Planning!

The father of the bride speech is a highly anticipated part of a wedding reception where the father of the bride addresses the all the guests and offers words of congratulations, gratitude, and well wishes to the newlyweds. It’s no wonder that many fathers of the bride get a little nervous at the thought of delivering a speech to their nearest and dearest, so let’s have a closer look at all you need to know about writing and delivering a brilliant father of the bride speech.

What is a father of the bride’s speech?

The father of the bride speech typically is given after the meal, during the wedding reception. It’s a show of love for the bride, as well as giving words of advice to the couple. The father of the bride speech is often an important moment for the father to show his support and affection for his daughter, and to welcome the groom into the family. It also serves as an opportunity for the father to express his gratitude to the guests for their participation at the wedding.

How should I write the perfect father of the bride speech?

There are three key stages to crafting the perfect Father of the Bride speech –  preparation, content and delivery and we are here to walk you through each step.

Preparing the father of the bride speech

Planning and preparation are crucial for delivering a successful father of the bride speech. It allows you to organize your thoughts and ideas, and to structure the speech in a way that flows naturally and makes sense to the audience. It also gives you the chance to tailor the speech to the audience, so that it’s appropriate and relevant to the guests.

By taking the time to plan and prepare for the speech, you can ensure your words are well-received and that the speech is a memorable and meaningful part of the wedding celebration.

When it comes to researching and gathering information for your wedding day, let’s have a look at some tried and tested ways to help you begin your speech writing journey.

• Start early – The earlier you start preparing for your speech, the more time you’ll have to think about what you want to say and how you want to say it.
• Talk to your daughter – Your daughter will be a great source of inspiration and material for your speech. She can tell you about the special moments and memories she shares with you and her partner, and give you an insight into their relationship.
• Talk to your future son-in-law – It’s also a good idea to talk to your daughter’s partner and get to know them better. You could ask them about their thoughts on marriage, future plans with your daughter and what they love about her.
• Find wedding speech inspiration – Look back at old family albums, videos, and pictures: It can be a great source of inspiration for the speech and can even be incorporated into the speech itself.
• Check out other father of the bride speech examples – There are countless examples of father of the bride speeches that you can look at for inspiration, just be sure not to directly copy any work you find.

By doing this, you will be able to gather a wealth of material that you can use to craft a heartfelt speech that truly captures the love and affection you have for your daughter.

As the father of the bride, what should I include in my wedding speech?

Writing a father of the bride speech can feel daunting, but it’s actually straightforward. There are a few key elements to include, and most speeches follow a familiar structure. Focus on these essentials, and you won’t go wrong.

Typically, a father of the bride speech includes the following:

• Well wishes for the newlyweds – Start by congratulating the couple on their marriage.
• Personal anecdotes and memories – Share personal stories and memories of your daughter that show your guests more of her character and upbringing.
• Expressions of pride – Let your daughter know how proud you are of the person she has become and how much you love her.
• Welcome the groom into the family – Formally welcome the groom into your family, and express your happiness that he will be a part of your daughter’s life.
• Thank the guests – Show your gratitude to the guests for being a part of the special day.
• Offer words of advice or wisdom for the couple – Share any words of wisdom or advice you have for the couple as they begin their life together.
• Toast to the couple – End your speech by raising a toast to the couple and wishing them a lifetime of love.

Father of the bride speech examples

It’s important to make the father of the bride speech your own and not rely wholly on just one source of inspiration.

To get you started, here a few examples of quotes that you could include in your father of the bride speech. You’ll find longer examples here. 

• “I’ve always known that my daughter would find someone special, but I never imagined she would find someone as amazing as [partner’s name].”
• “I’m so grateful to have [partner’s name] as an in-law. He has not only won my daughter’s heart, but mine too.”
• “To my beautiful daughter, [bride’s name], I couldn’t be happier for you on your special day”.
• “You have grown into an amazing woman, and I am so proud of the person you have become.”
• “I want to welcome you to our family. You have brought so much love and happiness into our daughter’s life, and we are grateful to have you as part of our family.”
• “A wise man once said, ‘The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.’ And that is exactly how [bride’s name] and [partner’s name] make each other feel.”

Should I write a funny father of the bride speech?

Speech delivery

Delivering your speech well shows your love and support for your daughter. The father of the bride speech is typically one of the first speeches of the reception, and it sets the tone for the rest of the event. A well-delivered speech can help to create a positive and excited atmosphere that will be enjoyed by all the guests.

Practise your father of the bride speech

Practicing your father of the bride speech is extremely important because it allows you to become more comfortable with the material and delivery of your speech. When you practice, you will be able to identify areas that need improvement and make necessary adjustments before the big day.

Beat the nerves

Giving any speech, especially at a big event like your daughters wedding, can be nerve-wracking, but there are some things you can do to help calm your nerves and deliver your speech with confidence.

1. Prepare thoroughly: The more prepared you are, the more confident you will feel. Practise your speech out loud and in front of friends and family.
2. Use positive visualisation: Close your eyes and picture yourself delivering your speech with confidence and ease. Imagine the guests clapping and enjoying your speech.
3. Take deep breaths: Before you begin your speech, take a few deep breaths to help calm your nerves. This will also help to steady your voice and slow down your heart rate.
4. Speak slowly: If you’re feeling nervous, it’s easy to rush through your speech. Speak slowly and clearly, and pause between sentences to give yourself time to gather your thoughts.
5. Make eye contact: Make sure to make eye contact with different members of the audience. This will help to engage them and make them feel more included in your speech.
6. Practice, practice, practice: Did we mention… practice?!

A well-crafted and delivered father of the bride speech can set the tone for the celebration, create a bond with the guests, and leave a lasting impression. Putting in the effort to prepare will ensure everything goes smoothly on the big day. The key ingredients are preparation, practice, and confident delivery. By following these guidelines, you’ll deliver a heartfelt, meaningful, and unforgettable speech that will be cherished by everyone.

Need Tips & Advice?

If you are looking for advice on how to write a Father of the Bride speech, you’ve come to the right place. You are the Father of the Bride – your girl’s wedding day is such a special day! When you held your child for the first time all those years ago, did you picture this day? 

Well now it’s here and as her father, you will (traditionally) be the first to stand up and speak in front of the guests. But don’t worry! Follow our carefully selected tips and deliver a father of the bride toast to remember! If your daughter is also making a speech, tell her to check out our examples of bride speech!

1) Welcome the guests:

It is your job to welcome everyone to the reception and acknowledge all those who have financially contributed to the wedding (probably best not to mention actual sums!). It is also a good idea to give a special welcome to the guests who came from other provinces, and maybe even from abroad, to be there and thank them for participating in the celebration.

2) The thank you’s:

Thank everyone who helped put this wedding together, the ushers, the bridesmaids, even the staff! You can also thank the special people in your daughter’s life, who helped raise her and make her who she is today! Take a trip down memory lane and remember your loved ones. 

3) Praise the bride:

We find that every father-daughter relationship is different, some are more humorous, with plenty of banter, others are more sentimental and this is exactly what should be reflected in the overall tone of your speech. This section will require the most planning, so separate it into sub-sections: talk about the stories from your daughter’s childhood, about her achievements in her personal, academic and professional lives. Lastly, tell her how proud you are of the woman she has become and how gorgeous she looks on her wedding day.

4) Welcome the new additions to your family:

You should also welcome the groom and his parents into your family.  Many Fathers also take this opportunity to tell the groom what he has got himself into: this is the funny part of your speech, where you can joke about the bride. Talk about your daughter’s adorable little quirks and lighten the mood after the more emotional part of your speech.

We also think it’s a nice touch when the Father of the Bride talks about the groom – whether that be the first time you were introduced, or when the groom asked for your daughter’s hand in marriage, or just some funny moments or nice traits. Want to help your future son-in-law out? Send him our tips to the groom: writing your wedding speech!

5) A word of wisdom:

Finish with some advice to the newlyweds. This is a great time to mention your personal marriage experience and what you’ve learnt about love and family. If you don’t want to go down that route, then carefully chosen quotes about love and marriage can be just as effective. Whatever you decide to say, make sure to do so clearly and calmly, as the audience want to hear from you! We find that gesticulating when talking can ease the nerves too.

6) The toast:

End your speech by asking everyone in the room to stand up and toast the newlyweds!

And here is our Final Tip:

Don’t act the Alpha Male and threaten to hunt down the groom if he misbehaves! This never sounds as funny to the groom…

Sneaky tool: Calculate how long your speech will take to read – http://readtime.eu!

You Might Also Like…

• Wedding Speech Examples
• Top 10 Groom Speech Examples
• Top 10 Bride Speech Examples
• Top 10 Mother of the Bride Speech Examples
• Wedding Traditional Speech Order: Who Says What & When
• Top 10 Father of the Bride Speech Examples
• The Best Wedding Day Timeline