Wedding speech tips to help you deliver a perfect wedding Toast

Many would agree that public speaking isn’t easy. Delivering a wedding speech comes with the added pressure of wanting to make the newlyweds (or your spouse!) proud. After all, you’ve been entrusted with this important role. While you might have visions of delivering a cool, confident wedding speech, you’re likely one of the many who are searching for wedding speech tips in a bid to overcome feeling jittery at the mere thought of standing in front of a crowd.

As a Somerset wedding photographer, I have witnessed my fair share of speeches, from the most amazing storytellers to those who leave the room speechless for all the wrong reasons. Having listened to thousands of speeches over the years, I am here to share my findings and help you collate and refine your wedding speech ideas to ensure your time in the spotlight is truly toast-worthy.

Who Should Give a Wedding Speech?

Traditionally, the lineup for the wedding speeches would have included the father of the bride, the groom and the best man. However, more couples are breaking away from tradition, including speeches from the mother of the bride, bridesmaids and even the bride herself. Allowing different people to take the mic adds a unique spin to your wedding and can lead to some unforgettable moments—whether it’s a lyrical rap from the maid of honour or a heartfelt message from a sibling.

Traditional Speech Roles

The first speaker – traditionally the father of the bride – keeps it simple. He will thank the guests for attending, formally welcome the groom into the family, sing the bride’s praises and toast to the newlyweds. 

The second speech is usually delivered by the groom. The groom’s speech involves thanking both sets of parents, expressing gratitude to the wedding guests and raising a toast to the wedding party. Of course, the groom’s speech will toast his new spouse with a heartfelt toast to their marriage.

The final speech is usually a little more lighthearted. Traditionally given by the best man, the last speech will include stories about the couple, particularly the groom, and conclude with a final toast to the couple. In modern weddings, this spot might be shared with the maid of honour or another close friend.

When Do Speeches Take Place?

Traditionally, wedding speeches take place after the wedding breakfast, bridging the gap between the end of the wedding breakfast and the evening reception. However, some couples opt to have speeches before the meal to ease the speaker’s nerves. Both options have their pros and cons and require careful consideration.

Follow these 13 wedding speech tips and deliver a toast that will have everyone laughing, crying and celebrating. Cheers to that

Introduce Yourself

Start with a warm welcome, especially if you’re the first speaker. Introduce yourself, briefly mentioning how you know the couple, and acknowledge the previous speaker if applicable.

Thank all of the guests for coming to celebrate with the newlyweds on their behalf and then get into the main body of your speech.

Consider Your Audience

Remember that wedding guests are usually a mixture of ages and backgrounds. They will all have a different relationship with the couple and know them on different levels. It’s fine to include a couple of inside jokes, but on the whole, keep your speech relatable to everyone in the room.

Structure Your Speech

Good speeches often include personal stories and anecdotes. Great wedding speech ideas include tying all the stories together with a common thread. Having a general theme or message will make your speech flow seamlessly.

Perfect Timing

You want your speech to be long enough to make an impact but short enough to keep everyone’s attention. Around the 10-minute mark is generally considered an ideal time for your speech.

Practice Makes Perfect

Rehearse your speech until you feel confident. You want to almost know it off by heart so that when the nerves kick in, the words reel off with minimal concentration. Practice in front of a mirror or with a trusted friend to get comfortable with speaking slowly and deliberately.

Keep it Personal

Share stories that highlight the couple’s love story. Include touching anecdotes and funny moments to keep your speech authentic. Genuine emotions always resonate best when giving your wedding speech.

Toast the Title

Highlighting the newlyweds’ shared surname or titles is a moment that gets a great reaction from the crowd. Address them with their new last name to highlight the day’s significance.

Cue Cards

Cue cards can be a lifesaver. Keep them to hand to help you stay on track and keep your speech flowing. Having notes jotted down will allow you to engage with the audience by maintaining eye contact, rather than burying your head and reading from a piece of paper.

Overcome Nerves

Feeling nervous is normal. But take deep breaths, speak slowly and remember that everyone in the audience is rooting for you.

Include Laughter

Humour can lighten the mood and add warmth to your speech. Just be wary of taking a laugh too far. Test your speech and avoid inappropriate jokes or references to ex-partners to ensure everyone is still smiling at the end of your speech.

Mic Check

For larger gatherings, a microphone ensures everyone can hear your speech. It also gives you something to do with your hands, which can help ease nerves.

Pause for Applause

One of the best wedding speech tips is to remember when to stop talking! After key moments like jokes or toasts, pause briefly to allow time for applause or laughter before you continue with your speech.

Speak from the Heart

Share meaningful advice, impart wisdom for the newlyweds, include heartfelt quotes that resonate and express your gratitude for being part of the couple’s special day. It is a day dedicated to love, so share a few words straight from the heart.

If you’ve made it this far and found these wedding speech tips helpful, I’d love to hear from you! If you’re still searching for the perfect photographer to capture your special day, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Simply follow this link to start a conversation—I can’t wait to hear about your plans!