how do i write a wedding speech for my best friend

Best Friend Wedding Speech: Nailing the Ultimate Toast of a Lifetime

Standing by your best friend as they tie the knot is an incredibly special experience. As the best man or maid of honor, your role includes delivering a heartfelt and memorable speech at the wedding reception.

Begin by reflecting on your shared memories with the couple and why this day is so meaningful to them. Then, include anecdotes showcasing your best friend’s character and relationship with their spouse. By incorporating these personal stories , your speech will weave a narrative that resonates with the guests and provides a glimpse of the love story you’ve had the privilege to witness firsthand.

Remember, your words will become part of the couple’s treasured memories, so take your time, be sincere, and let your love for your best friend shine through.

Understanding Your Role as the Best Friend

Your responsibilities.

As the best friend of the bride or groom, your role during the wedding is crucial. One of your primary responsibilities is to write and deliver a heartfelt wedding speech for your best friend that celebrates the couple and entertains the guests.

Expectations

To carry out your responsibilities effectively, certain expectations are placed upon you as the best friend.

Planning Your Speech

To craft a memorable best friend wedding speech, start by organizing your thoughts into a clear structure.

Begin with an introduction, where you introduce yourself and your relationship to the bride or groom. Next, share a couple of personal anecdotes or memories that highlight your friendship and the couple’s love story.

When planning your speech, aim for an optimal length of around 3 to 5 minutes. This will give you enough time to share meaningful stories and express your sentiments without taking up too much time during the reception.

Remember, brevity is key – keep your anecdotes concise and avoid going off on tangents.

A structure suggestion:

Time Management

While practicing, consider using a timer to monitor your speech’s length, aiming to stay within the 3-5 minute timeframe.

By following these guidelines, you’ll be well-prepared to deliver a heartfelt and memorable best friend wedding speech that both the couple and guests will cherish.

Incorporate Anecdotes and Memories

Incorporating anecdotes and memories into your best friend’s wedding speech can make it more personal and engaging. To craft an unforgettable speech, follow these tips and techniques.

Choosing Stories

Consider discussing key life events, inside jokes, or a special memory that truly captures your bond, but always be mindful of the audience and setting.

Balance Humor and Sentimentality

It’s important to find the right balance between humor and sentimentality in your speech. Here are some pointers:

Tips for Engaging the Audience

Engage in eye contact.

Maintaining eye contact with your audience is essential for building rapport and showing confidence. While it can be challenging, particularly when you’re nervous, strive to look at various guests directly for brief moments as you speak. It helps create a connection and demonstrates that you’re genuinely interested in sharing your thoughts and feelings with everyone.

Voice Projection

By mastering eye contact and voice projection, you’ll be well on your way to delivering a captivating best friend wedding speech that will leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Just remember to keep it genuine, heartfelt, and concise to ensure a memorable moment for your best friend and partner.

Overcoming Nervousness and Anxiety

Preparation techniques.

Here are some tips to help you prepare:

Breathing Exercises

Breathing exercises can help calm your nerves and enable you to focus better during your speech.

Try these techniques when you start feeling anxious:

Four-Seven-Eight Breathing: Inhale through your nose for four seconds, hold your breath for seven seconds, and exhale slowly through your mouth for eight seconds. Repeat this cycle four times.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Tense different muscle groups in your body while inhaling, then release the tension while exhaling. Start from your toes and work your way up to your head.

Incorporate these breathing exercises into your regular routine or practice them just before giving your speech to help you overcome wedding speech nerves . Remember to maintain a steady breathing pattern throughout your speech to stay relaxed and focused.

Best Friend Wedding Speech Examples

If you’re feeling stuck on how to start crafting your speech, here are some examples that can help get the creative juices flowing:

“I’ve known [bride/groom] since we were kids, and I have to say, I never thought I’d see the day when they’d actually settle down and get married. But here we are! [Bride/groom], you’ve always been the life of the party, and I have a feeling that’s not going to change now that you’re married. [Partner], you’re in for a wild ride, but trust me, it’s going to be a blast. I remember when [bride/groom], and I were in high school, and we used to sneak out of the house to go to parties. [Bride/groom] was always the one with the crazy ideas, like jumping into the pool fully clothed or trying to sneak into the VIP section. And now, [partner], you get to experience all of that craziness for the rest of your life. But in all seriousness, [bride/groom], I’m so happy that you’ve found someone who loves you just as much as I do. Congratulations, you two!”

“I’ve had the pleasure of being [bride/groom]’s best friend for years now, and I have to say, I’ve never seen them as happy as they are now with [partner]. [Bride/groom], you’ve always been there for me through thick and thin, and I know you’ll be there for [partner], too. And [partner], you’re not just marrying [bride/groom]; you’re marrying into our crazy group of friends. Welcome to the family! I remember when [bride/groom], and I first met in college, and we used to stay up all night watching cheesy rom-coms and eating ice cream. And now, [partner], you get to join us for all of that fun. But in all seriousness, [bride/groom], I’m so happy that you’ve found your soulmate. You deserve all the happiness in the world. Congratulations, you two!”

“As [bride/groom]’s best friend, I feel like I have a responsibility to share some embarrassing stories about them. But honestly, [bride/groom] has always been the responsible one in our group, so I don’t have much dirt to dish. [Partner], you’re lucky to have found someone as kind, caring, and responsible as [bride/groom]. And [bride/groom], you’re lucky to have found someone who puts up with your terrible jokes. I remember when [bride/groom], and I were in college, and we used to study together for hours on end. [Bride/groom] was always the one who had all the answers while I was struggling to keep up. And now, [partner], you get to experience all of that intelligence and wit for the rest of your life. But in all seriousness, [bride/groom], I’m so happy that you’ve found your perfect match. You two are truly meant to be together. Congratulations!”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best opener for a wedding speech.

The best opener for a wedding speech is something that grabs the attention of the audience and sets the tone for your speech.

A heartfelt quote : Start with a meaningful quote about love or marriage that reflects the couple’s relationship.

An amusing anecdote : Begin your speech with a funny story about the couple or about your own relationship with them.

A thank you : Show gratitude to the guests, the couple, or the parents for making the event possible.

A joke : If you’re comfortable with it, you can start with a tasteful joke that will set the tone for a lighthearted speech.

1. “Love is a journey, and we are all here today to celebrate the start of [Bride] and [Groom]’s incredible adventure together.”

2. “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m honored to stand before you today as the best friend of the bride and to share with you some stories about my lifelong bestie and her new partner in crime. “

4. “Before I begin, I just want to take a moment to thank [Bride and Groom’s parents/wedding party/guests] for making this beautiful day possible. And of course, congratulations to the newlyweds!”

5. “Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the celebration of love between [Bride] and [Groom]. There’s something magical about being surrounded by so much love, and I’m honored to be here to share in this moment.”

8. “Move over Hollywood, [Bride] and [Groom] have the ultimate love story, and we’re all here to witness it firsthand!”

9. “Let’s give it up for the power players of this wedding- [Bride and Groom’s parents/wedding party/guests]! And, of course, let’s raise a glass to the newlyweds!”

Remember, the opening line of your speech is the first impression you’ll make on the audience, so make it count! It’s important to strike the right tone and grab their attention from the beginning.

What is nice to say in a speech at a wedding?

Here are some quick and easy ideas for what to say in your wedding speech:

Share a funny story or memory about the couple that everyone can relate to.

Express your gratitude towards the guests, bride and groom’s parents, bridal party, etc

“As I look around this room, I see so much love and support for this couple. It’s clear that they make each other better and that their love will only continue to grow stronger.”

“I’ve known the groom/bride for years, and I can honestly say that they have found their perfect match. You two were made for each other!”

“Marriage isn’t always easy, but when you find someone who loves you unconditionally, it makes everything worth it. I have no doubt that you two will weather any storm that comes your way.”

“To my favorite couple in the world, congratulations on tying the knot! Your love story is an inspiration to us all.”

“As I stand here today, I can’t help but feel grateful to have witnessed such a beautiful union. May your love continue to blossom and flourish for years to come.”

“You two are like two puzzle pieces that fit perfectly together. Congratulations on finding your missing piece!”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen two people smile as much as you two do when you’re together. Your happiness is infectious.”

“I’ve been waiting for this day for so long, and now that it’s finally here, I couldn’t be happier for you two. You both deserve all the love and happiness in the world.”

“You are each other’s greatest cheerleaders, and that’s what makes your love so special. Keep rooting for each other, and there’s nothing you can’t accomplish together.”

“At the end of the day, love is all that matters. And as I look at the love between you two, I know that you’ll have a lifetime of happiness and joy ahead of you.”

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How to Write a Memorable Best Friend Wedding Speech

• Intro • First subsection

Tips for Delivering a Memorable Best Friend Wedding Speech

Being asked to deliver a wedding speech for your best friend is an honor.

It's also a responsibility.

You're tasked with capturing the essence of your friendship, the couple's love story, and the joy of the occasion. All in a few minutes of well-chosen words.

This can feel daunting.

But don't worry. We've got you covered with our comprehensive guide on delivering a memorable best friend wedding speech.

Whether you're the best man, maid of honor, or a close friend, this guide will help you craft a speech that's heartfelt, engaging, and perfectly suited to the occasion.

We'll walk you through the process step-by-step, from understanding the traditional structure of a wedding speech to mastering the art of delivery.

By the end of this guide, you'll be ready to deliver a speech that not only honors your friendship and the couple's love, but also leaves a lasting impression on all the guests.

Understanding the Role of a Best Friend's Speech

A best friend's wedding speech is more than just a tradition. It's an opportunity to celebrate the couple's love story and the bond you share with them.

Your speech should be personal, heartfelt, and engaging. It should reflect your unique relationship with the bride or groom, and offer insights into their character and their journey as a couple.

Remember, your role is not just to entertain the guests, but also to honor your friendship, express your joy for the couple, and contribute to the overall happiness and significance of the occasion.

Preparing Your Speech: A Step-by-Step Guide

Writing a best friend's wedding speech can seem daunting, but with a little preparation and thought, you can create a memorable speech that will touch hearts and maybe even coax a few laughs.

Start by brainstorming ideas. Think about your shared experiences, funny anecdotes, and the qualities that make your friend and their partner a great couple.

Next, create an outline. This will help you structure your speech and ensure you cover all the important points.

Here's a basic structure you can follow:

• Introduction: Quicky establish who you are and your relationship with the couple.
• Body: Stories, anecdotes, and observations about both partners as individuals and the couple.as a unit
• Conclusion: Your wishes for the couple and a toast.

To get started putting your ideas down on paper and having a first draft in minutes, check out the Provenance Toast Builder.

Starting with a Bang: How to Open Your Speech

The opening of your speech sets the tone for the rest of your message. It's your chance to grab the audience's attention and make a strong first impression.

You could start with a humorous anecdote about your friend, a touching story about how the couple met, or a heartfelt expression of your joy for their special day.

Remember, the key is to be authentic and speak from the heart. This will help you connect with the audience and make your speech more engaging.

Crafting the Body of Your Speech: Content and Stories

The body of your speech is where you share the heart of your message. This is where you tell stories, share memories, and express your feelings about the couple.

You might talk about the qualities that make your friend a wonderful person, share a funny or touching story about the couple, or reflect on the journey they've taken to reach this day.

Remember to balance humor and sentiment, and to speak in a way that reflects your genuine affection for the couple.

Concluding with Impact: Ending Your Speech on a High Note

The conclusion of your speech is your chance to leave a lasting impression. It's where you express your wishes for the couple's future and propose a toast to their happiness.

You might end with a heartfelt wish, a memorable quote, or a simple expression of your love and support for the couple.

Remember, the goal is to leave the audience feeling moved and uplifted, and to create a moment that the couple will remember fondly.

Personalizing Your Message: Tips and Ideas

A great wedding speech is one that is personal and heartfelt. It should reflect your unique relationship with the couple and the shared experiences that have shaped your friendship.

Consider the qualities that make your friend special, the memories you've created together, and the journey they've taken with their partner. These elements can help you craft a message that is both personal and meaningful.

Remember to be authentic and speak from the heart. This will help you connect with the audience and make your speech more engaging.

Also, consider the couple's cultural and religious backgrounds. This can help you tailor your message to their values and traditions, making your speech more relevant and respectful.

Finally, remember to keep the focus on the couple. Your speech is a tribute to their love story, so make sure it celebrates their journey and their future together.

Incorporating Humor: Making Them Laugh Without Going Overboard

Humor can be a great tool in a wedding speech. It can lighten the mood, engage the audience, and create memorable moments.

However, it's important to use humor wisely. Avoid jokes that could be offensive or inappropriate, and steer clear of inside jokes that the majority of guests won't understand.

Remember, the goal is to make the audience smile and laugh, not to embarrass the couple or make guests feel uncomfortable.

Sharing Emotions: How to Touch Hearts

A wedding is an emotional event, and your speech should reflect this. Don't be afraid to express your feelings and share heartfelt sentiments.

You might talk about the joy you feel for the couple, the admiration you have for their relationship, or the hope you have for their future.

Remember, it's okay to show emotion in your speech. It shows your genuine affection for the couple and can help create a touching moment that they'll remember.

Using Quotes and Anecdotes Effectively

Quotes and anecdotes can add depth and interest to your speech. They can help illustrate your points, add humor, or convey a particular sentiment.

When choosing a quote , consider the couple's interests and values. A quote from a favorite book, movie, or public figure could add a personal touch to your speech.

Anecdotes, on the other hand, should be short, relevant, and engaging. They should highlight the couple's qualities, reflect their relationship, or share a memorable moment.

Remember, the key is to use quotes and anecdotes that enhance your message and resonate with the couple and the audience.

Speech Delivery: Mastering the Art of Presentation

Delivering a wedding speech is more than just reading words off a page. It's about engaging the audience, conveying emotion, and creating a memorable experience.

One of the key aspects of speech delivery is pacing. Speak slowly and clearly, allowing for pauses for effect or laughter. This will help your audience follow along and absorb your message.

Body language is also important. Use gestures and facial expressions to convey your emotions and emphasize your points. This can make your speech more dynamic and engaging.

Remember to make eye contact with your audience. This can help you connect with them and make your speech more personal.

Finally, be mindful of your tone. It should be confident but not arrogant, and it should reflect the mood and content of your speech.

Practice Makes Perfect: Rehearsing Your Speech

Rehearsing your speech is crucial for a smooth delivery. It can help you familiarize yourself with your content, improve your pacing, and build your confidence.

Try to practice your speech in a setting similar to the wedding venue. This can help you get used to the acoustics and layout, and prepare for any potential distractions.

Remember, practice is not about memorizing your speech word for word. It's about understanding your content well enough to deliver it naturally and confidently.

If you'd like to get feedback from an unbiased expert, Provenance can connect you with a professional public speaking expert.

Engaging Your Audience: Eye Contact and Body Language

Engaging your audience is key to a successful speech. One way to do this is through eye contact. This can help you connect with your audience and make your speech more personal.

Remember, your goal is to make your audience feel included in your speech. So, engage them with your eyes, your body language, and your words.

Handling Nerves: Staying Calm and Collected

It's natural to feel nervous before giving a speech. However, there are strategies you can use to manage your nerves and deliver your speech with confidence.

First, remember to breathe. Deep, slow breaths can help calm your nerves and steady your voice.

Second, focus on your message, not on yourself. Remember, you're there to honor your friend and their partner, not to impress the audience with your public speaking skills.

Finally, remember that the audience is on your side. They're there to celebrate the couple, and they're rooting for you to succeed. So, take a deep breath, smile, and speak from the heart.

Do's and Don'ts of Best Friend Wedding Speeches

When crafting and delivering a best friend wedding speech, there are certain practices you should follow and others you should avoid. These do's and don'ts can guide you in creating a speech that is memorable, appropriate, and heartfelt.

• Do start with a captivating opening to grab the audience's attention.
• Do share a brief introduction of yourself and your relationship with the bride/groom.
• Do include a mix of humor and sentiment to balance the speech.
• Do use personal anecdotes to illustrate the bond with your best friend.
• Do offer genuine compliments to both the bride and groom.

Don'ts

• Don't use inside jokes that the majority of guests won't understand.
• Don't make the speech too long. Aim for about 5-7 minutes.
• Don't forget to practice your speech multiple times before the wedding day.
• Don't drink too much before giving your speech. You want to be clear-headed and articulate.
• Don't forget to coordinate with other speakers to avoid repetition.

Remember, the goal of your speech is to honor your best friend and their partner, celebrate their love, and contribute to the joy of their special day. By following these do's and don'ts, you can create a speech that does just that.

Best Friend Wedding Speech Examples and Opening Lines

To help you visualize how to put together your own speech, let's look at some examples. These are not templates to be copied verbatim, but rather, they serve as inspiration. Each speech is unique, reflecting the speaker's relationship with the couple and their personal style.

Example Speech for a Best Man

Good evening, everyone.  I'm John, the best man and lifelong friend of our groom, Mike. I've known Mike since we were kids, and I've had the privilege of watching his love story with Lisa unfold. Their relationship is a testament to patience, understanding, and a shared love of bad puns. As we toast to their future, I want to share a story that encapsulates their bond...

Example Speech for a Maid of Honor

Hello, everyone. I'm Sarah, the maid of honor and best friend of our beautiful bride, Emily. Emily and I have shared countless memories, but today, as she starts this new chapter with Tom, is undoubtedly the most special. Their love is the kind that inspires, the kind that we all hope for. As we raise our glasses, let me share a tale that perfectly illustrates their journey...

Example Funny Speech for a Bridesmaid or Matron of Honor

Good evening, everyone. I'm Kate, a bridesmaid and dear friend of our radiant bride, Jessica. Jessica and I have been friends since college, and I've been lucky enough to witness her love story with Alex from the start. When thinking about their relationship, 3 words came to mind: friiendship, respect, and Beyonce. Let me explain...

Final Thoughts: Leaving a Lasting Impression

Delivering a best friend wedding speech is a unique honor. It's a chance to celebrate your friend's love story, share personal anecdotes, and express your heartfelt wishes for their future. Remember, the most memorable speeches are those that come from the heart, reflecting the genuine bond between you and your friend.

While it's important to prepare and practice your speech, don't forget to be present in the moment. Embrace the emotions, the laughter, and even the nerves. After all, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, a special memory that you and your best friend will cherish forever.

In the end, the success of your speech lies not in the eloquence of your words, but in the sincerity of your sentiments. So speak from the heart, be authentic, and let your love and joy for your friend's big day shine through.

Ready to craft the perfect wedding speech? Use Provenance's Toast Builder to create a memorable tribute that celebrates your friendship and the love of the happy couple!

We strive to be as inclusive and accurate as possible. If you have any questions or requests, please email us at [email protected]

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The Ultimate Guide to Crafting a Heartfelt Wedding Speech for a Friend

If you’ve agreed to give a speech at your best friend’s wedding, it can be intimidating to know how to approach it. You want to ensure your friend loves it while entertaining the wedding guests. So, how can you make the perfect wedding speech for your friend?  

You can make the perfect wedding speech for your friend by focusing on what makes them and their partner great, keeping the speech short so that you don’t lose anyone’s attention, and using a style, such as humorous or serious, that you can pull off with confidence.

In this article, I’ll explore these and other tips to help you write a wonderful wedding speech for your best friend’s big day so that the wedding guests and, most importantly, your best friend will remember it for all the right reasons . 

1. Start With a Short Introduction 

Even if many people at the wedding know that you’re the BFF of the bride or groom, you should always introduce yourself, or some people might feel lost during your speech, which will cause your speech to lose some effect. 

Once you’ve introduced yourself, so everyone knows who you are, you can launch into your speech. It can be useful to think about the person who delivered a speech before you , as this can give you a good opening into your speech. You could also just thank them for their speech. 

Remember, you don’t want to take up too much time talking about yourself and how you know the couple. The bulk of the wedding speech needs to be about them.  

2. Use Personal Memories 

For example, “Beth and I have known each other since middle school. As her best friend, I’ve always been her shoulder to cry on when she’s experienced heartbreak. Seeing her and Matthew start a relationship, get engaged, and get married, I know the only tears she’ll splatter on my shoulder are happy tears.” 

3. Avoid Oversharing 

While it’s good to include shared memories in your best friend’s speech, it’s never a good idea to overshare by including memories that are embarrassing for your friend. For example, you shouldn’t include anything your friend told you in private, as you don’t want to expose them on their wedding day! 

If you’re not sure if you should include a story that you and your best friend share, it’s a must to first run it past someone else to get their objective opinion. You can read your speech to a mutual friend to gauge their reaction. If they look horrified or like they’re cringing at any point, you should take note and make adjustments to your speech, so you don’t offend anyone.

4. Choose the Style

It’s better to choose a style that matches your personality so that you can pull off the wedding speech with confidence.  

5. Think About How You Want Your Friend To Feel 

6. include your friend’s partner , 7. keep your wedding speech focused.

To do this, a good tip is to choose between one and three stories that reveal the aspects of the couple you love. Keep the stories succinct so that they don’t become too long. Focus on the main points of the story based on what you’re hoping to achieve from the audience, for example, if you want them to feel nostalgic or have a good laugh. 

8. Celebrate the Happy Couple 

When sharing stories about the couple, it’s always a good idea to feature how the bride and groom came out as the heroes . After all, this is their special day, and you’re there to celebrate them! 

9. Keep It Short 

If you’ve got a lot to say within that short amount of time, have some notes written on cue cards. This will ensure you don’t forget anything or waste time trying to remember what stories to share with the guests. 

However, avoid having the entire speech written down on a sheet of paper, as this will be untidy. 

10. Give Them Some Encouragement

Encouragement and advice that’s relatable to the wedding guests will also strike a chord with them and make your speech memorable for everyone present.  

11. Consult With Other Speakers

You could even brainstorm with each other, so you don’t share the same stories . And chatting with other people who will be giving wedding speeches will help you ensure your speech isn’t too long or short.  

12. Choose Appropriate Humor

Final thoughts .

Standing up at your best friend’s wedding and giving a speech is the perfect opportunity to celebrate their special day. Some tips to make it a memorable and sentimental speech include: 

Rosie Liliy

Hey there, lovely couples and fellow wedding fanatics! I’m Rosie, the managing editor at Magical Day Weddings, and I’m here to make your wedding planning journey a blast! As a lifelong lover of weddings, I’ve dabbled in everything from DIY decor to event planning. I believe that every love story deserves to be told in a way that captures its essence. From heartwarming vows to tear-jerking speeches, I’m here to help you create unforgettable memories on your journey to “I do!”

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Raise a Glass to Friendship: How to Write the Perfect Best Friend Wedding Speech

Delivering a wedding speech at your best friend's wedding can be a daunting task. Here's how to knock it out of the park.

When it comes to wedding speeches, the best man or maid of honor is usually expected to deliver a heartfelt and memorable speech. As the best friend of the couple, you have the unique opportunity to share your personal memories and anecdotes about the couple, and offer words of wisdom and congratulations. However, writing the perfect best friend wedding speech can be a daunting task. In this article, we will provide some tips and tricks for crafting a speech that will leave a lasting impression on the happy couple and their guests.

Start by brainstorming ideas.

Think about your favorite memories with the couple and what makes their relationship special. Jot down any anecdotes or inside jokes that come to mind. You can also think about what you admire most about the couple and what qualities they possess that make them a perfect match.

Keep it personal.

Since you are the best friend of the couple, your speech should be personal and heartfelt. Share your own experiences and feelings about the couple, rather than relying on generic quotes or advice.

Make it engaging.

Keep in mind that the audience will be made up of people of all ages, so try to include something that will appeal to everyone. Use humor and storytelling to keep the audience engaged, but also be prepared to get a bit emotional.

Keep it concise.

While you want to share as many memories and anecdotes as possible, it's important to keep your speech concise. Try to keep your speech to around 5-7 minutes.

Practice, practice, practice.

Rehearsing your speech is essential to delivering it with confidence and ease. Practice in front of a mirror, or even better, in front of a friend or family member.

Remember to follow these points:

• Start by brainstorming ideas
• Keep it personal
• Make it engaging
• Keep it concise
• Practice, practice, practice

With these tips in mind, you'll be able to write and deliver the perfect best friend wedding speech. Remember to speak from the heart, and the happy couple and their guests will be touched by your words.

Getnamenecklace Blog

43 Best Friend Wedding Speeches To Try At Your Next Wedding

Your best friend getting married is like a fantasy come true. It’s something that has crossed your mind a few times. For some, it’s unimaginable owing to the stuff you’ve been through together, you can’t imagine them being able to bag a lover. These feelings may make you not wait to give a speech at their wedding. 

In this article, we’ll show you tips on writing a speech for your best friend’s wedding and the different kinds you can write.

Tips On Writing A Best Friend Wedding Speech

Like all other speeches, a best friend’s wedding speech has tips on how to write it perfectly. We have discussed some of these pointers below, which will make your speech meaningful and ear-catching.

1. Start with a personal introduction

This is where you introduce yourself and how you know your best friend. You can mention how you two met and the relatable moments that led to the upcoming marriage.

2. Keep it short and sweet

Nobody likes a lengthy speech, especially at a wedding with more fun activities awaiting the guests. Your speech should be short but full of emotion and meaning. The funny parts should also be relatable to the wedding and the newlyweds.

3. Share a story

This will surely make your speech interesting. It, of course, should be related to the wedding or the couple. You can pick a funny scenario your best friend went through in order to impress their fiance or when you two used to imagine your weddings playfully.

4. Express Gratitude

This is important to show how you don’t take the moment for granted. You could thank God, the guests for showing up, the couple for letting you give a speech, and the audience for giving you an ear.

5. Include your best Friend’s spouse in the speech

As you mention much about your beloved best friend, remember to dwell on their spouse. Some people get carried away talking about their best friend only, which could make the spouse feel left out and give a notion that you may not want them with your best friend.

You can mention stories where the spouse is involved and mention their name when you mention your best friend.

Funny Maid Of Honor Wedding Speeches

It is very easy for the maid of honor to be funny because she may know the bride well. A funny speech will be easy for her to compose.

Below are some of the examples:

1. “If things don’t work out between you, at least she now has another option in the house.”

2. “This moment promises to bring together two of your favorite things: laughter and love.”

3. “Here’s wishing you don’t regret this decision in the morning.”

4. “You may not be able to plan for everything, but at least with a marriage, there will be one less surprise in life.”

5. “The couple have been together for a long time; it’s about time they made it official.” 

6. “May the love you have, be as sweet and everlasting as your wedding cake.”

7. “You’ll never have to worry about getting lost in the crowd with your spouse.”

8. “Without further ado, I give you the bride and groom. Now, let’s get this party started.”

9. “I present the happy couple due to public demand.”

10. “When the bride and groom first met, she asked if I thought he was too good-looking for her. Silly, right? He’s not even good looking”

11. “And here I am, watching you make it official. I can’t help but feel proud.”

12. “Life’s journey isn’t meant to be traveled alone.”

13. “You may have said ‘I do’ today, but I’ve always seen you two as a ‘we.’

Short Best Man Wedding Speeches 

The best man can be short, which is also a good choice. His speech can also be captivating, compressing all his feelings, wishes, and advice into a few phrases.

This can be tough owing to the much you may have to say, but it can be done.

1. “I’ve seen many weddings, but none as beautiful as this one. Congratulations!”

2. “May you experience more joy than you can imagine in your life together.”

3. “You make an incredible couple, and I know the future holds great things for you both.”

4.”It’s been an honor to witness such a beautiful union. May your love continue to grow.”

5. “I wish you both a beautiful journey into married life.”

6. “A wedding is the start of an amazing adventure. May your path be lined with joy and love.”

7. “You two have found a love so strong that it will last lifetimes. Congratulations!”

8. “To the most wonderful couple I know, may your wedding be the start of a lifetime of happiness.”

9. “The two of you are a great example of true love. May your marriage be filled with love and joy.”

10. “Wishing you an eternity of happiness, joy, and laughter. Congratulations!” 

11.”Wishing you all the best as you start a new chapter together. Have a blessed journey!”

12.”Many blessings to you both, and may your marriage be filled with love and light.”

13. “To two amazing people on their special day, congratulations and best wishes!”

14. “It’s my honor to share in this moment and wish you all the happiness in life.”

15. “Wishing you both a lifetime of joy, love, and laughter. Congratulations!”

16. “Sending so much love and best wishes for your beautiful life together.”

17. “Wishing you a lifetime of joy and happiness. Congratulations!”

18. “Here’s to an amazing journey ahead. Wishing you all the best on your wedding day!”

19. “You two make the perfect pair. Wishing you all the best in your life together.”

Touching Best Man Wedding Speeches

You can also choose to go in this direction. This will mean really tapping into your feelings and putting them down. This should make some of the guests shed a tear.

1. “I have known him since we were kids, and in that time, I have watched him grow. Today, he is courageous and strong, and I am proud to call him my friend.”

2. “We have seen each other through thick and thin, and now we are here to witness this momentous occasion.”

3. “I have known him since he was a young boy, and I am proud of the man he has grown to be. He is strong, kind, and loving, and I am honored to be his best man.”

4. “I have always been a big believer in the power of love, and today’s union proves that it can truly stand the test of time.”

5. “I still remember when they first met — it was like something out of a fairy tale. She captured his heart, and he embraced her with love.”

6. “They can make it through anything together, as long as they stay true to each other.”

7. “It’s an honor to be here today, celebrating the union of two beautiful souls who are truly meant for one another.”

8. “I have enjoyed watching their love grow and blossom over the years, and I am so happy to see them finally make it official.”

9. “It was always clear that they were meant for each other. Wishing them all the best as they embark on this new journey together!”

10. “Their relationship is an inspiration to us all. Wishing them a lifetime of joy and happiness.”

11. “It’s an honor to be here today, celebrating the union of incredible people. May they live happily ever after.”

Your best friend’s wedding is a lifelong memory that will be cherished for a long time, so make your speech legendary. These tips will surely do that for you, simply pick out the style you would like to write it in.

It is also polite to give the couple a wedding gift, and some examples are the personalized name bride bag for the bride to keep, even after the wedding. It is a bag with her new surname printed on gold script vinyl. It is elegant and sleek, perfect for the bridal party and honeymoon.

Another is the custom wooden ring box where the two can store their rings. It is made of dark brown wood, making it look rustic and elegant. It is also engraved with the couple’s initials and wedding date, making it act as a keepsake for the wedding.

Vincent Otieno

Vincent Otieno is a passionate jewelry enthusiast and writer at Getnamenecklace, an e-commerce store dedicated to offering exquisite jewelry and thoughtful gifts for your loved ones. With a keen eye for detail and a deep appreciation for the art of gift-giving, Vincent curates a collection that celebrates the beauty of craftsmanship and the joy of making family moments unforgettable.

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In This Article

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• Speeches Template
• What Not to Say
• Wedding Party & Reception

Voices of Love: Unforgettable Wedding Speeches

oliveromg via Shutterstock

Wedding speeches are an essential part of every wedding. They let all the members of the bridal party and guests share their overwhelming emotions about the big day. Best wedding speeches stay in our memory forever, marking the significance of the wedding day for everyone involved. It can be quite challenging to fit all the feelings you want to share into a single toast . In this article, you will find invaluable tips from the expert Amanda Layton, an experienced wedding vow and speechwriter, in crafting memorable wedding speeches.

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Wedding Speeches Examples

Best wedding speeches.

Writing a wedding speech can seem daunting, but with some preparation and guidance, you can deliver a heartfelt and memorable speech that will be cherished by the newlyweds and their guests.

Good evening, everyone. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Sarah, and I’m the ___ I’ve known the bride, Emily, since we were little girls, and we’ve been best friends ever since. I remember the first time she told me about Alex, and how excited she was to go on a date with him. From that moment on, I knew he was something special. Seeing them together over the years has been such a joy, and I’m so happy to be here today to celebrate their love. Emily, you are the most kind, caring, and generous person I know. And Alex, you are her perfect match. I’ve never seen her so happy as she is with you. I know you will continue to be each other’s best friend, confidant, and partner in all of life’s adventures. So, let’s raise a glass to the newlyweds. May your love continue to grow stronger with each passing day. Congratulations!

Groom Wedding Speech

“I would like to thank my parents for all the help they have given me over the years, if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be here now. I would also like to thank (my wife’s) parents for making me feel like the son they never wanted, sorry the son they never had, right from day 2. Day 1 was a bit rough, but hey, they’re over it now. I would also like to thank them for having such a beautiful, intelligent, kind, and caring daughter. I hope to do you both proud and thank you both for everything you have done today and to make today happen.”

The groom’s wedding speech starts at the reception. On behalf of himself and his bride, he expresses his gratitude to everyone involved in the wedding preparations. He toasts his parents, bridesmaids, and the groom’s party, and mentions their help and support. His speech is often quite sentimental, as he shares some personal memories. He also mentions how his life has changed since he met his bride.

Wedding Speeches for Parents

When the kids find love, the parents are also happy. So, it rests upon them to give wedding reception speeches in honor of their children. Now, depending on the chosen style, you’ll have to fit in with the wedding theme. Most times, a funny speech is just perfect, because it works for every wedding. Below, we’ll see wedding speech examples for different parents.

Wedding Speeches for Mother of the Groom

“The first time I saw you, it was love. My little baby grew into a wobbly toddler, and then a smart child. The pre-teen and teen years and the next thing I knew, you’ve become a man. I am so proud of you. You’ve made us proud of everything you’ve done. And on your wedding today, we wish you only the best.”

As a mother of the groom, wedding speeches for your son will be an emotional one. You’ll talk about his growing up, the bond you share, and how he was well-raised. You can add one or two romantic quotes  and close. See the wedding speeches sample below.

Wedding Speeches for Mother of the Bride

“It’s no news that we love our kids so much, and seeing them grow up is hard. Everything they do fills you with pride. But you also miss the little girl who cuddles into you. And cried to you when she scraped her knee. Now my daughter is older and I’m grateful and proud that she found love in the groom. May your lives be long, happy, and peaceful together.”

The wedding speeches for mother of the bride isn’t a norm. But today, it’s becoming acceptable especially if the father isn’t involved. Tell your daughter that she’s beautiful and strong. Talk about the good memories in her growing years. And if her father has passed, talk about him with fondness.

Wedding Speeches for Father of the Groom

“My greatest blessing is having a son, one that mirrors me in many ways. But like his dream, he’s grown into his own person. He has taught me as much as I’ve taught him and I’m proud. My son is someone who goes the extra mile for people and I know he’ll make an amazing husband. I wish you every best, as we raise our glass to the groom and his amazing bride.”

Your son getting married excites you because he carries on the torch. Again, he will be looking to you for support and wisdom for marriage. So, good wedding speeches from the father of the groom must contain lots of quotes about marriage . Draw inspiration from talking about your own marriage, the bond you share, and why he’s a great son.

Wedding Speeches for Father of the Bride

“Looking at both of you in your beautiful dress and dapper suit, my wedding day comes to mind. We were quite excited, filled with love, merriment, and of course nervousness. From me to you, I’ll tell you for free that a successful marriage requires falling in love many times. And doing it with the same person always.”

As the father of the bride, you have responsibilities to your baby girl. From walking her down the aisle to the father-daughter dance. Throwing in a great speech is just perfect. Let your love for your baby shine through and talk about her growing up. Remember the groom, give them pieces of advice, and your best wishes. See the wedding speeches template below for some inspiration.

Wedding Speeches for Sister

Ladies and gentlemen, today I stand before you with immense pride and joy as I celebrate my sister’s union with [Groom’s Name]. As her older sister, I’ve had the privilege of watching her grow into the amazing woman she is today. She has found in [Groom’s Name] the love and support she deserves. Here’s to a lifetime filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. Cheers to the newlyweds!

When delivering a wedding speech for your sister, begin by expressing your love and pride for her. Share heartfelt stories that illustrate her special qualities, highlight her relationship with the groom, and offer well-wishes for their future. End your speech by raising a toast to the newlyweds.

Best Man Wedding Speech

Take a look at this great example of a witty speech, presented by the best man.

“There comes a time in everyone’s life when they meet their one true love, their soul mate, the person that’s going to know and love them for the rest of their life. That moment came for the groom…3 years ago when he met me. Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, for those of you that don’t know me my name, is Dan, What-would-you-like-to-drink. I hope you’ll come and say hello at the bar later, but please…call me by my full name. On behalf of the bride and groom, I’d like to thank you all for coming. And I want to give special thanks to the parents of the bride and groom… it’s amazing how far some people are willing to travel, just for some free food and drink. And finally, I’d like to thank my best friend (the groom), for giving me the first EVER opportunity…. to be able to speak for five minutes without him interrupting!”

Wedding speeches best man deliver are usually the most humorous of all the others. Thank you’s are also appropriate, especially to the bridesmaids and fellow groomsmen. Some anecdotes about the groom would be also much anticipated. People expect wedding best man speeches to be memorable, funny, with well wishes to the couple . Humor is a must.

100+ Best Wedding Toasts For Different Types Of Guests

Maid of honor speech.

“Before I go any further, I just want to say, Bride, you look absolutely beautiful and Groom, you’ve never looked more handsome. For those of you who don’t know me and for those who can’t tell, I’m Bride’s sister. Thank you Bride for the honor of being your bridesmaid. Obviously, I’ve known Bride all of my life and we know more about each other than we would probably care to. We’ve laughed together, cried together, and laughed until we’ve cried. We’ve also had the odd fight! We also have so many inside jokes that only we find funny.”

There is one thing all wedding speeches maid of honor makes have in common: they boost the bride. Like any other wedding speech, the maid of honor’s speech can be witty and humorous, but the most important feature of this category is love and sentimentality. Add a couple of memorable stories you have of the newlyweds. Don’t forget well wishes!

Wedding Speeches for Best Friends

“I’m here to talk about two very special people, John and Eve. I’ve been friends with Eve since kindergarten. On our first day at school, we met and formed a friendship that has lived two decades and some. We got into trouble a lot and got grounded many times by the parents. My bestie is free-spirited and has a strong will to date. James, I hope you’re prepared for marriage with a woman who is full of life and spirit. With her, you’ll never live the same day twice. I wish you heaven’s best all your life. A toast…”

Wedding Welcoming Speeches

“Welcome to the celebration of James and Eve’s wedding. A tale of love that promises to last forever. Today promises to be one of beauty, friendships formed, and bonds lasting forever. For you all who have come from far and near to celebrate, we hope you take joy home with you. The happiness of marriage is the highest happiness on earth. And this is what we’ve witnessed today. Sit back, relax, have the time of your lives, and thank you for choosing to share in our joy.

Funny Wedding Speeches

Good evening everyone! For those who don’t know me, I’m the groom’s brother. I’d like to start by saying that I’m delighted to see so many people here tonight, and I hope you’re all enjoying the celebrations as much as we are. Now, it’s not often that you get to make a speech at your brother’s wedding, so I thought I’d take this opportunity to share a few stories about him. Growing up, my brother was always the smart one. He was top of his class and excelled at everything he did. And then he met his beautiful bride-to-be, and everything changed. Suddenly he became clumsy, forgetful, and absent-minded. I guess you could say that love really does make you do crazy things. But in all seriousness, I couldn’t be happier for the two of them. They truly are a perfect match, and I have no doubt that they will have a long and happy life together. So let’s raise a glass to the newlyweds – may your marriage be filled with love, laughter, and lots of adventures!

Writing a funny wedding speech can entertain guests and create lasting memories. Keep it appropriate, short, know your audience, and practice for a smooth delivery.

Short Wedding Speech Ideas

“Groom, thank you for being an anchor, a friend, and brother. And I can’t be more proud that you married an amazing bride. Man! You’ve won a lottery! We celebrate both of you tonight, and all of the good things you are. You care for everyone and I’m sure you’ll care for her. We wish you success, laughter, and love. May your humor in bad times and appreciation in good times never leave you. May you get answers to prayers. May the friendship you share keep growing till death parts you. Cheers to you!”

Whether you’re giving wedding speeches for the bride, best man, or brother; the shorter the better. This will help make sure you don’t bore the audience. 11 /14

Wedding Thank You Speeches

“We (couple) worked really hard to make this day perfect. But we remembered that being bound to the one you love in the presence of your loved ones — is what makes the day perfect. I’m overjoyed that we had beautiful weather. The food and drinks were great and everyone is happy. Thank you all, especially my beloved, because today I’m bound to him to start a beautiful journey together. And after all my fears and jitters, today turned out to be much more memorable than we planned. Thank you.”

Wedding thank you speeches give you the opportunity to thank your guests. You will also extend your appreciation to everyone who made your day possible. If you intend to mention names, have a list, so that you don’t leave anyone out. This speech can come from the bride or groom. But it’s always better to skip the names. Also, infuse some humor. 12 /14

Wedding Officiant Speeches

“Shall we all sit? Today, we gather to witness and celebrate the matrimony of Eve and James. What they have is an existing bond, and we’ve come together to strengthen it. As family and friends, it’s our honor to witness today. Marriage is a lifetime commitment where two people work tirelessly to bring out the best in each other. You get an opportunity to share your joys, success, failures, and burdens with an ally for life. You get an opportunity to share and grow. One relationship which no other can equal. You are in for a physical and emotional binding that has the promise of a lifetime.”

Great wedding officiant speeches must be short, sweet, and have the perfect length to keep guests dialed in. The officiant should leverage the relationship and how much they know the couple. You must also tailor your speech in line with the wedding style. 13 /14

Wedding Anniversary Speeches

“Anniversaries are beautiful recollections of the past years and reflections for the years to come. The years past were happy and successful ones in many ways. They’re shrouded in a kaleidoscope of great relationships, supportive families, and happy memories. I’m not saying it’s smooth, but with your support, the journey became easier. We can only be grateful, even as we look forward to better years. As we celebrate our 50th year, I want to thank you for walking with us. It’s not a question of where you, it’s who goes with you. Thank you, everyone.”

A wedding anniversary speech must be heartfelt, sweet, and short. Whoever is giving the speech must know that it’s a time to reminisce and give good wishes. So, you’ll talk about the marriage, throw in some humor and bless the couple. If it’s the couple giving the speech, some advice will go a long way. 14 /14

Wedding Quotes for Speeches

“I’ve seen nothing more satisfying than two people coming together to become one. They share in each other’s pleasure, and bear each other’s pain. They crush their enemies together and make home with their friends.” “The pain and weight of life vanish from our lives by one word. It sets us free and we live again. It’s called LOVE.” “If you want to keep your marriage cup filled and running over, always admit your wrongs. And, if you’re right, be kind to shut up.”

Wedding Speeches Tips

Ready to seize the mic, command the room, and leave everyone applauding your wedding speech? Not quite yet? Amanda Layton, a Professional Wedding Speech Writer, shared top 5 tips to help you craft and deliver an epic wedding speech. With a little bit of guidance, you’ll be delivering an unforgettable wedding toast template that captures hearts and makes memories for years to come!

• Keep it Short and Sweet First things first–when it comes to wedding speeches less is more. Did you know that a 5-minute speech is approximately 700 words? It’s important to keep your speech concise and to the point, ensuring that every word is impactful and resonates with the audience.
• Skip the Roasts Steer clear of roasting the couple. It might sound funny in your head, but trust me, some things are better left unsaid. Avoid cringeworthy moments by focusing on heartwarming and positive anecdotes that celebrate the couple’s journey and love.
• Harness the Power of Storytelling Capture everyone’s attention by using storytelling to highlight either the bride or groom’s wonderful qualities. Is she loyal, adventurous, generous, or kind-hearted? Is he optimistic, resilient, hilarious, etc? Share a touching story that really showcases one of these character traits, allowing everyone to get a deeper insight into how amazing this person truly is.
• Celebrate the Path to Becoming a Husband or Wife Remember that this is a wedding celebration and your wedding speech is a great opportunity to encourage the bride in her new role as a wife or the groom in his new role as a husband. Share your heartfelt wishes and why you believe they will make an amazing partner in this new chapter of their life.
• Practice Makes Perfect Confidence is key! Practice your speech a few times to build up your self-assurance. Remember to speak slowly when practicing because you are more likely to speed up in front of a crowd. Think of the areas you might tear up at and remember to pause and take a second to breathe. You don’t have to rush through the toast. Everyone wants to hear what you clearly have to say. Here’s the thing, the audience wants you to succeed, so embrace those nerves and let them fuel your confident delivery! You’ve got this, my friend! With these tips and a little bit of preparation, your speech is bound to be a show-stopper that leaves everyone applauding and reaching for the tissues! Crafting a memorable wedding speech is an art form, and your words have the power to touch hearts and create lasting memories.

Wedding Speeches Order

The order of wedding speeches can vary depending on cultural traditions and personal preferences. However, a common order for wedding speeches is as follows:

• Father of the Bride: Welcomes guests, and expresses love and pride for his daughter.
• Groom: Thanks guests, expresses gratitude to both families, and shares love for the bride.
• Best Man: Shares humorous anecdotes about the groom, and proposes a toast.
• Maid/Matron of Honor: Expresses friendship and admiration for the bride, offers wisdom, and proposes a toast.
• Additional speeches: Other family members or friends may give shorter speeches or toasts as desired. Note: The order and inclusion of speeches can be customized to the couple’s preferences. Communication with the wedding party beforehand is essential for a smooth flow of the reception.

Wedding Speeches Template

Learning how to write a wedding speech involves creating a heartfelt and memorable outline.

Introduction:

• Greet the guests and introduce yourself.
• Express your gratitude for being chosen to speak at the wedding.

Personal Connection:

• Share a personal story or memory about the couple.
• Talk about your relationship with either the bride or groom (or both) and how you’ve seen their love grow.

Compliments and Qualities:

• Compliment the couple individually and as a pair.
• Highlight their qualities and what makes them a great match.

Anecdotes and Humor:

• Share light-hearted and funny anecdotes about the couple.
• Keep the humor appropriate and avoid embarrassing stories.

Words of Wisdom:

• Offer advice or lessons on love, marriage, or relationships.
• Use heartfelt and meaningful quotes or poems if desired.
• Raise a toast to the couple’s happiness and future together.
• Invite guests to join in raising their glasses and toasting.
• Express well wishes and congratulations to the newlyweds.
• End with a final heartfelt message or a toast to love.

Remember to personalize the speech to your relationship with the couple and make it heartfelt and authentic. Practice it beforehand to ensure a smooth delivery and consider keeping the speech around 3-5 minutes in length.

Things You’d Better Exclude From Any Wedding Speech

At the same time, there are things great wedding speeches avoid.

• Do not include any embarrassing information.
• Do not mention previous boyfriends or girlfriends of the newlyweds.
• Do not say rude things like ‘We thought that day would never come’.
• Do not include any crude language, there are all sorts of guests around, and what is totally appropriate in a group of friends is inappropriate at the celebration.
• Adding humor, don’t make fun of the bride or groom. This is your best friend’s wedding, do not spoil it! If in doubt – use examples above, but by no means copy them. It is only a piece of speech to boost your imagination.

Wedding Speeches can be tricky to write, but we hope that now you have everything you need to deliver a perfect speech. A couple of jokes, a sentimental story, and letting your love for the couple shine is all it takes.

What Not to Say in a Wedding Speech

• Embarrassing Stories : Steer clear of tales that could embarrass the couple.
• Negative Remarks : Refrain from negative comments or jokes.
• Excessive Inside Jokes : Ensure your speech is inclusive for all guests.
• Lengthy Monologues : Keep it concise and engaging.
• Controversial Topics : Avoid sensitive or controversial subjects.
• Overuse of Clichés : Aim for originality over clichés.
• Inappropriate Humor : Be mindful of cultural or personal sensitivities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you say in a wedding speech.

• Express your love and support for the couple.
• Share personal anecdotes or stories about them.
• Offer well-wishes for their future together.

How long should a wedding speech be?

What is an example of a short marriage speech.

To [Couple’s Name], may your love be as endless as the horizon, your laughter as infectious as a melody, and your journey together full of joy. Here’s to a lifetime of love and happiness. Cheers!

Save This Helpful Information And You Will Know What & When Say!

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How to Write a Wedding Toast: Examples, Tips, and Advice

Make sure your moment in the spotlight is memorable—in a good way!

Jaimie Mackey was the real weddings editor at Brides from 2013 to 2015. She also worked as a luxury wedding planner and produced over 100 high-end weddings and events in Colorado

Photo by Olivia & Dan Photography

In This Article

Figuring out how to write a wedding toast can be an incredibly intimidating and nerve-inducing task. Wedding toasts can go one of two ways: They’re either hilarious, memorable, and totally sweet, or a train wreck waiting to happen. Every couple hopes the speeches at the reception fall into the first category, but there’s no guarantee—until now.

To combat those awful speeches, Marisa Polansky and Kristine Keller founded Speech Tank , offering completely custom, one-of-a-kind toasts for any occasion. And what better reason to turn to the experts than for your best friend’s wedding? We sat down with Polansky and Keller to get the inside scoop on writing a totally killer speech . With their help, your audience will be begging for an encore!

Meet the Expert

• Marisa Polansky is a book editor, author, and co-founder of Speech Tank, a collaborative speech-writing service for any occasion.
• Kristine Keller is a writer and the co-founder of Speech Tank.

Wedding Toast Template

Your wedding toast should be meaningful, but not drawn out. Make sure to have a beginning, middle, and end.

While everyone's speech will be unique to them and their relationship with the couple, we put together a general outline to help you get started.

• Congratulate the couple. Express how happy you are that the two of them are getting married and what it means to you to witness it.
• Introduce yourself. Not everyone will know you met the bride or groom at the fourth-grade space camp, so be sure to let guests know about your relationship with the couple before you dive into your speech.
• Tell a (curated) story. When you’re writing your speech, “Choose anecdotes that all fit a theme and support your argument,” Keller says. The theme will help tie it together, making your toast feel intentional instead of random.
• Address both partners. You may not know them both well, but you shouldn’t focus all of your attention on your friend and ignore their new spouse. “Even if you’ve only met your friend’s partner once or twice before, find a way to include him or her in your toast,” Polansky says. “Tell the story of their engagement or share something your friend told you about them that proves what a great partner he or she is.”
• Go for the crowd-pleasers. “Anything that’s an inside joke may have been funny at the time, but no one else will understand what you’re talking about,” Keller says. “Run your stories and jokes by a neutral audience to see if they are as funny as you think.” And remember, a little humor is fine, but this is a toast, not a roast!
• Raise your glass for a toast. To wrap up your speech, invite everyone to raise their glass to the couple, or to love, etc., then cheers glasses together and take a sip.

Don’t count on your phone, which may lock or turn off mid-speech. Instead, print out your toast or put it on note cards for reference. “It’s your moment to have the floor, so don’t risk forgetting your point!” Keller says.

Wedding Toast Tips

Here are Polansky and Keller's best tips for writing and delivering your wedding toast.

• Just get started. It’s your big moment, but figuring out where to start can be tough. “When we work with our clients, we always start with a stream of consciousness,” Keller says. “We ask them to just start telling us stories. You might not think every anecdote is important, but all of a sudden you’ll land on a real gem.”
• Start writing things down. When you’re doing this at home on your own, Polansky says to just start writing stuff down. “Put it all down on paper. Don’t worry about editing as you’re writing, just get it out and then go back and pick and choose details when you’re done.” This will help you identify a theme, which is what you’ll need to make your toast really memorable.
• Use examples. “If you’re trying to make a point about the bride or groom's personality—say, that she or he's particularly loyal—don’t just say that and move on. Pick a specific moment that proves your point. Have something to back it up!” Polansky says. Including some proof will make sure your listeners really buy what you’re saying about the couple.
• Make it quick. “The best length for a toast is about three minutes,” Polansky says. “It’s enough time to say what you need to say, but short enough that you’ll still have everyone’s attention when you ask them to raise their glasses to toast the happy couple.”
• Practice. Think you know what three minutes feels like? Think again. “Practice reading your speech out loud (not in your head!) and time yourself,” Polansky says. “Don’t wing it, especially if you’re nervous,” Polansky continues. “Give yourself time to prepare. Practice with an audience to check your timing, and give yourself time to make edits.”
• Don't overstuff your speech. “If you’re a fast talker, try to slow yourself down so everyone will understand you,” Polansky says. Better to cut a few lines than to try to fit a 10-minute toast into a three-minute time frame!
• Keep it clean-ish. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important to know your audience. “Cursing and stories about exes are totally off-limits,” Keller says.
• Don't embarrass the couple. “Ask yourself how each story will present the couple. If it sheds any negative light on either person, avoid it.” Continues Polansky, “Think about how close you are with the family as well as who you know will be there. Will it make the bride or groom's great aunt uncomfortable?”

Every time you feel nervous, tell yourself you're excited instead.

Get Brainstorming!

Now that you know the basics, here are a few questions to ask yourself to help you get started writing that killer wedding toast.

• What is your first memory of the bride/groom?
• What is your favorite memory of the bride/groom?
• What did they say when they first told you about their partner?
• How did you know they were meant to be?
• What has the bride/groom or the couple as a whole taught you?
• What qualities do you admire in them?
• When are times that they displayed these qualities?

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Heartfelt Best Friend Speech Ideas For Wedding Celebrations

Weddings are joyous occasions filled with love, laughter, and heartfelt moments. As a best friend, you have a special role to play in this momentous event – delivering a memorable speech that honors the bond you share with the bride or groom. In this article, we will guide you through the process of writing a touching best friend speech that will leave a lasting impression on the newlyweds and the guests.

The Importance of a Best Friend Speech at a Wedding

A best friend speech holds a significant place in any wedding celebration. It is an opportunity for you, as the closest confidant, to express your love, admiration, and support for the couple. Your words have the power to bring tears of joy, laughter, and nostalgic memories to the surface. It is a chance to celebrate the journey of your friendship and to toast to the couple’s future together.

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Memorable Best Friend Speech

Understanding the couple and their journey.

Begin your best friend speech by illuminating the unique love story shared by the newlyweds. Reflect on how they met, the milestones they’ve achieved together, and the challenges they’ve overcome as a couple. Show your understanding of their journey and let the audience feel the strength of their bond.

Reflecting on the Friendship

Transition to sharing anecdotes and memories that showcase the deep connection between you and the bride/groom. These stories can range from humorous escapades to heartfelt moments that demonstrate the unwavering support and unwritten bond of friendship you have shared throughout the years.

Sharing Heartfelt Stories and Memories

Take a moment to recall meaningful moments and experiences you have had together. Whether it’s a shared adventure, a challenging time, or simply times of laughter and joy, these stories will add depth and emotion to your speech. Let the warmth of your emotions shine through as you recount these cherished memories.

Highlighting the Qualities of the Bride/Groom

Shift the focus to the bride or groom, highlighting their exceptional qualities and accomplishments. Talk about their kindness, strength, compassion, and any other admirable traits that make them deserving of their partner. Make sure to capture the essence of their personality and their impact on your life.

Adding Humor and Light-hearted Moments

A well-placed joke or a light-hearted anecdote can add laughter and levity to your best friend speech. Share a funny story that showcases the couple’s sense of humor or the amusing situations you’ve encountered together. Remember to keep the humor tasteful and appropriate for the occasion.

Expressing Wishes and Concluding on a Positive Note

As you wrap up your speech, offer your heartfelt wishes for the newlyweds’ future together. Express your hopes for a lifetime of love, happiness, and shared adventures. End with a positive and uplifting closing that leaves the audience with a sense of joy and optimism.

Tips for Delivering a Confident and Impressive Speech

While the content of your speech is essential, the delivery plays an equally important role in making it impactful. Here are a few tips to help you deliver your best friend speech with confidence:

• Practice and Rehearse Ahead of Time: Familiarize yourself with the flow and timing of your speech to ensure a smooth delivery.
• Maintain Good Eye Contact with the Audience: Connect with the listeners by making eye contact to establish a personal connection.
• Use Gestures and Body Language Effectively: Incorporate natural gestures and body language to enhance your speech and engage the audience.
• Speak Clearly and Audibly: Enunciate your words clearly and project your voice to ensure everyone can hear you.
• Pace Yourself and Control Nervousness: Take deep breaths, speak at a moderate pace, and maintain composure to keep nerves at bay.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in a Best Friend Speech

While crafting your speech, be mindful of common pitfalls that can diminish its impact:

• Rambling or Going Off on Tangents: Stay focused and stick to the key points to keep your speech concise and engaging.
• Being Insensitive or Tactless: Avoid controversial or inappropriate topics that may offend the couple or guests.
• Using Inside Jokes That Only a Few Will Understand: Aim for inclusivity by sharing stories that resonate with a broader audience.
• Not Giving Equal Attention to the Bride and Groom: Ensure your speech balances anecdotes and compliments for both partners.
• Ignoring the Time Limit: Respect the allocated time and keep your speech within a reasonable duration to maintain interest.

Inspiring Best Friend Speech Examples

To provide you with inspiration for your own best friend speech, we have included three examples that showcase different tones and styles:

Example 1: A Touching and Emotional Speech

[Insert example speech]

Example 2: A Funny and Light-hearted Speech

Example 3: a thoughtful and inspiring speech.

To truly make a mark at your best friend’s wedding, deliver a heartfelt speech that celebrates their love, your friendship, and the exciting journey they are about to embark on together. By following this step-by-step guide, equipped with tips and examples, you can craft a memorable best friend speech that will be forever cherished by the couple and received with admiration from the audience.

Jessica Rankin

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Moh speech for my best friend

I’m hoping this is the right place to post this, my best friend is getting married in a year. I’m honored to be her MOH but I’m so stumped on how to write my speech, I’ve got the intro down pretty well I think but me and her picked our brains on trying to remember exactly how we became friends and I would love to try to include that in there because I do love her and want my speech to be sentimental I don’t don’t want to go up there looking silly only saying we met in middle school. we had a period in time where we were not friends (because my past ex) very long story we re kindled our friendship and I could tell you every single thing about that since but going back to how we met I just cannot remember. I would like to add I have never written a speech, I’m a very shy person don’t like public speaking but I’m going to do this because as I said she is my best friend I want this to be perfect for her special day. Any advice on what I should do? How do I work around it? Is it ok to say something like we met while we were younger and as that memory is blurry we re kindled our friendship… is that ok?

Rice Speechwriting

Wedding toast from best friend: tips & examples, wedding toast from best friend tips & examples, what should a best friend include in their wedding toast.

A best friend wedding toast should include heartfelt anecdotes, funny and touching stories about the couple, well wishes for their future, and a toast to their love and happiness. It should capture the essence of their friendship and celebrate their special bond on this joyous occasion.

Wedding bells are ringing, and you’ve been chosen as the best friend of the bride or groom. Now comes the most important part: delivering a memorable wedding toast that captures all the cherished memories and emotions that have brought you both to this day. Being a best friend, your role in the wedding is crucial, and nothing speaks more of your love than a heartfelt toast. In this post, we’ll go over some tips on how to make your toast stand out, including understanding the importance of a best friend’s speech , crafting your speech with humor and personality while also incorporating sentiments and emotions. We’ll also discuss the structure of a perfect wedding toast that starts with a bang, touches on the heart of the matter, and ends on a high note. Lastly, we’ll offer advice on how to deliver it flawlessly so that everyone at the wedding remembers it for years to come.

Understanding the Role of a Best Friend in a Wedding Toast

Crafting a best friend’s wedding toast involves honoring the couple’s love and journey while sharing funny anecdotes and well wishes. Capturing the essence of the love story and reflecting the close bond and happy future are essential. A well-crafted toast is the best way to honor the newlyweds on their special day, making it unforgettable for them. The speech should resonate with the unique relationship dynamics, creating an emotional and memorable moment at the wedding reception.

The Importance of a Best Friend’s Wedding Toast

Celebrating the love of the happy couple, a best friend’s wedding toast is a perfect time to honor the new journey the couple is embarking on. It’s an opportunity to bestow well wishes and honor the kindest person to the bride or groom. Crafting a heartfelt toast reflects the close bond and bestows warm wishes for the new life ahead. The best friend’s speech is a beautiful way to honor the newlyweds on their special day, making it a memorable part of the wedding day experience.

Key Elements of a Best Friend’s Speech

Adding a personal anecdote to the toast infuses humor and warmth into the reception, creating a memorable moment for everyone. The speech should genuinely reflect the wonderful qualities of the couple’s relationship, emphasizing their love, understanding, and unwavering support for each other. It’s crucial to incorporate a mix of funny, heartfelt, and well wishes to the newlyweds, setting the tone for the perfect toast. As the best friend, delivering a well-crafted toast is a beautiful way to honor the newlyweds on their special day, symbolizing their journey together and the joyous celebration of their love.

Crafting Your Best Friend Wedding Toast

Crafting the perfect toast for your best friend’s wedding involves expert advice and writing techniques. Your speech should capture the true love of the couple’s special day and honor their journey of love and joy. It is a lifetime of love, congratulations, and vows to the couple, and it should reflect the happiness and well wishes for their future. The best friend’s speech plays a crucial role in honoring the newlyweds on their special day, making it an essential part of the wedding reception experience.

Gathering Thoughts and Memories

Reflecting on memories of the little girl, the friend’s partner, and the newlyweds is the perfect way to honor the couple’s special day. Gathering the best friend’s speeches, toasts, and well wishes for the happy couple’s new life adds a personal touch to the wedding reception. As the best friend of the bride or groom, it’s essential to gather heartfelt sentiments and funny wedding toasts to make your own toast a highlight of the wedding day.

Adding Humor and Personality

Incorporating humor and well wishes into the best friend’s speech can add a personal touch to honor the couple’s love and the special day. Finding the perfect time to infuse humor and well wishes ensures the speech resonates with the audience and the newlyweds. A best friend’s speech should reflect the happy future of the couple, making it memorable and heartfelt.

Incorporating Sentiments and Emotions

Incorporating sentiments and emotions in your best friend’s wedding toast is the perfect way to honor the couple’s love on their special day. It’s essential to express well wishes for their happy future and new life together. Adding a touch of humor will make your speech memorable, reflecting the joy shared with the newlyweds. Craft your best friend’s wedding toast to honor their love and new journey as a married couple, ensuring that your words resonate with genuine emotion.

Structure of a Memorable Best Friend’s Wedding Toast

Beginning with a sincere toast to the newlyweds sets the tone for the best friend’s wedding speech. As the best friend, it’s important to convey heartfelt well wishes for the couple’s future right at the start. Congratulations to the newlyweds honor their love and mark the beginning of a memorable toast. The speech should revolve around honoring the couple’s love, celebrating the big day, and looking forward to their happy future together. Ultimately, the best friend’s words hold the power to honor the newlyweds on their special day.

Starting with a Bang

Kicking off the toast with a humorous anecdote is the ideal way to engage the wedding party. Commencing the best friend’s speech with a touching story sets the tone for the entire toast. Offering sincere well wishes for the couple’s new life is a beautiful way to honor their love. Starting the toast with warm blessings for the couple’s future journey adds a special touch to the reception. A heartfelt toast to the lifetime of love for the newlyweds is the perfect beginning to the best friend’s wedding speech.

The Heart of the Toast

At the core of the best friend’s wedding toast lies heartfelt well wishes for the couple’s future. The essence of the speech revolves around the deep love between the newlyweds, honoring their true love and the joyous occasion. This pivotal moment must honor the love, lifetime of happiness, and the special day of the couple. By focusing on the new life, happy future, and the enduring love of the newlyweds, the best friend’s speech adds a personal touch to the wedding reception.

Ending on a High Note

To close the toast, tailor the conclusion to the couple’s unique journey, leaving the audience with uplifting and positive wishes for their new life together. Wrap up the speech with heartfelt congratulations to the newlyweds as they embark on this new chapter. Ensure the ending is meaningful and resonates with the love and joy shared on their special day. This will leave a lasting impression and create a beautiful capstone for the wedding celebration.

Delivering the Perfect Best Friend’s Wedding Toast

Crafting a memorable speech requires reflecting the unique love story of the bride and groom. Share endearing anecdotes highlighting their journey of true love and best qualities. Toast to their new journey, expressing heartfelt best wishes for the future. Deliver the speech with confidence, focusing on the joy and love of the newlyweds. Make the toast unforgettable by speaking sincerely from the heart and celebrating this special day. Practice the speech to manage nerves and engage the audience effectively, ensuring your toast stands out as the best friend’s heartfelt tribute.

Practicing the Speech

Practicing the speech is crucial to ensure confident and well-paced delivery. It’s essential to perfect the timing of anecdotes and well wishes for the couple through practice. Memorizing the speech helps maintain eye contact and engage with the audience, delivering a heartfelt toast. Familiarizing yourself with the speech enables the confident conveyance of the bride and groom’s love story, making the toast memorable. Public speaking anxiety can be managed by thorough preparation and rehearsal , ensuring a flawless delivery on the wedding day.

Managing Nerves on the Big Day

On the big day, take slow, deep breaths to calm your nerves before delivering the wedding toast. Visualize the speech going perfectly to alleviate any nervousness. Instead of focusing on your own anxiety, channel your energy into celebrating the love between the bride and groom. Embrace the excitement of the moment, turning your nerves into positive energy for the toast. Stay composed and exude confidence while delivering your heartfelt words as the best friend. Remember, it’s a celebration of love, and your toast is an essential part of the wedding reception.

Engaging with the Audience

When delivering the best friend’s wedding toast, maintain eye contact to connect with the wedding guests. Engage the audience by speaking clearly and projecting the speech with confidence. Interact with the audience, conveying heartfelt sentiments to everyone present, creating an inclusive atmosphere. Capture the audience’s attention by sharing the bride and groom’s special moments, keeping everyone involved in the celebration. By doing so, you ensure that your toast becomes a memorable part of the wedding reception, leaving a lasting impression on the guests.

How Can Your Toast Stand Out as the Best Friend?

To make your toast stand out as the best friend, personalize it by highlighting the unique bond you share with the couple. Incorporate humor and share funny anecdotes to entertain the audience. Express genuine emotions and convey the honor of being their best friend. Lastly, deliver your toast with sincerity, love, and well wishes for their future together.

What are some best friend wedding toast examples?

In conclusion, delivering a memorable best friend’s wedding toast requires understanding the role and importance of your position. It’s about sharing heartfelt sentiments, cherished memories, and adding a touch of humor and personality to make it unique. Structure your toast to start with a captivating opening, emotionally connect with the couple in the heart of the speech, and end on a high note. Practice your speech beforehand, manage nerves on the big day, and engage with the audience to create an unforgettable moment. By following these tips and putting your own personal touch, your best friend wedding toast will stand out and be cherished by the couple and everyone present.

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• Wedding Resource

How to Deliver the Best Friend Wedding Speech of a Lifetime

March 27, 2024 moneyspeech Wedding Resource

Delivering the best friend wedding speech is a role steeped in tradition and affection, marking a significant moment in both the newlyweds’ and the speaker’s lives. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the bonds of friendship, love, and the beautiful journey that marriage marks. Crafting a speech that resonates requires understanding the pivotal elements of relationships, incorporating elements of humor and sentiment, while ensuring the message is engaging and concise [2].

This speech is not just a formality but a highlight of the wedding reception, serving to strengthen the ties between the couple and their communities. By weaving together anecdotes and well-wishes, the speaker captures the essence of the wedding ceremony, offering insights into the depth of the friendship and the couple’s journey. To excel, preparation is key; practicing the speech will foster confidence and ensure a heartfelt delivery that touches everyone present [1] [2].

Table of Contents

Understanding Your Audience

Understanding your audience is paramount when delivering the best friend wedding speech . Here are some key points to consider:

• Begin with a captivating statement or question to grab attention.
• Introduce yourself and your relationship to the couple, setting the stage for your speech.
• Select a few pivotal points about the couple’s journey and illustrate them with concise stories, aiming for a speech duration of 3-5 minutes.
• Avoid inside jokes or references that might alienate parts of the audience. Instead, aim for universal appeal by passing the “Grandma Test” and “Friend Test,” ensuring the content resonates with everyone from close friends to distant relatives.
• Adjust your speech’s tone to reflect the couple’s personality, using descriptors like inspirational or genuine.
• Incorporate humor and  storytelling  to keep the audience engaged, but ensure jokes are appropriate for all ages and backgrounds.
• Tailor your anecdotes and humor to the audience, considering their relationship to the couple and cultural background, avoiding controversial topics.

By keeping these points in mind, you can craft a speech that not only honors the couple but also connects with the entire audience, making the special occasion even more memorable.

Structuring Your Speech for Impact

To craft a best friend wedding speech that leaves a lasting impact, follow these structured steps:

• Begin with a compelling statement or question to immediately engage the audience.
• Introduce yourself succinctly, highlighting your connection to the couple.
• Personal Anecdotes : Choose 1-3 qualities of the couple you admire, illustrating each with a brief, memorable story. This personalizes your speech and makes it relatable.
• Humor and Respect : Incorporate humor thoughtfully, ensuring it’s appropriate and respectful. Allow pauses for laughter and reflection, enhancing the speech’s pacing.
• Future Wishes : Share your hopes and wishes for the couple’s future, reinforcing the speech’s heartfelt nature.
• Wrap up by summarizing your affection and hopes for the couple in a few sentences.
• Lead into a toast, inviting the audience to raise their glasses in celebration of the couple’s love and future together.

Remember, preparation is key. Start early, consult with the couple, and practice regularly to refine your delivery. Keep your speech within the 3-5 minute sweet spot to maintain audience engagement.

Incorporating Humor and Sentiments

Incorporating humor into a best friend wedding speech can transform it from merely memorable to utterly unforgettable. Here’s how to strike the perfect balance between laughter and sentiment:

• Funny Opening Lines : Kick off with a light-hearted jest such as, “Hi everyone, I’m (name), and before you ask, yes, I  am  single,” to immediately engage your audience.
• Roasts and Toasts : Share amusing, yet affectionate stories that playfully ‘roast’ the bride or groom, always keeping their comfort in mind. Wrap up with a heartfelt toast, using clever lines like, “Here’s to you and here’s to me, may we never disagree. But if we do, here’s to me, and to hell with you.”
• Genuine Praise : Sincerely compliment the couple, highlighting traits and shared qualities that make them perfect for each other.
• Personal Stories : Opt for specific anecdotes that showcase the couple’s admirable characteristics or funny quirks. This personal touch adds depth and authenticity to your speech.
• Be Yourself : Authenticity resonates. If humor is your strength, lean into it; if not, focus on sincerity.
• Engage the Audience : Maintain eye contact and use open body language to foster a connection, making your speech more impactful and relatable.

By blending humor with heartfelt sentiments and delivering with confidence, your speech will not only entertain but also deeply touch the hearts of the newlyweds and their guests.

Personal Stories that Shine

Incorporating personal stories into your best friend’s wedding speech can significantly enhance its impact, making it memorable and relatable. Here are some guidelines and examples to help you craft a speech that truly shines:

• Share anecdotes that highlight the strength and depth of your friendship. For instance, recount a time when your friend went out of their way to support you during a tough period, or share a funny mishap that you both laugh about to this day.
• Express gratitude for their presence in your life, emphasizing how their friendship has positively shaped you.
• Discuss qualities of each individual and how they complement each other, perhaps mentioning how one’s meticulous planning perfectly balances the other’s spontaneous nature.
• Share a moment that encapsulates their love story, like the time they coordinated a surprise visit to cheer up a mutual friend, showcasing their teamwork and compassion.
• Reflect on your journey with your best friend, from how you met to a memorable trip you took together. Highlight moments where their actions or words left a lasting impact on you.
• Include the new spouse by sharing your initial impressions or a touching gesture they made that affirmed why they are the perfect match for your best friend.

Remember, the key to a heartfelt speech is authenticity. Use your own words, keep it clean and respectful, and practice reading aloud to ensure a natural delivery.

Delivering Your Speech with Confidence

Delivering a best friend wedding speech with confidence is about preparation, practice, and presentation. Here are essential tips to help you shine on the big day:

• Gather memories and stories that highlight your friendship and the couple’s journey.
• Practice your speech out loud, aiming for 8-10 minutes. Use a timer to keep track.
• Record yourself to refine pacing and intonation.
• Rehearse in front of a small audience for feedback.
• Print your speech on cue cards for easy reference.
• Hold cards at chest level, maintaining eye contact with the audience.
• Speak slowly and clearly, emphasizing key points.
• Use body language and gestures to engage the audience.
• Smile and make eye contact to build rapport.
• Adjust your tone and volume for clarity and impact.
• Remember, the audience is rooting for you. Use nerves to your advantage.

By following these guidelines, your speech will not only be memorable but also delivered with the confidence that honors your friendship and celebrates the couple’s love story.

Throughout this article, we have explored the essence of crafting and delivering a best friend wedding speech that captures the heart of the relationship, resonates with the audience, and celebrates the couple’s journey. From understanding the audience to incorporating humor and personal stories, we have outlined structured steps and essential tips that guide the speaker in creating a speech that is both memorable and impactful. The emphasis on preparation, authenticity, and the balance between humor and sentiment serves as a foundational approach to delivering a speech that not only honors the friendship but also enriches the wedding celebration.

As we conclude, it’s clear that the art of delivering a best friend wedding speech lies in the speaker’s ability to connect deeply with both the newlyweds and their guests, weaving together anecdotes and well-wishes in a manner that is engaging and heartfelt. The significance of such speeches extends beyond the wedding ceremony, reinforcing the bonds of friendship and love. By meticulously following the guidelines provided, speakers can approach this cherished role with confidence, ensuring their words leave a lasting imprint on the hearts of all who gather to celebrate this momentous occasion.

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Altar your thinking: alternative wedding planning

How to write a wedding speech that KICKS BUTT

I was in the wedding party for my best guy friend's wedding, and I was asked to make a speech. Being a writer and an attention fiend, I jumped at the chance to express my love for my man of honor, and, well, I killed it . There were jokes and laughs, sappy moments, and all that lovey-dovey stuff.

Sometimes we gossip with our wedding industry vendor friends. We like to get the scoop about things they're seeing more often at weddings (ring warmings!... Read more

But what if you've been asked to make a wedding speech and you have stage fright, or are getting writer's block, or are having nightmares about the experience — you know, the one where you're standing in front of the crowd wearing no pants — and kind of want to back out?

Well, grab a drink, calm down, and read this advice on how to craft a great speech. The lessons here will help you with best man speeches and wedding toasts both!

How to structure and outline your wedding speech

• Introduce yourself: “Hello, I'm Guadalupe's brother.” “Hi, I'm Morgan's best friend.” Give your fellow wedding guests some context about who you are and how you relate to the newlyweds. This is your welcome.
• Tell some entertaining anecdotes about your person: “I met Morgan in college after getting locked out of my dorm room wearing nothing but a Superman cape.” “Guadalupe and I bonded over underwater basket weaving, and I saved her life during a particularly dangerous session.”
• Talk about them as a couple: “Until Guadalupe came along, we all thought Morgan was going to die alone and get eaten by cats.” “When Guadalupe contracted Avian Bird Flu from her horrible ornithologist ex, we thought she'd never let herself love again. It wasn't until these two met each other by bonding over their mutual love of cats and hatred of birds that they really came alive.”
• Toast: “Let's raise our glasses and call out the Morgan-Guadalupe family motto “‘All birds must die!'” This can be a nice moment to raise a glass of champagne to the hosts of the wedding too — the venue, the family members paying, etc. A little gratitude goes a long way.

What NOT to do with your wedding speech

• DON'T be hammered . Trust us, your humor won't translate if you're slurring.
• DON'T tell embarrassing stories . Funny stories are great, but this is a wedding reception — NOT a bachelor party roast. This is their big day! Imagine telling the story one-on-one to the mother of the bride … if you wouldn't mention the story one-on-one, leave it out of your speech.

Wedding day speech examples

Here's the speech I wrote for my best guy friend's wedding celebration…

Hi. I'm Megan, and I'm Erik's best girl friend. In fact, Erik was the Man of Honor at my wedding ceremony and he made an amazing speech. So I'm gonna try to beat him with this one… I first met Erik his freshman year of college. I was visiting a high school friend on campus and he told me, “You have GOT to meet my friend Erik. You're gonna love this guy.” He was right. I immediately LOVED Erik. But it wasn't until a year later that Erik and I became the very best of friends. Erik was going through a rough breakup at the same time as I was. We clung to each other, mostly because we were such miserable wrecks, no one else wanted to hang out with us anymore. In order to get through that rough patch we made a pact to call each other instead of calling our exes, and possibly ending up right back in terrible relationships. And, it should be obvious by the fact that we're all here today, it worked! We survived that break up together. And over a decade later, we survived many more “adventures” together. We survived more breakups, we survived college, and then graduation. We've gotten lost on the streets of San Francisco — just the two of us and an upright bass crammed into a Mini Cooper. He kicked ass at being the my man of honor. And we've even stared down the face of death together when we got held up at gun-point on his birthday. And after all those adventures, there's one thing I know about Erik — he's the Frodo to my Sam in this perilous journey through Mordor that we call life. The thing is… when you're a girl, and your best friend is a dude, you always worry about the women they date. Will they like me? Will you like them? Will our close relationship make them feel threatened? And pretty much the answers were always: No. No. And yes. Now, it's all great and well that Kimmy loves Erik, whoo hoo and all that. But that Kimmy loves ME? Holy shit, am I a lucky girl. I remember back when Erik and Kimmy first started hanging out with each other. Erik could NOT stop talking about Kimmy. “Dude, she's so hot. Dude, she's so cool. Dude, she's so funny. Do you think she'd go out with me? Do you think you could talk to her?” On and on. Until I finally did talk to her. Kimmy expressed that she did like Erik, she thought he was cute and funny and charming, but… he was just too short for her and that was that. I remember that the time thinking that it was going to be really funny when I eventually make her eat those words. How's it taste, Kimmy? Erik, you will always be the Frodo to my Sam. But if I can't be there to help you cross the fires of Mount Doom, there's no one else I'd want by your side more than Kimmy. I love the both of you. I love the both of you together. I love how the both of you love each other. And I can't wait to be there to watch and support the journey you too are going to continue to take together. So I'd ask you all to raise your glass in honor of the happy couple — two of the most wonderful adventure partners in the world. To Kimmy and Erik: Party forever!

Alternatives to giving a speech

Are you not great at public speaking, but awesome at other things? Utilize those other talents! You could easily substitute the speech all together for a heart-felt performance. For example…

• My man of honor Erik, who is a professional musician, played a song for us.
• Perhaps comedy is more your style. Write your speech in the form of a roast! (Just make sure the couple are ready for it.)
• Are you a wiz at video editing or photography? Throw together a multi-media experience to be projected during the reception.

In essence: Let your particular talents do your talking.

Your turn! What is your best speech-writing advice? And please feel free to leave your own speeches as inspiration! We'd love examples of a groom's speech, too!

About the Author: Megan Finley Horowitz

When Megan's not writing, traveling, and sleeping, she's eating like the fate of the world depends on it. (You're welcome, world!) You can snoop into her personal life over on her website The Dash and Dine !

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Comments on How to write a wedding speech that KICKS BUTT

Thank you, all of our wedding speech givers (including me) wanted to give a speech but we weren’t sure how it should go. That simple speech structure is just what we needed.

great tips.i completely agree that introducing funny elements is important and also keeping the speech short. A long speech tends to be boring.

This is a great break down of what is needed for a standard speech. The examples are especially helpful. My maid of honour shouldn’t be so flustered about giving a speech anymore.

http://youtu.be/A6WuvNK8RrU My sister wrote her Maid of Honor speech in the style of Fresh Prince of Bel Air. It was a hit!

I think going with something reflective of the bride and groom, or your relationship with them, is great advice. As a maid of honor two years ago I was asked to give a speech, but knowing the bride hated being the center of attention and would have killed me if I made her cry, I wrote a limerick instead (after OK’ing with the groom that I was going to butcher his religious cultural language):

Weddings are all about love, Sent from the heavens above. So we gather today In friendship to say, Tara and Aaron, mazel…tuv.

Great article, this will help me out alot!

Comments are closed.

How To Begin Your Best Friend’S Wedding Speech

Table of Contents:

How to write the ideal best friend’s speech: 4 steps.

You’ve been asked to prepare your best friend’s speech for their wedding, and now you’re worried about how to craft the ideal speech for them.

Don’t worry; you’ve come to the right place if you want to find a way to make your best friend cry because they realize what a wonderful friend they have.

Once you’ve mastered your writing skills, you’ll be able to provide them with the wedding speech they’ve been searching for their entire lives.

What is a suitable quote for a wedding between best friends?

“I’m/we’re overjoyed to share this special day with you both. Best wishes for a long and fulfilling life together.” We’ve shared so many laughs together! May you have as much joy in your lives as your friendship has given me—and more!

When wishing a newlywed couple congratulations, choose one of these heartfelt wedding wishes.

We’re here to help you find the perfect words for the ideal wedding wishes to write in a wedding card if a wedding is approaching and you want to send the happy couple your best wishes with a congratulations message.

Your wedding message ought to be heartfelt, charming, and specially composed for the couple and your relationship with them. We have dozens of examples of how to sign a wedding card with the best wedding wishes for every circumstance, whether you’re looking for warm wedding wishes for a family member or a humorous wedding card message for your hilarious college roommate who finally settled down. You’re good to go as long as your message of wedding congratulations is sincere and conveys good wishes for the happy couple’s marriage.

How do you begin a speech example?

Greetings to all. I appreciate you having me. I’m _____, and today I’ll be talking to you about _______. To begin with, _____ is significant because…

The time has come for you to give your speech after much preparation. All eyes are on you as you stand in front of the podium, confident that no one can shake you. Then you start.

Greetings to all. I appreciate you having me. I’m going to talk to you today about _____, and my name is ______o you today about _____, and my name is ______. The first reason _______ is significant is because.

All of a sudden, people start fidgeting in their seats, fiddling with their phones, reading the show, chatting with one another, and otherwise paying you no mind.

What makes a good speech introduction for a wedding?

“Welcome to (NAME) and (NAME)’s most significant day. Promises have become binding agreements today, and friends have merged into families. ” (NAME) and I are here to celebrate with (NAME) and (NAME) today. “We appreciate your presence with us on this special day.”.

Our examples for wedding speech introductions will help you get started if you have to give a speech but are unsure of where to start.

To aid you in navigating and appreciating life’s most important moments, we have included third-party products. Links on this page may lead to purchases for which we receive a commission.

Standing up and speaking at a wedding, whether it’s the groom’s speech, the father of the bride speech, or the eagerly anticipated best man speech, can be quite nerve-wracking. We provide examples of wedding speech introductions as well as instructions on how to start your speech so you can feel confident and get off to a strong start.

How do you begin a best friend essay?

Everyone, including my parents, my class teacher, my neighbors, and others, adores my best friend because of her lovely nature. He is among the best in my class. He arrives at the school right on time and is very punctual. He always helps me out and completes his home tasks on schedule and in a timely manner.

What are some quick wedding speech writing tips?

Prepare ahead of time. Dot. Describe your relationship to the bride and groom and how you met them. dot. Please extend your gratitude to the wedding party, hosts, and visitors. dot. Make it your own. dot. Consider 3 traits and 3 examples for each. dot. Mention the couple. dot. Have an introduction, middle, and conclusion. dot. Think of your target market.

You recently received an invitation to make a speech at the wedding of someone you love. It can be intimidating, which is why many people choose to avoid public speaking, so it can be both an honor and a nightmare if you’re not used to giving speeches. But it’s time to come together when your best friend asks you to give a speech at his or her wedding. Now that you’re wondering if you even know how to write a wedding speech, let us explain what distinguishes memorable wedding speeches from cringe-inducing ones. The ultimate guide to writing a wedding speech has been put together by our team. It focuses on what you should do, what you shouldn’t do, and how to deliver your speech like a pro.

The following list of “dos” should help you if you’re wondering how to write a wedding speech.

You shouldn’t put off writing your wedding speech if the bride just asked you to do so and you don’t know how to do it. You probably haven’t given too many public speeches before because public speaking is one of the top fears that people have. And if you’re not a performer or an experienced improv comedian, you might struggle with this one if you try to wing it. Being prepared is your best line of defense against freezing up when you take the mic if, like the majority of us, you get nervous in front of an audience.

At a wedding, how do you pay tribute to a friend?

The Ceremony and Reception: Reserve a Seat in Their Honor 9 Meaningful Ways to Honor Passed Loved Ones at Your Wedding Include a Special Note in the Program of Your Ceremony. Include a Heirloom in Your Wedding Outfit For them, light a candle. Mention them in the toast at the wedding.

Your wedding day is a time of celebration, joy, and happiness. Thoughts of your loved one not being present on your wedding day can bring on sadness if they have passed away. But just because they aren’t physically present with you doesn’t mean they can’t still be there in spirit and memory. Throughout the wedding planning process, remember the wonderful moments and distinctive qualities you adore about them. Then, include one of these nine touching ways to remember loved ones who have passed away at your wedding.

As the ceremony begins, assign your loved one a special seat. A special boutonnière or corsage made especially for the person can be added, along with pictures of them, a few of their favorite things, and a gorgeously decorated chair. As an illustration, if you want to pay tribute to your grandmother’s memory, cover the chair with the jewelry she would have loved to wear on your special day. Assign a bridesmaid or member of the family to be in charge of the chair before the ceremony begins. As soon as the wedding ceremony is over, that person can transport the chair and its decorations to the reception venue, ensuring that your loved one spends the entire evening by your side.

Readers of your ceremony program will do so as guests wait for the ceremony to begin. Share a message about your deceased loved one, whether it be a funny story or a touching memory. In this manner, everyone can participate in honoring them at your wedding. To make it even more special, you can add a picture.

What are the best phrases to use when writing to your best friend?

Short Love Quotes Love is another word for friendship. – dot. Goals, team! You can call your friends at four in the morning. m., which matter. – dot. A friend can only be obtained by being one yourself. – dot. The heart always craves a friend. – dot. I have been given friendship, which is the greatest gift in life. -.

People often say that friends are the family you choose, the wine to life, and the yin to yang, but what does friendship mean to you?

All of the aforementioned qualities may be embodied in it, or you may be reminded of those who are dear to your heart. Anyhow, it’s always nice to be reminded of the VIPs in your own life. In a similar vein, it’s nice to express your appreciation for your best friends.

Famous writers, poets, and everyone in between have spent ages attempting to describe friendship in words. Our collection of friendship quotes will help you get started, whether you’re commemorating a special occasion or simply want to tell your BFF how awesome they are. There are heartfelt quotes about true friendship to help you recognize the people who have supported you through good times and bad, as well as humorous quotes about friendship to make your best friend laugh.

What can I take away from the wedding of my best friend?

Oddly enough, My Best Friend’s Wedding is about good people. That includes Jules, who is ultimately just acting irresponsibly in an effort to hang on to her best friend. She doesn’t have a bad personality, as evidenced by the fact that she learns her lesson by the end of the movie. Because no one is completely good or completely bad.

It’s been 25 years since I first sat in the backseat of my parents’ car and watched the conclusion of My Best Friend’s Wedding. We had all made the trip to the drive-in to watch Speed 2: Cruise Control, but I let my gaze stray. One more movie I wanted to see that summer was playing on the drive-in’s fourth screen, and it was a movie with enduring decency starring Julia Roberts.

While I haven’t watched as many Hollywood romantic comedies in the last ten to fifteen years, I used to be a huge fan of that genre in the late 1990s, regardless of how good the films were. (In fact, I was so enamored with them that I saw Picture Perfect a few months later in a largely empty theater, though I think mostly it was because I had a crush on Jennifer Aniston. Suffice to say, due to circumstances beyond my pre-teen control, I was unable to attend My Best Friend’s Wedding that summer, but you better believe I rented it the moment it was released on article at the end of the year.

I recently went back to it, and I’m happy to say that I may now even like it more than I did back then. When I first saw it, I adored Julia Roberts’ cunning performance, the fact that the main character was essentially the villain of the story, swooned over Cameron Diaz’s Kimmy, adored Rupert Everett’s George, and grinned broadly during that scene where George and Michael’s family sing “I Say a Little Prayer” in the restaurant.

What are the most appropriate opening remarks for a wedding ceremony?

We cordially invite and appreciate your presence at this significant event, dear friends and family of the bride and groom. We’ve come together to witness and celebrate Name of the Bride and Name of the Groom’s wedding on this particular day. We all have a strong desire to love and be loved.

How do you pick the first few words to say at your wedding ceremony?

A strong welcome speech is crucial, even though there may not be a right or wrong way to deliver opening remarks and introductions at a wedding ceremony. It conveys the importance of the event and its significance to the engaged couple, as well as to everyone else in attendance. Here are three instances of introductions used in wedding ceremonies.

We cordially invite you to join us for this momentous occasion, dear friends and family of the bride and groom. We’ve come together to witness and celebrate Name of the Bride and Name of the Groom’s wedding on this particular day.

What is a succinct opening prayer for a wedding?

Dear God, on this day of NAME and NAME’s marriage, our hearts are overflowing with immense joy. They come before you and swear their hearts and lives to one another. May they always be sincere and loving, never causing their marriage to suffer from their cohabitation.

The Best Wedding Blessings and Prayers for Your Ceremony.

The ideal wedding blessings.

Consider including a wedding prayer or wedding blessing if you value including religious or cultural elements in your wedding ceremony. A wedding prayer is a wonderful way to respect your religion and tie your ceremony to the afterlife. Your officiant or a special guest of honor can deliver it.

What gift should you give a close friend for their wedding?

THE ETIQUETTE She advises wedding guests, wherever they may be, to follow these rules: a friend or relative should contribute between $100 and $125; a close relative, up to $150; and a distant relative, between $75 and $100. No, Cooper says, you are not expected to bloat the gift if you are wealthy.

You need to establish some rules for gift-giving when you attend as many weddings as Stephanie Wong does. Wong, 32, has attended about six weddings in the past two years while working in marketing for a San Francisco-based book publisher. This year, she plans to attend three more.

Wong’s spending depends entirely on her relationship with the newlyweds, how elaborate the wedding will be, and whether or not she brings a date.

Wong gave the couple $300 when she performed a reading and went alone to the recent wedding of a close friend. She donated $75 and skipped the reception at another wedding in her social circle.

What’s a good speech opening?

The first words in a speech matter! Thank you so much; it’s a pleasure to be here. Sorry, but this won’t take long. Just a week, day, or ten minutes ago, I was asked to give this speech.

You’ve just been called to the stage; your audience is waiting impatiently for you to speak, and now it’s your turn. Instead of the standard “Um, thanks so much for inviting me here,” how do you begin a speech with strength and confidence?

The fact remains that your audience will evaluate you based on your opening statement. Though harsh, what is said is entirely accurate. Therefore, it’s a good idea to start your speech with assurance and confidence in order to quickly establish a connection with the audience and pique their interest in what you will say next.

It’s not just about the words you use; there are many different ways to begin a speech. Your opening lines are only one aspect of making a good first impression.

What should go in a two-minute wedding speech?

Introduction and your relationship to the bride or groom are included in the sample wedding speech outline. Talk about the person you are defending. Discuss their romantic partner. Offer congratulations or guidance. Finish with a strong line.

How do you speak at your best friend’s wedding?

Show how funny, kind, or outgoing your friend is as examples of best friend wedding speech objectives. Tell them how important they are to you as friends. Express your belief that your friend’s new husband and her are a perfect match. Laugh at the bride’s expense to amuse the audience. Cached.

What is a good speech writing technique for your best friend?

Don’t use a canned speech; instead, make it unique. If you know anything about your friend’s past or future expectations, use that information when speaking to him. Mention specific instances that your friend might recall, as long as they’re not embarrassing. A personal address enables you to show your guests a side of your friend they may not have previously known. Cached.

Related Articles:

• How To Begin A Groom’S Speech
• How To Begin A Wedding Speech
• How To Begin A Bride’S Wedding Speech
• How To Begin A Maid Of Honor Speech
• How To Give A Great Wedding Speech Or Toast Speech Delivery Tips, How To Memorise A Speech, Tips Fo
• Why You Should Not Hire Friends As Your Wedding Service Providers!! Friends

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A Simple Wedding Script to Use When a Friend Officiates Your Ceremony

Published Thursday, Aug. 4th, 2022

Written by Jessica Levey

Este articulo en español

This ‘Friend Officiating’ wedding script template makes it easy for a couple and their friend officiant to write a custom ceremony. Just fill in the blanks with details from your love story to create a sweet officiant speech and personal vows, then put it all together for a short & simple wedding ceremony script that’s ready to go on your marriage day!

Is a friend officiating your wedding ceremony? 

Congratulations! We can’t think of a better way to start a new chapter in life than standing side by side with the people you love the most. 

Your friend will need to get ordained , then you can start planning the perfect wedding ceremony together. For step-by-step instructions on what friends and relatives must do in order to officiate read: 

• Can you legally perform a wedding ceremony for your friends and family? Yes!

Once the initial paperwork is taken care of, all that’s left is finding the perfect words to celebrate the happy occasion. 

To make it easy, we created a simple wedding ceremony template for you, your partner, and your friend-officiant to complete together. 

How to use this Wedding Ceremony Script Template: 

Fill in each blank section with details from you and your partner’s relationship by answering the provided questions. This can be completed in only a few minutes, but we suggest you take your time and make a fun day of it. 

Put it all together, and you’ve got a sweet wedding script that’s ready to go on the wedding day! 

The Perfect Wedding Script for a Friend Officiant 

A ‘Friend Officiating’ Wedding Ceremony Script Template

• See this wedding script in Spanish

PROCESSION / PROCESSIONAL

• GUESTS ARE SEATED. THE COUPLE ENTERS & THE CEREMONY BEGINS.

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION

Welcome friends and family. A wedding is such a wonderful occasion, filled with hopes, dreams, and excitement. We’ve gathered here today to celebrate the love between [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B], and to witness the depth of that love as they join together in the commitment of marriage. 

In the [number of months or years] that they’ve known each other, these two have had countless adventures together, made joyful memories, and supported and comforted each other through difficult days and weeks.  

They’ve ____________________________________, ____________________________________, and ____________________________________. 

For the couple: What are three of your favorite memories together? What is something the two of you overcame that you could never have done alone? Include your most important moments here to share with friends and family.

And with patience, understanding, laughter, and honesty, they’ve grown into the couple you see before you. 

Now, they are ready to spend the rest of their lives together, building new memories as [husband and wife / partners for life / etc.]

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

The foundations of a true marriage begin long before the wedding day, and the efforts of marriage continue long after the ceremony ends. A brief moment in time and the stroke of a pen are all it takes to form the legal bond of marriage, but it takes a lifetime of love, commitment, and compromise to make marriage durable and everlasting.

When you asked me to share this special day with you, my heart filled with joy. I can’t imagine two people better suited to each other. I’ve had the privilege of know you both for [amount of time], and watched you  ____________________________________ and ____________________________________. I’ve witnessed your respect and love for each other as you weathered ups and downs together, strengthened by your __________, __________, and __________. 

For the officiant: What are two of your favorite memories of the couple? These can be activities the three of you did together, or memories you have of them that demonstrate their compatibility and strengths.  For the officiant: What are the couple’s best qualities as a team? What qualities do they bring out in each other? For example: humor, compassion, and devotion.  

Today you declare your commitment to each other before family and friends.

DECLARATION OF INTENT

OFFICIANT TO PARTNER A

Do you [PARTNER A], take [PARTNER B] to be your [wife/ husband/ spouse], to love, honor, and cherish, through all of life’s ups and downs, sharing the days in joy and comfort, from this day forward?

• PARTNER A RESPONDS WITH AN AFFIRMATION.

OFFICIANT TO PARTNER B

Do you [PARTNER B], take [PARTNER A] to be your [wife/ husband/ spouse], to love, honor, and cherish, through all of life’s ups and downs, sharing the days in joy and comfort, from this day forward?

• PARTNER B RESPONDS WITH AN AFFIRMATION.

RINGS EXCHANGE

You’ve chosen to exchange rings [or gifts] as a symbol of the promises you make here today. They will be a reminder to you of the love you’ve cultivated these past [number of years], and of all the joys yet undiscovered, that lie on your journey ahead. 

When you’re ready, [Partner A], you can go first.  

PARTNER A TO PARTNER B

[PARTNER B], I give you this ring as a symbol of my love. I promise to  ____________________________________, ____________________________________, and ____________________________________. I will never  ____________________________________, and always ____________________________________. I love you always.  

• PARTNER A PLACES THE RING ON PARTNER B'S FINGER.

For Partner A: What are three promises you want to make to your partner on your wedding day? Or, what are the three things you value most about being someone’s spouse?  Then, what is one thing you promise never to do? This is a good opportunity to add humor, something light hearted and funny to make your partner smile. Or, if it suits the tone, choose something that you know is very important to your partner.  And last, what is something you promise to do every single day of your marriage? 

  OFFICIANT TO PARTNER B

[Partner B], you’re up.

PARTNER B TO PARTNER A

[PARTNER A], I give you this ring as a symbol of my love. I promise to  ____________________________________, ____________________________________, and ____________________________________. I will never  ____________________________________, and always ____________________________________. I love you always. 

• PARTNER B PLACES THE RING ON PARTNER A'S FINGER.

For Partner B: What are three promises you want to make to your partner on your wedding day? Or, what are the three things you value most about being someone’s spouse?  Then, what is one thing you promise never to do? This is a good opportunity to add humor, something light hearted and funny to make your partner smile. Or, if it suits the tone, choose something that you know is very important to your partner.  And last, what is something you promise to do every single day of your marriage? 

PRONOUNCEMENT

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION AND COUPLE

It is my great honor to stand beside you both today, joined by the people that love and support you the most, as you take this next step. 

By the power vested in me by the State of [Name of Wedding State], I pronounce you [husband and wife / wife and wife/ partners for life / married/ etc.]. 

You may kiss!

Family and friends, I present to you for the first time, the newlyweds! Let’s celebrate them! 

recession/ RECESSIONAL

• End of the Wedding Ceremony.

Not what you're looking for?    Visit the Wedding Ceremony Script Library.

We know that writing a ceremony from scratch can be a daunting process, especially if you’re officiating on short notice.   To make things easier, we keep our Sample Script Library well stocked with wedding ceremony templates and sample scripts for you to choose from. These scripts are a great starting point, with sections to add to, leave out, or reorganize, as you personalize a ceremony.    You'll find a variety of religious and non-religious ceremonies to choose from.  

  You might also like: 

• More Than Words: 5 Body Language Tips for New Officiants
• The secret to a perfect wedding officiant speech (with examples)  

One of our favorite ways to find the perfect wording for a wedding officiant speech or wedding script is to think of the ceremony as a theater play, with you and your couple performing unique roles. Read the full article here. 

  Browse  Articles for First Time Officiants  

Lead Staff Writer & Illustrator

Jessica loves exploring the history and magic of ritual, the connections between people and places, and sharing true stories about love and commitment. She's an advocate for marriage equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and individuality, and is an ordained Minister with AMM. When she’s not writing or illustrating for AMM, she enjoys city hikes, fantasy novels, comics, and traveling.

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How to write a wedding speech as we hit peak marriage season

There are three templates to download thanks to comedian Rob Madin

• 09:38, 21 JUN 2024

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This Sunday, June 23, is set to be one of the most popular wedding dates of the year with almost 4,000 marriages across the country in one day. Travelodge has partnered with comedian Rob Madin to write a selection of wedding speeches which can be downloaded, giving you light relief when it comes to composing the ultimate wedding speech.

The three adaptable speeches can be used as the foundation to write your own personalised words or serve as a form of inspiration. Whether you're ‘The Joker’ looking to bring the house down with wall-to-wall ‘bants’, or want to tug at the heart strings and set off the parents with ‘The Tearjerker’ - an emotional journey through the happy couple’s best moments. Or perhaps, you're more of a ‘Creative Curveball’ who likes to take a maverick approach.

Travelodge Master of Ceremonies said: “It’s that time of year again, where couples get ready to say their ‘I do’s’. Whilst wedding season should be a time of love and cheer, if you’re the one giving a speech on the big day, they can also be incredibly nerve wracking. So, as well as offering our guests king sized comfort and great value accommodation, we’re going one step further this season by helping those tasked with ‘saying a few words’ by launching our Wedding Speech Menu offering - just another reason you Better Get a Travelodge.”

Our three speeches are live on the Travelodge website www.travelodge.co.uk/blog/news/wedding-speech-menu .

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How Verbal Irony Works: Examples and Practical Uses

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Verbal irony is a clever twist of language that keeps conversations interesting and adds humor by contrasting what is said with what is meant.

Whether it's Michael Scott from "The Office" declaring, "I am a master of leaving people wanting more," or a coworker saying, "Oh great, another meeting!" when they're clearly not excited, verbal irony spices up literature, pop culture and beyond.

Let's look at how you can master this engaging form of speech and transform your interactions.

What Is Verbal Irony?

Origins in ancient greece, rome and shakespeare, 7 verbal irony examples, 7 practical uses of verbal irony, other forms of irony, the true irony of alanis morissette's 'ironic'.

Verbal irony is a statement that, on its face, is the opposite of what the speaker truly means. This figure of speech is often used to express sarcasm and humor or emphasize a point by saying the opposite of what is true.

For example, if it's pouring rain outside and someone says, "What lovely weather we're having," that's verbal irony. The speaker doesn't actually think the weather is nice; they're using irony to highlight how unpleasant it is.

This type of irony relies on context and tone to convey the true meaning — but it's not the same as lying. The intention is for the audience to recognize the disparity between the words and the actual situation, not to take the literal meaning at face value.

This rhetorical device is common in literature, everyday conversation and various forms of media. It adds layers of meaning and engages the audience through wit and subtlety.

It can be employed as ironic similes , which compare two contrasting things in a way that highlights the irony. For instance, saying "as clear as mud" to describe something very confusing is an ironic simile that emphasizes the lack of clarity.

Verbal irony, like many rhetorical devices, has its roots in ancient literature and rhetoric. The concept can be traced back to ancient Greek and Roman cultures, where it was used extensively in both written and spoken forms of communication.

One of the earliest known references to irony is found in the works of the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates , who employed a method known as "Socratic irony." This technique involved Socrates pretending to be ignorant or feigning ignorance about a topic to provoke discussion and draw out the underlying assumptions and contradictions in his interlocutor's arguments.

This form of irony was more situational and dramatic but laid the groundwork for understanding irony as a rhetorical device.

Irony was also prevalent in ancient Greek comedy, where playwrights like Aristophanes used it to poke fun at societal norms, politicians and everyday life, providing entertainment while offering social commentary.

The formal study and definition of verbal irony came with the development of classical rhetoric. In his work " Institutio Oratoria ," the Roman rhetorician Quintilian provided one of the earliest comprehensive accounts of rhetorical devices, including irony. He described irony as a figure of speech where the speaker's intended meaning is opposite to the words they use.

Throughout history, verbal irony has been employed by many notable writers and playwrights, such as Shakespeare , who used it extensively in his plays to add humor, highlight contrasts and develop characters. For example, in "Julius Caesar," Mark Antony repeatedly calls Brutus an "honorable man" while implying the opposite.

Examples of verbal irony are everywhere, and you have likely used a few of these yourself over the years.

• Sarcasm : Sarcasm is a form of verbal irony. For example, if someone is having a particularly bad day and a friend says, "Well, aren't you having a great time?" The friend's statement is verbally ironic because it means the opposite of what they are saying.
• Literature : In Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," Mr. Bennet sarcastically remarks, "I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration these last 20 years at least." This is verbally ironic because Mr. Bennet is actually mocking Mrs. Bennet's constant complaints about her nerves.
• Everyday conversation : If it is raining heavily outside and someone says, "What a beautiful day for a picnic," this is verbal irony because the actual weather is the opposite of beautiful for outdoor activities.
• Praise as criticism : A student who performs poorly on a test might say, "Wow, I really aced that one," meaning they did quite the opposite.
• Understatement : After finishing a marathon, a runner might say, "I’m a bit tired," when they are exhausted. The understatement here is verbally ironic because it downplays the true intensity of their fatigue.
• Exaggeration : A person stuck in traffic for hours might say, "This is exactly how I wanted to spend my day," meaning it is the complete opposite of what they wanted.
• Historical speeches : Winston Churchill, known for using irony, once said, "You were given the choice between war and dishonor. You chose dishonor, and you will have war." Here, the ironic twist highlights the false belief that dishonor would prevent war.

Verbal irony can be a powerful rhetorical tool when used effectively. Here are some ways it can be employed.

• Humor and wit : Verbal irony can add a layer of humor and wit to a conversation or piece of writing. For instance, in Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest," the line "The truth is rarely pure and never simple" is humorous and ironic, as it highlights the complexities of truth.
• Emphasizing a point : A speaker can forcefully emphasize the true point by stating the opposite of what one means. For example, a parent might say, "Oh sure, play video games instead of doing your homework. That's a brilliant idea," to stress the importance of completing homework first.
• Criticism without direct accusation : Verbal irony allows for less aggressive criticism. A statement like, "Oh, you're just the hardest worker, aren't you?" is directed at a lazy colleague and criticizes without direct accusation (but can also be seen as passive aggressive).
• Engaging an audience : Verbal irony can engage the audience by making them think about the deeper meaning behind the words. This can be particularly effective in speeches and writing, encouraging the audience to pay closer attention.
• Expressing frustration or disappointment : Sometimes, verbal irony is used to express frustration or disappointment. For instance, someone might say, "Just what I needed today," after encountering a series of unfortunate events.
• Building character depth : In storytelling, verbal irony can reveal the complexities of a character's personality, showing their cynicism, intelligence or sense of humor. Characters like Dr. Gregory House in the TV series "House" often use verbal irony to convey cynicism and sharp wit.
• Highlighting absurdity : Verbal irony can be used to highlight the absurdity of a situation. Suppose a government official is caught in a corruption scandal. A journalist might write, "Another victory for honesty in politics," to underscore the opposite reality.

Irony comes in various forms, each with its unique mode of delivery and context.

1. Situational Irony

Situational irony arises when there is a discrepancy between what is expected to happen and what actually occurs. The irony is embedded in the situation itself.

An example of situational irony would be a fire station burning down, which is unexpected because it's the place you'd assume that would happen.

2. Dramatic Irony

Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows something the characters do not, creating a contrast between the character's understanding of their situation and what the audience knows to be true.

For example, in a horror movie, when the audience knows the killer is hiding in the closet but the character does not, that's dramatic irony.

3. Cosmic Irony

Cosmic irony, also known as "irony of fate," involves a higher power or fate manipulating events in a way that contrasts with human efforts and desires.

For instance, in Thomas Hardy's "Tess of the d'Urbervilles," the protagonist faces continual misfortune despite her best efforts, suggesting that a cruel fate governs her life.

4. Romantic Irony

Romantic irony, emerging during the Romantic period , often involves a self-aware or self-reflective use of irony. This form of irony is characterized by a playful and paradoxical approach, frequently highlighting the complexities and contradictions of human experience and art itself.

For example, in Lord Byron's works, he often mocks his own poetic conventions and the grandiose themes he explores.

5. Classical Irony

Classical irony — common in Greek and Roman literature and drama — typically involves a more structured and restrained use of irony. This form tends to be straightforward and logical in its contrast between expectation and reality.

For instance, in Sophocles' "Oedipus Rex," the protagonist’s efforts to avoid a prophecy only lead him to fulfill it, highlighting the inescapable nature of fate.

Alanis Morissette's 1995 hit song " Ironic " is a notable example of introducing the concept of irony to pop culture, despite many arguing that it doesn't actually showcase true irony. The song's lyrics present various situations often mistaken for situational irony — those moments when what happens is the exact opposite of what you’d expect.

Think of lines like “a traffic jam when you're already late” or “a free ride when you've already paid.” These examples might seem like situational irony, but they are more accurately described as unfortunate coincidences.

Interestingly, there's a layer of irony in the fact that a song titled "Ironic" doesn't include many actual examples of irony. (One of the few instances of actual irony is the line "like rain on your wedding day," which some say is good luck but can be a logistical nightmare.) This meta-irony adds an unexpected twist to the song itself.

The song also touches on broader, more complex types of irony in some lines.

Take “meeting the man of my dreams and then meeting his beautiful wife”: This line could be seen as situational irony because the dream-come-true meeting is disappointing. Yet, it also flirts with dramatic irony. We, the listeners, feel the sting of the twist even more because we understand the irony that the protagonist didn’t see coming.

In 2015, Morissette herself teamed up with James Corden on "The Late Late Show" to perform a parody version of "Ironic" with updated lyrics that more accurately reflect true irony, including the line "It's singing 'Ironic,' but there are no ironies."

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.

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Bride's Friends Surprise Her with Hilarious Recreation of Bridesmaids Scene at Her Wedding Reception: 'Best Gift'

Bride Cathy Kerbey tells PEOPLE she and longtime friend Anna "watched and quoted 'Bridesmaids' all throughout college, nonstop"

Erin Clack is a Staff Editor for PEOPLE. She has been writing about fashion, parenting and pop culture for more than 15 years.

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Two women pulled off an unforgettable surprise for their friend when they hilariously recreated a classic scene from one of her favorite movies, Bridesmaids , during her wedding reception.

In a now-viral video shared by bride Cathy Kerbey on TikTok, her longtime friend Anna and her husband Mike's best friend Courtney can be seen teaming up to act out the delightfully awkward scene in the 2011 comedy film when maid-of-honor Annie ( Kristen Wiig ) and bride Lillian's other best friend, Helen ( Rose Byrne ), give dueling speeches at Lillian's engagement party as they try to one-up each other.

Kerbey's video kicks off with Anna standing up at her June 9 wedding reception at Cloughjordan House in Co. Tipperary, Ireland, and telling the gathered guests that she's known Kerbey since they were 7 years old before explaining, "I'm not a big one for speeches so I just wanted to say thank you so much for letting me be a part of your celebration and Mike, welcome to the family."

As everyone clapped and cheered at the end of Anna's little speech, Courtney suddenly struts forward, holding a microphone, and begins, "Do you remember that trip that we took with the boys to Miami?" A few laughs can be heard as some of the guests catch on to the fact that something unexpected is unfolding.

À la Bridesmaids ' Annie and Helen, Anna and Courtney then continue to take turns at the mic, competing with their speeches, as the laughter from the audience grows louder. Throughout the clip, Kerbey can be seen giddily watching their performance, clapping and cheering and dancing in her seat.

"POV: Yours and the groom's best friends perform that scene from Bridesmaids on your wedding day," Kerbey captioned the TikTok video, which has so far racked up more than 1.2 million views. "Thank you so, so much @annahession and @carnett83. I am so happy that it will forever remain as one of our wedding memories. We love you both!"

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

Kerbey tells PEOPLE that she and Anna — who grew up together in Limerick, Ireland — "watched and quoted Bridesmaids all throughout college, nonstop." She says she can't even count how many times the pair have watched the movie together over the years.

"40 times? 4,000 times? I couldn't tell you. It was a staple most weekends in college, and during the week. We really love it so much because of the writing — the quotability of this movie scores a 10/10, and that's when you know you have something special," she says.

The two friends love the movie so much that they even promised each other that when one of them got married, the other would perform the speech scene at the wedding. When Kerbey got engaged, she set things in motion by creating a group chat with Anna and Courtney, an actress whom Mike worked with as part of an improv group.

Kerbey says the friends shared a few voice notes back and forth but then she forgot all about the scheme as she got swept up in the whirlwind of wedding planning. Little did she know, however, that Anna and Courtney remained determined to fulfill the college-days promise made between Kerbey and Anna.

"I created that group chat and the rest is really history," Kerbey tells PEOPLE.

"Anna knows this scene like the back of her hand and Courtney is an actor, so they really improvised on the day, adding personal details and letting their personalities shine. They absolutely nailed it!" she adds.

As for her guests, Kerbey says their reactions were "hilarious" to see.

"I really only got to appreciate [the reactions] once I was sent the video a few days later. My neck was sore just turning back between Anna and Courtney, and I could really only see the reactions of the guests immediately surrounding me," she explains.

"I would say a good 60% of the guests got the reference, and those who didn't caught on fairly quickly due to the comedic timing and delivery of the girls. If I had to guess, 10% of the guests had no idea this was a joke, and I had a few family members tell Courtney they were ready to kick her out of the venue," she continues. "But once we all hugged and laughed at the end, it was pretty obvious it was all in good jest."

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now !

For Kerbey and her husband, the Bridesmaids performance is now a treasured memory from their special day. "It was really special for both of us to have our best friends do something so niche, personal and iconic for our wedding," she says.

She notes that she and Mike opted not to have bridesmaids and groomsmen, so they were limited in how their best friends could be involved in their wedding.

"Anyone who knows us knows that Mike and I live for this stuff," Kerbey tells PEOPLE. "I was never that little girl who dreamed of having a fairytale wedding, but I knew I wanted my friends and family to laugh their asses off — so that really is the best gift Anna and Courtney could have given us."

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Beloved and despised, longtime Union-Tribune…

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Beloved and despised, longtime Union-Tribune business columnist leaves indelible legacy

Over many decades, don bauder annoyed and agitated some of the most powerful and well-heeled people in san diego.

Don Bauder, the longtime business editor and columnist for The San Diego Union-Tribune who delighted in exercising the old journalism adage to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted and who frustrated his subjects and editors with equal measure, died June 21 at his home in Salida, Colo. He was 88.

Bauder, broadly known and feared across San Diego County business and political circles, relished the chase that few in his chosen field have mastered: finding, confirming and reporting on the cheats and scoundrels who permeated every market in which he worked.

His work sold papers, and often had serious consequences.

Bauder fell in and out of favor with his bosses, and when he finally agreed to a cake-and-speeches send-off marking his 2003 departure from the Union-Tribune, he insisted it be held at the same time editors were huddled in one of their afternoon meetings.

For a time in the 1980s, Bauder was the face of what was then The San Diego Union, with his image appearing on news racks and other spaces promoting the newspaper in the years before it merged with the Evening Tribune.

He loudly opposed public subsidies for the San Diego Padres and the former San Diego Chargers, saying billionaire owners could pay for their own damn stadiums. Those particular positions did not prevail among  elected officials, however.

More than once he agitated influential advertisers, prompting demands that he be fired or otherwise tempered. He received more death threats than he could count but refused to alter his approach to his craft.

“Only one of our clients had a protocol named after him: Bauder Alert!” said Harold W. “Hal” Fuson Jr., longtime chief legal counsel of The Copley Press, which owned the Union-Tribune and dozens of other newspapers for many decades.

“There was a period when Don had a list of scalawags as long as my arm,” Fuson said. “He only had time to turn out a finished conviction about once a week, and it often seemed the list of common financial scofflaws would never end.”

Tops among those may have been J. David Dominelli, the convicted fraudster who launched an investment firm from the basement of a Mexican restaurant in 1979 and stole some $80 million from a host of prominent San Diegans before he was exposed five years later.

The story, which made national news at the time, unfolded in a series of reports in the San Diego Union before Bauder authored “Captain Money and the Golden Girl.”

The book was a vivid retelling of the notorious Ponzi scheme Dominelli perpetrated with girlfriend Nancy Hoover, the former mayor of Del Mar. They were both eventually sentenced to prison for financial fraud.

Bauder knocked out the book during a 30-day leave from the newspaper. It landed on the Los Angeles Times bestseller list for more than two months.

Craig D. Rose, the former Union-Tribune technology and utilities reporter hired by Bauder in 1987, said his old editor was renowned across the newsroom for standing by his reporters and keeping meticulous tabs on the thousands of pages or documents piled high on his desk.

“He knew the markets. He knew filings. He knew the SEC, and he knew about financial scams and how they worked,” he said. “One of his best lines was, ‘Most thievery is legal.’”

Bauder would never ask someone to do a job he would not do himself, Rose said.

“Nothing was beneath him,” he said. “If you asked him to sweep the floor, he would sweep the floor and come back with a story about rip-offs in the cleaning industry. He had an insider’s knowledge of corporate complexity and an outsider’s outrage.”

Donald Charles Bauder was born in Chicago on May 28, 1936, and grew up in the nearby suburb of Glen Ellyn. He ventured north to attend the University of Wisconsin, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1960.

The young business major served in the U.S. Army before returning to the University of Wisconsin for a master’s degree in journalism.

He spied a young Ellen Templeton lingering by the record player at a house party in 1961 and struck up a conversation about music. The Northwestern University history student had arrived with someone else but gave Bauder her phone number before the night was through.

“The next weekend I was out on a date, and my roommate at Northwestern said there had been a call for me,” she said. “This was the 1960s, and there was one telephone for each floor. She said this nut had called, and he said he’s madly in love with you.”

The university undergraduate agreed to a date, and the two became fast friends. During her previously planned three-month tour of Europe that summer, she said Bauder sent letters to her hotels weeks in advance so they would be there when she arrived.

At a dinner party in early 1962, a friend asked Bauder when he and his girlfriend planned to marry. Without skipping a beat — or the benefit of a formal proposal — he answered “September.”

His future bride said her friend was as surprised as she was.

“She said, ‘Why didn’t you tell me you were getting married,’ and I said, ‘Because I didn’t know,’” said Ellen Bauder, now his wife of 60-plus years.

Don Bauder began his career at Illinois Bell Telephone but did not take to corporate culture. He quickly put his graduate degree to work and accepted a position in the Chicago bureau of what was then known as Business Week magazine.

Ellen Bauder said she and her husband agreed that they would always work toward mutual satisfaction in their careers. He supported her while she earned a master’s of her own and later a doctorate in plant population ecology, specializing in vernal pools.

She followed him to Ohio when he moved to the magazine’s Cleveland office, and Bauder set to work unmasking grifters, flim-flam men and other financial reprobates in three-piece suits.

“Before long, it was pretty obvious that some of his bosses had some serious problems with his stories,” Ellen Bauder said. “That was the first time it became clear that management was more interested in advertisers than reporters.”

The couple decided to move to the West Coast, where relatives were based in different cities. They flew into Seattle, rented a car and visited every major city on their way south. By this time, Bauder was only interested in newspaper jobs.

The call came from the San Diego Union, where he spent the next 30 years.

Sandy Young spent much of that time at Bauder’s side, helping him with whatever he needed to finish a column, fielding calls and scrolling the wires and stock tickers on his behalf.

“He took all the calls from anyone who called,” she said. “If somebody wrote him something, he responded in writing and replied to them.”

Bauder fought to make sure dividend reports were included on the business page, because seniors who invested in the stock market needed to know about their earnings, Young said. He avoided listing penny stocks in the paper because he did not trust those companies.

“He was not good with computers, coding or passwords, but he was great with people,” she said. “He helped people find their niche and bring out their best work. That’s one reason so many of us have been so loyal to him.

“He thanked me every day when I went home,” she added. “Who does that?”

Bauder was constantly approached for television and radio appearances, as well as speaking engagements. He raised thousands of dollars for the San Diego Opera — one of his great  passions — by eschewing speaking fees and instead directing his audiences to steer money to the charity.

He left the Union-Tribune in 2003 and moved with his wife to Salida, Colo., a small mountain town south of Denver.

He continued writing about San Diego businesses, penning a column with the weekly San Diego Reader newspaper for another 15 years. He never wavered from his chief passion: calling out thievery and laying bare whatever swindles or tricksters he could find.

“He was the consummate professional,” said Michael Aguirre, the former federal prosecutor and elected San Diego city attorney who filed many public-interest lawsuits sparked by the reporter’s exposes.

“The work just took hold of him, and he could see he was having an impact.”

Bauder is survived by his wife, Ellen Templeton Bauder, of Salida, Colo.; two sons, Russell Bauder of San Jose and Clinton Bauder of Cupertino; and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, George Bauder.

No public services are planned.

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