Order of Speeches     Recipes for Speeches

Rules regarding speechmaking at a wedding:

Do not mention any stories that will embarrass the Bride or Groom.

Don't talk too long.

Order of Speeches

The Master of Ceremony introduces the speeches:

He gives a toast to the bride and groom,

Introduces the speech makers

Announces the first dance

Cutting of the cake

Throwing the garter.

(if applicable)

The most popular (shorter) format is in the following order:

Father of the Bride - toasts the Bride and Groom.

Father of the Groom - toasts the Bride and Groom.

Grooms - toasts the Bridesmaids.

Best man - toasts the Bride and Groom.

Groomsman - reads telegrams and acknowledges absent friends.

The traditional (longer) format of speeches and events:

The MC introduces himself and welcomes everyone to the Reception,

Grace is said (if desired),

The Entree is served (if applicable),

The MC proposes the Royal Toast eg to the Queen, although this is now rarely done.

The main course is then served.

Then the dessert and coffee are served, unless the cake is used as dessert.

If so, cut the cake and while the caterers are preparing it, announce the speeches.

The MC introduces the person who will propose a  toast to the Bride and Groom. This could be the MC.

The MC introduces the Groom

The Groom (and Bride if desired) make/s his/their speech.

The Groom's toast is to the bridesmaids.

The MC introduces the Best Man.

The Best Man (and Chief Bridesmaid if desired) make/s his/their speech.

The Best Man's toast is to the Mother and Father of the Bride.

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The MC introduces the Father of the Bride.

The Father of the Bride gives his speech.

His toast to the Mother and Father of the Groom.

The MC introduces the Father of the Groom.

The Father of the Groom gives his speech.

His toast is to the Bride and Groom.

The MC introduces the Best Man again.

The Best Man reads the letters, faxes, emails, cards messages etc.

The MC thanks everyone who helped make the Reception a success.

Then:

First dance

Cutting of the cake

(if not used as dessert)

Throwing of the garter

(if applicable)

With everything, there is a recipe or formula. 

As well, there is always a beginning, middle and end.

The suggestions below will make your speech personal.

Recipes for Speeches

The suggestions are so simple you will wonder why some people think speeches are hard or awkward.

Just take your time, do not embarrass anyone and enjoy the occasion.

Father of the Bride

You are speaking on behalf of you and your partner  (or the Bride's Mother).

Some things you might like to include:

Comment on the success of the wedding so far, perhaps mention any amusing mishaps.

Thank anyone who has helped to pay towards the wedding.

Talk about your daughter, how proud you are of her,  and include any short stories of her teenage years or childhood.

Officially welcome the Groom to your family.

Perhaps tell the story of when you first met, and what you first thought of him.

Mention that you are looking forward to getting to know the Grooms family better, or if you already know them well, then share any  pleasant experiences you have had together.

Conclude your speech with a toast to the Bride and Groom.

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Father of the Groom

You are speaking on behalf of you and your partner (or the Grooms Mother).

Some things you might like to include:

Comment on the success of the wedding.

Talk about your son, how proud you are of him,  and include any short stories of his childhood or teenage years.

Officially welcome the Bride to your family.

Perhaps tell the story of when you first met, and what you first thought of her.

Conclude your speech with a toast to the Bride and  Groom.

Groom's Speech

You are speaking for both yourself and your new wife (if she has not giving a speech herself).

Some couples make a joint speech.

You might like to include some of the following in your speech:

Thank anyone who has helped with the day, e.g. the person who has made the cake or the reception venue staff etc.

Express your happiness on this day, perhaps tell the story of how you met your new wife, who made the first move and so on.

Say something that is directed to your bride and how you feel about her, and your expectations of your future life together.

Thank everyone for coming on 'our special day' and mention any guests that were too ill to come and send them best wishes.

Thanks to the bridesmaids, flower girl, pageboys, both sets of parents, and so on and hand out gifts.

You might like to mention your best man, in order to introduce him to the guests, you could show concern that he may embarrass you in his speech.

Finish with a toast to the bridesmaids.

Brides Speech

The best thing about making a speech for the bride, is that there are no traditions.

You can say what you like and you can speak when you like, you are not trapped by any expectations, unlike the other speech givers.

However, here are a few things that you might like to include:

Thank your guests for coming - especially anyone who has travelled a long distance.

Thanks to anyone who has helped with the planning for the wedding and thank any bridesmaids, pageboys, flower girls.

You might like to mention your Mum, and your relationship with her,

especially if you are close.

Express your excitement and joy of being married to your new husband. Maybe tell a story about how you first met or got engaged a personal message from you to him.

Thank your new in-laws for welcoming you into their family.

Thank the guests for the gifts.

As a way to finish, you could toast the guests.

Often a bride and groom will make a joint speech

Best Man's Speech

The Best Man's speech is the one most people look forward to the most.

Traditionally, you will speak last, after the Father of the Bride and the Groom.

By this point the guests will have drunk quite a bit of wine!

The expectation is that you will humiliate the Groom with some embarrassing stories of his past, however you do not have to do this.

Only use humour or make jokes if you are comfortable doing so.

If there is not a toastmaster, you will introduce each of the other speakers by name and role (Father of the Bride, etc.)

These are some of the things you might like to include:

Thank the Bride and Groom for your (and the Bridesmaids) gift.

Read out any messages from friends or family who could not make it to the wedding.  When telling stories about the Groom, try not to use offensive language, or say anything that might upset the Bride!

Talk about how you met the Groom, how you become best friends, and that you can see that he is very happy with his Bride.

You should address the Bride and Groom directly to wish them congratulations.

Often the Bride is left out of the Best Man's speech, you could mention the first time you were introduced or how lucky the Groom is to have found someone as caring, beautiful, special as her. You finish by announcing that the bride and groom will now cut the cake.

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Chief Bridesmaid's or Maid of Honour's Speech

Although it may seem unusual, there is no reason why your Chief Bridesmaid or Maid of Honour can't make a speech.

In America, this is quite normal. However, because this is not so common, you can really say whatever you want, and choose to make the speech whenever you want. You are not restricted to any traditions. These are some of the things you might like to include.

Thank the Bride and Groom for your gift.

Comment on the success of the wedding so far.

Tell a story about the bride, how you became best friends or how you are related to her.

Do not say anything about her past that may upset the groom!

Talk about how you met the Groom, and what you first thought of him and how happy he has made your friend or how lucky they are to have found each other.

Address the Bride and Groom directly to wish them congratulations.