Wedding speeches can feel like a minefield in the lead up to your wedding day,
especially if you are not sure whether to go down a traditional, or non-traditional route.
Traditionally speeches would be made by the father of the groom, the groom, and the best man.
However, it has become more common for the bride, or maid of honour to also make a speech.
In that instance, what order should they take place?

What order should your speeches take place?

Whilst some people may say that you should follow the traditional order and then add any additional speeches to the end, we think it’s very rare that anything can top the best man’s speech!

Father of the Bride

Groom

Bride

Maid of Honour

Best Man

What should be included in the speeches?

Father of the Bride

The father of the bride will usually:

• Thank everyone for attending and participating in the day

• Compliment the bride and tell some lovely stories about her

• Welcome the groom to the family

• Toast absent friends and family

• Toast the happy couple

If the father of the bride cannot attend the wedding, this speech will often be made by the mother of the bride, a sibling, or close family friend.

Groom

The groom follows the father of the bride by:

• Thanks the father of the bride for his speech

• Thank the guests for attending, and their gifts

• Thank both sets of parents (specifying ways they have helped with the wedding)

• Compliments his bride and share how they met

• Thanks the best man and groomsmen, and give them gifts (include the maid of honour and bridesmaids if the bride is not giving a speech)

• Thank and toast the suppliers and venue

Bride

If the bride would like to make a speech, she should follow the groom:

• Thanks her father for his speech

• Thanks both sets of parents for their help with the wedding

• Thanks the maid of honour and bridesmaids, and give them gifts

• Compliment the groom and tell a heartfelt story about him

• Raise a toast

Maid of Honour

The maid of honour will follow the bride:

• Thank the bride for her toast and gift

• Share some fun memories with the bride

• Compliment the groom and users

• Toast the happy couple

Best Man

The last speech of the day is traditionally the best man:

• Thank the groom for his toast and gift

• Compliment the bridesmaids

• Compliment the bridesmaid and share how she makes the groom happy

• Compliment the happy couple

• Share some anecdotes about the groom

• Read messages from absent family and friends

• End with the final toast to the newly married couple

When should the speeches take place?

Speeches can take place either before or after your meal as both options has it pros and cons. One way to keep on track with your speeches is to have a toastmaster help out on the day. If you are considering a toastmaster see our post on why you need a toastmaster.

things to remember

Your speeches don’t need to be strict, and can take the form of videos, slideshows, or even songs! Try to have fun with your speeches, making them something to remember. What speeches will be taking place on your wedding day?