Wedding speech for [Name] and [Partner]
How to use this template
Find your role below, fill in the plan, then write each part. Where a part offers lines for different speakers, keep yours and delete the others. Before you print, delete the plan, this box, the example and the part headings.
You are | What your speech does | Length |
A parent or the host | Welcomes everyone, thanks the people who made the day, welcomes the new member of the family, gives the toast | 3–5 min |
A sibling | One story from growing up, and who they are now | 3 min |
A best friend or attendant | One story, then the turn to the partner | 3–4 min |
A grandparent | A memory and a blessing; short is fine | 1–2 min |
A friend or coworker | One story from the part of their life you share | 2 min |
Plan
Speaking as | |
Event and order | |
Hand over to | |
Length | |
The one thing to say | |
Names to get right | |
Off-limits |
The speech
See an example: a mother's speech (about 3 minutes)
Who you are: Good evening, everyone. For those who don't know me, I'm Ellen, James's mom. I've known him for thirty-one years, and for the first four of them he refused to wear shoes.
Welcome and thanks: On behalf of our family, welcome. Thank you to Nora's parents, Ruth and Tom, for opening their farm to all of us this weekend, and to everyone who traveled, especially Aunt Mae, who flew in from Perth.
One story: When James was nine, he saved for a whole summer to buy a telescope. The night it arrived, it was cloudy. He sat on the porch until two in the morning, waiting, and when the sky finally cleared he woke his little sister so she could see Saturn first. That's still James: he waits for the sky to clear, and then he shares it. I see it every time he's with Nora.
The partner: Nora, the first time James brought you home, you spent the whole evening in the kitchen with his grandmother, writing down her soup recipe. I knew then. Nora, welcome to the family. Ruth and Tom, we're so glad to share her with you.
The two of them: They still take that telescope out on clear nights. My wish for you both is plenty of clear skies, and the patience to wait out the cloudy ones.
The toast: Would everyone please raise your glasses. To Nora and James.
1. Who you are · 15 seconds
Your name, how you know them, and for how long.
Good evening, everyone. For those who don't know me, I'm [name], [Name]'s [mom / brother / best friend].
2. Welcome and thanks · 30 seconds
Parent or host: On behalf of our family, welcome. Thank you to [names] for making today happen, and to everyone who traveled to be here.
Everyone else: Thank you, [Name] and [Partner], for asking me to say a few words.
3. One story about [Name] · 75 seconds
Start in the middle of the moment, with one detail only you would know.
That's still [Name].
4. [Partner] · 40 seconds
The first time you met, or the moment you knew they were right for each other.
Parent: [Partner], welcome to the family.
Sibling: I always wanted [a brother / a sister], and I'm glad it's you.
Friend: You've made my best friend happier than I've ever seen them.
5. The two of them · 20 seconds
A habit or running joke the whole room knows, and a wish for them.
6. The toast · 10 seconds
A last line that calls back the story, then the toast.
Would everyone please raise your glasses. To [Name] and [Partner].
Before you give it
Read aloud with a timer. More than 30 seconds over? Cut a whole part, not single words.
Every name and pronunciation checked with the couple
Nothing about exes, money or past drinking, and no jokes only three people will get
Read once to someone who doesn't know the couple
First line and toast line memorized
Printed in large type, pages numbered
Water at your seat, and a glass filled before you stand