(*Of course, if you’re looking for more than ‘advice’, check out all the different ways the Speechy team can help you write & deliver a great speech. Or check out our new AI-powered team member, SpeechyAI.)
‘(Of course, if you’re looking for more than ‘advice’, check out Speechy’s bespoke speechwriting service. We also have a range of excellent speech templates that might be just what you need.)
(*Of course, if you’re looking for more than ‘advice’, check out our eulogy writing service or our eulogy template.)
(Of course, if you’re looking for more than ‘advice’, check out Speechy’s bespoke speechwriting service. We also have a range of excellent speech templates that might be just what you need.)
We’ve worked with thousands of couples, parents and friends over the years, and one thing we’ve learnt is this: no two speeches are ever the same. Some are short, some are sentimental, some are brilliantly funny, and some… well, some surprise even us.
The most important thing? Your speech should sound like you and celebrate the couple in a way that feels true to them. That’s it. Forget clichés, Pinterest quotes, and long thank-you lists. Focus on personality, story, and authenticity.
Here are some headline thoughts, along with short examples to get your ideas flowing.
Not just for the best man – funny speeches can come from anyone. Grooms, brides, and even dads can bring the house down. The secret is storytelling, not Googled gags.
Intro (150 words):
“Good evening everyone. When I first met Emily, I knew she was clever, kind, and beautiful. What I didn’t know was that she was also a bigger nerd than me – and that’s saying something. On our second date she beat me at Scrabble using the word ‘quizzify’… which I still maintain is made up. On our third, she corrected my pronunciation of Tolkien characters. By the fourth, she had somehow convinced me that Star Trek captains make great role models for relationships. I should have run. But instead, I bought a replica lightsaber and knew I was done for. Today, as I look at her, I realise she’s the only person who could love me enough to tolerate my Star Wars vs Star Trek debates, and still want to marry me.”
Toast (75 words):
“So let’s raise a glass to Emily – the nerd who out-nerded me, the love of my life, and the woman who will always win our board games. To Emily!”
Intro (150 words):
“Hello everyone, buenos noches! Today we celebrate Tom and Luis – two grooms, two legends, and two men who somehow decided Boca Roca was the perfect spot to tie the knot. For those who don’t know, I’ve been friends with Tom since university, which means I’ve witnessed every questionable haircut, every failed attempt at salsa dancing, and every regrettable tequila shot. When he met Luis, I thought, ‘Finally – someone patient enough to deal with him.’ Luis is charming, stylish, and has an actual skincare routine. Tom thinks SPF is a personality type. But together, they just work – Tom provides the chaos, Luis brings the calm, and Boca Roca provides the rum.”
Toast (75 words):
“So let’s raise a glass – to Tom and Luis, who prove that true love is about balance, compromise, and occasionally letting your partner pick the holiday destination. To the grooms!”
Intro (150 words):
“Hi everyone – it’s so good to see you. I mean it, because for the last year I’ve basically been in hibernation. In case you missed the updates – I had a baby, moved house, and planned a wedding. It’s been like starring in my own reality TV show, except without the glam squad or sponsorship deals. So forgive me if I seem a little overexcited tonight – I haven’t seen this many adults in one room for about 18 months. The only conversations I’ve had recently are with estate agents, Amazon delivery drivers, and a very small person who thinks peekaboo is the height of comedy. Tonight, I’m thrilled to be surrounded by grown-ups – and one very patient husband.”
Toast (75 words):
“So let’s raise a glass to new beginnings – the baby, the house, the wedding – and the man who didn’t run away when all three hit at once. To my husband!”
Sentimental speeches work when they’re specific, not generic. The trick is to avoid clichés and tell real stories.
Intro (150 words):
“When Hannah was little, she was… let’s say, energetic. Some dads dream of quiet, studious daughters. I got fireworks. At school plays, she was the child who improvised her lines. At sports day, she was the one who started a conga line instead of running the race. And at home, she was the one who painted the dog pink ‘because Barbie needed a pony’. She’s always been spirited, bold, and utterly impossible to ignore. Watching her grow into the woman she is today – still spirited, still bold, but also wise and kind – has been the greatest joy of my life.”
Toast (75 words):
“So let’s raise a glass to Hannah – my firecracker, my daughter, and now, a wife. May her spirit keep lighting up every room she walks into. To Hannah.”
Intro (150 words):
“When I first met Chloe, I thought she was amazing. When I discovered she had a daughter, I thought, ‘Right, step up, this matters.’ And when I saw the two of them together – the way she laughed at bedtime stories, the way her daughter snuck into bed for cuddles – I knew I wasn’t just falling for one person, but two. Chloe isn’t just the love of my life – she’s the best mum I’ve ever seen, and today I feel like the luckiest man alive to become part of their little team.”
Toast (75 words):
“So let’s raise a glass – to Chloe, and to the daughter who’s already taught me more about love, patience and glitter than I thought possible. To family, to love, to Chloe.”
Intro (150 words):
“I’ve known Sophie since she was six years old. Back then, she was the girl who insisted on dressing like a Spice Girl, even on school photo day. Since then, she’s been my partner-in-crime, my therapist, and the sister I chose. Being her maid of honour today is an honour in every sense – because I’ve seen her at her best and her worst, and I’ve never seen her as happy as she is with James. He may not know all the words to ‘Wannabe’, but he makes her laugh like nobody else, and that’s what matters.”
Toast (75 words):
“So let’s raise a glass to Sophie and James – may their life together be as full of laughter, karaoke, and questionable outfits as our childhood was. To Sophie and James.”
Short speeches can be just as powerful – sometimes more so. They work because they cut the fluff and get straight to the heart.
Intro (100 words):
“I promised myself I’d keep this short. Mainly because our caterer warned me dessert is waiting and no one wants to delay pudding. So here’s the truth: I’ve never been happier than I am today. Not because of the flowers, or the dress, or the Pinterest boards – but because of Alex. He makes me laugh, he makes me brave, and he makes me certain about the future.”
Toast (50 words):
“To Alex, the man who makes my today wonderful and my tomorrow exciting. To Alex.”
Intro (100 words):
“I’ll keep this short – because when I tried practising a longer version, my dog fell asleep. My daughter has been my pride since the day she was born. I’ve been proud of her as a child, proud of her as a woman, and today, I’m proud to see her as a wife.”
Toast (50 words):
“To my daughter, who will always be the brightest part of my life. To love, to family, and to her new husband who better look after her.”
Intro (100 words):
“Good evening. People keep telling me the best man’s speech should be like a mini-skirt – short enough to be interesting, long enough to cover the essentials. So here’s my attempt. Dave is one of the funniest, clumsiest, and most loyal men I know. He doesn’t just fall down stairs – he falls head over heels for the right woman. And here she is.”
Toast (50 words):
“To Dave and Sarah – proof that love can survive pratfalls, broken shoes, and one best mate with dodgy jokes. To the newlyweds.”
Sometimes the best speeches come from unexpected places.
Intro (150 words):
“We promised to share everything from now on – bills, laundry, and apparently speeches. We decided to do this together because this wedding isn’t just about one of us. It’s about both of us, choosing each other every day. Plus, it meant I didn’t have to do all the writing alone.”
Toast (75 words):
“To teamwork, to partnership, and to knowing when to pass the mic. To us!”
Intro (150 words):
“Before I say anything else, there’s a little surprise we’ve been keeping. Some people use speeches to thank their parents. Some to crack jokes. We’re using ours to tell you… we’re three months pregnant. Yes, tonight you’re not just celebrating a wedding, you’re celebrating a family in the making.”
Toast (75 words):
“To love, laughter, and the tiny plus-one who’s already gate-crashing our honeymoon. To family!”
Intro (150 words):
“I could stand here and give you a list of reasons why I love Sarah. But instead, I want to tell you one story. Two years ago, we got caught in a storm hiking in Wales. My umbrella flipped, my shoes gave up, and I was about to lose it. Sarah? She just laughed, sang ‘Singing in the Rain,’ and kept going. That’s when I knew – I didn’t just want her in the sunshine, I wanted her in every storm too.”
Toast (75 words):
“To Sarah – the woman who makes bad weather feel like the best day of my life. To Sarah.”
Intro (100 words):
“Well, I’m not sure why they’ve asked me to say something – I was just here for the cake. But since I’ve got the mic, I’ll share my top three marriage tips. One: never go to bed angry. Two: don’t argue about money in front of the dog. And three: no number twos in front of each other. Trust me, 60 years in, it still works.”
Toast (50 words):
“To love, laughter, and plumbing with doors that lock. To the newlyweds.”
Intro (75 words):
“My name’s Ben and I’m seven. I think love is when someone lets you have the last chicken nugget. And I think [Bride] and [Groom] are going to be really happy because they share pizza crusts and play Minecraft together. That’s true love.”
Toast (25 words):
“To my mum and dad – may your love always be as good as pizza and nuggets. To them!”
Intro (100 words):
“At this wedding, anyone can grab the mic. It’s open season on stories, toasts, and love. So don’t be shy – if you’ve got a memory, a joke, or just a cheer, speak up. Tonight is about all of us celebrating these two.”
Explore full speech examples on blog pages such as Best Man Speech Examples, Groom Speech Examples, Gay Groom Speech Examples, Father of the Bride Speech Examples, Bride Speech Examples
Browse our SpeechyAI Groom Examples, SpeechyAI Father of the Bride Examples or SpeechyAI Best Man Examples
Or check out our Speech Advice by role
Keep it personal, not generic
Structure helps, but storytelling is everything
Don’t aim for perfect comedy – aim for warmth and wit
Never go over 10 minutes (less is usually better)
At Speechy, we help people every day craft speeches that are funny, heartfelt, and unforgettable. Whether you use our team or our AI, the goal is always the same – a speech that sounds like you at your very best.
The Speechy team are TV-trained scriptwriters/comedians by trade & we’ve helped 1,000s of speakers around the world deliver their dream speech.
Our advice has been quoted everywhere from The New York Times to Grazia and from Forbes to The Observer. Our founder has also featured on the BBC Sounds’ Best Men podcast with Jason Manford and written ‘The Modern Couple’s Guide to Wedding Speeches’, published by Little, Brown.
