(*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.)
Being asked to deliver an uncle of the bride speech is a real honour but it can also be a bit of a head-scratcher. You may be stepping in because the bride’s father is no longer with us, or perhaps because you’ve always had a special bond with your niece. Whatever the reason, the pressure’s on to deliver something heartfelt, funny, and memorable.
As a team who have helped write hundreds of wedding speeches (and navigated the tricky job of making all the family laugh), here’s our take on what makes a brilliant uncle of the bride speech.
Let’s get started…
This is one of the most emotional scenarios we work with at Speechy. If you’re stepping up because the bride’s father, your brother or relative, has passed away, your words take on extra meaning.
It’s okay to acknowledge his absence, but this isn’t the time for a eulogy. Focus the majority of your speech on celebrating the bride and sharing stories that show how much she meant to her dad.
💡 Top tip: If you’re worried about getting choked up, save any tributes to the end of the speech.
“He may not be here today, but I know your dad would be bursting with pride to see the remarkable woman you’ve become.”
For more advice on handling this sensitively, see our Dearly Departed Guide – and how you can dedicate a loving toast that will make everyone smile, rather than cry.
Sometimes, the bride’s dad is simply not involved in her life -and that’s okay. If you’ve been asked to speak, keep it simple.
Just introduce yourself warmly as her uncle, and don’t feel you need to explain anything else. Let your relationship with her shine.
“For those who don’t know me, I’m the bride’s uncle – and lifelong partner in crime for everything from ice cream heists to holiday karaoke.”
In some cases, you may be speaking in addition to the bride’s father – perhaps because you have a special relationship with her, or she just wants all her favourite men involved.
In that case, make sure your speech complements rather than duplicates. Avoid repeating stories or focusing too much on her upbringing if her dad’s already covered that. Obviously ask him in advance what anecdotes he’s going to cover if you can – or just think about anecdotes that are uniquely yours.
This is your moment to bring a fresh perspective – whether it’s her teenage misadventures or your take on her new partner’s golfing skills.
Every speech should be unique, but here’s a structure that works:
“To the girl who turned mud pies into masterpieces and taught us all what true determination looks like. Here’s to the next chapter of your brilliant adventure.”
Opening lines need to be tailored to each individual bride, and here are some examples. Each one sets a warm, specific tone and gives you an immediate springboard into your stories:
The Wild-Child-Turned-Wonder-Woman
The Organised One
The Drama Queen
The Artistic Soul
The Bookworm
We always tell clients – the first laugh is the hardest. Aim to land it early.
“Being an uncle is mostly about showing up with chocolate and escaping all responsibility. Today, though, I’m going for sainthood – I even wore a tie.”
Humour doesn’t need to be constant, but sprinkling light laughs throughout your speech keeps it entertaining.
“This is the same girl who once declared that ketchup was a vegetable and that socks should never match. Safe to say she’s kept that individual flair.”
If you’ve joked earlier about her childhood or a funny trait, refer back to it when you deliver the toast – it gives your speech cohesion and polish.
“So here’s to your future together — one filled with mismatched socks, overwatered plants, and just the right amount of chaos.”
The best wedding speeches aren’t lists of accomplishments. They’re mini love letters – full of shared memories and storytelling.
Think about:
Use those moments to illustrate her personality and give the audience a sense of who she is beyond the white dress.
Aim for around 1,000–1,200 words, or 7–8 minutes of delivery time.
Be ruthless with the editing. Cut anything that doesn’t move the speech forward.
You don’t need to be a performer, but you do need to rehearse.
Read our How To Deliver Like A Pro blog for more or check out our Delivery Coaching service.
As someone who’s helped thousands of people write speeches (and who still finds herself crying during client edits), let me reassure you: you don’t need to be poetic or hilarious. You just need to be real.
Focus on your niece, your love for her, and what this day means. Get the tone right, and you’ll have the whole room smiling through their tears.
Now go and make your niece proud.
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.
