(*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.)
Quoting someone else in your speech can be a great move. It adds depth, structure and sometimes a bit of borrowed eloquence you can’t quite muster on your own.
But here’s the thing: a great quote can’t do all the heavy lifting. It needs to sit in a speech that already works.
“Write your speech first. Then see if a quote or two can make it better.”
— Heidi Ellert-McDermott, Speechy founder and author of The Modern Couple’s Guide to Wedding Speeches
In this guide, we’ve included some of the best groom speech quotes—funny, romantic and even a bit literary—to help elevate your speech and nail the big moment.
Quotes are brilliant. But they work best when they add to your story—not replace it.
Here’s how to use them well:
Think songs, books or films that actually matter to you both. A lyric she used to sing. A line from your favourite movie night film.
One near the beginning, one towards the end. That’s all you need.
It’s fine to use something niche—just introduce it with a touch of charm.
Not every quote has to be deep and poetic. Dry humour often hits harder than drama.
Add a back reference, context or cheeky comment to turn a good quote into a great moment.
These aren’t sugar-soaked declarations. They’re honest, well-worded ways of showing your love—without sounding like a walking Valentine’s card.
“I am nothing special… But in one respect I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who’s ever lived: I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul; and to me, this has always been enough.”
Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook
Sure, you’re no Ryan Gosling—but you don’t need to be. This quote is self-aware, sincere, and works especially well if you’ve been with your bride a long time.
“I knew when I met you an adventure was going to happen.”
A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
Simple. Sweet. And totally disarming when delivered with confidence. Especially if she’s your biggest adventure yet.
”You are the finest, loveliest, tenderest, and most beautiful person I have ever known—and even that is an understatement.”
F. Scott Fitzgerald
For those unafraid of sincerity, this one lands hard (especially when followed by a knowing smile).
“You look like the rest of my life.”
Beau Taplin
Short. Poetic. And quite possibly the line that gets gasps from across the table plan.
“It was a million tiny little things that, when you added them all up, they meant we were supposed to be together.”
Sleepless in Seattle
It’s from a 90s romcom, but the sentiment still works. Add a lighthearted comment about her love of film—or your mutual obsession with Deliveroo and duvet days.
“Once in awhile, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale.”
Unknown
Yes, it’s probably ‘by the internet’. But if you follow it with a Disney joke—“…though my princess tends to swear at inanimate objects”—you’ll earn laughs and “awws.”
“My most brilliant achievement was my ability to be able to persuade my wife to marry me.”
Winston Churchill
Impressive attribution. Even better if you pull it off with a wink.
“When I saw you I fell in love, and you smiled because you knew.”
Arrigo Boito
Pair this with a glance to your partner and let the room fill in the emotion.
“Who, being loved, is poor?”
Oscar Wilde
Back ref idea: “Though I’d argue that quote doesn’t apply after paying for the wedding…”
“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.”
Mignon McLaughlin
Beautiful if you’ve been through highs and lows—and perfect just before your final toast.
“I swear I couldn’t love you more than I do right now, and yet I know I will tomorrow.” Leo Christopher
For those going big on romance without being soppy. This lands beautifully right before a toast.
“Love doesn’t make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.”
Franklin P. Jones
Can act as a beautiful setup to a heartfelt thank-you to your partner.
“I saw that you were perfect, and so I loved you. Then I saw that you were not perfect… and I loved you even more.”
Angelita Lim
This one hits home. Especially if you follow with a light example of her ‘imperfections’ (e.g. stealing the duvet or her love of true crime podcasts).
“A good marriage is one where each partner secretly suspects they got the better deal.
Unknown
Sweet and humble—especially if you follow up with: “Though in our case, only one of us is right. And it’s definitely not her.”
Humour earns you love. And quoting funny people can help you deliver it without trying too hard.
“I love being married. It’s so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life.”
Rita Rudner
A classic for a reason. Especially good if you’re known for your dry wit.
“Before you marry a person, you should first make them use a computer with slow internet to see who they really are.”
Will Ferrell
Useful if you’ve survived house-buying or wedding planning together.
”People are weird. When we find someone with weirdness that is compatible with ours, we team up and call it love.”
Dr. Seuss
Back ref idea: “In our case, it’s matching weirdness involving spreadsheets and talking to the dog like it’s fluent in English.”
“Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes.”
Jim Carrey
Use with caution—but could be spot-on if your bride’s known for her sass.
“Marriage is the bond between a person who never remembers anniversaries and one who never forgets them.”
Ogden Nash
Bonus points if you can admit who’s who in your relationship.
Groom Quotes to Thank Friends 🍻
A good groom speech recognises the people who got you there—especially the friends who stuck by you through it all.
‘Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain… But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you haven’t learned anything.’
Muhammad Ali
Drop this in with a heartfelt nod to your best man or core crew.
“There is nothing like puking with somebody to make you into old friends.”
Sylvia Plath
Unexpected, hilarious, and completely fitting for post-stag-do reflection.
”You can always tell a real friend: when you’ve made a fool of yourself he doesn’t feel you’ve done a permanent job.”
Laurence J. Peter
Gently self-deprecating. Great if your mates have helped you bounce back a few times.
‘It’s the friends you can call up at 4am that matter.’
Marlene Dietrich
Short, sharp, and perfect if you want to keep the thank-yous authentic.
“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.'”
C.S. Lewis
Bonus: add a funny shared detail that explains your “What! You too?” moment.
“A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.”
Walter Winchell
Especially touching if you’ve had a tough year or a friend who’s gone the extra mile.
Still searching for the perfect words? Here are a few brilliant resources we rate:
The best groom speech quotes reflect your personality, your relationship, and your story.
So don’t just search for the “best quotes about love.” Instead, look for something that makes you think, “That’s us.”
And remember, if you need help shaping the full speech around the quotes, we’ve got you covered…
🎤 Try our Groom Speech Template or Gay Groom Speech Template.
📝 Or send us your draft and use our Edit Service to make it shine.
🤖 Want to start from scratch? Check out the AI Wedding Speech Generator.
🧑💻 And if you want something completely original, try our Bespoke Speechwriting Service – we’ll work with you one-on-one to create a knockout speech that sounds exactly like you, only funnier, smarter and better edited.
Because every great speech needs a little help sometimes—even if it starts with a quote.
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.
