Wedding Speech Ideas – Think A Little Less Ordinary

Wedding speeches don’t need to be a box-ticking exercise. They’re your moment to add energy, laughter and genuine emotion to the day – and do it your way. The best speeches don’t follow rules. They make an impact, reflect the couple, and leave guests saying, “That was brilliant.”

Forget what you’ve seen at every other wedding. This is your chance to do something a bit more creative, a bit more you. Whether you’re aiming for humour, heart, or a bit of both, this guide will help you shake things up and leave a lasting impression.

In this blog we’ll cover:

• How to deliver a memorable Joint Speech

• The joy of Spontaneous Speeches

• Why Super Cool Scheduling keeps guests engaged

• The benefits of Shaking Up the Line-Up

• How to go for Something a Little Less Ordinary

• Whether Video Speeches or Musical Speeches are a good idea

• Where to Get More Wedding Speech Inspiration

• Final thoughts to help you own the mic and enjoy it

Joint Speeches

Why Joint Speeches Work

A joint speech isn’t just cute – it shows partnership. It’s a modern alternative to the traditional groom-does-all-the-talking format and it immediately sets the tone for a day that’s about equality, fun, and shared values.

Couples who share the mic also share the applause – and set the bar high for the rest of the speeches. It’s a way to take ownership of your day and show unity from the start.

How to Write One

• Write together – but split up stories and lines.
• One person sets up the joke, the other delivers the punchline.
• Let your personalities play off each other (think more Richard & Judy, less Ant & Dec).
• Practise out loud so you’re confident with your timing and flow.

Good Openers

• “We promised to share everything from now on – so that includes the speech.”
• “As you’ll soon discover, I write better… but they deliver it better.”
• “Two voices, one story. We just couldn’t decide who got the mic, so here we are.”

Toast Ideas

• “To teamwork, terrible dancing, and the person who still laughs at my worst jokes.”
• “To a marriage where we’re always on the same page – even if one of us reads the last chapter first.”
• “To the couple who already make a great double act – and haven’t even hit the honeymoon yet.”

Check out our Joint Speech Advice for more inspo 

Spontaneous Speeches

Why They Work

This one’s borrowed from Europe – where anyone can raise a glass and say a few words. It’s informal, unpredictable, and often produces the most touching or hilarious moments of the day.

It creates a communal vibe and gives a platform to the guests who may never make a formal speech but have something lovely to say.

What to Say in Your Invites

Let guests know it’s open mic (kind of):

“There are no formal speeches – just love, laughter, and spontaneous toasts. If the moment moves you, say something. A story, a toast, a cheer – as long as it’s kind!”

How to Handle It

• Ask someone confident to act as informal MC.
• Space speeches out (usually between courses).
• Have a mic handy and keep it accessible.
• Make it clear there’s no pressure – but all love is welcome.

Pro tip: Keep the wine flowing and you’ll find more people are suddenly brave enough to speak.

Super Speech Scheduling

Do NOT Clump the Speeches

Three speeches back-to-back before the dessert? Guaranteed yawn. Instead, break them up and dot them throughout the meal – or even save one for the evening.

Why This Works

It gives guests breathing room. And the laughter and emotion feel more organic when they’re not all crammed into a single 45-minute window.

Plus, spacing speeches out lets people digest (literally and emotionally) in between. It keeps energy levels high and phones off the table.

Heads-Up Required

Tell the caterers, MC and photographer in advance. Trust us – they’ll thank you.

Check out our full low down on the pros and cons of different scheduling options. 

Shaking Up the Line-Up

Who Can Get Involved?

• The bride – well, obviously – and her maid of honour
• A group of siblings – sisters of the groom, brothers of the bride, sisters of the bride, brothers of the groom – nepotisim has it’s place on the mic 😉 
• Parents – and not just the father of the bride! Mother of the bride, father of the groom, mother of the bride all need to be considered. Send them the links to our advice if they need inspiration! 
• The couple’s kids – check out our son of the bride or daughter of the bride blogs to get an idea of what young ‘uns can contribute 
• A grandparent with a one-liner

Why This Works

The unexpected voices often get the biggest reactions. A child sharing their version of love, or a nan with classic comic timing – it all adds personality.

It also reflects modern relationships more accurately – your chosen family counts too.

What Can They Say?

Keep it short and sweet:

• “I once asked Mum what love meant. She said, ‘Someone who doesn’t complain when you eat all the Pringles.’ So Dad must be a keeper.”
• “I’m six, and I think love is when you let someone have the last chicken nugget.”
• “Grandad says love is agreeing on the heating temperature. That’s true commitment.”

A Speech Less Ordinary

Tell a Story, Not a Speech

Rather than ticking off thank-yous, structure your speech around one killer anecdote. The time they got locked out in the rain. The moment you knew they were ‘the one.’

Make the story vivid, specific, and emotional. Bonus points if it’s funny and ends with a toast.

“Our entire relationship can be summed up by the time we tried to build flat-pack furniture together…”

Video Speeches?

Some nearlyweds are opting for video speeches – pre-recorded and expertly edited – to reduce nerves and make an impact.

We’re on still the fence. Done well, they can be awesome.

But they’re hard to pull off without feeling a bit… TikTok cringe. Use sparingly and make sure the sound system is top notch.

Only do it if:

• It’s under three minutes
• You have professionals helping you – this needs to be better than your usual TikTok 
• That people think it’s as funny / sweet as you do! 

Musical Speeches?

Only attempt this if:

• You’re (genuinely) musically talented
• You’re not taking it too seriously 
• The lyrics start funny, and end with a nice bit of sentiment 
• You’re not doing it to go viral

We’ve seen musical speeches work brilliantly – but we’ve also seen guests disappear to the bar halfway through.

Good if people laugh. Bad if people cringe.

Tread carefully.

Where to Get More Wedding Speech Inspiration

If you’re still not sure what direction to take, check out our curated collections of real speech videos and expert tips. These pages are packed with inspiration to help you craft a speech that genuinely reflects you and your wedding.

• Bride Speech Videos – From funny to heartfelt, see how brides are grabbing the mic and smashing expectations.

• Groom Speech Videos – Real-life examples of grooms who’ve kept it personal, punchy and properly original.

• Father of the Bride Speech Examples – Watch how dads balance emotion with wit.

• Best Man Speech Tips – Get ideas from the pros on how to entertain without embarrassing anyone (too much).

👀 Warning: Watching these may lead to a sudden surge of creative confidence.

Cool Wedding Speech Ideas – Final Thoughts

Great wedding speeches don’t have to be predictable. In fact, they shouldn’t be.

Whether it’s a shared mic, a random toast from Uncle Pete, or a one-line zinger from your toddler, the best speeches are ones that reflect the couple and shake things up.

Remember:

• Ditch clichés
• Get personal
• Surprise your audience

Need help crafting something truly different? Explore Speechy’s bespoke wedding speech services or use our virtual speechwriter to get started.