Who Makes Speeches at Weddings? A Guide to Wedding Speeches

Who makes speeches at weddings? It’s one of those traditions that makes a wedding unforgettable—filled with joy, laughter, and maybe a few happy tears. Whether it’s the father of the bride sharing heartfelt memories or the best man cracking everyone up, these moments bring everyone closer and make the day even more special. In this post, we’ll dive into who typically takes the mic and what makes their speeches so meaningful.

Who gives speeches during weddings?

With regards to who does the speeches at a wedding, the line-up can be conditional on tradition, family dynamics, and personal preferences. Traditionally, it is the best man, the maid of honor, and the father of the bride who take center stage for this coveted role of delivering these words. The time of the wedding where one needs to decide who would speak and at what time, so that the speeches come naturally and don’t overwhelm the guest flow of the event.

Traditional Speech Makers in a Wedding

The Best Man

Undoubtedly, one of the highly awaited speeches in any wedding is that of the best man. In fact, he is said to give lighter and sometimes humorous remarks about the life of the groom. Whether he narrates funny stories from their childhood days or extends the best wishes to the newlywed couple, the speech of the best man should be a perfect balance between fun and sentiments. In making the speech meaningful, the best man can remark on the development of the groom and their friendship over the years. A few tips include:

Personal stories telling the best qualities of the groom.

• The tone should be upbeat, catches humor but does not tell any embarrassing stories.
• The speech ends with congratulations and the best wishes for the couple’s future. The Maid of Honor
• The speech of the maid of honor is usually more emotional and focuses on her special bond with the bride. It celebrates their friendship by narrating how the bride has grown up through the years and admiring her new journey with her spouse.

The speeches of the maid of honor should:

• Be heartfelt in tone, relating the special bond between the maid of honor and the bride.
• Not too formal, though-the moment of the vulnerability and joy will make the speech more memorable.
• Toast them warmly: congratulate the couple for the best happiness that has come their way.

The Father of the Bride

In most cases, the speeches at a wedding event start with the father of the bride. He sets the tone of the occasion. His speech is usually sentimental, with nostalgic thoughts of his daughter’s life and the addition of a partner to the family. Very often, the words of the father of the bride are said with a lot attached emotionally; this is one of the major opportunities through which he expresses pride and joy in seeing his daughter enter into a new stage of life.

While writing the speech of father of the bride, it is good to:

• Think of happy moments of childhood and development of the bride.
• Make speech personal and precise, without lengthy tales.
• End with the welcome of groom and his relatives and also wish them for a better future ahead.

Other Possible Speakers Parents of the Groom

The parents of the bridegroom may also give speeches, although this is not a tradition followed at all weddings. This may be an especial moment, such as when they wish to share their joy and welcome the bride into the family. Depending on what the couple would like, a short heart-to-heart speech by the bridegroom’s parents can add a personal touch to the celebration without overwhelming it.

When it comes to making a speech for the groom’s parents, one has to:

• Keep the speech short and to the point, since guests will more often than not appreciate brevity.
• Express welcoming of the bride into the family and show appreciation to the two families coming together.
• Not repeat what others may say.

How to Plan the Perfect Wedding Speech Lineup: Assigning Speeches Early

Plan your wedding speakers-Plan your wedding speakers with the names of the people who should give speeches. By knowing well ahead of time who will speak it allows ample time for the best man, maid of honor, and other speakers to think about constructing, and preparing purposeful and organized speeches. Early planning also helps ensure that all the important voices get heard without overloading the schedule.

Encourage your speakers to

• Start writing their speeches two to three months in advance of the wedding date.
• Have them practice ahead of time so they are comfortable and confident on the day of the wedding.

Establish Time Limits

Nobody likes long wedding speeches, which can be a leading cause of guests’ fatigue. That also includes setting time limits on every speech to maintain high energy levels and make sure that speeches complement the flow of an event rather than slow it down.

• Ideal time limits for speeches include:
• 3 to 5 minutes per speaker – short and sweet; enough to say those sweet words, yet not bore your audience.
• For larger weddings with more speakers, consider keeping each speech to a maximum of 3 minutes.

Coordinating with the Wedding Planner

Planning the speeches with a wedding planner will help to ensure that the timeline for the event moves along smoothly. A planner is able to suggest optimal times throughout the evening that work well for speeches: between courses, immediately following key moments of the evening, like the first dance. This way, speeches can feel very organic to the celebration and not an interruption to it.

Wedding planners may be able to:

Organize a list of speakers for the purpose of transitioning smoothly with each speech. Assist in handling last-minute changes or speech requests. Ensure microphones, sound systems, and other logistics are ready with each speech.

Common Wedding Speech Mistakes to Avoid

Oversharing

When considering who makes speeches at weddings, one must consider what is appropriate to share in front of a mixed audience. While one may wish to tell funny or personal stories, this can quickly make guests feel uncomfortable. Speeches that delve too deeply into personal moments or inappropriate anecdotes can detract from the joyful tone of the celebration.

To avoid this mistake:

• Tell celebratory stories that involve the two men and their journey together.
• Avoid inside jokes and information that is private, perceived by a select group of people.
• Keep the speech family-friendly because weddings encompass most age groups.

Going Off-Script

The worst common mistake in giving a speech in weddings is veering off the script. What seems good in one’s mind as improvisation at that moment may result in the rambling, some awkward pauses, or even the forgetting of the key points. Being focused and prepared helps the speaker remain clear and engaging.

To avoid being off-script:

• Write and rehearse your speech.
• Note cards keep you on track without sounding over-rehearsed.
• Just remember to keep your key points at the front of your mind so that you never stray off onto a tangent and risk getting yourself into some messy, rambling speech.

Being Too Long

Speaking for too long is another cardinal sin people commit during wedding speeches. Wedding speeches are supposed to be short and sweet, momentarily holding guests’ attention without running overly long. Speeches that extend beyond 5 minutes will likely make the guests become disinterested-especially when there are other speakers.

The perfect length for any speech is:

• Keep your comments to 3-5 minutes, where your guests are kept engaged and without demanding too much on the schedule.
• Don’t try to recall everything that happened, but do highlight those that you feel mean the most to you and the newlyweds.

Wedding Speech Tips From My One of a Kind Event

Don’t Talk Too Much

As you consider who gives speeches during weddings, keep in mind that less is often more when it comes to talking during the reception. Wedding speeches are such a lovely part of the day; however, too-long speeches will put guests to sleep and kill the energy of the party. A few concise, sincere speeches will keep the mood light and pleasant.

Here’s our tip:

• Only allow a few key people to give speeches, including the best man, maid of honor, and parents. Keep speeches within a 3-5 minute window of time to keep guests’ attention.

Speech Timing Suggestions

• All wedding speeches are about timing.
• A well-timed speech fits into the flow of events quite easily and keeps the energy going.

At My One of a Kind Event, here are some tips in regards to timing that we encourage:

• Parents Speeches After Parent Dances: If the bride or groom’s parents are giving a speech, have them do so immediately after the parent dances. This really keeps the emotional moments together, and the crowd’s natural transition from the dance floor to the toasts is fluid.
• Best Man/Maid of Honor Between Courses: This enables the speeches of the best man and the maid of honor to take place between courses, like between salad and dinner courses. This helps balance out the energy during the meal so that your guests can eat and have fun without getting bored.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who typically gives speeches at a wedding?

Typically, the speeches are given by the best man, the maid or matron of honor, the father of the bride, and occasionally the couple themselves. In modern weddings, parents of the groom, siblings, or close friends may also deliver speeches.

Who makes speeches at weddings and in what order?

The traditional order of speeches at a wedding is as follows:

1. Father of the Bride (or a parent figure) starts with a warm welcome and blessings.
2. Groom follows, thanking guests, family, and sharing heartfelt words about their partner.
3. Best Man delivers a humorous, personal, yet respectful speech about the groom.
4. Maid/Matron of Honor may follow with a toast celebrating the bride.

In modern weddings, this order can be customized to include other speakers, such as both sets of parents or the couple together.

Who should start the speeches at a wedding?

Traditionally, the Father of the Bride starts the speeches. He welcomes the guests, shares personal reflections about the bride, and expresses gratitude to everyone for being part of the special day.

Does the groom’s father make a speech?

Yes, the groom’s father can make a speech, though it’s not mandatory. If he does, it’s typically after the bride’s father or later in the lineup. His speech often welcomes the bride into the family and offers blessings to the couple.

Which father speaks first at a wedding?

Traditionally, the Father of the Bride speaks first. As the host, his speech usually sets the tone for the celebration and includes a warm welcome to all guests.

Does the mother of the groom give a speech at the wedding?

While it’s less traditional, the Mother of the Groom can absolutely give a speech. Modern weddings often encourage both parents to share their sentiments, and her speech might include words of support and joy for the newlyweds.

Who speaks at the rehearsal dinner?

The rehearsal dinner speeches are typically less formal. Common speakers include the Father of the Groom (as the host of the dinner), the couple themselves, and any close friends or family who want to share stories or toasts in a more intimate setting.

How long should a wedding speech be?

When considering who makes speeches at weddings, bear in mind that at best, speeches at a wedding should fall between 3 to 5 minutes. As a matter of fact, this is ample time to share some touching or humorous moments without the audience’s attention flagging. Brief speeches will ensure your guests pay attention and that the function goes well.

Besides the best man and the maid of honor, is it appropriate for other people to give speeches?

Other than the best man and the maid of honor, yes, other people give speeches in weddings. This can be the wish of the parents, siblings, or close friends depending on what the couple wants. But it would instead be much better if the speakers were limited as not to make the event overwhelming and assure that each speech makes its impact.

Should we let the speakers improvise for their speeches?

Generally speaking, in most cases, it would be a good idea to allow the speakers to practice their speech in advance. Although improvising can be tempting, it generally results in a talk that meanders or misses out on some of the key points. A well-prepared speech keeps the speaker centered on his message and communicating it without much distortion and succinctly .

What do we do if someone wishes to give a last-minute speech?

This needs to go through the wedding planner or MC, however, for last-minute speeches to keep the schedule intact and not get disoriented regarding the flow of speech and the event in its entirety.

How to avoid guests getting bored during speeches?

That means wedding speeches should be short and sweet in order for your guests to be entertained. A great way to maintain the rhythm of the event is by breaking them up with courses or entertainment. This way, it will not feel like the speeches drag along, and your guests will appreciate different parts of the event without being saturated with speech after speech.

Wedding speeches are, in fact, an indispensable part of the celebration, affording one of the sincerest ways of allowing the bride and groom’s family and friends to share their joy and support. Knowing who gives speeches at weddings, and ensuring the wedding speeches go well both in terms of timing and delivery, can considerably help maintain the interest of guests in it and keep the event flowing smoothly. My One of a Kind Event can help you with everything from perfecting the timing and structure of speeches down to other minute details to ensure your dream day becomes a reality. Contact us today!