What is a Wedding Speech?

A wedding toast is generally given during the reception immediately following a wedding, but wedding speeches can also occur at other times, such as a rehearsal dinner. Wedding toasts are given in honor of the recipient. Typically, wedding toasts are accompanied by a glass of wine or chardonnay.

If you’ve been selected to give a wedding toast or wedding speech here are some helpful websites and congratulations on the honor bestowed upon you. 

Wedding toasts and wedding speeches are usually given by several specific people such as the maid of honor, the best man, and the father of the bride, but toasts have also been known to have been given by parents of the groom as well as other close friends of the bride and/or groom. Sometimes the bride and groom also give wedding speeches.

When giving a wedding toast, it is customary for the person delivering the toast to honor to the bride and groom.  This often entails a personal or sentimental story about the couple.  Wedding speeches often cause great cheer and laughter, as they generally contain joyous and uplifting tales.  For example, the maid of honor might deliver a toast that contains the details of a fun or interesting occasion that she and the bride experienced together. 

In best man speeches, the best man might talk about the groom and share fond memories of their friendship. Best man speeches often contain humorous antidotes and are thought of as a crowd favorite. Best man speeches and Maid of Honor speeches have become something of a tradition at weddings, as have wedding toasts.

What should be included in Wedding speeches?

In wedding speeches, depending on the party that is giving the speech, several things should be included. In a maid of honor speech, be sure to compliment the bride and the groom.  Comment on your well wishes for their new life together.  Next, share a quip or story, then close your speech with congratulations.

Best man speeches, should contain similar material, although it’s often expected that best man speeches contain more humorous stories than other wedding speeches.

In regards to father of the bride toasts or mother of the bride speeches, it’s a good idea to mention of the beauty of the occasion.  Share a humorous tale about the couple if appropriate.  Be sure to welcome your new son in law or daughter in law to your family and then close your speech with hearty congratulations.  Wedding speeches that contain the aforementioned ingredients are received most warmly by the crowd. 

Although we’ve discussed the main parties that give wedding speeches and wedding toasts, sometimes the bride or groom will ask a different person to give a wedding speech.  These wedding speeches are usually less orthodox and may include a hodgepodge of the suggestions provided above.  It’s also becoming more and more customary for the bride and groom to toast each other and their guests during their big event.