Wedding Speeches Guide

Write and deliver a speech with structures for every common speaker.

Big Day Productions provides wedding photography, film and content creation. These guides offer planning suggestions; agree the details with your couple, venue and suppliers.

Start with these answers

What should a best man say?

Introduce yourself, share one or two kind stories about the groom, include their partner and finish with a toast to both newlyweds. Aim for 5–7 minutes as a starting point, not a rule.

Choose stories the whole room can follow. Cut ex-partners, private stag-do stories and jokes that make the couple uncomfortable. Rehearse aloud and leave space for laughter.

What should a maid of honour say?

Explain your connection to the bride, share a specific memory, welcome their partner and offer a wish for their future. A 4–6 minute speech is a useful target.

Warmth is enough: you do not need a comedy routine. Choose one story that shows what you value about your friend, then bring the focus back to the couple.

What should the father of the bride say?

Welcome the guests, share a memory of your daughter, say what makes you proud and welcome their partner. Finish with a toast. Use 4–6 minutes as a planning guide.

A parent, guardian or another important person can take this role. Ask the couple which welcomes and thanks they want included rather than assuming a traditional family arrangement.

What should the groom say?

Thank guests and the people who helped, speak personally about your partner and end with a clear toast. Aim for 5–7 minutes and keep the list of thanks selective.

Either partner can give this speech, or you can speak together. If both speak separately, divide the thanks beforehand so guests do not hear the same list twice.

What order should wedding speeches follow?

A traditional UK order is father of the bride, groom, then best man. This is optional: agree the speakers and order with the couple, including any maid of honour, parent or joint speech.

These are alternative role guides, not stages one speaker must follow. Agree the total time with the venue and caterer, and check microphone arrangements with whoever is recording the speeches.

What if more than one groomsman wants to give a speech?

Choose one shared speech or a few short contributions. An optional order is father of the bride, groom, then the groomsmen, with the best man finishing. The couple can change this order and include anyone they want to speak.

Divide the stories and thanks beforehand so they are not repeated. Agree a total speaking time with the couple, venue and caterer, then give each speaker a share of it. Traditional roles are optional; a joint speech can work just as well.

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