Grooms' Wedding Speeches: To Do Or Not To Do?

Wedding speeches are a time-honoured tradition, and while the specifics may vary, there are a few key people who are usually expected to speak. One of them is, of course, the groom. The groom's speech is a highly anticipated part of the wedding, and it's his duty to thank everyone, from his parents and in-laws to the guests, bridal party, and, of course, his new spouse. A well-crafted groom's speech blends humour and sincerity, with plenty of heartfelt toasts. It's a chance for the groom to share anecdotes, express his love and gratitude, and give guests a glimpse into his relationship with his partner. While it can be a daunting task, with the right preparation and practice, any groom can deliver a speech that will be remembered for years to come.

How long should a groom's speech be?

A groom's speech is one of the most anticipated parts of a wedding. It is the groom's biggest duty on his wedding day—after getting married, of course! The groom's speech should be long enough to express gratitude, share anecdotes, and convey heartfelt sentiments, but short enough to maintain the guests' interest and keep the overall flow of the wedding reception.

The ideal length of a groom's speech is typically around 5 to 10 minutes. This gives the groom enough time to cover all the essentials while keeping the attention of the guests. Going over 10 minutes may cause guests to feel fidgety and bored. If the groom is nervous about speaking in front of a crowd, they can keep their speech even shorter. A brief toast to their partner and another to thank those who have helped with the wedding preparations can be a good alternative to a longer speech.

The groom's speech should include a blend of humor and sincerity. It is an opportunity to thank everyone, from the guests for attending, to the people who have supported the couple, to the new in-laws, the bridesmaids, the best man, and, of course, the bride herself.

The groom can also share personal stories and anecdotes about their relationship with the bride, such as how they met, what attracted them to each other, and any funny or romantic moments they have shared. It is important to keep the speech positive and avoid bringing up any near-breakup situations or unpleasant events in the relationship.

In addition to the bride, the groom should also direct their gratitude towards their parents and in-laws, the best man, and any other members of the wedding party who have played a significant role in the wedding preparations.

To ensure a successful groom's speech, it is recommended to prepare in advance, practice the speech, and time it to ensure it stays within the desired length. It is also beneficial to run the speech by the best man or a trusted friend to get their feedback.

Overall, the key to a well-received groom's speech is to speak from the heart, let your love shine through, and add a touch of humor to keep the atmosphere light and joyful.

Who should the groom thank?

The groom's speech is an important part of the wedding, and there are several people he should thank during his speech.

First and foremost, the groom should thank his partner's parents. This is a chance to express gratitude for raising the person he fell in love with and for hosting the wedding. The groom should also thank his own parents for their support and any help they provided during the wedding planning process.

The groom should then turn to his best man, thanking him for his role in the wedding, including any pre-wedding events like the stag do, as well as any other groomsmen or ushers who were involved. It is also customary for the groom to thank the father of the bride (or the equivalent person in that role) for their speech and for hosting the day.

The groom should also express his appreciation to the bridesmaids for their support to the bride and for planning any pre-wedding events for her, such as the hen do. He can also pay them a meaningful compliment and propose a toast in their honour.

The groom should not forget to thank all the guests for attending and celebrating with them. This is a great opportunity to acknowledge those who may have travelled a long distance to be there.

Finally, the groom should save the most important thank you for his partner. He can lavishly compliment them, express his love and gratitude, and propose a heartfelt toast to round off his speech.

What should the groom say about the bride?

Yes, grooms do make speeches at weddings. It is one of the most anticipated speeches of the day and is traditionally given at the end of the wedding breakfast, marking the transition from the formalities of the day into the party.

The groom's speech should be no longer than 10 minutes, with some sources suggesting a shorter time of 5 minutes. It should include a blend of humour and sincerity, with the groom thanking everyone, from the guests to the wedding party, and, of course, the bride.

So, what should the groom say about the bride? Here are some ideas to craft a meaningful and memorable speech about the bride:

Share a Memorable Story

Talk about how you met and share sweet, funny, or romantic memories. You could also mention your first date or the moment you knew she was the one. Share a story that is meaningful to you both but also accessible to your guests. Avoid inside jokes that might confuse people.

Gush About Her

Let your guests feel your joy and love for your bride. Talk about what attracted you to her, what she means to you, and reiterate your vows. You can even seal this part of your speech with a kiss.

Compliment Her

Pay your bride a meaningful compliment. Talk about her qualities, such as her kindness, intelligence, and beauty. You can also attribute some of these qualities to her parents and thank them for raising the person you fell in love with.

Express Your Love and Commitment

Conclude your speech with a heartfelt toast to your beloved. Express your deep love, gratitude, and commitment to her. You can also include a favourite song lyric or a line from your wedding song to make it extra special.

"I knew I had to marry my wife when [share a memorable story or anecdote], and here we are. She is the person I cannot live without, and I feel like the luckiest man in the world. Her [mention her qualities] continue to amaze me every day, and I am so glad I can finally call her my wife. I can't wait to spend the rest of our lives together, and I know our future will be filled with love and happiness."

When should the groom give their speech?

The groom's speech is one of the most anticipated parts of a wedding. It is the biggest duty of the groom on his wedding day, after getting married. The groom's speech traditionally comes at the end of the wedding breakfast. It is part of the transition from the formalities of the day into the party. However, more and more couples are opting to have the speeches before the wedding breakfast so they can relax and enjoy their meal.

The groom's speech should be given after the father of the bride's speech. The father of the bride would traditionally go first as the host of the day, but this might not be the case for every wedding setup. If the couple is hosting the event, the groom should speak first and should take the microphone as soon as the guests have found their seats.

The groom's speech should be no longer than 10 minutes. The ideal speech length is between three and five minutes—enough time to share a story and a sweet sentiment, but not so long that guests lose interest. The groom should also practice his speech a few times ahead of the big day and time himself, making sure to speak slowly and clearly.

If the groom is nervous about giving a speech, he can keep it brief. He can simply lead a toast to his partner and another to thank those who have helped with the wedding. It is recommended that he discusses this with his partner beforehand so they know what to expect.

What should the groom say at the rehearsal dinner?

The groom's speech at the rehearsal dinner is a chance to express appreciation to those involved, share anecdotes, and convey excitement for the upcoming wedding. Here are some tips for what the groom should say:

Keep it concise

The groom's speech should be short and sweet, aiming for under five minutes to engage the guests without losing their attention. It's easy to get carried away, but a long speech may cause guests to lose interest or disrupt the timeline of the event.

Personalize it

Share personal stories and anecdotes about how you met your fiancé, what you love about them, and what makes your relationship special. Don't be afraid to show your emotions and let your personality shine through. You can even include a joke or a humorous story to lighten the mood.

Thank your guests

Express your gratitude to your guests for their support during the wedding planning process and for being a part of your special day. Be sure to thank your parents and in-laws, as well as your bridal party and anyone else who has played a significant role in your journey.

Share a memorable story

Talk about how you met, including sweet or funny memories, and romantic events. If you have a favourite song, you can incorporate a line from it into your speech. Avoid stories about near break-ups, forgiveness for errors, or unpleasant situations.

Say some words about your partner

Gush about your fiancé and let the guests feel your joy at marrying the love of your life. Talk about what attracted you to them, what they mean to you, and reiterated your vows. You can even seal this part of your speech with a kiss.

Thank your best man and bridal party

Your best man and bridal party are your support system, so give them some accolades. Talk about how you met your best man and how he has been there for you. Thank your bridesmaids for their help and support during wedding planning.

Close with a toast

Finish your speech with a toast to your partner, parents, guests, love, and happiness. This is a great way to conclude your speech on a heartfelt and memorable note.

Frequently asked questions