Groom's Toast To Bridesmaids: Is It Necessary?

Wedding speeches are a time-honoured tradition, but does the groom have to toast the bridesmaids? While there is no definitive answer, certain traditions and expectations are associated with this question. In a traditional wedding speech order, the father of the bride typically kicks things off by welcoming the guests and offering a toast to the newlyweds. The groom then responds with a speech, often including a toast to his bride and the bridesmaids. However, this is not a strict requirement, and modern grooms are free to get creative with their speeches, as long as they acknowledge and compliment the bridesmaids in some way. Ultimately, the decision rests with the couple, and there is room for flexibility and personalisation in today's wedding speeches.

The groom doesn't have to toast the bridesmaids

While there are certain traditions and expectations associated with wedding speeches and toasts, ultimately, there are no set rules that dictate who says what and when. The specific content and structure of the speeches can be tailored to suit the couple and their preferences.

That being said, here are some insights and guidelines regarding the groom's speech and whether or not he has to toast the bridesmaids:

The Groom's Speech:

The groom's speech is typically the second speech delivered at the wedding reception, following the father of the bride's speech. While the groom has several "to-dos," the heart of the speech should focus on making everyone in the room feel special, especially his bride. Here are some key elements commonly included in the groom's speech:

• Responding to the father of the bride's toast to the newlyweds
• Thanking the guests for attending and their gifts
• Thanking both sets of parents
• Acknowledging and thanking key members of the wedding party, including the bridesmaids
• Toasting his bride

Toasting the Bridesmaids:

While the groom traditionally toasts his bride, there is no rigid requirement for him to specifically toast the bridesmaids. The most important aspect is to ensure that the bridesmaids are acknowledged and appreciated during the groom's speech. Here are some suggestions to achieve this:

• Thanking the bridesmaids for their support and contributions to the wedding
• Complimenting the bridesmaids on their efforts and appearance
• Dedicating a portion of the speech to share anecdotes or light-hearted jibes about the bridesmaids
• Asking for a round of applause for the bridesmaids instead of a formal toast

In conclusion, while the groom is not obligated to include a specific toast to the bridesmaids, it is essential that he finds a way to express his gratitude and appreciation for their presence and role in the wedding. This can be done through a combination of heartfelt thanks, compliments, and entertaining anecdotes. Ultimately, the groom should feel free to be creative and tailor his speech to fit the unique dynamics of the wedding party.

The groom toasts his bride

There are no set rules when it comes to the wedding speech order and who says what. However, the groom is expected to give a speech and, traditionally, he toasts his bride.

The groom's speech is a chance to make everyone in the room feel special, and his new wife feel brilliant. It should be about more than just thanking the caterers or name-checking the ushers. It should be an opportunity to share the journey of his relationship with his bride, and explain how happy he is to be marrying her.

The groom should start by thanking the father of the bride for his kind words, and both sets of parents for their support and for raising his new wife. He should also thank the guests for attending, and the wedding party, including the bridesmaids.

The groom's speech should be no longer than eight to ten minutes. It should be heartfelt and sincere, and can include a few light-hearted jokes.

• "Here's to you and here's to me, I hope we never disagree, but if perchance we ever do, then here's to me, to hell with you."
• "I have known many, liked not a few, loved only one – I toast to you."
• "Here's to the bride that is to be, here's to the groom she'll wed, may all their troubles be light as bubbles or the feathers that make up their bed!"
• "To my wife, my bride and joy."
• "Here's to the prettiest, here's to the wittiest, here's to the truest of all who are true, here's to the neatest one, here's to the sweetest one, here's to them, all in one – here's to you."

The best man toasts the bridesmaids

The best man's speech is a highlight of the wedding reception, and while it is expected to be witty and humorous, it should also be a thoughtful acknowledgement of the groom and his bride. It is also an opportunity to thank the bridesmaids.

Who Toasts the Bridesmaids?

Traditionally, the groom toasts the bridesmaids, but this is not a requirement. The best man can also give a toast to the bridesmaids, and this makes more sense as the bridesmaids are an important part of the groom's wedding party. The best man's speech is dedicated to the groom and his bride, so it is more appropriate for him to give a toast to the couple, and for the groom to toast the bridesmaids.

What to Say

The best man should thank the bridesmaids and say a few words about them. He can also echo the groom's toast to the bridesmaids, and even riff on it to continue the acknowledgements. It is important to keep the tone light and respectful. The best man can also make a few jokes, but he should be careful not to be too risqué or suggestive.

When to Toast

The best man's speech usually comes at the end of the wedding speeches, so it is a good opportunity to wrap up any loose ends and thank everyone who has contributed to the day.

How to Toast

The best man can simply raise his glass and ask the guests to repeat a short phrase, such as "to the gorgeous couple!" or "to the bride and groom!".

The groom thanks the bridesmaids

The groom's wedding speech is often the one with the most "to-dos", but it's important that the heart of the speech isn't lost in a long list of thank yous. The groom should make everyone in the room feel special and, most importantly, make his wife feel brilliant.

The groom should begin by thanking the father of the bride for his kind words, both sets of parents, the guests for attending, and the wedding party, including the bridesmaids.

The groom's speech often follows a toast to the bridesmaids from the father of the bride, so it's important to riff on that and continue the acknowledgements. The groom might also want to open his speech with a bang, with a joke or a witty line. For example:

> "I'd like to echo what Gary said and thank Mel, Violet, Cathy and Leah, not only for helping my wife prepare for today but also for making such a huge effort and looking so magnificent. Not that any effort was needed, mind. Unlike myself, who had to spend hours grooming, plucking, waxing and scrubbing to bring myself up to the standard of your average dole queue."

However, mentioning the bridesmaids' appearance may not always be appropriate. For example, if one of them is the groom's sister, or if the bride would prefer it wasn't mentioned. In this case, the groom could say something like:

> "And as for the bridesmaids, well, ladies, you've been a wonderful help to Amanda, and I know that if the brutally patriarchal wedding customs allowed it, she'd thank you herself. But they don't, so thank you from me instead."

The groom can also make himself the focus, as in the following example:

> "Thank you to both Ian and Liam for their kind words regarding the services of myself, my fellow groomsmen and the bridesmaids this evening. You were correct, we have indeed done a bang-up job, and it feels good to receive validation of that fact. However, Liam, my friend, one thing I would say is that you could've gone much further with your compliments towards these beautiful young women. You could've called them sexy, ravishing, titillating, or jaw-dropping, but I respect the fact that you didn't. As a married man myself, I can see you've learned your place faster than I ever did. Well played sir, well played."

The groom could also reference the notoriously competitive nature of today's bridesmaids, who often seek to outdo each other. For example:

> "Also, it would be remiss of me not to thank the bridesmaids, who look wonderful and have performed their roles well, despite the well-known rivalry which tends to erupt between such ladies. In fact, just before the service, I overheard a furious sisterly argument about who was going to be first to dance with the Best Man. But ladies, this was all for nothing. Phillip (Father of the Bride) and I intend to buck tradition once and for all; we've been practicing the Foxtrot for months. Then you can all take a number and wait your turn."

The groom's speech comes after the father of the bride's

There are no set rules when it comes to the order of wedding speeches and who says what, but the groom's speech is traditionally placed after the father of the bride's.

The groom's speech traditionally includes a toast to his bride and the bridesmaids. However, this is not compulsory, and the groom is free to come up with something more creative. The groom should also respond to the father of the bride's toast to the newlyweds.

The groom should thank the father of the bride for his kind words and thank both sets of parents, the guests for attending, and the wedding party, including the bridesmaids. The groom may also want to mention his happiness about marrying his partner and share the journey of his relationship with his bride.

The groom's speech should not be too long—around eight to ten minutes is ideal. It should also not be overly formal or include too many thank-you's, which can make the speech feel stilted. Instead, the groom should aim to make everyone in the room feel special and his wife feel brilliant.

Frequently asked questions