Crafting A Memorable Groom's Speech: Tips And Tricks

The groom's speech is a big part of the wedding experience and arguably one of the most daunting parts of the entire wedding planning journey. The groom's speech is an opportunity to share with all the guests, family, and friends how much he loves and appreciates his new wife and is excited to be her husband. It is also his chance to thank the bride's parents, welcome everybody, and show his funny side. The groom's speech should be a dollop of entertainment and fun while acknowledging the special moment. It should be light and funny, addressing the partner's father and thanking him for his speech. It should also include a few appropriate jokes and be around 8-10 minutes long.

Who to thank and when

The groom's speech is a busy one, with lots of people to thank and acknowledge. It's important to keep the speech creative, entertaining, and not too long—around 8–10 minutes is ideal. Here's a rundown of who to thank and when:

• Welcome and Introduction: Begin by welcoming everyone and introducing yourself. It's a nice touch to make a joke here to get everyone laughing and put them at ease.
• Thank Your Partner's Parents: Thank your new in-laws for welcoming you into their family and for raising the person you fell in love with. If they hosted the wedding, be sure to thank them for that too.
• Thank Your Own Parents: Express gratitude to your parents for their love and support over the years and for any help with the wedding.
• Thank the Best Man and Ushers: Show appreciation to the best man for his help and friendship. If you want to mention the stag do, keep it light and funny. Thank the ushers collectively for their support.
• Thank the Bridesmaids: Thank the bridesmaids for their help and friendship to your partner. You can also compliment their appearance and pay them a meaningful compliment.
• Thank Other Helpers: Acknowledge anyone else who has helped with the wedding, such as witnesses and those who gave readings.
• Thank the Guests: Thank the guests for coming to celebrate with you and your partner.
• Thank Your Partner: Finally, lavish praise on your partner. Talk about how you met, what they mean to you, and share a funny or heartfelt anecdote. You can also compliment their appearance and express excitement for your future together.

How to begin

The beginning of your speech is crucial – it's your chance to grab your guests' attention and set the tone for the rest of your speech. Here are some tips on how to start your groom's wedding speech:

Acknowledge the Special Moment

It's important to acknowledge the significance of the occasion. This is your opportunity to express gratitude to those who have supported you and your partner and to celebrate your love for your new spouse.

Begin with a Warm and Inclusive Introduction

It is recommended to start your speech with a quick, light-hearted, and funny introduction. This will help ease any nerves you may have and put your audience at ease. Avoid getting too caught up in formalities and traditional etiquette, as this can make your speech feel stiff and less engaging.

Thank Your Partner's Father

It is customary to address and thank your partner's father for his speech and for welcoming you into the family. Keep this sincere and general, avoiding any detailed references to financial contributions.

Avoid a Lengthy List of Thank You's

While it's important to express gratitude, try not to turn your speech into a long list of thank you's. Instead, group your thanks together. For example, thank any guests who have travelled far collectively, rather than individually. This will help keep your speech concise and engaging.

Save the Best for Last – Your New Spouse

While it's tempting to dive straight into talking about your partner, it's often better to build up to this. Save the latter half of your speech to focus exclusively on them, including how you met, your first dates, and what they mean to you.

Keep it Light and Entertaining

Use humour to balance the emotions of the day. Share amusing stories or jokes, but keep them appropriate and avoid anything that might embarrass your new spouse.

Know Your Audience

Be mindful of who you're speaking to. Avoid inside jokes that only a few will understand, steer clear of controversial topics, and refrain from offensive or risqué humour.

Remember, the beginning of your speech sets the tone for the rest of your words. Keep it light, entertaining, and sincere, and you'll be off to a great start!

Knowing your audience

• Avoid In-jokes and Controversial Topics: While it's tempting to include inside jokes that only you and your workmates will understand, resist the urge! Keep your speech inclusive by avoiding references that only a small portion of your audience will get. Similarly, steer clear of politics and other potentially controversial topics to ensure your speech is enjoyable for all.
• Keep it Clean: Refrain from using foul language or distasteful content. Your speech should be free of offensive remarks or stories that might embarrass your new spouse or other guests.
• Consider Special Guests: If you have elderly relatives or young children in attendance, tailor your content accordingly. You may want to avoid more adult humour or themes that could be inappropriate for younger guests.
• Balance Humour and Sincerity: Your speech should strike a balance between humour and sincerity. While it's great to make your guests laugh, remember that this is also a heartfelt moment. Include funny stories and one-liners, but also take time to sincerely express your love and appreciation for your new spouse, family, and friends.
• Be Mindful of Cultural Differences: If your wedding involves a mix of cultures and nationalities, be mindful of language barriers. Consider using your native language for most of your speech but include a few well-crafted lines in your spouse's language to include everyone. Keep the overall length shorter if there are significant language differences among your guests.
• Avoid Excessive Detail: While it's important to acknowledge and thank people, avoid getting too detailed in your stories and examples. You don't want to lose your audience's interest by providing lengthy explanations or anecdotes. Keep your content concise and punchy.
• Be Aware of Time Constraints: Your guests' attention spans may wane if your speech goes on for too long. Aim for a total speaking time of around 8-10 minutes. This will help ensure your speech is well-paced and engaging without overstaying its welcome.

Adding jokes

The groom's speech is traditionally a time to thank the guests for coming and to express gratitude to those who helped put the wedding together. But that doesn't mean it can't be funny! Here are some tips for adding jokes to your groom's speech.

Choose the Right Jokes

Avoid recycled jokes that people have heard before. Stay away from sexist or cringe-worthy humour, and generic jokes that could be inserted into any groom's speech. Instead, opt for jokes that are original, witty, and belly-laugh funny.

Tell the Truth

According to Homer Simpson, "It's funny 'cause it's true." So, take a step back from trying to be funny and ask yourself some hard-hitting questions about your relationship. What makes you and your partner unique? What are your quirks and guilty pleasures? What do you each bring to the relationship? What are your partner's passions, hobbies, and eccentricities? Answering these questions will help you find the humour in your everyday lives.

Get Story Hunting

Your best stories are the ones you tell down the pub that get a laugh. Scroll through your social media and old Tinder profiles to jog your memory, and ask family and friends if they can think of any funny incidents you may have forgotten.

Create a Comedy Character

Every speech needs a focus for the comedy. You could make yourself the target of the jokes, or set up the notion of a traditional double act (e.g. straight bride vs daft husband). Just remember to keep the humour affectionate and loving.

Package Up the Punchlines

Like a good story, your speech needs a beginning, middle, and end. Work out which stories and insights can be threaded together, and find a theme that brings all your anecdotes and observations into a coherent form. Cut out any stories that take too long to set up, and aim for a speech that's around eight minutes or 1,300 words long.

Practise Those Punchlines

Comedians make standing up in front of people and being funny look easy, but it's not. To help you feel more confident, practise your speech out loud to anyone who'll listen, write it down, and recite it just before you go to bed.

Deliver Like a Pro

On the big day, take your time and speak slightly slower than normal. This will make you sound more confident and give the jokes room to breathe. Don't forget to smile—it's infectious!

Focusing on your partner

Your wedding speech is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to publicly declare your love for your partner. It is a chance to share your feelings, express your gratitude, and celebrate the unique qualities that make them so special to you. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you craft a meaningful and heartfelt speech focused on your partner:

Share Your Love Story

Talk about how you met, the moment you knew they were the one, and the adventures you've shared along the way. Be specific and genuine in your praise. You can even include a funny anecdote or inside joke, as long as it is appropriate and won't embarrass your partner.

Highlight Their Best Qualities

Speak about the qualities you admire most in your partner. Are they kind, intelligent, or incredibly patient with your future in-laws? Mention how they have made your life better and share the reasons why you feel incredibly lucky to have them by your side.

Express Your Gratitude

Thank your partner for their love, support, and the joy they bring into your life. Let them know how much their presence enriches your life and share how they have positively influenced you. Be sincere and heartfelt in your appreciation.

Share Your Dreams for the Future

Talk about your plans, hopes, and dreams for your shared future together. This can include anything from starting a family, travelling the world, or simply growing old together. Let your partner and guests know that you are excited about building a life with your spouse and that your love will continue to grow and deepen over time.

Make Eye Contact

When speaking about your partner, be sure to look directly at them. This adds a level of intimacy and sincerity to your words. It also helps to create a special connection with your partner, even amidst the crowd of guests.

Keep it Clean

Avoid inappropriate humour or offensive jokes. Your speech should be tasteful and respectful, especially when referring to your partner. While a bit of light-hearted fun is fine, remember that your new spouse is in front of their family and friends, so avoid sharing anything too intimate or embarrassing.

Practice Makes Perfect

Rehearse your speech beforehand. Practising will help you feel more confident and ensure that your delivery is clear and well-paced. It's a good idea to time yourself as well, aiming for a speech that is around 8-10 minutes long. This will help to maintain your guests' interest and ensure that you don't ramble on for too long.

Remember, this is your opportunity to celebrate your partner and share your love with those around you. Speak from the heart, and don't be afraid to let your emotions show. Your partner, as well as your guests, will appreciate the sincerity and thoughtfulness of your words.

Frequently asked questions