Crafting A Memorable Wedding Speech: A Groom's Guide

The groom's speech is a wedding highlight and a chance for guests to hear all the romantic and heartfelt sentiments that the newlywed groom is experiencing. It's also an opportunity to thank everyone who has helped make the wedding day special. The groom should acknowledge this special moment and focus on thanking his partner's parents, his own parents, the best man, the bridesmaids, and, of course, his new spouse. Humour is a magic ingredient, but the groom should be careful not to ramble or go into too much detail. The ideal length for a groom's speech is around 7-10 minutes.

Thank your guests

Thanking your guests is an important part of your wedding speech. It's a chance to express your gratitude to those who have travelled near and far to celebrate your special day with you. Here are some ideas on how to thank your guests in your groom's speech:

Keep it Light and Funny

Add a touch of humour to your speech by injecting some light-hearted jokes or anecdotes. For example, you could say something like: "I know some of you have travelled a long way to be here today. It's quite humbling to see that you care so much for us. And I do genuinely mean that!" Or, if you're feeling daring, try something like: "I planned to do a very short speech today, but then I remembered this would be the only opportunity I'd have with my wife and mother-in-law in the same room and not get interrupted, so I may be some time!"

Give a Special Mention to Those Who Have Gone the Extra Mile

It's a nice touch to single out individuals or groups who have gone above and beyond to support you and your partner. For example, you could say: "I'd like to give a special mention to my mum and dad, who have put up with me all these years. You've always been there for me and given me a wonderful start in life. I'm very fortunate and proud to have you as my parents." Or, if you want to give a shout-out to your bridal party, you might say: "To my groomsmen, thank you for your support in the run-up to the wedding and on the big day itself. I know it's your job, but you've gone above and beyond. And to my best man, Ross, your speech was brilliant, and I might even stay friends with you after this!"

Express Your Gratitude to Those Who Couldn't Make It

It's common to include a toast to absent friends and family in your speech. This is a thoughtful way to acknowledge those who couldn't be with you on your special day. You could say something like: "Unfortunately, it hasn't been possible to have everyone we love here with us today, but we know they're here with us in spirit. They're in our thoughts and, more importantly, in our hearts. So, please join me in raising a glass to absent family and friends."

It's customary to thank your guests for their gifts, cards, and well wishes. You could say something like: "Thank you all for your wonderful gifts and cards. We are truly touched by your generosity. We're looking forward to seeing how Steve has managed to gift-wrap the wheelbarrow!" Or, if you want to add a bit of humour, try something like: "Thank you for your generous gifts, and a special thanks to those of you who gave cheques. We'll be using your bank details to set up direct debits to pay our bills for years to come!"

Show Your Appreciation to Your In-Laws

Thanking your in-laws is a crucial part of your speech. It's a chance to express your gratitude for welcoming you into their family and for raising the person you fell in love with. You could say something like: "To my new parents-in-law, thank you for your warm welcome into the family. It's meant a lot to me. And thank you for raising such an incredible person whom I now get to spend the rest of my life with."

Thank your new in-laws

Thanking your new in-laws is a crucial part of your wedding speech. It's a chance to express your gratitude for their daughter, their warm welcome into the family, and their contribution to your special day. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft this section of your speech:

Structure and Content:

• Begin by welcoming everyone on behalf of you and your spouse. This classic opening never fails to get the audience cheering and sets a positive tone.
• Thank your new in-laws for welcoming you into their family. Share a brief anecdote or memory about the first time you met them, and express your happiness at feeling like part of the family.
• Acknowledge their role in raising the person you fell in love with. You can attribute some of your spouse's admirable qualities to their parenting.
• If your in-laws hosted the wedding or contributed financially, be sure to express your appreciation.
• Try to give equal time to both sets of parents. Avoid focusing extensively on your new in-laws while giving less attention to your own parents. Balance is key.
• If your in-laws have been a source of support during the wedding planning process or on the day itself, be sure to mention this.
• If your spouse has siblings, you can mention them here as well, expressing gratitude for their presence in your life and any specific ways they've helped or supported you.

Examples:

"I'd like to thank my in-laws, [names], for welcoming me into their family with open arms. I still remember the first time we met [number] years ago—it was [terrifying/lovely/memorable], and I'm grateful that we hit it off so well. Thank you for making me feel like part of the family and for all your help in making today so special."

"To my wife's parents, [names], thank you for raising the woman of my dreams. I know she gets her kindness from you, and your generosity in hosting us today is truly appreciated. I feel so fortunate to now be a part of your family, and I promise to always be there for your son/daughter."

"Thank you, [names of in-laws], for your warm hospitality and for raising [spouse's name] to be the incredible person they are today. I'm forever grateful to have your wonderful daughter/son in my life, and I promise to always take care of them and do everything they ask of me... even if it involves golf!"

"To my new in-laws, [names], thank you for the love and support you've shown me since the day I met you. I'll always cherish the memories we've made together, and I'm honoured to now officially be a part of your family. Thank you for making today possible and for your ongoing support and guidance."

Thank your parents

Thanking your parents is an important part of your wedding speech. It's a chance to acknowledge the years of support and love they've given you, and to express your gratitude for any help they've provided in the lead-up to your wedding. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft this section of your speech:

Structure and Placement

• It's recommended to include your parents in the first half of your speech, ideally after you've welcomed the guests and before you talk about your partner.
• Keep your thanks to your parents concise and punchy. Avoid going into too much detail about your childhood memories or specific stories.
• If you want to group your thanks, mention your parents together, giving each set of parents equal time. This helps to avoid focusing more on your new in-laws than your own parents.
• If your parents have been divorced for a long time and/or have new partners, it's best to thank them separately. Start with your father, or your mother if it's a Jewish wedding.

What to Say

• Express your love and respect for your parents and thank them for the years of sacrifice and hard work in raising you.
• Mention any specific ways in which they've supported you, especially in the lead-up to the wedding.
• If there are any fun or humorous aspects about your parents or your relationship with them that you can share, this is a good time to include them. For example, you could joke about any physical traits you've inherited from them.
• Thank your parents for welcoming your partner into the family and mention how they've made your partner feel welcome and loved.
• If your parents have hosted the wedding, be sure to thank them for that as well.

Examples

"Thank you, Mom and Dad, for your support and love over the years, and for your help in making today what it is. I know I don't say it often, but I love you both."

"Dad, thank you for always being there for me and for teaching me the value of hard work. Mom, your unconditional love and support have shaped me into the person I am today. I wouldn't be standing here without the two of you, and I am forever grateful."

"To my parents, thank you for raising me to be the person I am today and for welcoming my partner into our family with open arms. Your support and love for both of us mean the world to me."

"Mom, Dad, thank you for all the sacrifices you made to give me a wonderful childhood. I am who I am because of you, and I will always be grateful. And to my in-laws, thank you for welcoming me into your family and for raising the love of my life."

Thank your wedding party

Thanking your wedding party is a crucial part of your speech. It's a chance to express your gratitude to those who have supported you and your partner and helped make your special day possible. Here are some tips to guide you through this section of your speech:

Thanking the Wedding Party

• Thank your partner's parents: Express your gratitude for raising the person you fell in love with and for hosting the wedding, if applicable. You can also mention how they've welcomed you into their family and share what you love and admire about them.
• Thank your own parents: Show appreciation for their support and the role they've played in your life. You can share anecdotes about your childhood or mention specific qualities you've inherited from them.
• Thank your best man and ushers: Acknowledge their help during the wedding planning and on the day itself. You can add a funny anecdote or joke about your best man, but keep it light and good-natured.
• Thank the bridesmaids: Express your gratitude for their support to your partner and their role in the wedding. You can also compliment their appearance and the effort they put into the wedding.
• Thank other helpers: This includes anyone else who contributed to the wedding, such as witnesses, those who gave readings, and anyone who helped with preparations or on the day itself.
• Thank the guests: Show your appreciation for their presence and their gifts. You can also give a special mention to those who have travelled a long distance to be there.

Remember, the key is to be sincere and heartfelt in your thanks while keeping your comments concise and avoiding excessive detail. Focus on the impact these people have had on you and your partner, and don't forget to rehearse this part of your speech to ensure it flows naturally.

Thank your partner

Thanking your partner is one of the most important parts of a groom's wedding speech. It's your chance to publicly declare your love and appreciation for them in front of your friends and family. Here are some tips and ideas to help you craft this section of your speech:

Start with a Romantic Introduction

Kick things off with a heartfelt introduction. You could say something like, "I knew I had to marry you when...", followed by a story or anecdote that showcases your partner's unique qualities. This will set the tone for the rest of your speech.

Express Your Love and Appreciation

Talk about how your partner has made your life better. Share the moments when you felt incredibly lucky to have them by your side. Be specific and sincere in your praise. Mention their kindness, thoughtfulness, and any other qualities you admire. For example, you could say, "You've always been there for me, and I feel so fortunate to have your love and support."

Share Happy and Funny Memories

Recall happy and funny moments you've shared together. Tell a story about a special memory, a holiday, or a night out with friends and family. It will add a personal touch to your speech and give your guests a glimpse into your relationship. Just make sure the stories aren't too inside-jokey so that your guests can follow along.

Compliment Their Appearance

Don't forget to compliment your partner's appearance. Tell them how beautiful or handsome they look and how they took your breath away when you saw them on your wedding day. You could say something like, "You always look amazing, but today you've outdone yourself. I feel like the luckiest person in the world to be standing here with you."

Talk About Your Future Together

Share your hopes and dreams for your future together. Talk about the life you want to build with your partner and how you can't wait to spend the rest of your lives together. This will add a touch of sentiment and show your commitment to your partner.

Make Eye Contact

When you're delivering your speech, remember to make eye contact with your partner. It will make this section more powerful and intimate. Look into their eyes as you express your love and gratitude, creating a moment that both of you will always remember.

Keep It Sincere and Balanced

While it's important to be romantic, avoid going overboard with cheesiness. Balance your words of love with a touch of humour to keep the mood light and fun. You don't want your partner or your guests to feel embarrassed by overly sentimental statements.

Practice and Prepare

Finally, don't underestimate the power of practice. Rehearse your speech beforehand, time yourself, and make any necessary adjustments. Practising will help you feel more confident and ensure that your words come across as sincere and heartfelt.

Frequently asked questions