Crafting The Perfect Wedding Opening: A Guide To Setting The Tone

Whether you're the bride, groom, best man, bridesmaid, groomsman, bridesman, groomsmaid, father of the bride, father of the groom, mother of the bride, mother of the groom, granny, grandad, or just a close pal with a knack for public speaking, you'll want to start your wedding speech with a strong opening. A good welcome speech is essential, making a statement about the importance of the occasion and its significance to the couple and everyone present.

If you're the officiant, you'll want to begin with an opening address, guiding the couple through the ceremony's various segments — from vows to ring exchanges, the kiss, and the final pronouncement. Your core responsibility is to smoothly navigate each ceremony segment, incorporating any desired elements from the couple while making sure the legal requirements are met.

- Dearly beloved, we're gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of [Bride] and [Groom].

- Dear friends and family of the Bride and Groom, we welcome and thank you for being part of this important occasion. We are gathered together on this day to witness and celebrate the marriage of [Bride] and [Groom].

- Gosh, what an emotional day it’s been. Even the cake is in tiers!

- Ladies and gentlemen, today we witnessed a unique event in history—it's the first and presumably last time anyone has trusted me to give a speech!

Keep it short and sweet

Keeping your wedding speech short and sweet is a great way to ensure that your message is well-received and memorable. Here are some tips to help you craft a concise and impactful wedding opening:

Keep it concise and heartfelt

Focus on expressing your happiness for the couple and offer a warm wish for their future. You can also share a brief anecdote or a funny one-liner to lighten the mood. This approach ensures your speech is heartfelt and leaves a lasting impression.

Structure your story

Structure your speech by focusing on the bride and groom. Choose one to three key points about them and elaborate with short stories where they are the heroes. This approach ensures your speech stays on track and ends on a positive note.

Avoid alcohol

While a drink may be tempting to calm your nerves, it's best avoided before your speech. Alcohol can lead to slurred words and forgotten lines. Opt for a drink to celebrate only after you've delivered your speech.

Use note cards

While it's not advisable to read your speech from a piece of paper, having a few note cards with key points can be helpful. This way, you can glance at your notes to stay on track without appearing too reliant on them.

Practice and record yourself

The more you practice, the more confident you'll become, and the better your speech will be. Record yourself to identify any distracting mannerisms, such as verbal pauses like "um", "uh", and "like". Practising in front of someone else can also provide valuable feedback to strengthen your delivery.

Example of a short and sweet wedding opening

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. My name is [your name], and it is an honour to stand here today as we celebrate the union of [bride] and [groom]. Their love has brought us all together, and it's a joy to witness this special moment.

[Bride] and [groom], your love is an inspiration to us all. May it continue to grow and bring you endless happiness. Remember to always find joy in the little things and never forget why you fell in love. Cheers to a lifetime of love and laughter!

And now, please raise your glasses and join me in a toast to the happy couple!"

Make it funny

A wedding opening, also known as an invocation, introduction, or opening remarks, is an important part of the ceremony as it sets the tone for the rest of the event. While it can be short and sweet, it can also be several minutes long. It is also a great opportunity to make the guests laugh.

Start with a Joke

A great way to put the audience at ease and set yourself up for a terrific wedding speech is to kick things off with a joke. Here are some examples:

• "Gosh, what an emotional day it’s been. Even the cake is in tiers!"
• "Hi everyone! I’m [Name] and it’s time for me to give the speech I frantically scribbled down 15 minutes ago!"
• "Ladies and gentlemen, today we witnessed a unique event in history - it's the first and presumably last time anyone has trusted me to give a speech!"
• "Hello everyone! Thank you all for being here on such an exciting night. Yes, the rumours are true, I will be debuting some new choreography on the dance floor this evening. But in the meantime, I suppose I should talk a little bit about [couple's names]."
• "Hi everyone, I'm [Name], and before any of you ask, yes I am single."

Share a Funny Story

Instead of a one-liner, you could share a funny story about the couple. Did the groom-to-be have a creative proposal? Does the bride have an unusual pet peeve? How did they meet? What makes them laugh together? Sharing a humorous story about the couple is a great way to make the opening funny and personalised.

Use a Funny Quote or Reading

Consider including a funny quote or reading in your wedding opening. A great example is Dr. Seuss's "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" which is fun and appropriate for a wedding. You could also include a funny line in your vows, such as promising to always put the toilet seat down or to bring your partner flowers once a month.

Make the Bridal Party Introductions Fun

If you're introducing the bridal party, add a funny twist by sharing something unique about each person. For example, "Introducing Jason, the best friend and college roommate of the groom. Jason has known the groom for 10 years and is eternally grateful to the bride for taming the groom's wild side and helping him calm down. Without her, the groom never would have passed Western Civ."

Remember, when writing a funny wedding opening, it's important to keep it tasteful and G-rated, especially if there are older relatives or parents of young children present. Avoid inside jokes that will confuse your guests, and make sure to share your vows with your partner before the big day to avoid any bad surprises!

Begin with a quote

A wedding speech is an important part of the occasion, signifying the importance of the day to the couple and everyone present. Here are some ideas for how to begin your wedding speech with a quote:

"Hi everyone. I'd like to begin my speech with a quote from Dr. James Dobson, who said, 'Don't marry the person you think you can live with; marry only the individual you think you can't live without.'". This is a great way to start your speech with a meaningful quote that sets the tone for the rest of your words.

"Hello everyone. I'd like to share a quote from Franz Schubert, who said, 'Happy is the man who finds a true friend, and far happier is he who finds that true friend in his wife.'". This quote beautifully captures the essence of marriage and can be a lovely tribute to the couple.

"Good evening, everyone. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, 'There is no more lovely, friendly, and charming relationship, communion, or company than a good marriage.'". Using this quote is an excellent way to honour the couple and emphasise the significance of their relationship.

"Hi, I'm [name], and I want to share a quote from Franklin P. Jones: 'Love doesn't make the world go 'round; love is what makes the ride worthwhile.'". This quote is a wonderful reminder that love is what brings joy and meaning to our lives.

"Hello, I'm [name]. When I got married to my partner, [name], someone shared this advice with us: 'Don't just be husband and wife, be president of each other's fan clubs.' I'd like to pass on this wonderful advice to the happy couple today.". This is a lovely way to include a personal touch while also sharing a meaningful quote.

"Good evening, everyone. I'd like to begin with a quote from Mignon McLaughlin: 'A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.' Over the years, I've had the joy of witnessing [name] fall in love with [name] over and over again.". This quote captures the enduring nature of love and can be a beautiful tribute to the couple's relationship.

Include a story of how the couple met

Including the story of how the couple met is a great way to personalise a wedding ceremony and to tug at the heartstrings of family and friends. Here are some ideas on how to do this:

The Couple's Vows

If the couple is writing their own vows, this is the perfect opportunity to share their unique love story. They can take guests on a nostalgic trip down memory lane by recounting how they met, and their story can be as comedic or heartfelt as they like.

Wedding Website

Many couples create a wedding website to share information about their big day with guests. This is a great place to get creative and share photos, cute anecdotes, and a timeline of their relationship, giving guests a first-hand look into how the couple met and fell in love.

Ceremony Program

The ceremony program is another excellent place to give guests a glimpse into the couple's backstory. Most guests won't know the intimate details of how the couple met, so a relationship recap will be a delightful read before the nuptials.

Wedding Toast

If one of the wedding guests had a major role in the couple's relationship, they can share the story of how the couple met during a wedding toast. Be sure to go over the details with this person beforehand to ensure they have all the facts straight.

Photos and Decorations

A picture is worth a thousand words, and images can beautifully illustrate the growth of the couple's relationship over the years. Hang photos throughout the reception venue, compile a photo album, or project a slideshow over the dance floor.

Video Montage

A romantic video montage set to music and containing images and clips from all stages of the couple's relationship is another wonderful way to share their "how we met" story. Keep the video short (five minutes or less) and play it right before the first dance to delight guests.

Opening Words and Introduction

The opening words and introduction of the wedding ceremony can also set the tone by including a brief recap of how the couple met. This can be done by the officiant or someone else who is close to the couple. Here is an example:

"Today, we are here to celebrate the joining of two hearts. [Couple's names] met each other, fell in love, and are finalizing it with their wedding today. Their love and intention have created this marriage, and we are gathered here to join in the celebration and acknowledgment of this bonding."

Add a personal touch

Adding a personal touch to your wedding speech is a great way to make your special day even more unique and memorable. Here are some ideas to help you add that personal flair:

Share Your Love Story

Craft your speech around your journey as a couple, from how you met to the milestones you've achieved together. You can even include anecdotes from your childhood or teenage years to showcase how far you've come. This approach will not only make your speech more personal but also entertaining and engaging for your guests.

Incorporate Photos

Display photos of you and your spouse, progressing from childhood to adulthood, along the aisle or backdrop. This visual journey will evoke emotions and provide a sweet glimpse into your lives for those who may not know you as well.

Write a Creative Introduction

Instead of a standard introduction, try something more creative and personalised. For example, you could say, "Hello, I'm [name], and for those of you who don't know me, I'm the [relation to the couple], and I'm here to talk about my good friend/sibling/etc., [name of the bride/groom]." This approach sets the context for your relationship to the couple and gives guests a better understanding of your role in their lives.

Use Humour

Adding a touch of humour can lighten the mood and make your speech more enjoyable. You could start with a funny one-liner or a witty remark. For instance, "Hi everyone, I'm [name], and before any of you ask, yes, I am single." Or, "Hi everyone, I'm [name], and I'll be your speaker for the next 95 minutes." These lighthearted openings will help you connect with your audience and set a relaxed tone for the rest of your speech.

Share a Soundtrack

Create a custom mix CD of your favourite love songs or tunes that hold special meaning for you as a couple. This can be played during the reception or given as favours to your guests. It's a unique way to share your musical tastes and create a personalised atmosphere.

Offer a Signature Cocktail

Offering a signature cocktail is a fun way to reflect your relationship. Put a twist on your favourite cocktail or create something new using your favourite ingredients. You could even name the drinks after yourselves! It's a great way to add a personal touch that your guests will surely enjoy.

Remember, your wedding is a celebration of you and your partner, so feel free to infuse your personalities into every aspect of the day, from the decorations to the dessert!

Frequently asked questions