How to Write the Most Fabulous Wedding Speech Ever!!

Shelleycelebrant skills, Wedding, Wedding Ceremony
The Bride, groom and guests all raise a glass in celebration of their wedding and to toast thier future together.

Wedding speeches are like champagne—bubbly, heartfelt, and best when not overdone. But crafting the perfect one? That’s a cocktail of creativity, timing, a sprinkle of humour, and just the right amount of sentiment. Whether you’re the best friend, sibling, parent, or even a dog-sitter with a mic, here’s your ultimate guide to writing a wedding speech that brings tears (the good kind), laughter, and a standing ovation.

Know Your Audience — and Set Your Humour Dial

Before you dive into storytelling, think about who’s in the room. Grandma Edna? The bride’s ex is not your punchline. Toddlers with wandering ears? Maybe skip the raunchy jokes.

Tip: Choose the right humour setting.

  • Mild: Sweet, nostalgic, “remember when they met at the bookstore” kind of humour.

  • Medium: A little playful teasing—think “he finally proposed after only seven years!”

  • Spicy: Edgy but safe. Know your crowd. If in doubt, tone it down.

Humour should enhance your speech, not replace the sincerity. Always land on something warm and meaningful.

A bride dressed in white and a groom dressed in a black dinner jacket are having their drinks poured by their wedding guests as the fabulous speeches are being made at the wedding.

 Use Your Celebrant as Your Ghostwriting Muse

Celebrants are gold mines of storytelling wisdom. They’ve likely met with the couple, know their quirks, and have their romantic timeline mapped better than Google Maps.

Ask your celebrant:

  • How did the couple meet?

  • What’s something unique about their love story?

  • Any anecdotes you can echo or reference?

Bonus tip: If the celebrant delivered a funny line during the ceremony, you can give it a little callback—it brings cohesion and a lovely shared smile to the reception. Check in with http://www.shelleybell.co.uk for help.

Rewriting the Rules: Who Should Give a Speech?

Gone are the days of speeches reserved only for fathers and best men. We now live in a world where:

  • Maid of Honour? Yes!

  • Sibling of the Groom who once taught him how to flirt via memes? Bring it.

  • The Bride herself? Absolutely.

  • Two Grandmas doing a joint roast? The world needs that.

Encourage the couple to open the floor to people who truly know them—chosen family, old friends, work BFFs. Authenticity wins every time.

The bride gives a fabulous speech at her wedding breakfast and raises a toast to those present.

Practice in Front of the Mirror (Yes, Really)

Reading it in your head Vs. reading it out loud. Your mouth may betray you. Practice in front of the mirror to:

  • Catch awkward phrasing.

  • Avoid tripping over your punchlines.

  • Master your pauses and eye contact.

You don’t have to memorise it, but know it well enough that you’re not buried in paper. If it makes you feel better, I do this with the whole script, at least three times!!

Test It on a Trusted Non-Attendee

Find a kind (but honest) friend who’s not going to the wedding. They’ll give you unbiased feedback because they won’t be in the room and therefore have no need to spare your ego.

Ask them:

  • Did it drag anywhere?

  • Were the jokes clear?

  • Did I sound like me?

Fresh ears can save you from that one line that makes sense only in your head.

The groom raises a toast at the conclusion of his fabulous wedding speech.

 Structure, Darling—Structure!

Here’s a fabulous wedding speech skeleton:

  1. Open strong. A warm welcome or funny one-liner.

  2. Introduce yourself. Keep it short.

  3. Tell a story. One that reflects the couple’s love, or your connection to them.

  4. Compliment both parties. No one-sided speeches.

  5. Raise the stakes, then the glass. End with something moving and a clear toast.

Ideal length? 4–6 minutes. Enough to move the room, not enough to lose them.

Bring the Heart, Not the Resume

Remember: a wedding speech is not a LinkedIn endorsement. It’s not about achievements or timelines; it’s about connection. Focus on:

  • What makes them great together?

  • What did love teach you, watching them?

  • Why are we all better for knowing them?

Don’t be afraid to get a little emotional. A teary voice is welcome—it means you care.

The bride and groom embrace, glasses held aloft at the conclusion of their fabulous wedding speeches.

Bonus Don’ts

  • Don’t read your entire speech off your phone. Print it. Phones can lock, ring, or autocorrect “love” to “live”.

  • Don’t drink too much beforehand. Tipsy = risky.

  • Don’t make it about you. This isn’t your Netflix special.

Final Word

A fabulous wedding speech isn’t about being the funniest or the most poetic—it’s about being real, relevant, and respectfully hilarious. Lean on your celebrant, practice with passion, and remember that you’ve been chosen to speak because your voice matters in this love story.

Now go make ’em laugh, cry, and toast with joy. You’ve got this. 💍

The Bride, groom and guests all raise a glass in celebration of their wedding and to toast thier future together.