what to include in a brides speech

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• Bride Speech: What, When and Examples

Brides speech: what to say, how to say it and examples

You’re getting married! So, surely you’ve got something to say about that? Traditionally, you’d expect to hear speeches from the groom, father of the bride and the best man. But we’re totally here for the tradition breakers. It’s becoming increasingly popular for brides to make a speech at their wedding. And we’re here to answer the big questions:

• So, as a bride, should you make a speech to your bride or groom? Spoiler - HELL YEAH (but only if you actually want to of course).
• Should it include references to friends and family or just your spouse?

How long should a bride’s speech be?

• What should it say?
• Should it be long or short, light and funny or heartfelt and emotional?
• When during the wedding day should it come?

If you want to know the above and much more, well, you’ve come to the right place!

When should brides start planning their speech?

There’s no harm in starting early, just to give you plenty of time to write, edit and practise your speech. As we’ll touch upon later, practice really does make perfect so it’s important not to rush this part! Generally we would suggest you start no later than a month before the big day.

The pros suggest practising your speech before bed, apparently your brain is in the best state to absorb information at this point in the day. Nifty!

What should a bride include in her speech?

The great thing about making a bridal speech is that there are no expectations and no template, however there’s a few things you might like to include. Generally, it’s stories, humour and meaningful tributes. It’s the perfect opportunity for you to thank your bridal party and family but also drop a few love bombs. While you’re at it, throw a few compliments at your spouse, as well. They’re probably not too bad, after all.

If you’re both making a separate speech or even a joint bride and groom speech, discuss who will cover what with your spouse to be and check who will thank who so that you don’t end up covering the same ground. You may even like to chat with the best man and father of the bride too. Don’t forget to stake your claim on the best stories! And above all else, avoid the cliches. Even in your darkest writing block moments, avoid the temptation of recycling jokes from the internet. The genuine and original anecdotes are the ones that’ll have your guests roaring with laughter. If you’re not comfortable landing jokes, keep things sincere and heartfelt.

If you’re struggling to get started, a good formula to follow is:

• Welcome and thank your lovely guests
• Thank your bridal party and family
• Chuck in a hilarious anecdote or story, don’t forget to relate it to your wedding day
• Finish off with a toast

Start planning early and brainstorm ideas without pressure - think of the highpoints in your relationship, ask yourself why you think your relationship works so well, and find humour where it doesn’t!

Should you include a theme to your bridal speech?

For sure - some of the most entertaining wedding speeches are based on a theme. If you’re both in the medical profession, base it around a humorous diagnosis, if one of you is a musician, include song lyrics. If you’ve travelled together, link your stories back to places you have visited. Consider using props or even an instrument (please… no recorders, unless it’s ironic of course). If you decide to use props, practise your timing so that you nail the delivery.

When does the bride make her speech?

The great thing about a bridal speech is that there are no traditions or expectations. So, you can choose when you give your speech. You might like to get in early, before the other wedding toasts so that you can be first to thank your wedding party and your new spouse (aww). And, let’s face it, guests may be a little bored of speeches by the last one!

If you’re feeling nervous, remember that you’re about to speak to the easiest audience of your life- they’re all there for YOU and are rooting you on. So, take a deep breath and enjoy it.

Keep it punchy, after you’ve written your wedding speech, look to edit and cut back any unnecessary bits (nobody likes a waffler). An ideal length is 900 words, this is the equivalent of 6 minutes speaking time. Any jokes that you’re slightly on the fence about? Have a trustworthy friend sense check and if in doubt, leave it out. Don’t forget, practice makes perfect - run through your speech plenty of times before the big day so you’re totally familiar with it.

When it comes to delivering your speech, fake it ‘till you make it with a smile and don’t take yourself too seriously. It’s no secret that speeches delivered with a smile come across with more warmth and sincerity than a deadpan delivery!

Looking for some more inspiration? Check out some cracking bride’s speech examples.

So, I know that a bride’s speech isn’t exactly traditional… but if you know me at all, you’ll know that today of all days, I wasn’t about to let the guys have all the limelight!

First, on behalf of MY HUSBAND and myself (pause for applause) I want to say a massive thank you to all of you for being here today. We were fully ready for today to be amazing, but I don’t think anything can really prepare you for how surreal & overwhelming it is to have all your friends and family, from all the different parts of your life, together in one room. The sheer volume of love here today has blown us away & we are SO grateful.

I know that my wonderful husband (LOVE saying that!) is doing all the proper thank yous in his speech, so I’ll leave those to him. But I do just want to thank my amazing team of bridesmaids… you ladies have made this whole process so much fun – getting me hyped when I needed to be hyped & keeping me calm when I needed to be calm. The impromptu dance party this morning was EXACTLY what I needed to burn off the pre-ceremony nerves!

So, since there are no real rules for a Bride’s speech, I thought it might be nice to tell you the story of how we met. There’s an old saying that a man decides to marry when he feels it’s the right time, while a woman chooses to marry when she feels it’s the right man. Well, I’d argue that the same could be said for online dating.

I had been stuck in an endless cycle of swiping, matching, texting, meeting & (I’m ashamed to say…) ghosting a parade of Mr Wrongs… for YEARS. This guy on the other hand… decides one day to join a dating app, matches with me on his first afternoon of swiping, sets up a date for the next day, meets me. Falls head over heels & the rest is history! … I mean, what can I say… He’s a lucky guy!

Seriously though, I’m the lucky one. This man is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best person I’ve ever met. I mean, sorry guys – you’re all fantastic & I love you…. But I love him the most.

My love, I love your big laugh & your even bigger heart. I love the life we’ve built together – our beautiful home & our gorgeous fur babies. I love the way you can always make me laugh, even when I’m upset & crying… especially when I’m upset & crying! And most of all, I love that even from that very first date, being with you felt like home.

So, everyone, can I ask you please to raise a glass… to love, home & happily ever after!

Ok, so I know it’s not strictly traditional for the bride to give a speech, but I couldn’t let the guys have all the fun now, could I?!

I think between them, they’ve already taken care of all the formal thank yous and shout outs… excellent work guys – smashed it! So, I won’t bore you with more of those.

But, if you’re all sitting comfortably, I thought I’d tell you a little story.

Once upon a time, not too far from here, there was a little girl. She didn’t dream about handsome princes & big white weddings. She was too busy playing with her dinosaurs and splashing in muddy puddles to think about boys, thank you very much!

Around the same time, in a kingdom far away, across the water, there was a little boy. Playing with his dinosaurs & splashing in muddy puddles.

Over the years, these two little people grew up into slightly bigger people, but they kept their love of dinosaurs & muddy puddles. So, when the time came to choose a uni course… Earth Sciences (with a healthy dose of palaeontology) was the only option.

And so it was that come September, the girl from London & the boy from Amsterdam rocked up at Bristol University, young, fresh-faced & single… but not for long.

Their eyes met across the lecture theatre, there was a moment, a little spark. A friend request was sent (hey, it was 2008!) and the rest, as they say… is history.

I will be forever grateful that those two crazy, outdoorsy, dinosaur-loving kids, grew up & followed their dreams. Because if they hadn’t, they would never have met. Never have fallen in love. And they wouldn’t now be spending their days together, splashing in muddy puddles with their dinosaur-replacement dogs – and by the way, can I get a cheer for the world’s greatest ring bearers, Dino & T-rex!

My love, you are the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I love you. And I can’t wait to keep on loving you, every day for the rest of my life.

So, lovely people, will you please join me in raising a glass, to following your dreams & falling in love!

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” Wise words indeed, written by a very wise woman.

But what, I wonder, about a single WOMAN, in possession of an equally respectable fortune?... It’s an entirely different kettle of fish if you ask me.

In fact, as many of you will know, If you’d have asked this particular woman about her views on marriage, not even 2 years ago… well… she’d have chewed your ear off.

“I’ll never get married. Are you joking? I love my life! I can go where I like, I’m free to travel, financially independent. I don’t need no man. I’m happy by myself!”

And I was. I really, truly was.

BUT. You never know what the universe has in store for you. And for me, it had the most amazing surprise.

Enter stage left… this guy… the actual man of my dreams.

Tall, dark & handsome, kind, funny, adventurous, spontaneous.

It takes a special kind of crazy person to agree to a tandem skydive as a 2nd date… but that just about sums it up really, doesn’t it? I’ve found my person. My adventure buddy, my partner in crime, a match for my particular kind of crazy. And I’m not gonna lie, it feels f***ing amazing.

I get to wake up next to this phenomenal human every day, for the rest of my life. And wherever in the world we are, I know I’ll be home, as long as you’re there with me.

That’s what I believe marriage is all about – and honestly, I can’t f***ing wait.

So please, join me in a toast – to getting married!

NOW LET’S GET MESSY!

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How To Write A Wedding Speech: The Ultimate Guide For Do’s, Don’ts, and Delivery PART 1/3: Do’s

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How To Write A Wedding Speech: The Ultimate Guide For Do’s, Don’ts, and Delivery PART 2/3: Don’ts

• best man speech
• bridesmaid speech
• how to write a wedding speech
• wedding planning
• wedding speech

how to write a wedding speech dos

Someone you love is getting married, and you’ve just been asked to give a speech at the wedding. What an honor! But also, if you’re not used to giving speeches, what a nightmare! Public speaking can be scary , which is why many people prefer to avoid it. But when your bestie asks you to make a speech at his or her wedding, it’s time to rally. But now you’re wondering if you even know how to write a wedding speech! What makes some wedding speeches fun and memorable, and what makes others cringy and fall flat? We’ve got you. We’ve put together the ultimate guide for how to write a wedding speech, focusing on things you definitely should do, things you definitely should NOT do, and then how to deliver your killer wedding speech like a pro.

If you’re wondering how to write a wedding speech, here are a few “Do’s” to keep in mind.

• Start planning early
• Introduce yourself and how you know the bride and groom
• Thanks to hosts, guests, and wedding party; congratulate the couple
• Make it personal
• Think of 3 traits with 3 stories
• Talk about the couple
• Have a beginning, middle, and end
• Consider your audience
• Keep it short and sweet
• It’s okay to be simple and meaningful

1. Start planning early

If you don’t know how to write a wedding speech but the bride just asked you to give one, this is not a time to procrastinate. Public speaking is one of the number one fears many people have, so it’s likely you’ve avoided giving too many public speeches before this. And unless you’re a performer or a veteran improv comedian, you might not do too well winging this one. If you get nervous in front of an audience (as most of us do), the best defense against freezing up when you take the mic is being prepared. 

As soon as you know you’ve been asked to give a speech at the wedding, begin jotting down notes immediately. Whenever you’re inspired by a thought of the couple or remember an anecdote that might be worth retelling, make note of it. This will help to give you a pool of ideas to draw from when you start writing down the speech.

Begin gathering ideas and writing the speech a couple of weeks to a month before the wedding. You’ll need time to edit, fine-tune it, and make it concise. And as wedding showers, bachelorette parties, and other wedding festivities begin, you might find there are entertaining stories from these events you want to add as well. If you want to write it all at once, you can do that too. However, make sure to sleep on it and come back with fresh eyes. You don’t want just “okay,” you want your speech to be heartfelt and meaningful.

You will also want to begin early to give yourself time to practice and rehearse your speech plenty of times.

2. Introduce yourself and how you know the bride and groom

No matter how large or small the wedding is, it’s likely you will not be familiar with many of the guests on one or both sides. And they won’t be familiar with you either. So don’t leave them guessing! 

Make sure when you start to write a wedding speech to introduce yourself and mention how you know the couple. This will help them understand the context of your speech, which will also help it to be more well-received. 

3. Thank hosts, guests, and wedding party; congratulate the couple

It’s also courteous to take this time to thank the hosts and other members of the wedding party for all the hard work that went into the event, and to thank guests for being there to support the newlyweds, especially those who had to travel far. 

It’s also a good time to officially congratulate the newlyweds and offer them your personal well-wishes for their future. It is imperative that you don’t forget this part, because they are the whole reason you’re there and giving a speech!

4. Make it personal

Whether you are the maid of honor, the best man, father of the bride, or just a friend, you were asked to give a speech because of your close connection and relationship with either the bride or groom (or both). 

And since you know your friend as well as you do, you probably have plenty of stories to share; so the next tip for how to write a wedding speech is don’t hesitate to make it personal and share those stories! This will also help guests get to know the other half of the couple they might not know as well or are just meeting for the first time. And those guests who do know them will love hearing some entertaining stories they might not have heard yet.

5. Think of 3 traits with 3 stories

If you’re finding it difficult to come up with anything, a useful approach for how to write a wedding speech is to think of 3 positive defining traits or qualities of the bride or groom and recount three stories or examples that illuminate a time they exhibited these traits. These stories could be comedic, heartwarming, or both. Just make sure they are relevant and entertaining!

6. Talk about the couple

If you’re the maid of honor and have been chatting up the bride for the whole speech, part of how to write a wedding speech is to make sure at some point it circles around to the groom, too, and to the two of them as a couple.  

Recount the time you met him, or how you remember talking about him with the bride in the beginning stages of their relationship. If you don’t know the groom all that well, talk about how good they are as a couple and about how happy he makes her. 

And If you’re not a fan of the groom, this is not the time to air your grievances. Always keep it positive. 

7. Have a beginning, middle, and end

All good speeches have a good flow and take the audience along with it. 

Don’t let your speech fall flat or jumble together in a haphazard confusion of disconnected anecdotes. Give it the structure of an overarching theme, with a beginning, a middle, and an end. 

We are not talking about a novel here, just make sure there is a direction to where the speech is going, and that the destination, end, or sentiment is achieved. It doesn’t need to be Charlie Chaplin in The Great Dictator, but a three-act structure does help keep you grounded. Most people also follow a story easier when there is a clear direction for a story or speech. 

8. Consider your audience

The next thing to keep in mind when considering how to write a wedding speech is to make sure you consider who your audience is. 

This is not the bachelor or bachelorette party. There will be a wide range of people present from children to the elderly, and from close friends of the bride and groom to casual acquaintances and coworkers. Make sure your speech is free of any crudeness that might not be fit for such a varied audience. Also, this isn’t the time to take a shot at any of the religious cermonies.

Be considerate and keep it positive and use language everyone can relate to. 

9. Keep it short and sweet

You want your speech to be meaningful and memorable; but the wedding is not about you, and yours is not the only speech. 

No one ever complains about a speech being too short, but they do begin to grumble if it runs on too long. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind when figuring out how to write a wedding speech is to keep your speech between 2-5 minutes long. Any longer than 5 minutes and you’ll lose everyone to thoughts of cake and whether or not to Cupid Shuffle later. 

10. Add humor

Don’t be afraid to be funny! Another tip for how to write a wedding speech is that if you’ve got a lighthearted, creative, joking side, use it and add humor to your speech! Everyone likes to be entertained. 

This doesn’t mean you should scour the internet for generic wedding-themed jokes, but if you’ve got some good original material to use that helps relate a story about the bride or groom in a comedic way, do it. As long as you’re not making fun of the couple but having fun with them, jokes are great. Or you can even poke fun at yourself to illuminate a higher quality in your bestie. It’s all about making the newlyweds shine. 

If you’re creative and have other talents, use them! If you are musical, bust out your instrument and/or vocal cords and make the speech in the form of a song! Use props, and get the other guests involved! The newlyweds will feel special because you created something for them, and the guests will love joining in the fun.

11. It’s okay to be simple and meaningful

If entertaining isn’t your thing, that’s okay! Don’t force it – just be yourself. It’s okay to be simple and meaningful with your speech. Always keep in mind when you go to write a wedding speech that what’s important is that you are genuine and speak from the heart.

Hopefully, you found these tips for how to write a wedding speech helpful, and can start writing today! And stay tuned to our blog for the next part in this ultimate guide for how to write a wedding speech where we highlight a few things you should definitely avoid.

Love this content and want more? Read more about weddings on our blog ! Involved in the wedding planning process and the bride is still looking for a venue ? Give us a call today and we’ll help you find the perfect place!

Jennings Trace

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Bride Speech Advice

The modern bride speech advice guide.

Like a free bar stocked with Bollinger, a bride’s speech is guaranteed to get the guests smiling.

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shout about how goddamn gorgeous your new spouse is and a chance to thank your friends and family for a lifetime of love.

The Speechy team  are TV scriptwriters by trade and after writing speeches for hundreds of amazing brides around the world, we’re rated ‘excellent’ on Trustpilot . 

And, as the authors of ‘ The Modern Couple’s Guide to Wedding Speeches’ , we have all the advice you need to write & deliver a great bride’s speech.*

* Of course, if you’re looking for more than ‘advice’, check out our  bride template ,  speech edit, or  bespoke service . Or, work with our new AI-powered team member – SpeechyAI!

Bride Speech Etiquette

Good news; wedding speech etiquette isn’t as regulated as it once was. 

You don’t need to go posh and formal, or address your mates as ‘ladies and gentlemen’. A simple ‘Hello, everyone’ can feel more natural and set a more conversational tone. 

Of course, you don’t want your speech to be a repeat of your other half’s. You don’t want them to stake their claim on all the good stories and leave you with the boring ‘speech to dos’.

Check out Rock My Wedding’s Etiquette Guide to get a sense of what he should be covering, so you don’t get left with the ‘speech-scraps’.  (*And if you’re marrying a woman, check out our lesbian bride etiquette guide ).

1 - What should a bride speech include?

Well, ultimately, that’s up to you but, generally, your speech should…

• make all the guests feel welcome
• give thanks to the important people
• make your man feel properly loved
• entertain everyone and get them in the mood to party

Here’s what the experts say…

• ‘Almost all other elements of the wedding have become more bespoke, with couples opting to do things ‘their way’. No wonder more brides are grabbing the wedding mic.

Your speech is a chance to celebrate the person who means the most to you in the world and a rare opportunity to tell all the people you love how cool you think they are.’ Zoe Williams, Editor at Hitched; The Knot Worldwide

• ‘The speeches make sure the couple speaks to everyone in a non-religious and genuine way. They’re crucial in making sure everyone feels connected to the newlyweds, and let’s face it, everyone wants to hear from the bride on the day.’ Claire Wetton, Speechy Wedding Speechwriter and TV scriptwriter

2 - Who should a bride thank?

One of the main reasons so many brides want to give a speech is to thank people. Great idea, but please don’t let your speech turn into a tedious thank you list. Like the groom and the best man, you want to entertain people too. 

The thank yous are important but DON’T … 

• end up thanking half your guest list
• individually thank people who have travelled far
• thank anyone you’ve paid. (Your venue and caterers would prefer a good online review, and even if your wedding planner has gone above and beyond, only pay a public thank you if you’re confident you’re going to be besties in ten years time).

The truth is, thanks yous can be boring if you’re not being personally thanked (that’s why Oscar winners only get 45 seconds to give their acceptance speech these days).

Our advice is to be concise and considered with your thanks. Give a heartfelt thank you to everyone for coming but the only consider namechecking the top tier wedding squad… 

• your parents (& step parents)
• your in-laws
• your maid of honour & bridesmaids
• (the best man & ushers, depending on whether or not the groom will be covering this)
• any children you and your groom already have

As well as keeping your thanks succinct, make sure they’re entertaining and meaningful. Resist the usual platitudes and cliches.

Rather than thanking your parents for ‘making me the woman I am today’, thank them for believing it was your brother who broke that window, and the dog who knocked over the red wine at Christmas…. ‘Thank you for being the most loving, supportive and, crucially, GULLIBLE parents imaginable’.

3 - Should a bride give thank you gifts?

If you’re planning on giving thank you gifts to any of the wedding party, we recommend saying you’ll be ‘personally handing them out later’ so it doesn’t disrupt the flow of your speech and the guests aren’t tempted to start checking their WhatsApp messages.

No matter how well you plan it, delivering gifts during anyone’s speech results in an awkward moment. 

4 - Does the bride pay tribute to absent friends & the dearly departed?

No need to mention any of your friends or family who haven’t been able to make it (unless they’re watching online). 

When it comes to the  ‘dearly departed’ , this depends on how raw the emotions are. 

If it’s a parent or someone very close to you has recently died, we advise paying a meaningful tribute to them in the week leading up to the wedding. This is so the disappointment of them not being there on the big day, has already been acknowledged. Even if it’s just a casual dinner with family or a walk to one of their favourite spots with your partner, let the tears flow before you’re standing up, delivering your speech in front of everyone. 

On the day, be careful not to turn your speech into a eulogy. Instead, pay a tribute to your loved one by putting a smile on everyone’s face. 

Could the guests join you in a toast to your father by drinking his favourite malt whisky? Or could you point out your bouquet was made from your gran’s favourite flowers?

Our advice is keep it short, sweet and script it towards the end of your speech. So many brides make the mistake of starting their speech when a toast to the ‘dearly departed’ but that’s often hard to recover from. 

5 - Who should the bride toast?

The only times you should ask people to raise a glass is at the end of your speech ( your final toast ) and in tribute to the dearly departed.  The stand-up, sit-down routine of too many toasts can feel a bit ridiculous.   

Your final toast should be directed towards your partner and your future life together. Read on to see how you can make that truly personal.  

How to Write & Deliver Your Bride Speech

Here are the basic rules.

The fact is, writing a wedding speech is HARD and speech-avoidance is a serious ailment.

But rather than trying to write an awesome, witty and original speech in one hit, we recommend segmenting the challenge into micro-tasks.

Do a mini-speech-job on your commute or when you have a spare 15 mins, then when you come to writing your speech you already have something to work with.

Start by jotting down… 1 – THE ETIQUETTE – who do you need to thank etc 2 – THE STORIES – what amusing & insightful anecdotes can you tell 3 – THE TRIBUTE TO YOUR PARTNER – how can you show you love them without resorting to cliches?

And there you have it; the building blocks of a brilliant speech.

The crucial thing is to START your speech and then you can refine it later.

Speechy generally advise…

• Hello, welcome & a laugh
• The Speech-Meat  – Where you tell a few great stories that give an insight into your relationship and why you love your new spouse as much as you do. 
• Acknowledgement of the dearly departed (if necessary)
• A final more romantic tribute to your husband
• A toast to your husband/ your future life together 

This structure may be different to most speeches you’ve heard. Many speakers automatically start with the thank yous but, as important as they may be, they are  not  what really interests your guests.

Get to the thank yous once you’ve already hooked everyone in. 

Don’t waste the first 30 seconds of your speech with the usual wedding-waffle. Instead, try to get in a laugh in early. 

Examples of bride opening lines; 

“Good evening, everyone! I was told a good speech should be like a wedding dress – long enough to cover the essentials and short enough to keep everyone’s attention. So, here’s my attempt.”

“Hello, beautiful people! They say a wedding is like a fairy tale, but I assure you, no frogs were harmed in the making of this marriage.”

“I stand before you today as a woman who’s officially off the market. If anyone has a receipt, I’m afraid it’s too late for a refund.”

Even better, make your opening lines surprising and personal… 

• Jump right in.   ‘So we’ve finally done it. Jonny has agreed to put up with me for the rest of his life and I’ve got that in writing.’
• Short and snappy.   ‘Well, I know what you’re all thinking. How did I convince Ryan to ditch his Ramones t-shirt, down the joy-con, and sign a marriage certificate today? Well, let’s face it, my oreo cheesecake is pretty awesome and he’s about to get a lifetime supply’
• Start with a story. ‘Let me tell you a story… when I first saw Theo, sitting in the bar, reading a book in the middle of the Saturday night chaos, I knew I had to speak to him. Only he was too absorbed in his battered, old Agatha Christie to notice me…ETC.’ 

Neuroscientists have discovered that our brains light up when we hear stories. It seems humans are programmed to be empathic; we’re literally designed to be curious about other people.

One of our prime instincts in life is to love and so we’re all naturally, intrinsically fascinated by love stories. Which means you’re on to a winner here.

Telling a good story helps sync your mind with your guests. When people hear an engaging story, they put themselves in your shoes and that process forms a deeper connection. Just like that.

A story doesn’t need to be long. It doesn’t need to be extraordinary. It just has to reveal something about you as a couple.

• ‘ As a guest, I want to know where the love is. I want to learn something about the couple, either individually or as a duo, and I want to be left rooting for their marriage.

Speeches have the power to surprise and delight, and a great speech creates the roadmap of the couple’s relationship for the guests. It should help us understand where they’ve come from and how it relates to where they’re going.’ Eduardo Braniff, Editor-in-Chief at Men’s Vows

‘When guests hear great stories, they feel less of a spectator at the wedding and more like they’re involved. As an Asian man, I go to loads of weddings and if you’re one of 500 guests, you might not know the couple very well. A good speech helps me connect with them.’ Speechy writer, Shai Hussain

Of course, it’s hard not to resort to the obvious clichés when you talk about love – ‘soulmate’, ‘the one’, ‘my best friend’ – yawn, you’re boring me, darling.

But you can be romantic, insightful and poignant without being boring, cheesy. It’s just about thinking differently.

In fact, think like a comedian. Because, in many ways, learning to be romantic is similar to learning to be funny. You can use many of the same techniques, including just taking the time to properly observe your life together.

Notice the beautiful everyday things that make your relationship work. What you want is that ‘on-the-sofa’ style romance. Sometimes it’s the smallest embers that build the most beautiful flames.   

Our new SpeechyAI tool is great at asking you all the right questions to help you notice what makes your relationship unique. 

‘Avoid all the traditional metaphors. Instead of saying ‘I love you from the bottom of my heart’, say ‘I love you from the bottom of my Converse’.  Make it surprising’.   Kat Williams,  Rock n Roll Bride 

A good toast summarises the point of your speech.  It provides great storytelling symmetry and is a call to action for everyone present. 

We always advise newlyweds to propose a toast to their partner and their future life together. We also like it when it contains some humour. 

Examples of a good bride toast… 

“In the spirit of marriage, let’s raise our glasses to a lifetime of love, laughter, and pretending to enjoy each other’s cooking. May our marriage be as indestructible as my stubbornness and as enduring as his ability to tolerate my shoe collection. Cheers!”

“As we embark on this marital rollercoaster, let’s toast to surviving each other’s quirks and remembering to laugh even when we can’t remember where we put the car keys. Here’s to love, laughter, and a well-stocked supply of chocolate for those ’emergency’ situations!”

“To the love of my life, my partner in crime, and the person who still claims to love me despite witnessing my morning hair. May our marriage be filled with more laughter than arguments, and may our shared jokes always be funnier than my dad’s dad jokes. Cheers to us!”

“In the grand tradition of marriage, let’s raise our glasses to love, compromise, and never having to say, ‘Where do you want to eat?’ May our journey together be filled with more joy than laundry and more laughter than bad sitcoms. Cheers to the happily-ever-after sitcom of our lives!”

“To my amazing spouse, thank you for agreeing to be the ‘better’ half in this partnership. May our marriage be as strong as your Wi-Fi signal and as full of surprises as my Pinterest wedding board. Here’s to us, to love, and to a lifetime of hilarious adventures!”

SpeechyAI is great at creating original toasts, if you want to exploit its talent.

If you and your groom are both giving speeches, you should both aim for about six or seven minutes. If you’re talking on behalf of you both, you can get away anything under ten minutes- or less than 1,300 words. 

Once you write your first draft, edit it down to half the length. We promise it will make it a hundred times stronger. No one ever watched a wedding speech and thought ‘if only it were longer’. The edit process might mean cutting some of your favourite bits but you need to wipe out the waffle and kill those cliches!

As public speaking expert, Alan Berg, points out: ‘There’s the expression, ‘If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter’. The quote is thought to have derived from the writing legend Mark Twain and it goes to show how hard the editing process can be. 

With Speechy’s Edit Service , the main thing we do is make the speech punchier. We look at the overall structure and see if all the stories and lines are actually necessary. Do they really add much?

A confident delivery is half the battle.

Check the acoustics of the venue & get a mic if necessary (so many speeches are ruined simply because the guests can’t hear them).

Try to memorise the speech but don’t be afraid to use notes on the day (your brain will be scrambled). Thick A4 paper is fine (but only print 3/4 of the way down the paper so you can maintain eye contact with your guests) or you can use a tablet (a mobile still looks overly casual).

Talk at a conversational pace and don’t lose yourself in your notes. Plenty of eye contact and remember to smile throughout. Everyone wants you to do well so make sure you smile. It’s scientifically proven to be infectious and those scientists know stuff.

More Delivery Advice on our blog.

PRE-DELIVERY CHECKLIST

• Have a snack – An empty stomach isn’t good for nerves. It may be the last thing you fancy but stuff a handful of canapes down or have a Mars bar on hand.
• Don’t drink alcohol – Dutch courage is a myth. Alcohol actually increases stress levels.
• Drink water – A glass of water a few minutes prior to speaking will ensure you don’t dry up.
• Look for friendly faces in the audience – And at different points of the room.

ON THE MIC CHECKLIST

• Stand up, breathe deep and smile.
• Remember your presenting principles.
• Laugh along – Sometimes people need the visual cue that what you’ve said is funny. (I know, people are idiots). And, as we know, laughter is infectious so make sure you exploit it!
• If you’re being filmed – see the camera as an extra friend. It works really well when you come to watch it back.

Classic Bride Speech Mistake

We cannot stress this strongly enough… A bride’s speech should not be more romantic or less humorous than the groom’s.

If you’re the naturally soppy sort, you might be hoping your bride’s speech is an opportunity to get all dewy-eyed and leave singletons weeping at the glory of the love you have found. It’s not.

OTT declarations of love can still be cringey even in a wedding context. If you can’t imagine reading your speech to your mates down the pub without them wanting to throw things at you, you’ve probably pitched it wrong.

Make Your Bride Speech Funny

The Speechy team all have a background writing comedy material, and have written for comedians, radio and TV shows. Here’s a few easy comedy-writing tips & techniques… 

Yes, the expectation may be on the best man, but all wedding speeches should make people laugh.

Of course, being funny isn’t about finding good jokes on the internet (if only it were that easy) but instead making witty observations about your relationship.

So, conduct a courtship-autopsy; what have you done together, what do you argue about, what frustrates you about each other, what seems to be a regular theme in your relationship? See what you can have fun with.

Remember the adage ‘it’s funny because it’s true’. More advice on our How To Be Funny Blog .

A heart-warming tribute to your fella should be the focus of your speech but remember every groom is handsome, kind and generally amaaazing.

Cut the cliches and concentrate on what makes your man unique .

Avoid words like ‘soulmate’ or ‘beautiful’, anything that’s overused. Nail his individual and quirky characteristics.

Is he a library-lover, a technology fiend, a total foodie or the only man to still smell lovely after four days at Glastonbury?

Sometimes you need a few prompts to get that brain working. 

See if you can hunt down…

• If you’re childhood sweethearts, hunt out the school reports.
• If you met at work, do you still have your contract or job description?
• If you met online, find those dating profiles. Could either of you be accused of ‘false marketing’?!
• And, obviously, look back at your photos through the years to help those memories come flooding back. 

The callback is where you plant a story or a piece of info at the start of the speech, possibly as a throwaway line, and then reference it later on. 

Watch professional comedians on stage and you’ll see nearly all of them deploy the technique. It’s not only funny, it’s a technique that makes you look smart. Win-win. 

For example, share that story where you accidentally stapled your shoe to the floor when you renovated your first house together. Later, conclude your speech by saying  ‘…I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you, even if I do have to staple your shoes to the floor to make sure you’re by my side forever more.’

The callback is basically establishing an inside joke that everyone is part of.

To make it work

• Plant something funny, and crucially, memorable in the first third of your speech.
• Then simple refer to it towards the end of your speech.

Voila. You’ve become a comedy pro.

Check out some  bride speech videos to get a sense of what other brides are delivering. 

But, if all this advice has done nothing but convince you you need help – then jump to all the different ways the Speechy team can help you .

Speech Do's

Make the 'thank you's meaningful.

Don’t just talk about what people have contributed to the wedding, thank them for what they’ve contributed to your life (even if it is just an appreciation on malt whiskeys). Keep each thank you less than 50 words.

Funny or poignant quotes can add something extra to your speech and it’s not plagiarism if you credit the author! Take inspo from our Quotes For Bride Blog .

Toast something meaningful

Ideally something that will make your husband and guests smile – maybe ‘a lifetime of dancing on tables’. Consider a #TequilaToast

Practice and watch it back on your phone

Watch it back and spot where your speech can be improved.

Listen to feedback

It’s always worth testing your speech on a mate but this means you have to listen to them. If someone doesn’t get a joke, don’t waste your time explaining it as you won’t be able to do that on the day.

Speech Don'ts

Don't thank the caterers or the venue.

It’s unnecessary.

Don't explain why you're giving a speech

Yes, you might always have the last word but a bride speech doesn’t need any justification for giving a speech.

Don't show off

Yes, it’s your special day. But no, you’re not allowed to show off about it. Be conscious there are single girls out there. Be self-deprecating & be humble. Don’t do a Paltrow. Instead, channel Jennifer Aniston and be the rocking hot girl who everyone still likes.

Don't resort to clichés

Yes you can thank your in-laws for ‘raising such a wonderful son’ but try to make it personal too. Thank your mother in law for the extra inch added to your waistline since you first sampled her Yorkshire Puddings.

Don't talk over laughter

You’ve worked hard for those laughs – don’t rush them. Always wait until your guests have settled down before continuing with your speech.

Bride Speech Advice - Let us help you!

Work with us and deliver a speech that will knock your groom’s socks off.

We offer a DELIGHT GUARANTEE on all our bespoke services so there’s no reason not to exploit us.

And, of course, in the world of Zoom, Whatsapp and Death Wish Coffee, we work with brides around the world.

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Wedding Planning

Bride Speech: A Guide to Planning and Delivering Your Perfect Speech

Discover how to write a heartfelt bride speech with examples and top tips. Learn when to start planning, what to include, and how to deliver a memorable wedding speech.

Brides - it's your turn to take the mic! Traditionally, wedding speeches and toasts were typically reserved for the groom, father of the bride and best man. But modern weddings have seen a welcome shift in this tradition, giving brides a well-deserved opportunity to take centre stage. This change ensures that both partners have an equal opportunity to express their own words of love.

In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about planning and delivering the perfect bride speech. We'll provide real examples of our favourite speeches too, and answer all the big questions.

Can Brides Give Wedding Speeches?

It may come as no surprise that the answer is a resounding YES. Brides have every right to take the spotlight to share their thoughts and emotions. After all, it's your wedding day too!

However, it's equally important to emphasise that the decision to give a speech should be entirely up to you. There should be no pressure or expectation to speak if you don't feel comfortable doing so. Your wedding day should reflect your desires and preferences as a couple.

When Is the Ideal Time for Brides To Start Planning Their Speech?

Planning a wedding speech requires a bit of preparation. The key is to start early. We recommend beginning no later than a month before your wedding day to give you time to brainstorm ideas, jot down thoughts, and carefully craft your speech. Put aside time each week to gradually work on your bride's speech instead of rushing it in one go.

A great tip is to practise your speech before bedtime - experts suggest this is the optimal time for your brain to absorb information, making memorisation easier.

Is It Recommended for the Bride’s Speech To Have a Theme?

Infusing a theme into your bride's speech can add an extra layer of entertainment! You might want to reflect on your journey as a couple, highlighting key milestones and moments that have bought you together. Some popular themes include:

• Reflecting on your journey as a couple:  This could involve highlighting key milestones and moments that have brought you together, such as your first date, your engagement, or the birth of your children.
• Embrace shared passions:  If you and your partner share a common interest, such as travel, sports, or music, you could incorporate this into your speech.
• Turn your speech into a song:  If you have a good singing voice, you could write a song about your love for your partner and perform it for your guests.
• Celebrate your differences:  Instead of focusing on the things you have in common, you could talk about the things that make you different and how these differences have enriched your relationship.
• Involve the audience in interactive elements:  This could involve asking your guests questions, playing games, or giving them a challenge.

If you're not sure where to start, you could work with your partner to create a joint speech. This is another great way to tell your unique story in an entertaining way.

At What Point During the Wedding Should the Bride Deliver Her Speech?

The best part about a bridal speech is that it's all up to you! There are no strict traditions or expectations, so you can decide when it feels right to share your thoughts. You might want to consider going early, before the other wedding toasts.

If you're feeling a little nervous, just remember you're speaking to the most supportive audience you'll ever have - they're all there for YOU! So, take a deep breath, relax, and truly enjoy the moment. It's your time to shine! You've got this.

How Long Should the Bride’s Speech Typically Be?

As the saying goes, keep it short and sweet. Our top tip is to jot down all your thoughts and then edit and trim any unnecessary bits. A perfect duration for the bride’s speech is about 6 minutes, which translates to around 900 words. That's just enough time to share your heartfelt sentiments without dragging it out. If you're unsure about any jokes, ask a friend to sense-check them.

The key is practice, practice, practice! Rehearse your speech multiple times before the big day so that you feel completely comfortable delivering it. You've got all the tools you need, and remember - you're speaking from the heart - so you can't go wrong!

What Key Elements Should a Bride Include in Her Wedding Speech?

The bride's speech is an opportunity to express your feelings. There are no strict rules or templates to follow, allowing you to make it uniquely your own! However, if you're finding it a bit difficult to begin, here's a helpful template to get you started!

• Welcome Your Guests⁠: Begin your speech by welcoming your wonderful wedding guests and thanking them for celebrating your big day with you.
• Thank the VIPs: ⁠ Let your bridal party and anyone involved in the build-up to your wedding know how much their support is appreciated. 
• Share a Unique Story: Next, share a unique story about your relationship! Be genuine and honest, avoiding cliches or generic statements. You can add humour, keep it witty, or go full-nerd. Speak from the heart and show off your personality!
• Connect the Story to Your Wedding Day: To wrap it all up, find a way to connect the story to your wedding day. For example, if you first bonded over a shared love for climbing, connect this theme to your wedding by saying how excited you are to conquer the world together.
• Close With a Toast: ⁠ Conclude your speech with a heartfelt toast to celebrate love and happiness. Raise a glass to everything that lies ahead! And not just for the two of you but for all those there to witness and support you!

What Is an Example of a Bride Speech?

So now, based on the template shared above, let's give this wedding speech thing a go!

Bride Speech Example "Hello everyone! Thank you so much for being here today. It really means the world to us both.

So, I know it's not tradition for the bride to make a speech. But I've spent the last six months planning this day, and I have a whole lot to say about it. I won't bore you with the details, but I wanted to say a MASSIVE thank you to those who've helped along the way. Everyone, please raise a glass to my bridesmaids and family for being the best crew a girl could ask for. I couldn't have done it without you.

To my partner in crime, James: I can't believe we're finally married! It feels like just yesterday we were talking on Hinge. I'm still ashamed to say I found your profile picture funny. To give you all context, it was James in a field with two calves, with the quote "I've been told I have great calves." Astonishingly bad, still to this day.

Since then, James has brought so much more to my life than Dad Jokes. James, you have supported, encouraged, and pushed me outside my comfort zone - in all the best ways. We have gone white water rafting in Mexico and wild camping in Scotland. We've also had our fair share of playing charades with locals, getting many things lost in translation - like accidentally eating fried tarantulas (I could have done without that).

Please join me in raising a glass to my husband! James, you make life everything but boring. I can't wait to see what adventures we have together in the years to come. To all our guests, thank you for coming to celebrate our special day. We know many of you have travelled far, and we're so grateful to have you here with us.

Cheers!"

Now you have all the tools you need to create a killer bride speech! Just remember, there's no one right way to write one. Keep it short and sweet, practice when you can, and most importantly, speak from your heart. Your big day is already all about love, and your speech will make it even more special.

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In This Article

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Brides Often Ask

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Perfect Short Wedding Speech Examples To Guide You

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Wedding speeches are a long-time tradition of weddings. And, if you have an important role at a wedding, such as best man, father of the bride or maid of honor, you would be expected to give a speech. While the thought of giving a speech might be nerve-wracking, it might comfort you to know that the best speeches are short and sweet. So, don’t feel any stress or pressure, because short wedding speeches are not only the best, they are easy to deliver.

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For your inspiration, we’ve put together a guide as well as some short wedding speeches examples to help you on your way to give the best wedding speech.

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Short Wedding Speeches Examples

Bride’s wedding speech.

“ Hello, everyone! Thanks for sharing this special day with us. A big shoutout to my amazing parents for making my dream wedding a reality. To my incredible groom (name), your joy fills my heart every day. I’m beyond grateful to have you as my husband, and today marks the start of countless joyous celebrations together. Cheers to love and a lifetime of happiness!”

Groom’s Wedding Speech

There are many ways to give groom short wedding speeches. Use this example as a guide to inspire you when writing your own.

“Hello, everyone! Thank you for celebrating this special day with us. A big thanks to our parents for making today possible. Today is beyond special, and we’re overflowing with gratitude. To my love, you’ve been my rock and best friend. Thank you for accepting me, flaws and all. I promise to be there for you always and to love you forever. Cheers to a lifetime of love and joy together!”

Father’s of the Bride Wedding Speech

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us on this special day. As (bride’s name)’s father, I’m overjoyed and grateful. Today, we gain a son and a supportive family. Thanks for making our dreams come true. I’m confident that (name of groom) will bring endless happiness to my daughter. Here’s to love, security, and many more joyous days ahead! Cheers!”

Father’s of the Groom Wedding Speech

“Thank you all for being here to celebrate with us. I am the happiest man today welcoming a new daughter into my family. Also, I am grateful to her family as well for being the best in-laws ever and supporting us in putting all of this together. I could not have asked for a better day for them, and all I can say is that I wish them the best. To you both, may this day be the beginning of a long and fruitful journey together. My wife and I love you both. Once again, thank you all. Cheers.

Wedding speech for mother of the bride

“Hello everyone. Thank you all for being here. My heart is full today, as you all must know. Watching my daughter take this important step in her life has made me very happy. We are all so happy to support them both in starting this new chapter in their lives. I have dreamed of this day so much; I am grateful to finally be able to see it. (Groom’s name) has been an excellent son-in-law and I am beyond happy to welcome him into our family. I am extremely proud of my daughter and happy to give her to someone who loves her just as much as we do. As we celebrate with you two today, may the sounds of celebration never leave you. All our love.”

Wedding speech for the mother of the groom

Another one of our short simple wedding speeches examples for the mother of the groom.

“Warm greetings to you all. I appreciate the time that you have taken to join us in celebrating (bride and groom). From the day my son introduced me to (name of bride), I have grown to love her as my own daughter, and it has been a joy to watch them grow in love with each other. I used to have a lot of anxiety about my son’s relationships in the past, but when I met (bride), I knew that he had met his match. I am happy to celebrate you both today in not just your union, but the union of our families too. Much love to you both. Cheers everyone!”

Best Man Speech

“Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention, please. Today, I stand beside an extraordinary couple, [Couple’s Names], on their special day. To [Bride’s Name], you look absolutely stunning, and [Groom’s Name], well, you clean up pretty well too! Here’s to a lifetime of laughter, love, and countless adventures. May your journey together be as incredible as this celebration. Cheers!”

Maid Of Honor Speech

Ladies and gents, let’s talk about the dazzling duo we’re celebrating today, [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name]. To my gorgeous bestie, you’ve found your lobster! And to the lucky guy who snagged her, good luck – you’re stuck with us now! Here’s to a love that’s as endless as the dance floor tonight. Cheers to the newlyweds!

One-Line Wedding Speech Examples

Crafting the perfect wedding speech is an art. Here are five examples that blend sentiment, humor, and celebration for your inspiration.

Today, we not only witness the union of [Couple’s Names] but also the merging of two hearts that beat as one. Here’s to a love story that transcends time and space.

As I stand before this extraordinary couple, I can’t help but marvel at the love between [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name]. Today, we celebrate not just a wedding but a promise of forever.

In the grand storybook of love, [Couple’s Names] have written a chapter filled with laughter, tears, and endless love. Here’s to turning the page to a beautiful new beginning.

To [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name], may your marriage be the masterpiece of a lifetime, painted with strokes of joy, understanding, and boundless love.

As witnesses to the love between [Couple’s Names], let us raise our glasses to a journey that begins today and unfolds into a lifetime of shared dreams and cherished moments.

A toast to love and laughter—here are five heartfelt expressions for raising your glass to the happy couple.

To the couple, may your love be as timeless as the vows you share today and as joyous as the celebration we’re all a part of!

Here’s to love, laughter, and a happily ever after for [Couple’s Names]. May every day be an adventure filled with shared dreams and endless love!

To [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name], may your journey together be as sweet as the cake we’re about to devour! Cheers to a lifetime of love and happiness!

Let’s raise our glasses to [Couple’s Names], whose love story is as enchanting as today’s setting sun. May your love glow brighter with each passing day!

A toast to [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name], may your marriage be as perfect as today’s weather, and your happiness as everlasting as the memories we’re creating!

How To Write a Short Wedding Speech

With this guide, you can create short and sweet wedding speeches that will just flow organically. Write a killer speech that would be easy to read and will convey your love for the couple perfectly.

• Remember who is in the audience: Whether you are giving short wedding speeches as the best man or groom, it is important to keep your audience in mind. Introduce yourself and acknowledge them. Focusing on the audience and engaging them will help you speak from the heart.
• Avoid alcohol: While getting some liquid courage can be tempting, it is best to lay off the alcohol until after your speech. Alcohol could turn short funny wedding speeches into something long and nonsensical. This is because you might slur or forget your words under the influence, and this is something you absolutely do not want.
• Use note cards: Although you are not encouraged to read out your short wedding rehearsal dinner speech completely, note cards are encouraged. With these cues, you can glance at your notes from time to time to help you remember your lines and keep you on track. The audience might not even notice, and your speech would be better for it.
• Structure your story: Structure your speech in a way that focuses on the bride and groom. Fine one, two or three points about them that you can elaborate upon and stories in which they are the hero. This will keep your message in the right direction, and you can be sure to end on a positive note.

In the next part, we have a list of some of the best short wedding speeches that can help inspire you to write your own.

Example of a Short Wedding Toast

“Cheers to [Couple’s Names]! May your days be filled with love, laughter, and countless joyous moments. Here’s to a lifetime of happiness together!”

How to Make a Short and Sweet Wedding Speech

Focus on key points like expressing happiness for the couple, sharing a brief anecdote, and offering a toast. Keep it concise, heartfelt, and light-hearted for impact.

Is a 1 Minute Wedding Speech Too Short?

No, a 1-minute wedding speech can be perfect. A concise speech ensures guests stay engaged and leaves a lasting impression. Focus on the essentials – expressing joy, sharing a quick story, and toasting the couple.

Not many people are trained public speakers, but it is hard to go wrong with short wedding speeches. Allow these tips and examples to guide you in making the best wedding speeches ever.

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• Who Gives a Speech at a Wedding Reception? How to Write a Wedding Toast Tips for the Father of the Bride Speech How to Write a Best Man Toast Advice for the Maid of Honor Speech What to Know About a Newlywed Toast Public Speaking Experts' Wedding Speech Tips 60 Quotes to Use for Your Wedding Toast

How to Write and Deliver a Perfect Father-of-the-Bride Speech

We're taking the guesswork out of this important moment.

Photo by Tanya Menoni

In This Article

The father-of-the-bride speech is one of the most anticipated toasts of any wedding reception . If you're a dad, you've likely looked forward to (or maybe dreaded) giving this speech for a very long time. Now that the moment is growing closer, it's important to sit down and write a toast that not only you're proud of, but that the happy couple will remember for a lifetime. While it might seem difficult to find the right words to express the endless love you have for your daughter and your excitement for her life with her new spouse, it's those very emotions that are often the star of the show. Feel free to let those feelings flow through your speech—you'll likely see most of the guests grab their tissues.

With that said, even the most eloquent dads can struggle with getting those words down on paper. To get you started, we created an easy guide to follow when you're sitting down to frame your thoughts into a full-fledged speech. We've compiled some top-notch tips for writing that sure-to-be epic father-of-the-bride speech, plus a list of brainstorming ideas to jump-start the creative process.

Read on for advice on how to write and deliver your father-of-the-bride speech—the most memorable toast of the day.

Father-of-the-Bride Speech Template

Here's a general outline for writing a father-of-the-bride speech that’ll have everyone reaching for tissues.

Welcome the guests.

Typically, the parents of the couple are the first to speak at either the rehearsal dinner or the wedding reception. If you're the first toast-maker of the night, this would be the time to welcome all of the guests to the reception or whichever event you are delivering the speech at. You can do this welcome speech with your partner, on your own, or followed by your child's fiancé's parents. Of course, feel free to skip this step if you're not the first speech and the guests have already been welcomed.

Give thanks.

Since you have the mic, don't forget to express gratitude. Be sure to thank your friends and family for coming to the wedding, and the parents of your daughter's new spouse for anything and everything that they did.

Pepper in some fond memories.

Nothing gets the waterworks started like some heartfelt anecdotes from the bride's lifetime through the eyes of their beloved dad. Choose some especially warm memories from her childhood that always stick out in your mind or some funny (not embarrassing) trials from adolescence. If one of those special memories includes their significant other, definitely be sure to share that with the guests.

Share your pride.

As the father of the bride , you're entitled to be a very proud papa. Mention some especially big moments of pride for you and how much you cherish your daughter's achievements. Don't confuse this with an excuse to spout off their résumé, though. Only pick a couple of standout highlights that really speak to their character.

Remember that half the guests in attendance probably won't know your daughter all that well, so this is an excellent time to low-key introduce them to their best qualities and character traits.

Talk about the present.

Try not to live completely in the past, Dad! Discuss notable things that are occurring presently, on this momentous day as it's unfolding. While everyone is experiencing the events from their own perspective, your special POV provides a unique lens on the significance of the occasion.

Acknowledge your daughter's new spouse.

While you have so much to say about the bride, remember to mention and acknowledge their new spouse , too. Take this time to welcome them into your family and share what it means to you. You can also share some anecdotes of their relationship and what stood out to you most.

Tell your daughter you love them.

That's your baby right there, and this is the moment to tell them just how much they mean to you. Express how much you love and cherish your daughter. Remind them of how you've treasured your relationship together and how you think that relationship may be evolving or staying exactly the same.

Look to the future.

You've covered the past and present, now move on to the next chapter and speak about the shared future of the newlyweds. While you can always get creative with the flow of the speech, breaking things down in a classic chronological order is always easy for the guests to follow.

Add some parting wisdom.

Whether it's a piece of marriage advice or just your most heartfelt wishes for the newlyweds, include some sage wisdom for the happy couple. This is pinnacle dad-talk time, so be sure to really relish the moment. Just don't forget that there are other people present, and it's not just you and your daughter.

Father-of-the-Bride Speech Tips

Okay, Dad! Now that you have a general idea of what to include, take note of these essential tips for writing and giving the best father-of-the-bride speech anyone has ever heard.

Consider a theme.

Having an overarching theme from the get-go will set a tone for the speech as a whole. This should make it easier for you to succinctly organize your thoughts and choose relevant examples to showcase. Utilizing this type of framework will result in cohesive and meaningful content that will come across as inspired and have the audience hanging on every word.

Keep it short.

Though you've been waiting for this day to come for many years, try to keep your toast short and sweet. The ideal length is about five or six minutes with the three-minute mark being your lowest threshold for a proper speech. There may be a lot you want to say, and if that's the case, consider writing some of those heartfelt sentiments down beforehand and giving it to your daughter in a card to read privately the morning of the wedding.

Don't be too embarrassing.

Skip the stories that may make your daughter cringe or those memories that they wish you would just forget already. Remember, the speech is a toast and not a roast. Keep in mind that along with their newly minted spouse, a whole new family of in-laws and possibly even a few work colleagues will be present. So, if there's something you're on the fence about saying, consider if you would think the information appropriate for your in-laws and colleagues to learn about you.

Skip ex mentions.

If you have an urge to call out how terrible some ex-boyfriends or girlfriends were in the past, skip that little tidbit and keep it to yourself. There's never any good that can come from name-dropping old lovers at your daughter's wedding, no matter how much you really disliked old what's-their-name. Stick to positive anecdotes and memories that showcase your daughter's good side, not mistakes.

Don't push for laughs.

Oftentimes, you'll get laughs when you're not trying hard for them. Don't feel like you have to color your toast with joke line after joke line—it may come off as forced, especially if you're not normally the jokester in the bunch. The most important person in the room, your daughter, will definitely know if you're not being yourself, and all they really need is their dad—not a comedian.

Embrace your emotions.

It's an absolute given that this is an emotional day for you, so don't feel the need to act stoic and put up a façade. Stay genuine and admit to how difficult it is to let your child go. These admissions make for a touching moment, and we guarantee there won't be a dry eye left in the room. And we mean you, too, pops. Today is the day when it's perfectly okay to shed a tear or two.

Practice, practice, practice.

And then practice some more. It's important that you attempt to memorize your speech, and at the very least, have everything written down and a general idea of what you want to say. If memorizing the whole speech is a little too difficult to do in such a short amount of time, be sure to practice it enough beforehand so that you can make eye contact with the couple and the other guests.

Get Brainstorming!

If you're still drawing a blank, here are some questions to ask yourself to start brainstorming.

• Who is speaking directly before or after me? (You may want to introduce the next speaker or reference whoever spoke previously.)
• What emotions do I experience when I think of letting my daughter go?
• What do I wish for their marriage and life together, and how can I prepare them for that?
• Is there anything I would like to say to their in-laws or newly acquired family?
• Is there something in the order of events that the audience needs to know, prepare for, or be aware of? (Your role can also assume that of master of ceremonies, so be mindful of the flow of upcoming events and if you need to alert the guests.)

Traditionally, the father of the bride gives the first speech at a wedding. But, of course, couples can choose any order they want speeches to take place in. 

If the mother of the bride is speaking directly after the father of the bride, they may choose to stand next to their significant other during the speech. In other cases, the father will be standing alone with the bride's mother being at her seat. 

Whatever you do, don't feel stressed out by the idea of giving a speech. Keep it short, speak from the heart, and don't embarrass the couple (okay, don't embarrass them too much) and you'll be well on your way to the perfect toast.

A Guide to Wedding Reception Toasts

• Who Gives a Speech at a Wedding Reception?
• How to Write a Wedding Toast
• currently on Tips for the Father of the Bride Speech
• How to Write a Best Man Toast
• Advice for the Maid of Honor Speech
• What to Know About a Newlywed Toast
• Public Speaking Experts' Wedding Speech Tips
• 60 Quotes to Use for Your Wedding Toast

Related Stories

• The Wedding Speech Order You Should Follow at Your Reception
• 39 Funny Wedding Toasts and Speeches That'll Get the Whole Room Laughing
• Mother-of-the-Bride Speech Examples and Writing Tips
• How to Write a Father-of-the-Groom Speech
• How to Write a Sister-of-the-Groom Speech
• Public Speaking Experts Share Their Top Tips for Giving an Amazing Wedding Speech
• How to Write a Rehearsal Dinner Toast
• A Complete Wedding Photography Checklist
• How to Write a Wedding Toast: Examples, Tips, and Advice
• The Complete Guide to Father-of-the-Bride Duties
• How to Write the Perfect Best Man Speech
• How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech
• How to Write a Wedding Thank-You Card
• How to Write an Unforgettable Newlywed Reception Toast
• Everything to Know About Your Groom Speech: Tips, Advice, and Examples
• The Best Timeline for Your Wedding Day

How to Write A Killer Bride or Groom Wedding Speech

Writing a wedding speech can be a daunting task, especially if you’re nervous about speaking in front of a group. But it’s an awesome opportunity to let your nearest and dearest know how much they mean to you and how much you appreciate them celebrating the start of your marriage with you.

Traditionally, brides don’t give speeches. They sit quietly and listen while their dad, the best man and the groom give speeches. Brides were to be seen and not heard. But we’ve had enough of that. If you’re a bride who wants to speak at your own wedding – more power to you! We 100% support a bride being heard on her own wedding day.

Getting ready to write your bride or groom wedding speech? Awesome! We’ve got all the steps you need to write a killer wedding speech that will leave the room laughing, crying and applauding wildly by the time you drop the mic.

Decide on the logistics

Before you get to the nitty-gritty of speech writing, figure out some of the big picture issues. Who is going to be giving the speech? Are you speaking together or separately? If you’re giving two separate speeches, who is going first? When in the night are you giving the speech? How long will the speech be? What’s the tone going to be?

Start your wedding speech with some thank yous

This one is easy! You start your speech by giving a round of thank yous. Thank all of your guests for coming, thank your wedding party for supporting you, thank out-of-towners for making the trek, thank your parents for all their love, thank your new spouse’s parents for welcoming you into the family, thank special people who made the day possible, thank vendors, THANK THEM ALL! Or, y’know, thank who you want to thank.

Mention those who couldn’t be there

This step is optional, but if you’d like, it’s a great time to pay tribute to people who couldn’t be at your wedding. This could be important people who couldn’t physically make it, maybe they are unable to travel or sick. Or this could be people who have passed on that you want to honour on your special day.

Add a short & sweet anecdote to your wedding speech

Here’s the fun part: now you get to gush about your boo! Include a short story about how you met, when you knew you were in love or a funny tidbit from wedding planning. The idea here is that you want to share a cute story, nothing embarrassing. And you’ll want to keep it short, especially if you and your spouse are both sharing little stories. You’ll also want to double check with anyone else giving speeches that you’re not all re-telling the same story.

End with your partner

You made it! You’re at the end of your speech. Now all you have to do is address your partner and cue the waterworks. This is where you let your brand new husband or wife know how happy you are to be married to them, how much today has meant to you or anything you weren’t able to fit into your vows.

Practice makes perfect

Especially if you’re nervous, rehearse your speech. Stand in front of the mirror, ask someone in your wedding party to lend an ear or recite your speech to your dog. And if you’re planning on doing the speech together and splitting up the different sections, you’ll definitely want to practice with your partner. If there are parts of the speech you want to keep as a surprise for the big day, that’s totally fine. Just rehearse the rest together so you know who says what when.

You know what we say – your wedding, your way! So if you’re really nervous about giving your speech in front of so many people, maybe you can give a speech at your rehearsal dinner in front of a smaller audience instead. If you’re scared you’ll be all teary by the end of the speeches, forget the tradition of the couple speaking last and do your speech first. And if the idea of a speech totally terrifies you, skip it all together! You can give out cards to your loved ones or talk to them one on one and let them know how much you appreciate them making your wedding day magical.

Last minute dos & don’ts for writing the best wedding speech ever!

• DO: write it down and don’t try to wing it. Have a paper copy so you’re not frantically trying to find your phone only for it to die when you’re halfway done your speech.
• DON’T: wait until you’re too drunk to give your speech. If you think you’ll be sloshed by 8:00pm, give your speech by 7:00pm.
• DO: feel free to respond to other speeches. If you go last, you can totally improvise a bit and thank you dad for his sweet words or try to defend yourself in the story your best man just told.
• DON’T: hog the mic. If you and your partner are giving the speech together, divide it up so you can both speak equally.
• DO: be courteous of your guests’ time. Especially if you have a lot of speeches planned, try to keep yours short and to the point.
• DON’T: share anything too embarrassing, too intimate or too inside joke-y. Trust us, you’ll regret it when your nana comes up to you later and asks you to explain that story from the time you had a pregnancy scare in Vegas.

Are you planning to give a speech at your wedding?  For more wedding planning advice, visit our blog . And to learn more about our team of wedding officiants and book an officiant for your wedding, get in touch! 

written by Riana Ang-Canning

Father of the Bride Speech: The Ultimate Guide for 2024

Congratulations! Your daughter’s getting married and you’re giving the Father of the Bride speech.

This definitive guide answers all of the most common questions and sets you up to prepare and deliver a knockout speech in 2024.

Ready to jump in?

The Essentials

We’ll start by covering a few of the essentials before going into more details on important topics.

🏹 Main Purpose of the Speech

The main purpose of the Father of the Bride Speech is to welcome the guests to the wedding and give an insight into the Bride’s personality and her formative years.

The speech is also a fond tribute to the Bride and a celebration of a new chapter in her life.

🕐 Timing of the Speech

The Father of the Bride usually speaks first, before the Groom and the Best Man.

📋 Duties to be Covered

In his speech, the Father of the Bride will traditionally:

• officially welcome guests to the wedding
• raise a toast to the Bride and Groom (at end)

He will usually also:

• mention any absent or deceased family or friends
• acknowledge his wife, on whose behalf he is also speaking

🏛️ Simple Speech Structure

A simple but effective speech structure is:

1. Welcome the guests

Thank everyone for coming and mention any key absences

2. Acknowledge the occasion

Say a few positive words about the day so far

3. Share stories about the Bride

Tell 2 or 3 anecdotes from the Bride’s early life

4. Compliment the Bride

Praise your daughter and say why you’re proud of her

5. Raise a Toast!

Invite guests to raise their glasses and toast the Bride and Groom

🎵 Recommended Tone

The Father of the Bride Speech should be:

• generous and loving
• happy and proud

Also remember:

• sensitive issues or topics which might embarrass the Bride should be avoided
• it’s okay to be a little sentimental!

🎤 Tips for Delivery

When delivering your speech:

• aim to speak for no longer than 5 - 10 minutes
• keep it conversational – i.e. try to speak as you would normally speak
• take your time – pause between each of your main points
• use small cue cards to prompt you (don’t try to do it all from memory or read from a script)
• And make sure you practice before the big day!

🚫 Pitfalls to Avoid

The Father of the Bride should try to avoid:

• alluding to any financial support that might have been given for the wedding
• telling stories that genuinely embarrass the Bride
• neglecting to mention the Mother of the Bride
• relying on all-too-familiar lines and clichés
• drinking too much before the speeches!

Want my Free Resource Pack?

Get templates, prompts, tips and other handy resources to help you create a knockout Father of the Bride Speech.

More Articles

Now you've learned the essentials, why not keep going with these more in-depth articles?

Father of the Bride Speech: Common Questions

If you've never given a Father of the Bride speech before, you may have some questions. Let's answer the most common ones.

10 Ideas to Kickstart Your Father of the Bride Speech

If you're struggling to get started with your Father of the Bride speech, here are 10 great ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

How to Outline Your Father of the Bride Speech in Just 5 Minutes

If you're struggling with your Father of the Bride Speech, creating a simple outline really helps. Here's how to do it in 5 minutes flat!

Father of the Bride Speech Etiquette

You want your Father of the Bride speech to be perfect. You can use these guidelines to help you avoid any awkward slip-ups.

Funny Father of the Bride Speech Example

Here's a gently humorous Father of the Bride speech example for you to study. Just don't copy it word for word!

Father of the Bride Speech Examples

When you're getting started with your speech, looking at some examples can give you a few ideas for your own speech.

How to Write a Father of the Bride Speech

Writing your speech is easier if you have a solid process. These proven steps will make writing your speech as painless as possible.

Father of the Bride Speech Template (Fill in the Blanks)

If you're feeling daunted by the prospect of writing your speech, this handy template will help to keep you on track.

Need a Little Extra Help?

Drop me a line and tell me where you're struggling with your Father of the Bride Speech. There's a good chance I can help!

What To Include In A Wedding Speech Bride?

Table of Contents:

To write a great wedding speech, Daloe recommends brainstorming an opening, starting with a short story, sharing well wishes, and ending with a toast. The speech should include an introduction, body, and conclusion, expressing love and gratitude to the guests and the new spouse and wedding entourage.

Planning a wedding speech requires preparation, starting no later than a month before the wedding day. Start early to allow time to brainstorm ideas, jot down thoughts, and carefully craft your speech. Set aside time each week to gradually work on your speech instead of rushing it in one go.

For father of the bride speeches, start by giving a round of thank yous, including all guests, the wedding party, out-of-towners, parents, new spouse’s parents, and special people who made the day. Share unique memories or stories with the couple, offering advice or well-wishes for the future, and addressing the bride and groom directly.

To get started, gather ideas, such as thanking guests, shouting out VIPs, sharing a story about your spouse, connecting the story to the wedding day, and toasting to love. Begin by thanking your guests for attending the wedding and their love and support, acknowledging the efforts of your family and friends.

Be gracious and introduce yourself at the top of your speech, telling the crowd who you are and your relation to the wedding party. A simple, succinct story or stories where the bride and groom are the hero will work best.

The framework recommended for a wedding speech is: story, message, blessing. Tell a heartwarming story, share the message, and end with a toast to love.

📹 Wedding Speech Writer Explains How to Write the Perfect Wedding Speech

PRODUCTS & SERVICES THAT WILL MAKE YOUR SPEECH AMAZING! Buy A Fill-In-The-Blank Wedding Speech Template …

What is an example of a bride speech?

I’m excited to start this new chapter. I can’t wait to see what the future brings. With you by my side, we can face any challenge and build the life we dreamed of. Before we toast, I want to thank all of you for being here today. Your love and support mean a lot to us. We are so lucky to have you in our lives. As a bride, I feel overwhelmed with emotion. Today is about our love and our future together. Let’s toast to our future. May it be full of love, laughter, and possibilities. May we grow and evolve together, and may our love deepen with each year. As we start this journey, we’ll face challenges. But we can conquer anything together. Let’s toast to our future together. Here’s to love, laughter, and a lifetime of happiness. Cheers! Ladies and gentlemen, let’s toast to our future. Today, I’m happy to be with my love, surrounded by friends and family. As we start this new journey together, I want to think about how much love and support we have. From the start, I knew my husband was special. He has been my partner, my friend, and my biggest supporter. Today, we celebrate our wedding and our future. I’m excited to see where life takes us with my husband by my side. I propose a toast to our future. May it be filled with love, laughter, and happiness. Here’s to love, adventure, and memories. Cheers!

Words of wisdom. As a bride, you know love and relationships. You can share your wisdom and advice with your guests. You can also reflect on what you’ve learned.

How to start a bridal speech?

Start with a thank you. Thank your guests for coming to your wedding and for their love and support. Thank your family and friends for helping make your wedding day a success. Thank you for being here today to celebrate with us. Your presence makes this day special. Thank you for coming to our wedding. Your love and support mean a lot to us. We feel so blessed to have you here. We’re honored to have you here, and we hope you enjoyed the party. Thank you for being part of our special day. Thank you all for being here today to celebrate our wedding. Your presence means a lot to us. Thank you for joining us on this special day. We are surrounded by our loved ones, and we are grateful for their support and love. We are so happy you’re here to celebrate with us. Thank you for your kind words and gifts. We are lucky to have such great people in our lives, and we look forward to making more happy memories together. Thank you for being there on our wedding day. Your love and support mean a lot to us. Tell a personal story. Your story of how you met can make your speech more personal and engaging. Choose a story about your wedding day and your partner.

What to say in your wedding speech?

Thank your guests, thank your parents, thank your partner, and raise a toast. You can do whatever you want at a wedding, but if you and your partner want some advice on wedding speeches, you’ve come to the right place. Wedding speeches are usually given at a wedding reception. Ordering them right will help the day run smoothly. There are no rules about wedding speech order. But there is a way to order them in the most effective way.

How long should bride’s speech be?

How long wedding speeches should be. Speeches should be three to five minutes long, with five minutes being the maximum. That’s it. David Litt, the speechwriter for former President Barack Obama and author of Thanks, Obama, says he’s never been to a wedding where the best man’s speech was too short. Carter agrees. I say two to five minutes, no more. Keep it short and sweet. Think about when the speech will take place when you decide how long it should be. Toasts are often timed with meal courses. Carter says to be mindful of how long a course takes or how long it takes to eat. Most courses last between 15 and 20 minutes, and several speeches have to fit inside each window. If others are speaking, give them space. Wedding speech tips. Now that you’ve set the right tone for your speech, read these tips from some experts on how to deliver it.

How to end a bridal speech?

Share your advice. You could also talk about love and marriage and give the newlyweds advice. If you don’t have advice, a quote, reading, or song are good ways to end your speech. This approach is a thoughtful and fitting conclusion to your wedding speech. End on a positive note. End on a positive note. This could be a blessing, thank you, or a smile. You’ve done your best. Now, finish with a loving and warm speech.

How do I start off a speech for a bride?

How to start a speech bride?

1. Thank your guests. Thank your guests. To write a great bride speech, thank your guests! Your loved ones have supported you on your special day, so thank them.

2. Thank your VIPs. Your parents, in-laws, and grandparents deserve extra thanks. They’ve been there for you through wedding planning and life, so thank them. You can mention a specific moment or keep it general. This is your chance to talk about your relationship. It could be a funny story from the early days of your relationship or something about them that everyone loves. Sharing a sweet story about your relationship will remind everyone why they’re there to celebrate your love.

What should a bride say in her speech?

Speak to your partner. Address your partner. Even a funny wedding speech should mention how you feel about your partner. Tell them how happy they make you and how they’ve changed your life. Thank them for making you the happiest wife.

End with a toast. All good wedding speeches end with a toast. You will probably have to wait and see who has been toasted already. Toast your new partner, but if this has already been done, just toast your guests and wedding helpers.

How do you start off a wedding speech?

Wedding Speech Opening Lines: Simple and sincere opening lines. Good evening, and thank you (name) for the introduction. Good evening, everyone. As a friend/relative, I’m happy to see you tonight.

How to start a wedding speech sample?

Speech Introduction Examples Welcome! Thank you for coming! … Thank you all for coming today! Speeches are a big part of any wedding reception. But if you’re the one giving them, it can be nerve-wracking. We’ve got tips to help you start your wedding speech, including introduction examples, so you can feel confident. The introduction sets the tone for the whole speech. Wedding wordsmith and professional speechwriter Amerdeep Sanghera of Lovingly Penned explains. Don’t make guests think, “Oh no, not another speech.” Make them smile. The introduction is the most important part.

Sounds stressful, right? Don’t worry. From funny opening lines to tips on getting started, scroll to make sure your speech is a success.

What is the best opening line for a wedding speech?

How to Start Your Wedding Speech Hi, I’m BRIDE/GROOM. You probably know me, but if not, well done for sneaking in unnoticed. Hi, I’m BEST MAN. You can call me by my full name: BEST MAN. Speeches are a big part of any wedding reception, but they can be nerve-wracking if you’re the one giving them. We’ve got tips for the bride, groom, father of the bride, best man, or maid of honor to help you start your wedding speech. The introduction sets the tone for the whole speech. Wedding wordsmith and professional speechwriter Amerdeep Sanghera of Lovingly Penned explains. Don’t make guests think, “Oh no, not another speech.” Make them smile. The introduction is the most important part.

What should be included in a wedding ceremony speech?

There’s no exact template, but there is a good basic formula. “A wedding speech should have a story, a message, and a blessing,” she says. Tell a story, share its message, and offer a blessing.

“We advise speakers to start with a joke, then get serious, then end with a funny story about the couple,” says Steven Greitzer, CEO and founder of Provenance, an AI company that helps write wedding vows, ceremonies, and toasts. “If it’s a full roast, it can feel like you’re just doing a stand-up comedy show for your own benefit and it could lack substance.” Or if it’s too emotional, it can be too sad for a wedding. Shapira says to read the room when choosing a story. “It should be good-natured and not make anyone look bad. “It depends on the family,” she says. “One family might think something is good-natured, while another might think it’s scathing. Choose someone in the audience to practice with.

📹 How to deliver a great wedding speech

If you’re a Best Man, Groom or Father of the Bride, this video is about how to deliver a really great speech.

Related Articles:

• What Does Father Of The Bride Speech Include?
• What To Include In A Bride And Groom Speech?
• What Should A Wedding Speech Include?
• What Should The Groom Include In His Speech?
• What Should Father Of The Groom Speech Include?
• How To Include Deceased Parent In Wedding Speech?

Christina Kohler

As an enthusiastic wedding planner, my goal is to furnish couples with indelible recollections of their momentous occasion. After more than ten years of experience in the field, I ensure that each wedding I coordinate is unique and characterized by my meticulous attention to detail, creativity, and a personal touch. I delight in materializing aspirations, guaranteeing that every occasion is as singular and enchanted as the love narrative it commemorates. Together, we can transform your wedding day into an unforgettable occasion that you will always remember fondly.

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Wedding Photographer Explains Viral Video of Bride Telling Guests to Put Phones Away

A wedding photographer has explained why she posted a now-viral video of a bride telling guests to put their phones away as she walked down the aisle.

Khyla Nixon and Andrew Nixon are the husband-and-wife team behind the wedding photography and videography business Maple and Mist which is based in Brisbane, Australia.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Brisbane Wedding Photography + Videography (@mapleandmist)

Earlier this month, Khyla and Andrew shared a video on social media that showed bride Anna Reuss walking down the aisle in March this year.

However, as Reuss walks down the aisle on her big day, she softly chastises her guests for using their phones for the ceremony and humorously asks them to put the devices away.

The wedding photographers noted that the bride had been forced to do this despite already requesting guests to put their phones at the ceremony.

The footage went viral and amassed over 14.4 million views on Instagram. Social media users largely criticized the “disrespectful” guests for taking pictures on their phones given that there were paid wedding photographers at the ceremony and that the couple had requested no smartphone devices.

“There’s photographers there for a reason,” an Instagram user writes.

Meanwhile, another social media user declared that the brides do “not spend thousands of dollars” on wedding photographers “to see phones” at a ceremony.

Another bride similarly lamented that her professional wedding pictures were ruined by guests taking their own photos on her big day.

“We asked for no phones because we had a photographer and in all the pictures of me walking down the aisle you see a guest in the back, out of their seat, taking pictures with their phone,” the bride reveals in the comments.

‘They’ve Got Paid Professionals for Photos’

In an interview with Today.com , wedding photographer Khyla revealed she shared the clip on social media.

The photographer recalled that there were close to 100 people in attendance at the wedding. Of that number, there were around 10 guests taking photos on their smartphones as Reuss was walking down the aisle.

Khyla tells the publication that the officiant had expressly asked everyone to put their phones away for the ceremony but the request “got ignored.”

“The celebrant actually did ask all the guests at the couple’s request… to keep their phones away,” Khyla tells Today.com

The photographer added that the officiant said something to the effect of: “They’ve got paid professionals. They want you to be in the moment.”

The Rise of Smartphones at Weddings

Khyla went on to tell Today.com that she didn’t think the bride’s words didn’t put a dampener on the wedding day and as far as she knows, the incident wasn’t mentioned again. According to the publication, Khyla also noted how Reuss called out her guests for using their phones in a fun and loving way.

The photographer says she just stumbled across the bride’s words while editing the footage and thought she would share it on Instagram for awareness.

“Not many people would say anything,” Khyla says.

“So normally a bride will probably see it happening but just sort of ignore it at the moment and maybe talk about it later but she was flat out like, ‘I’m saying something.'”

The photographer says that she has noticed guests increasingly using phones (and even iPads) during wedding ceremonies. Khyla says that guests taking pictures on their cellphones block the professional photographer’s shot on the day. It also ruins the moment on a couple’s wedding day.

“We’ve seen people just sort of living behind their phones during these moments,” Khyla says.

  Image credits: Header photo licensed via Depositphotos .  

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Welcome to Emma Stone’s Freak Era

The kinds of kindness star has changed her whole style of acting. it’s a wonder to behold..

When Emma Stone won her first Academy Award, for La La Land in 2017, she took the stage with an open mouth and a sideways glance that seemed to say, Can you even believe this? But when she won again last year, for her performance as the childlike Bella Baxter in Poor Things , she seemed to be the one in disbelief. Although Stone was widely considered the favorite for Best Actress, the look on her face as Michelle Yeoh read out her name wasn’t the carefully rehearsed who, me? of a foreordained winner but a shock so intense it verged on physical discomfort . By the time she got to the microphone, Stone had collected herself sufficiently to breathlessly utter her list of thank-yous, but for a moment, she seemed to be experiencing something a little less like gratitude, and a little more like dread.

Stone’s victory might have been dampened by the fact that it prevented a historic win by Lily Gladstone, the first Native American to be nominated for Best Actress—especially given the backlash Stone faced for taking the role of a character with Chinese and Native Hawaiian ancestry in Cameron Crowe’s Aloha . But that wave of criticism, nearly a decade in the past, is remarkable for being the only substantial pushback Stone has received in her nearly 20-year career. Much, if not most, of her largely unblemished record can be chalked up to the reputation-management apparatus that surrounds the Hollywood elite. But it’s notable that, despite being every inch the theater kid, Stone never suffered the post-Oscars opprobrium of, say, Anne Hathaway , let alone the slings and arrows directed at her longtime friend Taylor Swift .

Stone is arguably one of the most talented, and inarguably one of the most lauded, actors of her generation, but that stardom doesn’t sit comfortably on her shoulders. As an actress and a celebrity, she has a knack for undercutting big moments that verges on a compulsion, turning her expressive face into a rubbery mask or sending her limbs flying out at impossibly odd angles. Winning her second Best Actress Oscar by the age of 35 put Stone in an exclusive club that includes Bette Davis, Jodie Foster, and Meryl Streep, but she’s the only one who celebrated her membership by spinning around to show an audience of 21 million the broken zipper on her dress.

The regular-gal act wore thin when Jennifer Lawrence tried it, mainly because we’re not willing to accept that the prom queen can also be the class clown. But the further Stone ascends, the more determined she seems to be to express her inner weirdo. She’s found an ally in the Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos, whose seriocomic grotesques have allowed her, in The Favourite , Poor Things , and their latest collaboration, Kinds of Kindness , to see just how far an audience will follow her.

As it turns out, not only will that audience accept her as a venomous 18 th -century courtier or an adult woman with the brain of a newborn baby: They’ll embrace her, as will her awards-voting peers. And that success has emboldened Stone to push even further, past goofball exaggeration into a deadpan style that flirts with overt alienation. At the same time, Stone and her husband, Dave McCary, have been proving themselves to be some of Hollywood’s most adventurous producers, putting their muscle behind such out-there projects as Julio Torres’ Problemista and Jane Schoenbrun’s I Saw the TV Glow . We are blessed to be living through Emma Stone’s Freak Era.

After years of supporting parts, beginning with an ill-fated 2005 attempt to reboot The Partridge Family , Stone broke through with 2010’s Easy A , a comedic riff on The Scarlet Letter set in a Southern California high school. Directed by Will Gluck, last seen spinning Shakespeare into box-office gold with Anyone but You , the movie is such a delight that it’s easy to overlook what a high-wire act it must have been transforming a 19 th -century novel into a breezy morality play about teenage slut-shaming. But Stone, in her first leading role, holds it together with a performance that toggles, precisely but without apparent effort, between slapstick and pathos.

Although Stone was barely into her 20s, Easy A instantly established her ability to carry a movie, to balance conflicting tones with the confidence of a seasoned professional and yet maintain a sense of spontaneity and vulnerability. It also established her as an actor who wasn’t afraid to look silly. The movie’s most memorable sequence has nothing to do with sexual mores. It’s a montage in which, over the course of a couple of days, her character resists and then succumbs to the charms of Natasha Bedingfield’s “Pocketful of Sunshine.” By the time she’s belting the chorus into a showerhead , you know you’re looking at a movie star.

After a few years of romantic comedies and a brush with franchise fame as Spider-Man’s girlfriend , Stone tried to break out of the normie rut with 2014’s Birdman , where she plays the recovering drug addict daughter of Michael Keaton’s fading movie star. But though the role got Stone her first Oscar nomination, she comes off as a regular person’s idea of a weird person, her damaged blond hair artfully mussed, her wide eyes bulging and rimmed with black. (The distortion of the movie’s wide-angle lenses occasionally makes her look a tad amphibian.) She’s meant to be a burnout, a flaming wreck of a person, but the movie gives away the game when Edward Norton’s self-absorbed thespian tells her that despite the false modesty of her “fragile little fuck-up routine,” he sees how special she really is. “You’re anything but invisible,” he tells her. “You’re big. You’re kind of a great mess.”

Neither the greatness nor the messiness keys into what Stone does best, which is playing just-this-side-of-noteworthy people who are barely keeping it together. Take La La Land ’s Mia, an aspiring actress whose dreams of stardom are rapidly dashed on the rocks of her modest talent. Although the movie eventually grants her professional success, it comes off as an almost ironic gesture, a vision of the perfect life—fame, husband, kids—that’s missing only the passion of her doomed love affair with Ryan Gosling’s jazzbo. It’s not Mia’s eventual ascension that makes her intriguing, but the struggle it takes to get there (a quality Stone’s middling singing and dancing only work to heighten). Nonetheless, Mia’s rise assured Stone’s, lifting her all the way to a Best Actress win.

Then came the movie that changed everything: The Favourite . While many actors use Oscar wins to mount vanity projects or command bigger paychecks, Stone used her newly acquired clout to take a meeting with Lanthimos, then best known for the warped romantic allegory The Lobster . The role of Abigail, a fallen aristocrat whose father gambles her away in a card game, isn’t even the lead, but it gave Stone a chance to try out what was, at least for her, a radically different kind of acting, as cold and calculated as her earlier characters were spontaneous and outgoing.

When she arrives at the court of Queen Anne, played by Olivia Colman, Abigail is a babe in the woods, her pale face splattered with mud from the cramped carriage ride. Despite the fact that her cousin Sarah, played by Rachel Weisz, is the queen’s closest adviser, Abigail is immediately put to work in the scullery, where the washerwomen trick her into burning her skin with lye. Regarding the downtrodden specimen before her, Sarah remarks, “You are perhaps too kind for your own good.”

That kindness doesn’t last. In The Favourite , as in many of Lanthimos’ movies, a person gains power by learning to master their emotions, whether it’s within a romantic relationship or the world at large. As she gains Queen Anne’s confidence, and eventually makes her way into her bed, Abigail becomes increasingly remote, almost robotic, never betraying a feeling that someone might turn against her. In a rare moment of weakness, she starts crying in front of one of the queen’s chief opponents, who orders her to “Turn off the tears.” In an instant, she complies. But that brief glimpse is enough to remind us how much Abigail has had to snuff out in order to secure her place among the heartless schemers of the ruling class.

Over the course of three features, Stone and Lanthimos have already staked a claim as one of the great actor-director pairings. Lanthimos has given Stone the freedom to explore, and she brings a mercurial humanity to his acidic fables, preventing his clinical abstractions from shading into outright misanthropy. There are a thousand ways that Poor Things ’ Bella could go wrong, shading into softcore fantasy or parable, but as a woman with the brain of a rapidly maturing infant, Stone navigates the development of Bella’s sexual urges with a remote curiosity that defies a prurient leer. Bella doesn’t learn to bring herself to orgasm; she discovers “happy-when-she-want.” She’s fascinated by lust, not controlled by it.

In Lanthimos’ movies, bodies are inconvenient when they’re not outright humiliating, pulsing with urges that mock our attempts at nobler thoughts. Although Stone, who did the first nude scene of her career in The Favourite , is frequently naked in Poor Things , the movie’s sex scenes draw less on her looks than her talent for physical comedy. Because the body she inhabits is not her own, Bella approaches sex like an anthropological experiment, studying her own compulsions and the inexplicable pleasure she derives from mashing her body against another’s. It’s as if she can’t get over how something so awkward and gross can also be so satisfying.

Poor Things feels like an experiment for Stone, too, a test to see just how much leeway 20 years of playing the genial goofball has bought her. She narrows her expression to a sliver of its normal range, a choice that has all the more impact because of how dramatically it jars with what we’re used to seeing. It’s as if she’s spun the magnet of her movie-star charisma 180 degrees, repelling as forcefully as it attracts, just to see if we’ll still try to get close.

Stone pushed the experiment even further with the TV show The Curse , where she plays a brittle white liberal trying to launch her own home-improvement show. Whitney might be the most outwardly repellent character of Stone’s career, an edgy manipulator whose plans to build eco-friendly housing in a New Mexico exurb reek of gentrification and unconscious privilege. (The scenes where she tries to curry favor with a Pueblo artist may be the most painful thing I’ve ever watched.) It’s a merciless performance, almost brutal in its resistance to softening Whitney or making her sympathetic in any way. And it’s an unbelievably bold thing to release in the middle of the six-month charm offensive that is an Oscar campaign.

Kinds of Kindness almost feels like a lark by comparison, a three-part anthology film whose stories are loosely tied together by Lanthimos’ belief in the transactional nature of human relationships. Along with the rest of an ensemble cast that includes Jesse Plemons, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, and Hong Chau, Stone plays a different role in each part: a woman in thrall to a businessman who dictates every aspect of her life, down to what she eats and what time she has sex; a scientist marooned on a research trip, who returns home unplaceably different than she was before; a member of a cult obsessed with the purification of bodily fluids. But her characters share a fixation on self-control, and a flat, almost affectless bearing that only cracks open in the movie’s final moments. (If you’ve seen Stone dancing in the trailers, arms flailing in a slim-fitting pantsuit, you know what that looks like.)

Stone’s deadpan is so extreme that at times it’s almost zombielike—she walks as if her spine is a steel rod, turning her head like it’s on a swivel—but it’s also what makes Kinds of Kindness register as an exhilaratingly morbid comedy rather than a miserabilist horror show. (She reserves her driest delivery for the line “ There, dogs were in charge .”) Because she accepts this world as it is, with its sharp-edged cruelty and absurdist flourishes, we do too. She’s taking her audience to darker and darker places, and we keep trusting her to lead the way.

Stone hasn’t abandoned the limelight: Among her upcoming projects is a sequel to 2021’s Cruella , where she plays a punk-lite version of the classic Disney villain. (Imagine Birdman ’s sullen twentysomething donning Vivienne Westwood.) But she’s also signed on to her fourth movie with Lanthimos, as well as the next by Ari Aster, another director known for pushing his audience, and his actors, to extremes. Sally Field, who fulsomely recapped Stone’s career as part of the Best Actress presentation in March, famously accepted her second Oscar by exclaiming, “You like me!” But it seems as if Stone is starting to feel a little unnerved by all that liking, and curious about what else she can make people feel.

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Trump blasts immigrants for taking jobs as he courts voters at a Black church, MAGA event in Detroit

Supporters of former President Donald Trump celebrated the Republican presidential candidate’s birthday and his proximity during a Detroit-area boat parade (AP video: Mike Householder)

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump arrives at a campaign event at 180 Church, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

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Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event Saturday, June 15, 2024 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

People watch as Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump arrives at a campaign event at 180 Church, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event at 180 Church, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

People wait for Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump to arrive at a campaign event, Saturday, June 15, 2024 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

People stand for the National Anthem before Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event at 180 Church, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in Detroit, as Itasha Dotson and Carlos Chambers listen. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump looks to Itasha Dotson, right, as Carlos Chambers listens at a campaign event at 180 Church, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

People listen as Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event at 180 Church, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

DETROIT (AP) — Donald Trump blamed immigrants for stealing jobs and government resources as he courted separate groups of Black voters and hardcore conservatives in battleground Michigan on Saturday.

The Republican former president also made several new baseless claims attacking the nation’s voting system.

But Trump’s fiery comments on illegal immigration, long a staple in his unapologetic message, marked a connecting theme in downtown Detroit as he sought to stitch together a delicate political coalition at both a Black church and a group known to attract white supremacists.

“The people coming across the border — all those millions of people — they’re inflicting tremendous harm to our Black population and to our Hispanic population,” Trump told a cheering crowd of thousands of conservative activists packed into a vast convention hall.

“They’re not human beings. They’re animals,” he said later in referencing members of violent immigrant gangs.

Trump’s diverse weekend schedule underscores the evolving political forces shaping the presidential election this fall as he tries to deny Democratic President Joe Biden a second term.

Few states may matter more in November than Michigan, which Biden carried by less than 3 percentage points four years ago. And few voting groups matter more to Democrats than African Americans, who made up the backbone of Biden’s political base in 2020. But now, less than five months before Election Day, Black voters are expressing modest signs of disappointment with the 81-year-old Democrat.

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Trump, who turned 78 on Friday, is fighting to take advantage of his apparent opening.

His crowd was far smaller, but also warmly receptive, when he visited the 180 Church earlier in the day. Derelict vehicles sat outside the modest brick building with “Black Americans for Trump” signs affixed. Rap music and barbecue smoke wafted from a pre-event gathering organized by the Black Conservative Federation group.

“It’s a very important area for us,” Trump told the church crowd, which included a significant number of white people. He promised to return “some Sunday” for a sermon.

He argued that the Black community “is being hurt” by immigrants in the country illegally.

“They’re invading your jobs,” he said.

Trump offered a similar message later in the day while addressing the “People’s Convention” of Turning Point Action, a group that the Anti-Defamation League says has been linked to a variety of extremists.

Roughly 24 hours before the former president spoke, well-known white supremacist Nick Fuentes entered the hall surrounded by a group of cheering supporters. Security quickly escorted him out, but Fuentes created political problems for Trump after attending a private lunch with the former president and the rapper formerly known as Kanye West at Trump’s Florida estate in 2022.

Turning Point has emerged as a force in GOP politics in the Trump era, particularly among his “Make America Great Again” movement, despite the Anti-Defamation League’s warning that the group “continues to attract racists.”

“Numerous individuals associated with the group have made bigoted statements about the Black community, the LGBTQ community and other groups,” the ADL, an international anti-hate group, wrote in a background memo. “While TPUSA (Turning Point USA) leaders say they reject white supremacist ideology, known white nationalists have attended their events.”

Turning Point spokesperson Andrew Kolvet dismissed the ADL’s characterization as “smears and lies.” He added that Turning Point has been blocking Fuentes from attending its events for “years.”

“The ADL is a scourge on America, which sows poison and division. They’ve completely lost the plot,” Kolvet said, describing the ADL’s criticism as “a badge of honor.”

Meanwhile, Democrats offered a competing perspective from afar.

“Donald Trump is so dangerous for Michigan and dangerous for America and dangerous for Black people,” said Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, who is African American. He called it “offensive” for Trump to address the Turning Point conference, which was taking place at the same convention center that was “the epicenter of their steal the election effort.”

Indeed, dozens of angry Trump loyalists chanting “Stop the count!” descended on the TCF Center, now named Huntington Place, the day after the 2020 presidential election as absentee ballots were being counted. Local media captured scenes of protesters outside and in the lobby. Police prevented them from entering the counting area.

The protests occurred after Trump had tweeted that “they are finding Biden votes all over” in several states, including Michigan.

The false notion that Biden benefited from widespread voter fraud has been widely debunked by voting officials in both parties, the court system and members of Trump’s former administration. Still, Trump continues to promote such misinformation, which echoed throughout the conservative convention over the weekend.

Speaking from the main stage, Turning Point founder and CEO Charlie Kirk falsely described the conference location as “the scene of a crime.”

Pitching the conversation forward, Trump raised the possibility of election fraud this fall.

“We need to watch the vote. We need to guard the vote,” Trump charged. “It’s so corrupt, the whole election process.”

Such extreme rhetoric does not appear to have hurt Trump’s standing with Black voters.

Among Black adults, Biden’s approval has dropped from 94% when he started his term in January 2021 to just 55%, according to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll published in March.

About 8 in 10 Black voters have an unfavorable opinion of Trump, with roughly two-thirds saying they have a “very unfavorable” view of him, according to an AP-NORC poll conducted in June .

Trump won 8% of the Black vote in 2020, according to AP VoteCast . And in what is expected to be a close election, even a modest shift could be consequential.

Omar Mitchell, a Detroit restaurant owner who participated in the church gathering, said he supports Trump because “money was pumping” when he was president.

“In the old days, how we grew up was just because you’re Black means you’re a Democrat,” Mitchell said. “That’s out the door nowadays.”

Trump argues he can pull in more Black voters due to his economic and border security message, and that his felony indictments make him more relatable. At the church on Saturday afternoon, he repeatedly vowed to “bring back the auto industry” while also noting, “The crime is most rampant right here and African American communities.”

Kimberly Taylor, who was invited on stage at the church by the Trump campaign, thanked Trump for “coming to the hood,” while pastor Lorenzo Sewell said Biden attended an NAACP dinner in the city “but never came to the hood.”

The pastor asked Trump how to “keep the Black dollar in the Black community.”

The Black community, Trump said, “needs to stop the crime.”

Associated Press writers Will Weissert and Linley Sanders in Washington contributed to this report.