Wedding Speech Tips & Ideas
Giving a wedding speech at a reception is one of the big moments of a wedding, so it helps to know the etiquette before stepping up to the microphone. A clear plan, a short outline, and a few personal stories are usually all it takes to be remembered for the right reasons.
Wedding speeches are often the most nerve-wracking part of the day for friends and family of the newlyweds, but a little structure goes a long way. The guides below walk through what to say, when to say it, and how to keep it warm without going long.
Best Man Speeches
The best man traditionally speaks just before the champagne toast. A good best man speech thanks the couple, says something memorable about the groom, honors the groomsmen, and keeps things moving. Read the Best Man guide for tips on making it memorable without overrunning the moment.
Groom Speech
Writing a groom speech can be tricky simply because there is rarely much time to sit down and put ideas on paper. A simple structure — thank the guests, thank the parents, thank the bride — is usually enough. See the Groom Speech guide for step-by-step help.
Father of the Bride
A father of the bride speech is among the most sentimental moments of the reception. Managing the emotion, drawing on life experience, and understanding the duties of the day all matter. Open the Father of the Bride guide.
Maid of Honor & BrideThe maid of honor speaks after the best man, and a short, heartfelt toast works best. For the bride, a brief, imaginative speech — including a self-introduction and the story of how the couple met — is often plenty. Find both guides linked from the blog.
Wedding Speech Blog
Personal stories, practical guides, and discussions on writing speeches for the roles above. Recent posts include a first-person account of preparing a father of the bride speech, a look at whether free online examples are good enough, and a guide to overcoming the five biggest wedding speech obstacles. Visit the blog for the full archive.
| Role | When they speak | Core focus |
|---|---|---|
| Best Man | Just before the champagne toast | Honor the groom, thank the couple, toast |
| Groom | After the best man | Thank guests, parents, and the bride |
| Father of the Bride | Early in the reception | Welcome guests, sentiment, duties of the day |
| Maid of Honor | After the best man | Supportive, heartfelt, brief |
| Bride | Often toward the close | Introduce yourself, share your story |
Acknowledging the groom’s children in your bride’s speech
A bride’s speech acknowledging the groom’s children from a previous relationship can honour an important part of his life without making the children or their other parent the centre of the ceremony. Thoughtful words can recognise belonging while keeping the new couple’s story in view.
Start with permission, not surprise. Ask your partner what he wants said, whether the children will hear the speech, and which names or details feel appropriate. If their other parent is involved and contact is appropriate, a brief conversation beforehand may prevent misunderstandings.
There is no obligation to deliver a grand tribute to stepchildren. A brief, sincere welcome can be more moving than forced familiarity. The aim is to show that you have noticed their place in your partner’s life, not to claim their affection or settle questions about the past.
Planning the acknowledgement
First, align with your partner on the purpose of the mention: welcoming the children, thanking them for their presence, or recognising that they matter to him. If timing matters, the ideal speech length gives a sensible reference.
Next, consider each child’s comfort and familiarity with you. A teenager who has met you once may not welcome a public declaration of closeness, while a child who regularly joins family dinners may enjoy being included. Their age, temperament and existing relationships should guide your words.
Australian celebrations mix formality with informality: couples might exchange vows beside Sydney Harbour, dine in a Melbourne laneway venue and then dance to a band. Australian florists often feature native blooms such as banksia, but no themed prop can replace genuine consideration of the people involved.
Choosing language that feels welcoming
Choose a description that fits your relationship. Use the children’s names, mention a shared interest only if it is genuine, and avoid language that assigns them a role in approving the marriage.
Phrases that can work:
Phrases to rethink:
Whatever you choose, the children should never feel obliged to respond, raise a glass or join you at the microphone. Warmth without pressure is usually more persuasive than sentiment that places adult expectations on them.
A sample passage to adapt
A flexible example might read:
Replace the names and observations with details that are accurate in your own family. If your relationship with the children is still developing, promise a welcome rather than closeness. Listen to how your partner frames his groom’s own speech, so your words complement rather than duplicate his.
Comparing ways to acknowledge the children
The level of familiarity should guide the wording. A phrase that feels natural to a child who knows you well may feel presumptuous with a child who has only met you twice.
A specific memory can sometimes carry more warmth than labels such as “stepchildren” or “blended family”. The best choice is the one your family can hear without feeling pressured, singled out or asked to prove anything.
Delivering the moment with warmth
Coordinate with the master of ceremonies so the children are not surprised by a personal call-out. If they are seated nearby, look towards them briefly, speak at a measured pace and avoid jokes that depend on their family history or their role in the wedding.
Many Australian receptions use locally made sparkling wine for the toast, often called “champers”, and guests often take a sip rather than a full glass for each toast. Check the venue’s practice before toasting with sparkling wine.
Give the moment space without making it a test. A sincere sentence followed by a gentle return to your partner, your guests and the celebration will usually land better than an extended explanation. If tears come, pause, breathe and continue; the audience will understand.
My daughter asked me to speak as her father of the bride. The note about keeping the emotion in check while still being sentimental was the most useful line in the guide.
As a groom, I appreciated the warning against a long list of thanks. I am cutting my thank-yous down to a few key people and keeping the rest short.