How to write the ultimate Grooms wedding speech

Organising a wedding can be stressful enough, let alone writing a grooms speech to close out YOUR special day. We get it, you want to nail that speech and every GREAT speech takes TIME. But without some finesse, it could just become a marathon of 'thank you’s' that drag on longer than anyone wants. You need to blend in all those thank you and warm welcomes in a way that keeps everyone hooked. Mix in a dash of humour and get the crowd laughing with relatable humour and you'll have them hanging on to your every word. It's a win-win – you'll leave a lasting impression, and it’ll balance out those deep, heart felt moments. If you're wondering where to start or how to spice things up, you're in the right place.

Let’s dive right in!

STRUCTURE

Getting the structure of your groom speech just right is KEY. Without a solid plan, it’s too easy to veer off and lose your audience. Remember, you're on a time clock up there. Take too long, and even the catering staff will start looking at you differently.

Keep your structure simple. Start with a warm welcome – that's your opening move.
Follow it up with some big thanks to everyone who's pitched in (excluding your bride for now). We want to save the best for last and we want to build up to her, creating a bit of suspense. Once you've ticked off the 'thank you' list, it's a nice touch to include a toast to those dearly missed.
The VIP roll call. This includes:

Both sets of parents
The best man (he deserves a mention, but don't write a novel about him).
Groomsmen (a quick thanks).
Bridesmaids (short and sweet).
Tips to remember:
- This part needs to be snappy. You're not writing their biographies.
- Try to sum up their influence on your life in a fun, clever way.
- About the best man – it's easy to get carried away here. But remember, you just married someone else!
- For the bridesmaids, the bride might have a lot to say, but your part should be brief. Again, it's quality over quantity.

4. Finally, the grand finale – your bride. This is where you've got to avoid repeating yourself. Stick to the essentials – how you met, and the journey you've taken together. Focus on what she truly means to you, but keep it fresh and unique. Remember, you're telling a story, not reading a bible!

5. Closing remarks & toast

OPENING LINES

Alright, let's get down to business! Crafting timeless wedding films has meant we have listened to A LOT of wedding speeches trying to find the best audio bites to weave into our wedding films. I want to help you avoid the worn-out wedding speech clichés (the kind that everyone expects and nobody remembers). On this point, there is one timeless cliché you can't help but love, and that's how you can kick off your groom's speech. Starting with "on behalf of my wife and I" is like a magic charm. It never fails to light up the room. Honestly, trying to change it up just for the sake of being different is like trying to reinvent the wheel – unnecessary and a bit over the top. Sometimes, those good old wedding standards hit the nail right on the head.

EXAMPLE:

“Good evening everyone! On behalf of my wife and I, a massive thank you for being here. You're making our day even more unforgettable... yes, even you, Best Man Mike.”

SHOUTOUTS & THANKS

Now, when it comes to thanking your team, we believe it's best to get it done at the start and set the tone for the rest of the speech.

Reserve this segment for the pals and fam who've truly gone above and beyond during your wedding adventure.
Bundle up your thanks wherever you can. No one wants to hear a roll call of every cousin and aunty/uncle.
Keep it simple and exclude thanking the venue staff, the caterers, and the photographer & videographer (Amour Weddings of course!). They’re getting a pay check, and this is your day, not theirs. These thank you’s can be left for in person outside of the speech.

REMEMBERING LOVED ONES (Not applicable to every speech)

In the midst of the joy and revelry, there's often a quiet moment we set aside to honour those who couldn’t be with us. Generally, it's the groom's duty to raise a toast to these absent friends/family. We find these tributes work best closer to the start – you'd want the speech to swing back to a positive note by the end.

The depth of your words, naturally, depends on the closeness you shared with those departed. While those near and dear, like parents, warrant a heartfelt mention, tread carefully on the detail. No matter how close or how missed they are, the day’s spotlight should remain on the bride. We're honouring memories here, not delivering a full-blown eulogy.

A NOD TO THE 'RENTS’

Now, here's a unique chance — probably the only one you'll ever get — to publicly acknowledge the awesomeness of your parents. Let's face it, you owe them big time for all their years of patience, hard graft, and for just dealing with you. Let's make it count.

Golden rules to keep in mind:

It's crucial to encapsulate your gratitude and respect for their sacrifices and tireless efforts in just a few, well-chosen words. Make every word count.
If you decide to share a story or anecdote, ensure it's concise with a cracking punchline. Lengthy stories can eat away at your precious speech time.
Don’t forget the fun part. It's fertile territory for humour to reminisce about what you've inherited (or thankfully, not inherited) from them. What's the funny side of your family traits?

PARENTS OF THE BRIDE

It's crucial to strike a balance when acknowledging both sets of parents during your speech. It's not uncommon for grooms to highly praise their in-laws, leaving their own parents in the background. Aim for balance with your words to avoid this perception.

Key points to consider:

Share your appreciation for how warmly they've embraced you as a part of their family and highlight the qualities in them that you deeply admire.
Try to connect the virtues of the parents with the upbringing of the bride, illustrating how they've played a significant role in shaping her into the woman she is today.
Recount memorable moments that hold a special place in your heart, which you've experienced together.

THE BEST MAN & GROOMSMEN

We recommend speaking about the groomsmen in the middle of the speech so you can focus on celebrating the bride with the closeout of the speech. Highlighting the best man’s role is key – acknowledge the profound impact he's had on your life, be it as a brother or a dear friend. His role in your life isn’t something to be understated; being the best man is a testament to your bond. This is a unique chance to share with everyone just how much he means to you. After honouring this bond, shift gears lightly into humour, teasing his personality and harmless flaws to add a bit of lighthearted fun to your speech. When it comes to expressing your gratitude to the groomsmen, keep it light-hearted and refrain from individually singling each of them out, or you'll be there all night. This is a moment for enjoyment, so if there's an opportunity for a collective humorous anecdote, seize it.

THE BRIDESMAIDS

Your role is to shine the spotlight on the bridesmaids and propose a toast to them. Take a moment to individually name each bridesmaid and express how they've been fantastic friends or sisters. Let everyone know how they've enriched your life as well. A playful mention of their contribution to organizing the unforgettable hen weekend, perhaps with a humorous nod to the 'cultural enrichment' experienced, can add a light-hearted touch. If the bridesmaids include sisters, a casual remark about now being officially related can bring a smile. Remember, the final toast is your exclusive duty as the groom.

THE BRIDE

As you reach the final stretch of your speech, the focus turns to the bride, making up the largest section of your speech. This is your chance to recount how you both met, the immensely positive influence she's had in your life, her distinctive qualities, and what she truly means to you, including the story of your proposal.

While there's a bit to cover, these words are for keeps, so make them meaningful. Avoid overly sentimental memories, which can sometimes feel awkward. Reflect on what sets her apart for you – what is it about her that makes her your chosen life partner? Weave in brief stories that showcase her beautiful personality, her passions, and her unique sense of humour.

Remember to maintain a balance between deep emotion and light-heartedness. Including amusing insights into your bride which add a welcome contrast. Be careful not to repeat sentiments in different ways – say it once, and say it well.

The Final Toast – Aim for a succinct closing which toasts for a broader toast to health and happiness for all.

FINAL TIPS

We recommend capping it around the 10min mark which typically sits around circa 1300+ words with a good pace. Less is more.
HUMOUR - one of the most important factors of the speech. If you can make people laugh you’ll carry the audience through the entire speech. This acts as a great balance for the thanks and emotion you will have throughout your speech.
Keeping momentum is critical to holding the audiences attention. We recommend saving any gifts or hugs until you have finished the speech.
Be the man in charge! To save everyone feeling restless before they get to your speech, recommend a word / time limit for the other speakers. Remember you only get this day once, so remind your speakers that time is money and you want to enjoy the night with everyone sitting down for an extra 30mins.
What to avoid if possible:

Too much detail across each of the sections, keep it efficient!
Don’t include moments with the bride which don’t add value to the speech. This could include dating, and proposal details which may be important to you but in the scheme of things aren’t as important as the words which showcase your love for her.
Don’t mention details of the stag. Remember, there is a handful of the audience who were present, and the rest will likely be scratching there heads at the joke/moment which you really had to be there for to appreciate it.