How to Write a Wedding Speech (With Tips + Template)

Giving a wedding speech is a huge honor. Still, if you’ve never given one before, or if you have a fear of public speaking, the thought of writing and giving a wedding speech could be intimidating. 

If you’ve been tasked with writing a wedding speech, don’t panic. We’ll break down everything you need to know about writing a wedding speech, from the preparation to the delivery. 

Plus, after the speech is written, we’ve got your back here at Yoodli. Yoodli is an AI speech coach that provides users with practical, personalized feedback based on speech analysis. Users can record and upload a video of them practicing a wedding speech, for example, and Yoodli provides feedback on everything from filler word usage to body language and even non-inclusive language that you might unintentionally use. 

Once you practice and get comfortable, you’ll be a more confident public speaker — perfect for giving a wedding speech. 

Now, here’s what you should know about how to write a wedding speech.

What Is a Wedding Speech?

Although it can vary pretty wildly, a wedding speech is usually a speech given sometime between the actual wedding ceremony and the reception. The purpose of the speech is to toast the new couple on their marriage and wish them a long life full of happiness.

If you’ve been chosen to give a wedding speech, you should feel honored and (hopefully) excited! But if you’re feeling the anxiety over the excitement, here are some quick tips for a smooth speech.

Wedding Speech Tips

If you’re tasked with writing and giving a wedding speech, there are a few key things to keep in mind, especially if you’ve never given one before. 

Don’t tell embarrassing or negative anecdotes.

Many people make the mistake of trying to embarrass or tease the new couple during their wedding speech. However, definitely steer clear from this. It can be awkward for everyone involved. After all, the point of your speech isn’t to humiliate the newlyweds — it’s to sing their praises and congratulate them on tying the knot. 

Practice beforehand (and record it).

This is huge. Don’t plan to wing your speech. Instead, write it beforehand (see the template below!) and practice, practice, practice. Try recording your speech so you can get a better idea of what you need to improve. 

With Yoodli, you can explore free courses and tutorials that cover everything from how to record your speech to understanding the analytics. 

Make sure it’s not too long.

Even though you might want to talk about the couple forever, try to keep it brief. Usually, a 5-minute speech is more than sufficient. Keeping your wedding speech short ensures a smooth transition and prevents the audience from getting tired or bored. 

Feel free to use a few notes.

There’s no rule that says you can use notes during your wedding speech. That’s not to say you want to be glued to your note cards; rather, plan to use them as a reference only if you need them. Jotting down a few key points to jog your memory is best.

Don’t drink before your speech.

One of the most common mistakes people make when writing and giving a wedding speech is drinking alcohol beforehand. Even though you may be tempted, it’s not a good idea. You want to be clear-headed so you can deliver a meaningful speech, and you can’t do this if you’re inebriated. 

Wedding Speech Template

Wedding speeches can come in all shapes and sizes. But to give you a little inspiration, here’s a general wedding speech template you can use.

Make an introduction.

Before anything, introduce yourself. Chances are, not everyone attending the wedding knows who you are. Usually, giving the audience your name along with how you know the couple is a good start. 

Zero in on a few main points.

It’s only natural to want to talk about everything — especially if you know the couple really well. Still, stick with a few main points. That way, you won’t start rambling. For example, you may want to talk about a meaningful anecdote involving the couple, such as how you met them or the moment you knew they were destined for each other. It’s really up to your best judgment. 

Speak to everyone, not just the couple.

There’s nothing more awkward than a wedding speech that ignores the rest of the room. Even though you’re toasting the couple, there are other people in attendance who want to enjoy your speech, too. Be sure to project your voice to ensure everyone can hear you. Make eye contact with a few people around the room, and make sure you’re not just preaching to the newlyweds. For more info on making appropriate eye contact, check out the below video: 

Conclude with a simple toast.

To end a wedding speech is simple: toast the happy couple! You can end with something as simple as, “Here’s to a lifetime of happiness!” The conclusion doesn’t have to be very complex. Just hone in on the final sentiment you’d like to express and take it from there.