Wedding Speeches: The Ultimate Guide to a Successful Speech

Giving a speech at a wedding is one of the finest gifts you can give the bride and groom, but it can also be nerve-wracking. Whether you’re the bride’s father, the best man or a close friend, our speech guide will help you write and deliver a speech that touches the hearts of your audience and makes them laugh.

Fun, exciting or downright terrifying?

Most people have strong feelings about giving speeches, and there are as many different kinds of wedding speeches as there are wedding guests in the world. Here, we set out what might be worth bearing in mind when giving a speech at a wedding.

Etiquette: Who gives speeches at a wedding and in what order?

Are you a parent of one of the bride or groom, a bridesmaid, best man, groomsman, toastmaster or best friend? If so, tradition dictates that you’re expected to give a speech during the wedding reception, and according to Ribbingsk custom, it’s the bride’s father who gives the first speech. But even if you don’t fall into any of these categories, it’s perfectly fine to give a speech anyway.

In that case, let the toastmaster know so that they can keep track of all the speakers. Another tip if you’re unsure whether to give a speech is to check how many speakers there are; if there are only a few, an extra speaker is always particularly appreciated.

Tips for giving a successful wedding speech: Take it easy

Many people, especially those who aren’t used to speaking in public, tend to deliver their speech at a very fast pace – perhaps to get it over and done with as quickly as possible, or perhaps simply out of nervousness. This isn’t advisable. Try to deliver your speech at a calm, comfortable pace – ideally a little slower than feels natural – and don’t forget to breathe. It can also be a good idea to go easy on the alcohol before you give your speech; that usually works out best.

Important to remember: The toast in your wedding speech

Once you’ve delivered your speech, it’s a nice and traditional touch to finish by raising a toast to the bride and groom. Best of luck!

A well-delivered wedding speech is often the detail that lifts the whole evening, but to create a truly unforgettable atmosphere, all the pieces of the jigsaw need to fall into place. For inspiration on everything from entertainment to keeping the energy levels high all night long, don’t miss our comprehensive guide featuring our best party tips for the wedding.

The rules governing the order of speeches and etiquette are deeply rooted in Swedish tradition. If you’d like to delve deeper into the historical aspects of our festive traditions, you can read more about propriety and etiquette at celebrations at the Institute for Language and Folklore.