Crafting a Speech

Crafting a Speech: Your Guide to Memorable Moments

Being asked to give a wedding speech is a real honour — something that only a handful of people close to the couple ever get to do. And yes, it can feel a bit daunting. Most people don’t stand up and speak in front of a room very often, never mind on a day that means so much. But don’t worry. With a little planning, genuine words and a bit of your own personality, you can create a moment the couple and their guests will actually remember. This guide will walk you through the basics of delivering a simple, heartfelt wedding speech that feels true to you.

Glenn Burke| 29 November 2023

RUNNING ORDER

Every couple has their own preferences on who they want to speak, and the order in which they want them to speak. Most speeches and toasts are given either before or after dinner. In modern weddings the flow of speakers is usually as follows:

The Couple
The Hosts (usually the parents)
Maid(s) of Honour
Best Man

1. Get Your Head Straight First

Before you write anything, slow down and think about the couple. What do you actually know about them? What moments matter? A quick chat with close friends or family can uncover the stories that make a speech feel real — the stuff you can’t get from Google.

2. Give Your Speech a Simple Shape

You don’t need a big, complicated structure.
A clean flow works best:

Start with context (who you are, why you’re speaking)
Share one or two meaningful stories
Close with something heartfelt
If it flows naturally when you say it out loud, it’s right.

3. Let Your Personality In

Don’t try to sound like someone else.
The best speeches sound like you — your humour, your warmth, your little quirks. Share a memory that actually happened, not something generic. That’s what people remember.

4. Use Humour Wisely

A bit of banter is great — it relaxes everyone — but keep it light, kind and inclusive. If you’re unsure whether a joke goes too far… it does.

5. Don’t Hide from Emotion

Weddings are emotional by nature. It’s okay to be sincere. A simple, honest line about what the couple means to you travels a lot further than trying to be overly poetic.

6. Practise Enough to Feel Comfortable

You don’t need to memorise every word.
You just need to be familiar enough that you’re not glued to a page. Practise out loud. It helps the rhythm, your breathing, and your confidence.

7. Keep It Tight

Aim for around 3–5 minutes. Long enough to make an impact, short enough that people stay with you. Leave them wanting a little more, not checking their watches.

8. Finish Strong

Your final line should lift the room — a warm thought, a simple blessing, a toast, or something meaningful about their future.
Short. Clean. From the heart.

A great wedding speech doesn’t come from templates — it comes from you.

If you take a bit of time to prepare, speak honestly, and stay true to the couple you’re celebrating, your words will land exactly the way they’re meant to.

If you want to dive deeper — and learn how to find your voice and shape your speech in a way people can really feel — this might help: