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Within this section I have attempted to set out the basics of the traditional order of speeches at a Wedding
Reception for you, but please remember that these only apply to a formal event. You may wish to forgo all or some of them
or add others at your event.
These rules are not hard and fast and nowadays other people like to speak, such as the Bride, the Chief Bridesmaid/Maid of
Honour, Friends of the Family and the Father of the Groom, so you should be prepared to be flexible.
It has also become more common to shorten the ordeal for the speakers, by holding the speeches before the meal, but I feel
that this rarely works.
Personally, I think an audience who have had a nice meal and possibly a few drinks may be a more receptive audience.
The Traditional order for wedding speeches is:
Father of the Bride, followed by the Groom,
followed by the Best Man
As a starting point here is a list of those who you may wish to speak, with those who are highlighted being essential.
- Father of the Bride
- Mother of the Bride
- Father of the Groom
- Mother of the Groom
- Step Parents
- Priest / Celebrant / Rabbi / Minister
- Best Man
- Chief Bridesmaid / Maid of Honour
- Best Friend
- Groom
- Bride
As mentioned in other sections, it is preferable to prearrange who is going to speak, and the order in which
they will entertain your guests - especially if you are using humorous tunes to introduce them. This will ensure that the
MC, the Disc Jockey and the Photographers are all ready.
Father of the Bride
Traditionally this is always the first speech at a Wedding reception, because it is, technically speaking, the Brides father
who has invited everybody to your big day.
In this speech he should cover the following, with the parts with an asterisk* being essential.
1. Welcome the parents of the Groom, relatives of both sides of the family and your friends.
2. Commend the Bride on her appearance and then relate about her family life.
3. Welcome the Groom into your family.
4. Offer some words of wisdom and good wishes to the couple as they begin their married life.
5. *Propose a toast to the 'Bride and Groom'.
6. Thank Caterers, Clergy and anyone who has especially helped with the Wedding and Reception such as members supplying flowers,
the cake etc.
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BrideGroom
The role of the Groom's speech is to:
1. Thank the Bride's parents for allowing him to take their daughters hand in marriage and for welcoming him into their family.
2. To thank his own parents for all the happy formative years.
3. Thank the hosts and anybody else who may have contributed to the Wedding, Reception and his stag events.
4. Compliment his new Wife.
5. *Thank and then propose a toast to the Bridesmaids, Flower Girls and Ring Bearers.
6. *Thank the Best Man and possibly relate about him and their times together.
7. *Before concluding he should thank the Groomsmen for all that they have done together with the assistance of any
Ushers that may have been used during the ceremony.
8. Lastly to thank everybody for attending, the kind wishes, cards and gifts.
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Best Man
The Best mans speech should be funny, but it should not be an extension of the Stag night and it will be better received by
the family audience, if it is written accordingly. The only advice I would give is to be true to who you are and not attempt
to copy a speech that you heard before.
His role is to:
1. Compliment the Bride and Groom and give good wishes for their future together.
2. *Thank the Groom for asking you to be Best Man.
3. Relate funny stories about the Groom, nothing too rude and no mention of previous lady friends.
4. Relate a little about the Bride and praise her appearance.
5. Thank the Hosts on behalf of the Guests.
6. *Read out a few cards, probably from absent relatives or close friends.
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Tact is always the best policy when making any kind of speech, and sometimes a little research into family circumstances is
advisable - particularly as families now can usually include Step-Parents, Single Mothers or families where a parent has passed
away, so please consider the speakers carefully as it may be wiser not to include a speaker if any offence may be caused.
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