The Groom’s Speech - what you need to know

Bridebook
Last updated: 14th Feb 2023

Speeches are a part of the wedding that everyone loves to get excited about, but what if it’s your turn to be in the hot seat? Let’s take a look at what it takes to write a great groom’s speech, whether you are looking to write something that leaves the ladies swooning or your guests crying with laughter.

What is a groom’s speech?

A groom’s speech is the speech given by the groom at the wedding reception, typically after the meal. The groom will often use this opportunity to show his love and gratitude to his partner and thank the guests for attending the wedding. It’s also a time to share some personal memories and reflect on you and your new spouse’s relationship. 

How to write a groom’s speech

Preparing a groom’s speech

Preparing for your groom’s speech is an exciting but nervewracking time. Your groom’s speech should give you an opportunity to express your love and gratitude to your partner, but it should also allow you to show your personality and make a lasting impression on your guests.

By taking the time to plan and prepare your speech, you can be confident and comfortable when it’s time to deliver it. This means that you definitely shouldnt wait until the last minute to start planning your speech, take the time to write a meaningful grooms speech that will make your partner and guests feel special. 

Tips for researching and gathering material for your groom’s speech

  • Start by making a list of special memories and moments that you have shared with your partner. Think about your first date, the proposal, and any other significant events that have happened during your relationship, such as holidays or special surprises you have organised in the past.
  • Ask your partner and close friends or family members if they have any anecdotes or memories that they would like to share with you. This can provide some great material for your speech and give a different perspective on your relationship.
  • Look through old photographs and videos together, this can serve as a great source of inspiration and help jog your memory about certain moments in your relationship.
  • Take note of any inside jokes or silly nicknames that you and your partner have for one another.
  • Research and read speeches from other grooms for inspiration, but remember to not produce a carbon copy of another speech you have seen or heard. People will know.
  • Consider incorporating a poem, song or a personal story that relates to your relationship.
  • Remember, speak from your own experiences and emotions. This will make the speech more genuine and heartfelt.

At this point, its probably worth thinking about if you should write a funny groom’s speech, When it comes to whether or not the groom’s speech should be funny, the jury’s out. It can be difficult to ensure that any jokes you make aren’t going to fall flat but at the same time, if it suits the feel of the wedding then there is nothing stopping you from throwing a few well placed jokes into the speech.

How should I structure my groom’s speech?

It’s important to keep in mind that this structure should be adjusted to your own style, personality, and the tone of the wedding. The important thing is to keep it simple, sincere and heartfelt.

Here’s a suggested structure for the Groom’s speech:

  • Opening: Welcome the guests, thank the parents of the bride, acknowledge the bridal party, and thank the bride for making you the happiest man in the world.
  • Body: Share your feelings and thoughts about the couple’s relationship, express your love for the bride, and thank the guests for being a part of your special day.
  • Closing: Thank everyone for being a part of the day and raise your glass to the happy couple.

Now let’s break this down into a structured speech:

  1. Opening: Start with a warm welcome and thank the guests for attending the wedding.
  2. Expressing gratitude: Thank the parents of the bride and groom for their support, and any other important people who have played a role in the wedding planning.
  3. Love for the partner: Share your feelings for your partner and express your love for them.
  4. Personal anecdotes and memories: Share personal anecdotes and memories about your relationship with your partner, these can be funny or touching.
  5. Future plans: Share your future plans as a couple, and your hopes and dreams for the future.
  6. Toast: Raise a glass to the couple and make a toast to the happy couple.

Groom’s speech examples

The internet is awash with examples of wedding speeches, but nothing is worse than sitting through a plagiarised speech you have heard a thousand times before. If you are looking to get your creative juices flowing, then we have included a few typical sentence ideas for a grooms speech that might help kickstart the writing process.

  • “I never knew true love until I met [partner’s name].”
  • “I am the luckiest man in the world to have [partner’s name] as my wife.”
  • “I promise to love, cherish and support [partner’s name] in every way, every day.”
  • “To my beautiful partner, I love you more than words can express.”
  • “I want to thank my parents for raising me to be the man I am today and for their unwavering support in my life, and for welcoming [partner’s name] into our family.”
  • “I want to thank [partner’s name]’s parents for raising such an amazing woman and for entrusting her to me.”
  • “I want to thank all of our friends and family for being here to share this special day with us, it means the world to us.”
  • “I want to thank my groomsmen for being my loyal friends and standing by my side today.”
  • “I want to thank my beautiful partner for showing me what true love is, I am forever grateful to have you by my side.”
  • “I look forward to spending the rest of my life making memories with my soulmate [partner’s name]”

Groom’s Speech Delivery

The delivery of a groom’s speech is crucial as it can make or break the impact of the speech. It can be the difference between a speech that is engaging and memorable,or one of those super uncomfortable ones we have all had to sit through.

A confident and well-delivered speech can help create a positive atmosphere on the day, making the guests feel more connected to the couple and the event. To ensure that the speech is well-received, make sure you work on controlling nerves, maintaining composure so you don’t find yourself racing through the entire speech. 

Combating nerves when delivering a speech can be challenging, but there are several techniques that can help to control them. One effective technique is to practice the speech in advance as much as possible. Visualising a positive outcome can also be helpful when it comes to delivering your speech. Another way to combat nerves is to engage with the audience, making eye contact and using natural body language. It’s also important to remember that it’s okay to make a mistake and that the audience is fully of your nearest and dearest who are there to support you.

Writing a brilliant groom’s speech is an important part of your wedding day that requires planning, preparation, and a lot of thought. By following the tips outlined in this blog post, you can create a heartfelt and meaningful speech that will make your partner and guests feel special. Remember to start your speech writing journey by thinking about the special memories that you have already shared with your partner, ask for input from friends and family members, and take the time to gather your material. 

Most importantly, write from the heart and be yourself. With a bit of preparation and practice, you can deliver a speech that will be remembered for years to come.

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