What is the order of wedding speeches?

When planning your wedding order of service, it’s natural to want everything to flow smoothly, including the wedding speeches. While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, having a clear speech order can help make your day feel seamless, personal, and well-organised. Typically, wedding speeches are delivered during the reception—either before or after the meal.

Choosing the right timing and order of speeches can take the pressure off your speakers and keep your guests engaged throughout the celebration. There’s no strict rulebook on who says what or when, but thoughtful planning can make all the difference.

Whether you’re sticking to the traditional UK wedding speech order or mixing it up to suit your style, having a well-structured wedding order of service helps set the tone for a memorable day.

What’s the Traditional Order of Wedding Speeches in the UK?

If you’re leaning towards tradition (or just want a reliable structure), here’s how typical speeches usually unfold at a UK wedding. This classic order has stood the test of time as it’s balanced, meaningful, and keeps the energy flowing.

The Father of the Bride Speech

If you’re following tradition, the father of the bride usually gives the first speech. It’s a meaningful moment—often emotional and full of pride. If he’s helped with the wedding costs, this is also the perfect time to acknowledge and thank those who contributed.

We recommend keeping the speech sincere and thoughtful. It doesn’t need to be long or overly formal, but it should warmly welcome guests and set the right tone for the rest of the speeches.

The Groom’s Speech

After the father of the bride, it’s time for the groom to take the spotlight. This is the groom’s opportunity to show appreciation, share some heartfelt words, and add a personal touch to the day.

Start by thanking the guests for being part of your celebration. Then move on to thank both families, especially the parents and new in-laws, for their support. It’s also the perfect moment to recognise the wedding party for all the help behind the scenes.

And of course, don’t forget your partner. Take a moment to speak directly to your partner sharing something meaningful and expressing your love. A thoughtful message here can truly make the room pause.

The Best Man’s Speech

The best man’s speech is often where the mood becomes more relaxed and light-hearted. It’s a moment known for humour, warmth, and memorable storytelling. Typically, the best man will offer a brief thank you—often to the groom and then share a few amusing, respectful anecdotes that highlight the groom’s character and the bond they share.

While laughter is expected, the best speeches strike a balance by ending with a heartfelt tribute to the couple and a meaningful toast to their future. When delivered well, this speech often becomes a favourite part of the celebration.

Want to Mix It Up? You Totally Can.

Every wedding is unique, and many couples are choosing to include additional voices in their speech line-up. If you’re considering a more personal or inclusive approach, here are some meaningful modern additions you might like to include:

The Bride’s Speech

More and more brides are choosing to give a speech, and it’s a lovely way to share your thoughts, appreciation, and love on such a meaningful day. Whether short and sweet or a little more detailed, this is the bride’s chance to speak from the heart.

Maid of Honour

Often one of the most heartfelt and memorable speeches of the day, the maid of honour brings a unique perspective. Whether as a lifelong friend or sister. With a mix of humour, warmth, and personal stories, this speech highlights the bond shared with the bride and often includes a few lighthearted moments from wedding planning adventures.

Father of the Groom

Though not always part of the traditional line-up, the groom’s father often adds a touching and personal touch to the day. When invited to speak, his words typically bring warmth, wisdom, and a different generational perspective to the celebration.

What to Include in a Wedding Speech

• A Warm Welcome: Begin by greeting guests and thanking them for being part of the celebration.
• Acknowledgements: Recognise close family, friends, and anyone who helped organise or support the couple.
• Personal Touch: Include meaningful stories or reflections that capture the essence of the couple or your relationship with them.
• Kind Words About the Couple: Speak positively about the newlyweds—their love story, strengths, or shared journey.
• A Toast: Always end with a toast to the couple’s happiness, love, and future together.

Do’s

• Speak from the heart: Authenticity resonates more than poetry.
• Practise ahead of time: Rehearsing helps with nerves and keeps the delivery smooth.
• Be concise: Aim for 5–7 minutes. It’s long enough to be meaningful without losing attention.
• Keep it appropriate for all ages: Be mindful of the audience mix – children, grandparents, etc.
• Use humour wisely: Light, respectful jokes can add warmth, if used sparingly.

Don’ts

• Avoid private or overly emotional details: Keep the tone balanced and respectful.
• Don’t include inside jokes that exclude guests: Everyone should feel part of the moment.
• Don’t turn it into a list of thank-yous: Focus on storytelling rather than name-checking.
• Avoid anything inappropriate or embarrassing: Especially jokes that could make the couple or guests uncomfortable.
• Don’t speak without preparing: Reading from notes is fine, but rambling without a plan is not.

Timing & Flexibility

Traditionally, wedding speeches take place after the wedding breakfast (i.e., dinner), but this isn’t a strict rule. Some couples now prefer speeches before the meal, so speakers can relax and enjoy their food. Others space them out between courses to keep guests engaged.

There are no hard rules, just what feels right for your day. Whether you keep it classic or mix it up, the best wedding speeches are sincere, personal, and full of heart.

Planning the perfect speeches starts with setting the tone—and that begins with your wedding invitations. Your invites are the first glimpse guests get of the celebration to come, so why not make them just as thoughtful as the speeches? From elegant designs to fully customisable templates, we offer a beautiful collection to suit every style and budget. Explore our wedding invitations here.