{"id":685165,"date":"2024-07-02T14:00:51","date_gmt":"2024-07-02T19:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/junebugweddings.com\/wedding-blog\/?p=685165"},"modified":"2024-07-29T13:26:27","modified_gmt":"2024-07-29T18:26:27","slug":"the-ultimate-guide-to-wedding-speeches-and-toasts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/junebugweddings.com\/wedding-blog\/the-ultimate-guide-to-wedding-speeches-and-toasts\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Speeches"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Image by Hugo Coelho<\/a>. See more of this real wedding here<\/a>. Read on about nailing wedding speeches and toasts<\/p><\/div>\n

Wedding speeches may be the most daunting things to write and deliver, but they’re also one of the best parts of any wedding. They give guests a unique perspective on the couple, make you laugh, make you cry, and bring the room together. So, to take some of the pressure off your shoulders, here are some tried-and-true tips for writing a killer wedding speech (or toast)!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Image by Emily Delamater Photography<\/a>. See more of this real wedding here<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

The Basics Of Wedding Speeches<\/span><\/h2>\n

Who gives wedding speeches?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Traditionally, the best man, the maid of honor (MOH), and both sets of parents give speeches for the couple. You’ll also find that the couple gives a welcome and gratitude speech. However, <\/span>here at Junebug<\/span><\/a>, we believe it’s entirely up to you and what you want for your special day. <\/span><\/p>\n

We’ve seen brides give the newlywed speech, and we’ve seen best friends give speeches instead of the MOH or best man. If you’re going the non-traditional route, we don’t recommend an open-mic situation where anyone can speak, and we don’t recommend having more than five speeches or guests will start to get restless.<\/span><\/p>\n

When do the speeches take place?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Most speeches and wedding toasts are given during the <\/span>wedding reception<\/span><\/a>, either before or after dinner. If you’d rather they be more intimate or you aren’t having a traditional reception, you can also have them take place at the <\/span>rehearsal dinner<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the correct order for speeches?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Did you know that wedding speeches have a logistical order that is typically followed? While it may seem like such a minute detail, it actually makes more sense than you’d imagine. It usually starts with the couple. This gives you the opportunity to welcome and thank your guests for coming. From there, it traditionally goes in this order:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. The hosts (typically the parents)<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Maid of honor<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Best man<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Every couple has their preferences on who they want to speak and the order in which they want them to speak. As we mentioned earlier, it’s <\/span>your<\/span><\/i> wedding. If you have a maid of honor who hates public speaking, or you want your best friend to give the speech rather than your best man, go for it. The same goes for the order we just listed.<\/span><\/p>\n

    How long should wedding speeches be?<\/span><\/h3>\n

    No matter how long you’ve known each other, try to keep speeches under five minutes. In fact, three minutes is the sweet spot. Even if you have countless things to say, three minutes can feel <\/span>a lot <\/span><\/i>longer than you’d expect. Keeping it short and sweet will keep everything, including the newlyweds, happy.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Image by Ana Hinojosa<\/a>. See more of this real wedding here<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

    Steps For Writing Killer Wedding Speeches and Toasts<\/span><\/h2>\n

    The hardest part of writing a speech is knowing where to start. If you’re drawing a blank or having difficulty narrowing down the stories you want to tell, start by making a list of your favorite qualities about the newlyweds. Chances are there are many amazing qualities about them, so making a list of your top three favorites will help you craft a personalized speech tailored to them.<\/span><\/p>\n

    To expand beyond that, you can ask yourself these questions as well:<\/span><\/p>\n

    Questions To Ask Yourself<\/span><\/h3>\n