Bride's sample speeches

Wedding speech material for you to adapt, if you’re looking to say something touching on your big day

We've collected together some real life bride's speeches to give you some inspiration when writing your own. Remember though, these are just for ideas, the best speeches are from the heart and say something personal from the speaker to the audience.

Humorous and Sentimental:

"Well, I guess this is slightly unusual - a bride's speech, but those of you who know me will also know the chance of me being able to keep my mouth shut while everyone else does a speech is pretty slim.
Mum and dad, what can I say? You have seen me grow up, you've helped develop and mature me into the person that I am today and I hope that after 20 years, all of your hard work has been worthwhile. I love you both very much.

Again, I just want to reiterate all the thanks that have gone before, my mum and dad, my new parents in law.

(presentation of gifts to the parents)

Special thanks go to my beautiful bridesmaids, you all look absolutely stunning, that's why I've had to seat them as far away from me as possible! Thank you to our best man for dragging my new husband kicking and screaming here today. I hope that I am only joking when I say that!

(presentation of gifts to bridesmaids)

But most of all, I would like to thank my new husband for asking me, and for going through with it!

I thought about reading a poem, but I couldn't find any which came anywhere near as happy as I am today with my closest friends and family around to see me marry the man I love.

And finally, a word or maybe more, about my husband - wow! I can finally say that now! He came into my life and completely changed it - more grey hairs and worry lines for a start! In all seriousness, I adore this man, and I would like to thank him for his patience, understanding and most of all putting up with my tears, tantrums and spectacular bridezilla moments. You are my rock, you will make a super husband and more importantly, a wonderful dad.

Finally, I would like to say a huge thank you to each and every one of you for being with us today. A wedding can happen anywhere and at any time, but it can only be a true celebration when all the people you love are there to share it with you, so really, you have made our day.

I would like you all to raise your glasses and drink a toast...to dear friends and family."


"Good evening ladies and gentlemen.

I stand here tonight in place of my father, who sadly passed away in 2003.

My dad wasn't one for sentiment, but I do feel that if he were here today his speech would probably follow the traditional route. He'd maybe start by saying how absolutely beautiful the bride is looking today and how she took his breath away when he saw her ready to leave for the church earlier. He'd probably stick with tradition for a little longer and say that she's grown into an intelligent, successful woman, and how proud he is of her.

Well, who am I to stand in the way of tradition?!

Dad would probably then go on to say how thrilled he is that I am marrying John. Now, it's not just because his dad owns a pub, but also because he can see how happy he makes me, and how perfectly suited we are to each other.

I first fell in love with John years ago when we met at university. He had a sense of fun that was infectious to all around him, especially the girls - and there were a few of those, weren't there honey? But I knew right then that I could be the happiest woman alive if I could be his only girl.

Thank you so much for proposing and for turning up today; on time, clean shaven, and appropriately dressed.

You are generous, warm hearted and caring. I know that you will always be there to catch me when I fall, to make me a bed on the sofa when I've had too much to drink, and to impress my girlfriends with your cooking.

I love you completely, but then you know that already because I tell you far too often, and yet you don't mind. I love that you always make me laugh, and that life is so much more fun with you in it. I look forward to our life together, tending the garden, throwing barbecues, and wandering around the supermarket hoping that nobody will notice that you aren't wearing any underpants!

Thank you for marrying me today and making me your Mrs Smith.

Now as the bride I would like to tell you that I did it all myself today, but that would only be half true! It took an army and I would like to take this opportunity to thank some of them.

Firstly, of course, I'd like to thank our curate for marrying us today.

Thanks goes to my stunning bridesmaids, to Sarah for being so patient when trying on so many dresses. Laura is the light of our family, you fill us with such pride, always ready with a smile, you will always be our favourite niece.

Compared to most brides, I have known my bridesmaids Cheryl and Susan for a relatively short length of time, but our friendships have quickly grown, and I know I can always rely on them for support in the shape of a glass of wine or a banoffee pie! Thank you guys for being here today, for looking gorgeous, and for taking one for the team by wearing flat shoes!

I'd like to thank the Smiths for welcoming me so warmly into their family. To Rachel and Michael in particular for their warmth and support, and for raising John so well, although I understand that the warranty is now out of date and the deadline for returns has long since passed. I might keep him for a while though, he has so many qualities; charm, brains and beauty are sadly the only ones missing!

I'd like to thank my sister for, I want to say walking beside me, but it was more of a waddle, today and every day. Jane and I argued with each other throughout most of our childhood, and spent our teenage years looking at each other with complete irreverence. But we've mellowed in our old age and have now grown so close that I am immensely proud to call her my sister. Thank you farty pants for being there.

Finally I'd like to thank my parents. They gave Jane and I the strength and courage to face every new challenge ahead with a sense of humour and a strong spirit. We could not have got through the last few years without them.

Even at the best of times, I think you'll agree that parents can be embarrassing, annoying and frustrating, but a wise woman once said 'you don;'t know what you've got 'til it's gone' and never was a truer word spoken. I miss them every day but appreciate them all the more since their passing.

So, on this note, I would like you to be upstanding and to join me in our first toast of the evening...To absent friends!"