do grooms make a speech

12 Groom Speech Tips: How to Make a Killer Groom's Speech

Are you nervous about giving your groom's speech? Our experts have 12 top tips to giving the ultimate speech and help calm your nerves

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Have you been worrying about giving your groom’s speech ever since you popped the question? You’re not alone! This is arguably one of the most daunting parts of your entire wedding planning journey. 

You’ll need to consider how long your speech should be, your groom speech structure, and who you should be thanking. If you’re following the traditional order of speeches, your speech will come after the father of the bride (or groom) speech , and he could have set the bar pretty high.

But, don’t fret! We spoke to wedding speech writing experts to help calm your nerves. Speechwriter Chris Dance , Adrian Simpson from All Speeches Great and Small  and Heidi Ellert-McDermott from Speechy gave their best advice on what it takes to deliver a great groom speech.

• Groom's Wedding Speech Tips
• Groom Speech Preparation
• Who Does the Groom Toast and Thank?
• How to Write a Groom's Speech?

What Does the Groom Say in His Speech?

• How Long Should the Groom's Speech be?

12 Groom's Wedding Speech Tips

So here are our top tips on giving a wedding speech, but we've also put together a handy video for wedding speech-givers in a hurry! This video explains our best wedding speech tips for grooms, in under a minute. 

1. Acknowledge This Special Moment

“A great groom speech should be a really good dollop of entertainment and fun, whilst at the same time acknowledging what a very special moment this is. It’s your chance to stand up and acknowledge the people who have brought you to this point and, of course, to talk about the person you’ve been lucky enough to marry,” explained Adrian.

2. Think Carefully About How to Begin

Heidi advises that the best way to begin your groom speech is “quickly”.

She says: “Grooms often make the mistake of thinking they should sound formal and get overly stressed about following traditional etiquette. The aim is to get people laughing as soon as possible, certainly within the first three lines of your speech as it puts everyone listening at ease.”

As well as keeping it light and funny, Adrian points out that it’s important to address your partner's father and thank him for his speech: “Make it a warm and inclusive introduction, however, don’t be tempted to detail his financial contribution. A reference to his generosity should be sincere but very general.”

3. Know Your Audience

Knowing your audience applies to all speech writing and Chris emphasises this by explaining that you should: "Keep in mind who you're talking to and make the speech accessible to everyone in the room. Don't use in-jokes that only you and your workmates will get, don't risk anything offensive or controversial, and steer clear of politics."

4. Add in a Few (Appropriate) Jokes

“There’s a lot of emotion on the big day and making people laugh with some wedding jokes or amusing stories is the best way to balance that out,” explains Adrian.

Keep your stories short, funny, and appropriate! You don’t want to be embarrassing your new wife or husband on your first day as a married couple.

“Are you already concerned that your bride’s ‘pinot posse’ have started chatting up the bar staff? Or are you finding it hard to recognise your middle-aged cycling buddies in clothes that they usually wouldn’t be seen dead in? Make your humour personal and seemingly spontaneous – your guests will really appreciate it,” adds Heidi.

Adrian advises grooms to steer away from a speech that’s more of a ‘dry procession of thanks’ as you’ll struggle to keep your guests’ attention – so even if you’re not a naturally charismatic person, make sure your personality shines through above the mere thank-yous.

Take a look at these groom speech jokes for inspiration! 

5. Remember to Thank Everyone

Traditionally, the groom will need to thank the following:

• Everyone for coming
• His parents
• His partner’s parents
• His best man and ushers (if there are any)
• The maid of honour and bridesmaids (if there are any)

Heidi advises that although there are probably plenty of other people who you would love to thank for their contributions and help towards your special day, try to avoid thanking half of the guest list.

A simple way to thank everyone would be to say:

"This is the best day of my life and it's because of all of you, and especially you (referring to your partner). I cannot thank you all enough for being here."

When it comes to thanking parents, there’s one thing Adrian warns grooms to be careful of. “Don’t fall into the trap of waxing lyrical about your new parents-in-law for several paragraphs, dismissing your own parents in a sentence. They should both be given equal measure.”

An example to combine them both would be to say:

"Thank you for my parents for bring me up to be the person I am today and thank you to my in-laws for welcoming me into your family."

6. Focus on Your New Partner

Heidi suggests that your new partner should be the main focus of your speech. She says, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to drop a public love-bomb on your partner and considering they’ve just agreed to tolerate all of your habits and box sets for the rest of their life, it’s the least you can do!

“Remember, every groom thinks his partner is gorgeous, kind and generally amazing so avoid cliché terms and words and concentrate on what makes them unique. Nailing their individual and quirky characteristics shows that you really get your new husband or wife and your friends and family will love you for that.”

Chris recommends that you do this by giving examples: "Don't just say that your partner is kind and thoughtful; illustrate it with the story about the time that they dressed up as Boba Fett and threw you a surprise Star Wars party, or about how they still hold your hand at the dentists because you hate the sound of the drill."

7. Forget Giving Out Gifts

Heidi advises that if you’re planning on giving thank you gifts to bridesmaids , parents or anyone else, either do it earlier on in the day or announce that you’ll be personally thanking them later as to not disrupt the speech.

She says: “Gift-giving is basically an excuse for guests to start checking their WhatsApp!”

8. Don't Be Too Ambitious

The time you take to the mic to make your groom's speech will no doubt be a big moment, but Chris shares that it is important to be realistic about what your comfort zone is and stay in it.

"It's a speech to your friends, not an audition for Britain's Got Talent. If you're terrified of public speaking, keep it simple. Don't give yourself unnecessary stress by filling your speech with tongue-twisters or trying to be Billy Connolly." 

9. Think Carefully About the Structure

Adrian says, “There are lots of people to talk about and you should deal with them one at a time and avoid repetition.

“Resist the urge to launch straight into how amazing your new partner looks and then pepper the speech with references to them. They are the star of the show so save the latter half of the speech to be dedicated to them and what they mean to you.”

10. Eight Minutes is the Perfect Length of Time

Adrian says that the length of a groom’s speech can really make or break it: “Too short and people are going to be wondering why you bothered. Too long and nobody will be listening. Keep it to a ‘stand up-sit down’ time of 10 minutes – that’s a talking time of around eight minutes and the rest will be made up from laughter, applause and heckles.”

Heidi also stressed the importance of not boring people with a lengthy speech, but also not coming across like you’re enjoying the attention a little too much.

11. Avoid Too Much Detail

Adrian explained that it’s too much detail that really slows a speech down: “A great speech demands the very least from the guests in order for them to enjoy it, so now is not the time to recount exactly how you know each of the ushers individually. A good guide is to aim for a total of 1,350 words – if you’re edging well over that, then it’s time to strip out some of the content.”

12. Think About Your Ending

According to Adrian: “Tradition says that you should end on a toast to the bridesmaids and a little aside to the best man. I’ve never found this works – in my opinion, the focus of the speech should be exclusively on your partner, that’s why I suggest toasting to the bridesmaids earlier in the speech and making the final words all about your partner.

“You should have talked about the best man earlier in the speech but there’s no harm in having a quick one-liner referencing him at the end but make sure it’s after the final toast.”

Groom Speech Preparation To Calm Your Nerves

Never Ending Stories

Heidi has a lot of advice when it comes to calming nerves around your wedding speech, starting with just how important the planning and preparation is.

“The key to being confident on the day is writing a wedding speech that’s so good you can’t wait to deliver it. If you know you’re going to make your friends laugh, your mum cry and your bride/groom love you even more then you’ll ooze confidence whilst delivering your speech.”

1. Film Yourself – Use your phone to film yourself practising your speech. Watch it back and channel your inner Simon Cowell – work out how your delivery could be improved and what you would change.

2. Dutch Courage Isn’t Always the Answer – Although lots of grooms swear by a bit of Dutch courage, this is based on wishful thinking rather than solid science!

3. Smile and Breathe – It may sound obvious but taking a deep breath is surprisingly effective at reducing those stress nerves and smiling is scientifically proven to be infectious, making them a fool-proof combination.

Does the Groom Give a Speech?

Traditionally, the groom will give a speech at the wedding reception, following the ceremony. You can do whatever works for you, but the traditional order for speeches is for the father of the bride to speak, then the groom, best man and any other toasts.

How to Write a Groom's Speech

If you are writing your groom's speech yourself the key points to remember are to compliment your new spouse and thank any key guests. Any other additions are nice extras! 

Writing not your strength? Hiring a professional speechwriter is a brilliant option. "It’s not cheating - if it is then so is ordering a wedding cake when you’ve got perfectly good eggs and flour at home," shares Chris.

"Speech writing is a specialist skill: giving the task to someone who can mould your words and articulate your thoughts is as valid a use of your budget as any other wedding service you’re paying for – arguably more valid, given that it’s probably the bit of the day you’re most worried about."

"The groom should focus on thankyous," explains Chris. "He should thank everyone for coming to the wedding - especially Jim and Tania who’ve kayaked all the way from Gdansk; anyone who contributed to it significantly, his partner’s parents for spawning such a catch; his own parents for loving and/or tolerating him.

"When he’s done that he can get on with lavishing praise on the person he’s married and saying how deliriously happy he is. That’s what the guests really want to hear from him, so he needs to do that bit well and sincerely."

How Long Should a Groom's Speech be?

Ideally, you want your groom's speech to be no more than ten minutes. Make sure to rehearse it a few times before the big day and time yourself - you don't want your guests to start getting bored!

"Just remember, if there are two or three other speakers then you’re asking your guests to sit still and listen patiently for half an hour, which is a long time when you’re stuffed full of wine, sea bass and tiramisu and you want to stretch your legs.

"However long your speech lasts (I find seven to ten minutes is usually enough), try to keep it punchy, lively and relevant: there is such a thing as a five minute speech that’s so dull it feels like a lifetime, yet fifteen minutes can race by if your speech is bright, engaging and funny," says Chris.

Still feeling nervous? Fear not – here’s our guide on how to deliver an amazing wedding speech !

Related Hitched articles

• Bridal Shower
• Bachelor & Bachelorette Parties
• Engagement Party
• Rehearsal Dinner
• Wedding Checklists
• Wedding Hairstyle Ideas
• Wedding Vows Readings
• Wedding Music

In This Article

• Speech Examples
• Speech Template
• Speech Tips
• What to Avoid
• Toast Ideas
• Wedding Party & Reception

Groom at Wedding Speech Templates And Ideas

phuket_wedding_planner via Instagram

Everyone wants to hear the groom say something at the wedding because he’s the man of the hour. For this reason, you must make the opportunity count. While it’s easy to celebrate the good fortune of finding your beloved, giving a speech is a different matter.

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Ironically, brides are always prepared, but grooms often leave the speech at the last minute, probably from panic. So whether you’re shy, confused about what to do, or don’t have the time to whip up something, we’ve got you covered. See our Post for the best groom wedding speeches tips and ideas ever.

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Groom Speech Examples

As against the best man speech which focuses more on the groom, the speech of the groom is for everyone, his bride inclusive. As a result, a groom’s speech is either light-hearted, funny, or witty. It has no blueprint or strict rules but two elements are ever-present regardless of what kind of speech it is – emotion and sincerity!

It is a special day and a lot of people made the day possible. In his speech, he will thank everyone and even those absent. He will salute his new father-in-law, the bridesmaids, the maid of honor, and even the bride’s mother.

He will thank his groomsmen and especially his best man for holding him up all the way. The highlight of this speech is when he would make a wedding toast to his beloved, with so much love in his eyes thanking her for coming into his life. He’d tell his love story and show his optimism and willingness to be her husband.

My speech today will be like a mini-skirt. Long enough to cover the essentials and short enough to hold your attention. Apparently, it’s my job to do all the thank you’s, so on behalf of my lovely new wife and I, the biggest thank-you goes to all of you for coming. The day would not have been the same without you and neither would my bank balance! But on a serious note, it is lovely to see so many of you here. Particularly those of you who have had to travel many miles. Amy and I would like to thank our parents for all the love and support both emotional and financial they have given us. And a special thank-you to Vanessa who is responsible for making our fantastic wedding cake. Sharon, Sue, Vanessa, Ray, Steve We’d also like to thank Darren for his services as the best man today and of course our ushers. You’ve all done a grand job. Darren, Mark, Jon, Jim, Adam That brings me onto our bridesmaids. Thank you all for your help and for being there for Amy through the ups and downs of wedding planning! I’m sure everyone will agree that you all look stunning today. Nina, Laura, Charlotte, Kirsty, Fiona, Lillie, Jordan, and Emily. Finally, I would personally like to thank my lovely wife, Amy, for having me as her husband! I read somewhere that “You don’t marry the person you can live with, you marry the person you cannot live without”. Well, we’ve lived together for five years and I know I’ve married the right person. I’m so glad I can at last call you my wife. Now all that remains is for me to say please enjoy the rest of the day…… and mine’s a foster!

………..Good evening ladies, gentlemen, family, and friends. First of all, I must say a big “thank you” to Colin for his kind words. His speech was so good, he’s going to do mine for me too. As many of you will know, I am of the shy retiring type that likes to keep quiet and keep my opinions to myself, therefore you can understand my nervousness at standing up here in front of all of you making a speech. And as many of you will also know, I’m also a compulsive liar, but I am still nervous, that bit is true. I have been fearful of this bit for weeks, and as you can imagine, this isn’t the first time today I have arisen from a warm seat with a piece of paper in my hand. I read while researching wedding speeches that a good speech has a good beginning and a good ending. But the best speech of all is one that keeps these close together. So I will try and keep this as short as possible and will try my best not to do a “Gwinny” with my list of thanks. Firstly I would like to thank any Rangers fans for still being here and not walking out at 4.30 as usual. Pause for cheers But then again, I don’t think we’re friends with any of them anyway. I would like to thank my parents, Ian and Margaret for all the help they have given me over the years, if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be here now. So, Helen, if it doesn’t work out you know who to blame. I would also like to thank Helen’s parents, Colin and Sandra, for making me feel like the son they never wanted, sorry the son they never had, right from day 2. Day 1 was a bit rough, but hey, they’re over it now……….

……….You are all aware of our problems over the last few years and one of my biggest worries, especially when I was “down South”, so to speak, was that my two children, Michelle and Nick would go off the rails. I’m pleased to say that they didn’t and they’ve both made us so proud of their achievements so I’d like to propose my toast to them….Michelle and Nick. Very few of you will know, but I am an erstwhile poet when the mood takes me. Anita has always complained that I have never written a poem for her, so I will today amend that omission. It’s called Wedding Day…………

………..On behalf of Julia and myself, or should I say on behalf of my wife and me, we would like to thank everyone for coming today. Everyone has traveled in some way to be here and share this special day with us and we’re delighted to see you all. A special thank-you goes out to those of you who have traveled a greater number of miles to be here today. It’s quite humbling to realize that you’re friends and family that care so much and are willing to travel all that way to share in your special day. Thank you for your cards, kind thoughts and of course all your wedding gifts. They’re all greatly appreciated. Unfortunately, there are two people who can’t be here today, my Dad and my granddad so, it would mean a lot to me if you would all stand for a toast in their memory – To Billy McCleery and James Harrison Snr…………

………….On a serious note, I’d firstly like to say a big thank you to my new Dad Dave. I’m proud to be his son-in-law and hope I can live up to his expectations, which should be easy, compared to his other son Mick! But let us not take this Father, Son thing too seriously, as I’m not into 10-mile runs before breakfast like you were in the Paras. Both Sharon and I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone for coming here today and sharing this special occasion with us. Especially those who brought expensive presents. Its much appreciated! Thank you to Edwin and Elsa, Margaret and Linda and many others who have traveled a long way to be here. It’s certainly a long way from Brighouse! We hope you all enjoy the day, have fun, relax and be merry…………….

Groom Rehearsal Dinner Speech

Congratulations on your upcoming rehearsal dinner speech! Here are three tips to help you write a memorable and meaningful speech:

• Keep it concise: Your speech should be short and sweet. Aim for no more than five minutes. Remember, this is just a rehearsal dinner, not the main event. You want to keep your guests engaged and entertained, but you don’t want to bore them with a long-winded speech.
• Personalize it: Share stories and anecdotes that are personal to you and your fiance. Talk about how you met, what you love about your fiancé, and what makes your relationship special. Don’t be afraid to show your emotions – this is a special occasion, after all.
• Thank your guests: Your rehearsal dinner is a time to thank the people who have supported you throughout your wedding planning process. Take a moment to express your gratitude and thank your guests for being a part of your special day.

Here’s an example of a groom rehearsal dinner speech that incorporates these three tips:

Good evening everyone, and thank you for joining us on this special night. I want to start by thanking our parents, who have been there for us every step of the way. Your love and support mean the world to us. I also want to thank our friends and family who have traveled from near and far to be here with us. We feel incredibly blessed to have you in our lives. As we sit here tonight, I can’t help but reflect on how lucky I am to have found my soulmate in [bride’s name]. I knew from the moment I met her that she was the one for me. Her kindness, intelligence, and beauty continue to amaze me every day. [Optional: insert a personal anecdote here] [Optional: insert a joke or humorous story here] As we prepare to start this new chapter of our lives together, I am filled with gratitude and joy. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.

The Great Groom Speech Template

Here’s a groom speech at wedding template that will help you create a winning speech with ease.

• Thank the guests Say a heartfelt thanks to the guests for leaving their busy schedules to honor you on your big day. Many of them sacrificed time, money, work, and even their safety to come all the way because they love you. Say thank you, mean it, and crack a joke. This is also the time to distribute little gifts or wedding favors to the guests.
• Say some words about the bride Gush about the woman of the moment. Let the guests feel your joy at getting married to the love of your life. Talk about what attracted you to her, what she means to you, and reiterate your vows. You may also seal this part of your speech with a kiss and watch her blush.
• Share a memorable story Getting to your wedding day was a long journey and there are stories that bind you. Let the guests know the beautiful way you met, and share sweet memories, funny ones, and romantic events. If both of you have a favorite song, pick a line from it and incorporate it into your speech. Avoid near break-up situations, forgiveness for some errors, or unpleasant situations that happened in your relationship.
• Share your impressions about the day Recount something beautiful about your wedding day. Maybe talk about how the sun shined bright because it knows an angel got married today. Talk about the beautiful reception, cake, or decor. Just incorporate something from the present.
• Say some words about the best man Your best man is arguably one of your strongest support systems throughout wedding planning. Give him some accolades in your speech. Talk about how you met and him being your main man through life. Appreciate him sincerely and even take a friendly jab at him.
• Thank your parents There is no better time to tell everyone how awesome your parents are. Talk about the bride’s parents too because you’re family now. Thank both families for being in your corner and promise to always behave. That will get in a few laughs.
• Close with a toast Finish your speech with a toast to your wife, parents, guests, love, and happiness.

Groom Speech Tips

A lot of grooms always get confused when trying to write a speech for their wedding. Days before the wedding, they go into a fit of panic because they know absolutely nothing to write. While writing such speech, you are conscious about the introduction, body, and conclusion. You want to catch the guests at the beginning of your speech, keep them interested and close off to a magnetic finishing.

The speech tips below are simple, concise and will give answers to all your questions.

• Prepare your mind and calm your nerves for the speech.
• Run speech by your best man to sieve out off liners.
• Make eye contact with everyone.
• Address the audience as a couple. Include your wife.
• Do away with vulgar words or jokes.
• Include the decent but minimal amount of humor.
• Don’t forget to thank your parents and in-laws
• Always throw some compliments the way of your wife and make the core of your speech.
• Dedicate some part of your speech to your wife. She is the main focus.
• Make the last toast go to your wife.
• Make your speech heartfelt and let your personality shine through.

What Not to Say in the Groom Speech

kreativwedding via Instagram

A perfect speech will give you unending applause from everyone. But a bad speech? The disasters are too much to mention. You will have in-laws getting pissed at you, the bridesmaids coming for your head. Your best man gunning to have you quartered and your wife preparing to give you hell.

To avoid the later and all other unforeseen ills that could happen with a badly given speech, here are some don’ts to the rescue.

Don’ts

• Don’t build your speech around anyone else but your wife.
• Don’t include vulgar words or insensitive jokes.
• Don’t take too much time making your speech. 5-10 minutes is enough.
• Don’t forget to introduce your best man and compliments the bridesmaids.
• Don’t forget to make your last toast to the bride.

Groom Wedding Toast Ideas

The groom’s wedding toast is quite numerous, most of which he will give as he makes his speech. For every stage he concludes in his speech, there is a toast. A toast to the father-in-law, to his best man, to the bridesmaids, to the guests present, and many more. The most important toast is to his wife and both of them as a couple.

To the father of the bride

“Let us toast to my father in law for raising and giving me this beautiful woman. For being a wonderful father to her, although I’m taking over. For accepting me as a son……. “

To the best man

“To my right-hand man for being there all the way. For taking time off work to make all things ready for my big day. For all the sacrifices you made from way back until now. For being my best friend in the real sense and too many more years as friends…..a toast to my best man (insert name)”

Toast To the guests

“A toast to you wonderful people. You are all amazing. Thanks for being here today and sharing in our joy. To many more years of celebration and happiness………. “

To the bride

“Whoever thought this angelic beauty seated here will be mine? Let’s all make a toast to my heartthrob, whose smile lightens my world. A toast to you baby, for all you are, for all you’ll be. To us, to life, to our love, to your happiness, too many blissful years with me, to our future, to forever…………”

Frequently Asked Questions

What should the groom say in his speech.

The groom’s speech typically includes gratitude, compliments to the bride, thanks to guests, and a toast.

What should the groom say at the rehearsal dinner?

The groom at the rehearsal dinner can express appreciation to those involved, share anecdotes, and convey excitement for the upcoming wedding.

How Long Should A Groom’s Speech Be?

A groom’s speech typically lasts around 5 to 10 minutes. It should be long enough to express gratitude, share anecdotes, and convey heartfelt sentiments, but short enough to maintain guests’ interest and keep the overall flow of the wedding reception.

Thank you all again for being here tonight. Let’s raise a glass to love, laughter, and happily ever after! The groom’s speech is one of the most anticipated speeches at a wedding. It doesn’t need such long preparation but could flop if you don’t get the hang of it. Give the best groom speech at wedding ever with the tips, ideas, and templates we’ve curated in this post. Speak from the heart, let your love shine, add some humor and you’re home free.

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Does The Groom Have To Give A Speech? [Is It Essential?]

One of the most iconic moments of any wedding is the speeches. But despite them being a welcome and ideal opportunity for the more confident person and speaker, they can also be a source of stress, anxiety, and worry for those not so comfortable in front of a crowd. Naturally, the groom can fall on either side. But should he feel obliged to stand up and say a few words; is this something he will need to do? I spent some time researching to find out.

So, does the groom have to give a speech?  The groom does not have to give a speech if he is not comfortable or confident in doing so. In fact, no speech is mandatory. However, the groom’s speech is customary, they offer the opportunity to thank and guests would likely appreciate it if it were to be delivered.

Besides; there are usually a lot of people who will need thanking. Parents, bridesmaids, groomsmen, guests, and his new wife, of course!

But, speeches are by nature, fuelled by expectation.

Standing up in front of a crowd, especially in front of those you care most about on such a big occasion can soon become overwhelming.

There’s a lot that goes into delivering a good speech; from the words, you say to how you say them.

Plus, you must be sure not to offend and that everyone is included!

Understandably, a speech is not for everyone.

So, let us now take a closer look at some of the similarly related questions on the topic and some of your best alternatives and options to complement not inhibit your special day.

Table of Contents

Is It Traditional For The Groom To Make A Speech?

It is traditional for the groom to make a speech. It is somewhat expected, especially from those older guests.

In fact, it is usually his biggest duty of the day; traditionally coming just at the end of the wedding breakfast.

It’s a key moment, moving the day from the conventions toward the evening celebrations.

Generally, the speech lasts for around 10 minutes; although can range depending on the groom and what they want to say.

When it comes to what the groom should say, traditionally, it is all about thanking those around him that have supported the couple during the wedding planning and the day itself.

That means the bride’s parents, his own parents, best man, bridesmaids, and of course, the bride herself.

With all this being said, the groom does not have to give a speech. This is your wedding day, and you can plan it how you like.

How Many Speeches Do You Traditionally Have At A Wedding?

There are usually between 3-4 speeches at a traditional wedding, coming from the father of the bride, the groom, the best man, and the maid of honor.

When Are Grooms Expected To Give A Speech?

Traditionally, the groom’s speech is given after the wedding breakfast meal has finished, just after the Father of the Bride’s speech. But really, you can weave the groom’s speech into any part of the day that just works better for you. 

If you are going the traditional route with the wedding speeches, you’ll probably save your groom’s speech at some stage during the evening reception. There’s an order too, which we will get onto shortly.

Along with the Father of the Bride’s speech, the best man’s speech, and even the Maid of Honor speech, if they are all partaking. 

Where you go in the list of speeches is ultimately up to you. 

If you are prepared to break the ice and go first, you can do that, or if you would rather follow on from everyone else’s speeches and find this less pressure, that’s ok too. 

Or you could follow the traditional order below.

Traditional Order Of Speeches

If you want to follow the traditional speech order, let us quickly run through it:

#1 Father of the Bride

The best man will typically act as the toastmaster and announce that it is time for the father of the bride to make his speech.

During which, the father of the bride will often thank guests for coming, welcome the groom formally into the family, praise the groom, compliment his daughter and toast the couple.

#2 The Groom

Next up comes the groom’s speech (if you plan on having one that is!)

Here, he will often respond to the toast made by the father of the bride, thank the bride’s parents for their acceptance, thank guests for their presence and for their gifts, compliment his new bride, and thank key members of the wedding party, usually with particular focus on the best man.

#3 The Best Man

Next up comes the best man’s speech which has a reputation for being somewhat lighthearted and “funny”.

Here he will often discuss stories involving the groom, why the groom and bride make a great couple, compliments to the groom, and a toast to the newlyweds at the end.

However, many weddings now include a few more speeches; and it is possible and common to see speeches from the bride and the Maid of Honor too

Again, these do follow the same kind of structure, with a lot of thanking and compliments to the bridal couple.

While this may all sound like quite the event, speeches should only last between 5-10 minutes at most per speech.

They’ll hopefully have been planned and practiced in advance too which should help them to be more relaxed, and informal, while also without the ability to offend or be out of place.

Is It OK Not To Have Speeches At A Wedding?

It is entirely possible, and acceptable, to not have speeches at a wedding. Although customary, it is ultimately up to the couple to do decide if they would like these to take place on their day.

Alternatively, the bridal couple can also choose to have some speeches, but not all. So for example, they may want to have the father of the bride or just the groom.

It depends entirely on their circumstances and preferences.

Equally, there are alternatives to speeches, which we will be looking closely at in the section below.

While it is definitely true that some of the guests may have some expectations, there are no mandatory or obligatory rules; wedding days are flexible and this includes the speeches!

Alternatives To Wedding Speeches

It may seem that you either have speeches or you do not, but thankfully there are many different options for those who are not comfortable or confident in giving them on their wedding day.

Below, we will take a look at some of the most popular and common alternatives, that supplement the day nicely and make a nice change from the traditional routine:

Pre-Recorded Wedding Speeches

If it’s memorization of the speech, the audience, or just the unnerving nature of standing up, then you may want to consider pre-recording your speech.

In this way, you plan and prepare your speech in advance, before filming it on camera with the bride to be by your side.

The main benefit is that you can have multiple takes, but you can also look to edit the footage or improve it somewhat with music if you desired.

This approach can really take the pressure off when it comes to the big day. Just be sure that the venue gets their copy and they know when to play it!

Printed Speeches

Another nice alternative is printed speeches. As they sound, this is a paper equivalent of what you may give vocally.

So, you would write your speech and touch it up, before getting a batch printed at a professional printing service.

These speeches should still include what you would normally say; thanking the guests, complimenting the bride, etc, but they are can be read at the discretion of your guests.

You can then place these printed speeches at each seat on the table at the wedding reception. Alternatively, you may even want to select and get a special person to read it out to the group.

Thank You Slideshow

This is a slightly different option, but works well for many couples nonetheless. This is where you would create a highlight reel or slideshow, of pictures/videos of the bride and groom.

This can then be played during the wedding reception; either before or after dinner. Alternatively, you may even have a screen at the venue that you can keep this running throughout the reception.

If you decide on a slideshow, look to include plenty of content on you as the couple, along with footage of some of the guests.

Alternate Speech Giver(s)

If it’s the speaking component of the speech that puts you off, you may want to consider getting somebody else to give your speech on your behalf.

This can work for any particular speech, or for whoever does not want to give it.

If you pursue this option, think about those individuals best for the role. Who is the most confidence in front of a crowd? Does anyone have any public speaking experience?

Announcements

One other alternative is to simply forego the speeches altogether but to get your wedding band/ DJ or musicians to provide an announcement at some point during the evening.

You can get them to say a quick few words, such as the “bride and groom want to thank you all for being here to celebrate their special day with them”, or something along those lines.

Suggestions For Grooms Giving A Speech

So, you’ve gone through all of that and decided that nothing quite compares to a speech directly from the groom.

However, those nerves feel like a bottle of cola that has been shaken and is ready to blow any second; I get it. It can be scary.

So now you’re probably hoping for a few tips to help quell your fears and make the speech giving a little less stressful.

Here are so Do’s and Don’ts to make your speech experience much easier.

DO Keep It Short And Sweet

A long speech will ramp up your anxiety levels quicker than you can snap your fingers. 

Just make sure you include all the important bits like thanking your guests, giving a special shout out to your Bride, her family, your family, and any other special friends that deserve mention, a sweet memory, and then a thoughtful speech conclusion.

DON’T Put Your Hands In Your Pockets

Yes, this one sounds a bit random, but your nerves could leave you with rather shaky hands, and shaking hands in your pocket can look a tad wrong – if you catch my drift. 

Your best bet is to make sure you have something in both of your hands to avoid any embarrassing visuals. 

More than likely, you’ll have a mic in one hand; the other could hold a drink ready to test at the end of your speech.

DO Practice

Feeling unprepared can make you even more nervous. 

So, practice, practice, practice.

If you can tell your speech ‘off paper’ even better as you’ll have less to worry about because you’ll know your speech like the back of your hand.

DON’T Have One Too Many To Drink

This one is a rookie error made by many a nervous groom. 

You may feel as though a little drink may calm the nerves but too many and you risk forgetting your speech, saying something inappropriate, or, even worse, being unintelligible altogether. 

DO Admit To Being Nervous

There’s absolutely no shame in being nervous, and telling your guests that you are can reduce the pressure altogether. 

Admitting that you are a little nervous can have a massively positive impact on any social anxiety you may be feeling. 

DON’T Speak Too Fast

Speaking too fast not only makes your speech hard to understand, but the rushed feeling you give yourself can make any social anxiety you may experience move up a notch. 

Keep your speech relaxed and friendly, and chat to your guests as you normally would. 

DO Become Familiar With The Venue

Sometimes it’s the fear of the unknown that can make a groom’s speech feel like an uncomfortable feat. 

Take the time to find out where you’ll be standing for your speech, the kind of lighting that you may have to work with, how it feels to hold the mic, and how the mic works. 

Feeling more familiar with your venue environment can make giving a speech a little less frightening. 

It is traditional for the groom to give a speech on his wedding day.

In fact, if they are able, it is a really nice way for them to be able to thank everyone for their participation, hard work and to of course, compliment their bride.

There is no denying that it will be somewhat expected by certain guests too.

However, and here is the most important thing, the groom does not have to give a speech if they do not want to.

It is ultimately up to them if they feel they can, or would even like to. Thankfully, there are many suitable alternatives that can be considered in its place.

That being said, if you can, a speech will always go down well.

It helps to remember that you’ll be doing so in front of your friends and family; those whom love you and want to celebrate with you.

They are not there to judge or pick you up on any stumbled words.

With a deep breath, and focusing on an object at the back of the room, you’ll be able to deliver the speech you always wanted yet didn’t think you could.

But that is of course, on the day itself.

The best thing you can do is to plan and practice ahead of time. Take it slowly and see how you feel.

If you soon realize that the speech is definitely not going to work for you, no worries. You do not have to give it!

Wondering who else may have to give a speech? Then my following articles may be of interest:

• Does The Bride Give A Speech?
• Does The Maid Of Honor Give A Speech?
• Does The Father Of The Bride Give A Speech?
• Does The Mother Of The Bride Give A Speech?
• Does The Father Of The Groom Give A Speech?
• Does The Mother Of The Groom Give A Speech?

Have other questions about the groom? Then these articles may be of interest:

• Where Does The Groom Stay The Night Before The Wedding?
• What Does The Groom Throw At A Wedding? [Does He Have To?]
• Do Grooms Buy The Bride A Gift? [Are They Supposed To]
• Where Does The Groom Get Ready? [When & Whom Should Join Him]

Hey, I’m Allison – a recent bride, an expectant mother and the chief editor here at Everlasting Occasion. Here I document all the knowledge and experience I accumulated while researching and planning my dream wedding and ahead of our new baby. Here, I try to answer those many questions couples have when planning their dream wedding, while equally, helping expectant parents ahead of their new arrival!

How to Write The Perfect Groom’s Speech: Top Tips and Examples

How to write a groom’s speech – the perfect groom’s speech is an essential part of any wedding celebration. It is an opportunity for the groom to express his gratitude, share heartfelt memories, and celebrate the love he shares with his new spouse. Crafting a thoughtful and meaningful speech can seem daunting, but with a little guidance, any groom can successfully navigate this essential task.

Understanding the purpose of the groom ‘s speech is the first step in its creation. The speech should be engaging and strike a balance between humour and sentimentality, all while properly acknowledging the important people involved in the couple’s journey. With a clear structure, careful planning, and a few helpful tips, your speech will become a cherished memory shared with your beloved on your special day.

• The groom’s speech expresses gratitude, memorable moments, and celebrates the new union
• Striking a balance between humour and sentimentality makes for a captivating speech
• A clear structure and planning are crucial for crafting a meaningful groom’s speech

Understanding the Purpose of a Groom’s Speech

The groom’s speech is an essential part of the wedding reception, serving as an opportunity for the groom to express his gratitude and share his thoughts with the attendees of this momentous occasion. It is important to bear in mind the overall purpose of the speech when crafting it.

Role of the Groom in the Reception

The groom’s primary responsibility at the wedding reception is to make the guests feel welcome and appreciated. He should extend his warmest greetings to everyone in the audience, acknowledging their presence and expressing his gratitude for their participation in the celebrations. This is particularly important in situations where the groom is meeting some guests for the first time.

A well-crafted speech should strike the right balance between entertaining the audience and conveying heartfelt emotions. Sharing funny anecdotes and light-hearted stories about the couple’s journey together can set a jovial tone, while heartfelt moments will make the speech memorable and touching.

As the groom, one should also take the opportunity to praise and express gratitude towards both families, and in particular, the bride. Complimenting her appearance and acknowledging her efforts in organising the wedding would be well-received by the audience.

In summary, the groom’s speech should be engaging, heartfelt and express gratitude to guests and family members alike during the wedding reception. This speech is a key element of the wedding celebrations that can create long-lasting memories for everyone present.

Planning Your Speech

Choosing a theme.

When planning the perfect groom’s speech, it is essential to select an appropriate theme. A suitable theme will give your speech structure and make it more engaging. Consider choosing a theme based on your relationship with your partner, shared experiences, or future aspirations. Remember that the theme should be personal and meaningful but also resonate with the audience.

Determining the Style and Tone

The style and tone of your speech play a significant role in delivering your message effectively. Consider whether you would like the speech to be humorous, sincere, or a combination of both. If you decide to use humour, be mindful not to offend anyone in the audience.

When planning your speech, make a list of key points you would like to address, keeping in mind the chosen style and tone. By outlining the structure of your speech, it will be easier to keep the audience engaged and maintain a coherent narrative.

Considering Public Speaking Techniques

To make your speech stand out, consider incorporating public speaking techniques. These can add polish to your delivery, ensuring that your speech is not only well-prepared but also engaging and memorable. Here are a few techniques to consider:

• Eye contact: Maintain eye contact with your audience to create a connection and build trust.
• Body language: Use appropriate gestures to emphasise your points and maintain an open posture to appear confident and approachable.
• Vocal variety: Vary your tone and pace to maintain interest and ensure your speech does not become monotonous.
• Pauses: Allow brief pauses for emphasis or to allow the audience time to react or reflect on what you have said.
• Anecdotal storytelling: Share brief, relevant stories to illustrate your points and make your speech more engaging.

By incorporating a well-chosen theme, a suitable style and tone, and effective public speaking techniques, you’ll be well on your way to delivering the perfect groom’s speech. Remember that planning is key, and practice will help you feel more confident when the time comes to deliver your heartwarming speech.

The Structure of the Perfect Groom’s Speech

Introduction.

The introduction sets the tone for the speech, welcoming the guests and expressing gratitude for their presence. Defining how the wedding day has been so far may be included here. It is crucial to begin with a brief, engaging, and memorable opening, setting the stage for the content to follow.

The body of the speech is where the groom should demonstrate gratitude, particularly towards the parents and guests who have made the day possible. Key points to address in the body include:

• Expressing gratitude : Thank the parents of both the bride and groom for their support, guidance, and love throughout the journey. It is essential to acknowledge their role in making the event successful.
• Compliments and anecdotes : Compliment the bride, expressing one’s admiration and love. Share a light-hearted or meaningful anecdote to characterise the relationship and invoke genuine emotions from the attendees.
• Acknowledging the wedding party : Show appreciation for the best man, bridesmaids, groomsmen, and anyone else who played a crucial role in planning and organising the wedding.

In conclusion, the groom will wrap up his speech by toasting the bride. This gesture signifies the start of the couple’s life together and the bright future that lies ahead. The groom should express his happiness to have his bride by his side and emphasise how she completes him. End with a heartfelt toast to the bride, summarising the groom’s sentiments in a sentence or two.

Content Recommendations for the Speech

Showing appreciation.

It’s important to begin the groom’s speech by showing appreciation to those who have made the day special. Mention the parents, the wedding party, and any special guests or contributors who have helped make the event possible. Express gratitude to everyone for their support and involvement in the couple’s journey.

Expressing Love for Your Partner

The speech should express the groom’s deep love and admiration for the bride. Speak from the heart and be sincere in conveying the emotions that the wedding day has brought. Mention the qualities about the partner that make them unique and special, while also providing examples of how they bring happiness and support into the groom’s life.

Incorporating Humour and Inside Jokes

A good groom’s speech balances heartfelt sentiment with a dash of humour. Incorporate inside jokes and funny anecdotes that will make the partner smile, and engage the audience in shared laughter. Be mindful of the tone, making sure the humour is appropriate and never offensive or inappropriate.

Sharing Personal Anecdotes

Share personal anecdotes that illustrate the growth of the couple’s relationship or highlight memorable moments spent together. These stories can be both touching and entertaining, offering insights into the unique bond that the couple shares. By making the speech personal, the groom creates a lasting memory for the pair to cherish in the years to come.

Remember to be confident, clear, and stay in the third person perspective when sharing the anecdotes. This helps convey the story better and ensures that the audience remains engaged.

Tips on Delivering Your Groom’s Speech

When it comes to delivering the perfect groom’s speech, being confident and knowledgeable is key. Make sure you know your audience and tailor your speech accordingly. Here are a few tips to help you deliver an exceptional groom’s speech:

• Prepare beforehand : Take the time to write and revise your speech, addressing any weaknesses in content or organisation. Make sure you know your material well, as it will help you feel more confident and come across as knowledgeable during your presentation.
• Practice makes perfect : Rehearsing your speech multiple times will help you become more comfortable with it. This allows you to focus on speaking clearly and confidently when the big moment comes.
• Keep it natural : Speak conversationally and use your natural tone of voice. Your audience will appreciate a genuine and heartfelt speech, rather than one that feels overly rehearsed or too formal.
• Engage your audience : Make eye contact with your guests, smile, and be personable. This will help create a connection between you and your listeners.
• Don’t be afraid to use humour : A well-placed joke or funny anecdote can set the tone for your speech and keep your audience entertained.
• Remember to thank important people : Acknowledge those who have contributed to the wedding and your relationship. This could include your parents, in-laws, and the bridal party.
• Raise a toast : At the end of your speech, raise your glass and offer a toast to your spouse and any relevant parties. This is a classic way to conclude a groom’s speech and show gratitude to those involved.

Follow these tips to deliver a groom’s speech that is heartfelt, engaging, and leaves a lasting impression on your guests.

Acknowledgement and Gratitude

Showing gratitude to the parents.

In a groom’s speech, it is essential to show gratitude to both sets of parents. Begin by acknowledging the bride’s parents and expressing appreciation for their love, support, and the welcoming embrace to the new family. Next, show gratitude to one’s own parents, thanking them for their guidance and unconditional love throughout the years. Demonstrating sincere gratitude will make a lasting impression on the families involved.

Thanking the Bridal Party

The bridal party plays a crucial role in the wedding celebrations. It is important to extend heartfelt thanks to the bridesmaids, groomsmen, and ushers for their teamwork, dedication, and friendship. Recognising each individual’s contribution can be achieved by highlighting personal anecdotes or funny memories, making it a memorable and engaging part of the speech.

Example: “As I look around this room, I see the smiling faces of our wonderful bridal party. Each of you has played an irreplaceable role in our lives, and we’re truly honoured to share this special day with you. To our bridesmaids, your unwavering support and keen eye for detail have made today even more magical. And to our groomsmen and ushers, your camaraderie and light-hearted jokes have made the journey to this day an incredible experience. Thank you all so much.”

Recognising the Efforts of the Staff

Last but not least, it is essential to recognise and applaud the efforts of the hotel, catering, and event staff. Their tireless work behind the scenes ensures the wedding day runs smoothly, allowing the bride, groom, and guests to focus on enjoying the celebrations. A few kind words of acknowledgement can go a long way in showing appreciation for their hard work and dedication.

Example: “We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff here at [venue]. From the beginning of the planning process, their professionalism and attention to detail have been nothing short of exceptional. To the catering team, your culinary talents have resulted in a splendid meal that we will not soon forget. And to the event staff, your commitment to making today perfect has not gone unnoticed. Thank you for helping to turn our dreams into reality.”

Groom Speech Templates and Examples

Groom speech template.

How to write a groom’s speech template can certainly help simplify the process of crafting the perfect address. Here is a basic outline to follow:

• Introduction : Begin by thanking the guests for attending, acknowledging the wedding party, and expressing gratitude to both sets of parents.
• Bride’s Praise : Share personal anecdotes about your bride and describe what drew you to her. Compliment her appearance and express your love and commitment.
• Humorous Story : Recall a funny or memorable event from your relationship to lighten the mood and engage the audience.
• Appreciation for Others : Give special mention to those who helped make the wedding possible, e.g., planners, friends, and other individuals who lent a hand.
• Toast : Conclude the speech by raising a toast to your new spouse, your family, and everyone who has gathered to celebrate your special day.

Remember to personalise and tailor the template to suit your relationship and audience.

How To Write A Groom’s Speech

Best groom speech examples.

Here are some examples of memorable groom speeches:

Example 1 :

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for being here on this important day. I want to express my gratitude to my in-laws for raising such a wonderful daughter, and to my parents for their unwavering support.

When I first met [Bride’s Name], I was struck by her beauty, charm, and intelligence. We quickly became inseparable, and I knew that she was the woman I wanted to spend my life with. I consider myself immeasurably fortunate to be married to her and I vow to cherish her love, friendship, and support for a lifetime.

Have you ever wondered how two lovers who’ve just had a tiff can find themselves in each other’s arms again within the hour? That’s us – somehow, despite our differences, we keep finding our way back to love and laughter, which serves as the glue in our relationship.

We are eternally grateful to everyone who travelled from near and far to celebrate with us today. Your presence has made the event even more special and will always be cherished.

Please, join me in raising a toast to our future, full of love, laughter and happiness. Cheers!

Example 2 :

Dear friends and family, thank you for joining us on this truly special occasion. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to our parents for their love and support, as well as to the wedding party for their help in organising this fabulous day.

From the very beginning, I was drawn to [Bride’s Name]’s infectious laugh, caring nature and ability to brighten any room simply by entering it. She has a unique gift of making everyone feel welcome and is truly the love of my life.

A funny story that comes to mind is our first holiday together; we got lost and ended up spending the night in a tiny village. It could have turned sour, but we made the best of it and forged memories that’ll last us a lifetime.

To our wonderful friends, families, and those who travelled far and wide to be with us, thank you for your love and encouragement throughout our journey.

Now, let’s raise our glasses and toast to a lifetime of love, laughter, and adventure. Cheers!

In the final stage of wedding planning, the groom’s speech is a key moment to express heartfelt emotions and gratitude. When crafting the perfect speech, it is important to consider the order of speeches, ensuring that the groom’s words create a lasting impact.

To make the speech truly memorable, it is essential to speak from the heart and share stories about the love of your life, highlighting the unique bond that the two of you share. While it’s vital to balance humour and sincerity, remembering the significance of the moment is crucial for the speech’s success.

Proper preparation is paramount, including making note cards to streamline the delivery process and practising beforehand to increase confidence on the big day. By investing time and effort into crafting a carefully structured speech, the groom can ensure that his words resonate with everyone in the room.

In conclusion, the perfect groom’s speech combines emotion, gratitude, and wit, leaving a lasting impression on the bride, friends, and family. By adopting a confident, knowledgeable, and clear tone, the groom can truly celebrate the special bond he shares with his partner, making it a moment to be cherished for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some tips for creating the perfect groom’s speech.

To create the perfect groom’s speech, start by writing an outline to organise your thoughts. Focus on expressing gratitude, sharing anecdotes, and speaking from the heart. Additionally, practice your speech often to perfect your delivery and feel more comfortable on your wedding day.

How can I incorporate humour into my groom’s speech?

Incorporating humour into the groom’s speech can lighten the atmosphere and engage the audience. Begin by sharing a funny story or a light-hearted joke about your relationship with your partner. Make sure the humour is appropriate for the audience and avoid inside jokes that only a few people would understand.

What are some examples of emotional moments to include in a groom’s speech?

Emotional moments in a groom’s speech can include expressing gratitude for the love and support from both families, acknowledging the journey that led to your wedding, or even sharing memorable moments from your relationship, like the proposal or recounting your first meeting.

How should a groom thank the important people in his speech?

To thank important people in your speech, mention them by name, briefly share the significance of their role and express your gratitude. Be sure to thank your partner, both sets of parents, the best man, groomsmen, bridesmaids, and anyone else who played a key role in your wedding planning.

What’s a good structure for a groom’s speech?

A good structure for a groom’s speech could consist of an introduction, a section to express gratitude, sharing stories or anecdotes, and a heartfelt conclusion. Start by introducing yourself and setting the tone, express gratitude to the families and wedding party, share humorous or emotional stories, and finish with a loving message to your partner.

How can I personalise my groom’s speech with unique anecdotes or stories?

To personalise your groom’s speech with unique anecdotes or stories, think about the meaningful experiences that you and your partner have shared together. This could be a memorable travel experience, the story of how you met, or even a simple moment that captures the essence of your relationship. Make sure the anecdotes are authentic and relatable to your audience.

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Table of Contents

The groom’s speech: a complete guide.

• Wedding Planning
• May 18, 2023

A groom’s speech is one of the most anticipated moments of any wedding. It’s a moment to express love, gratitude, and joy. But, crafting the perfect groom’s speech can be a daunting task. Fear not, we’ve got you covered with this comprehensive guide.

What Is the Groom’s Speech?

The groom’s speech is a tradition where the groom addresses the wedding guests, typically during the reception. It’s an opportunity to share heartfelt sentiments, express thanks, and toast to a future filled with love and happiness.

The Importance of the Groom’s Speech

Why is the groom’s speech so important? It’s more than just a wedding tradition. It’s a chance to speak from the heart, acknowledge the love and support of those around you, and reflect on the journey that led to this special day.

When to Give the Groom’s Speech

Traditionally, the groom’s speech is one of the last speeches, following the best man’s and the father of the bride’s speeches. It typically occurs during the reception, either before or after the meal.

Crafting the Perfect Groom’s Speech

Creating a memorable groom’s speech might seem overwhelming, but with a few key tips, you can easily craft a speech that will resonate with your audience.

Start with Thanks

Begin your speech by expressing your gratitude. Thank everyone for attending and give special thanks to both sets of parents.

Acknowledge Your Partner

Your wedding day is about the love you share with your partner. Speak about how you met, what you love about them, and your hopes for your future together.

Keep It Light and Humorous

While your speech should be sincere, it’s also an opportunity to entertain your guests. A well-placed joke or a funny anecdote can keep your audience engaged and make your speech more memorable.

Your speech should reflect who you are. Speak from the heart and let your genuine emotions shine through.

Practice Makes Perfect

Don’t forget to practice your speech. This will help you get comfortable with what you’re saying and allow you to deliver your speech confidently.

Final Thoughts

The groom’s speech is a special part of any wedding day. It’s a chance to express your deepest emotions and to thank those who have supported you. Remember, this is your moment to shine, so embrace it with confidence and sincerity.

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How to Write a Short and Simple Groom Speech

The Groom Speech is one of the most important pieces of the wedding ‘jigsaw’.

Get it right and you’ll be a hero in the eyes of your new Bride and leave your guests with big smiles on their faces.

Get it wrong and there could be a big, embarrassing hole in the middle of an otherwise perfect day.

So the pressure’s on and while the Groom speech is not a hard one to pull off, it’s also an easy one to screw up.

But there’s no need to panic! Take a deep breath, think calming thoughts and read my Stress-Free Guide to Writing a Short and Simple Groom Speech .

An Effective Groom Speech is as Simple as ABC

Some Groom speeches are masterpieces of speechwriting - full of touching stories, memorable details and clever jokes.

But the truth is that as long as you include just three essential elements you can deliver a rock-solid Groom speech that ticks all the right boxes.

So here’s my ABC for an effective Groom speech, which tells you exactly what to say, and when to say it…

A is for… Acknowledgements

This is non-negotiable - acknowledging the important people in your life, particularly those who’ve helped with the arrangements for the big day.

Forget to say “thank you” and you’ll not only look ungrateful but your speech could leave a bad taste in the mouth of anyone who felt they deserved a quick mention.

And remember, even if you’ve thanked someone in person - or plan to - nothing can quite replace giving them public recognition in front of the other guests.

”Thank You” Checklist

Here’s a checklist of people you might want to thank:

• The Father of the Bride for his toast to you and the Bride
• Your parents for their support over the years
• The Bride’s parents for:a) bringing up your wonderful wife, andb) for welcoming you into their family
• Your Groomsmen for their help on and before the big day
• The Bridesmaids for the help they’ve given the Bride

”Thank You” Gifts

If you intend to hand out any gifts you can do this as part of the acknowledgements.

Absent Family and Friends

It’s also customary to acknowledge absent family and friends.

This can be a poignant moment so make sure there’s a brief pause to remember important people, before diving into…

B is for… Bride

Once you’ve shown your gratitude by acknowledging all the key wedding players, it’s time to get to the main topic of your speech, which is of course - the Bride!

Yes, the thank you’s are absolutely essential, but they’re really just a polite preamble. It’s the bit where you start to talk fondly about your new wife that your guests are really looking forward to hearing.

Even if you’re the strong, silent type, your wedding day is the one occasion where you get to show your softer side and let a few honest feelings show through.

But don’t worry, it’s dead easy to write a crowd-pleasing Groom speech. Because although the Best Man’s speech, for example, is expected to be funny, all that the Groom’s speech really needs to be is sincere - and a little romantic.

In the spirit of minimalism, here’s a simple template to use if you’re lost for words when it comes to talking about your beautiful Bride:

• Tell the story of how you first met
• Say what you love about her - illustrated with a quick anecdote
• Tell us something about your hopes and plans for your future together

Do this right and you’ll score some serious points with your new wife and have all the guests (well the women at least!) thinking you’re the ultimate romantic hero!

C is for… Cheers!

So you’ve thanked everyone who needs thanking and you’ve made your new Bride swoon with some well-chosen words straight from the heart.

Job done, right? Time to sit down.

Well, not quite.

Wrap it up and end on a high

All good speeches have a clear beginning, middle and an end, and the Groom speech is no exception. You’ve just nailed the beginning and the middle, so let’s wrap things up neatly and end on a high.

Nothing gets a more enthusiastic response than an invitation to drink, and it’s traditional for the Groom’s speech to end with a toast to the Bridesmaids.

In an ultra-minimal Groom speech you could simply thank everyone for listening and immediately propose the toast.

However, it’s nice to acknowledge the next speaker - usually the Best Man - before you sit back down (and hopefully receive a big kiss from your wife).

A simple template for the perfect ending

So, with that in mind, here’s a quick guide to the perfect ending:

• Thank everyone for listening and say it’ll soon be time for the Best Man to speak
• Say a few short words about the Best Man and how much you’re looking forward to his speech
• Raise a toast to the Bridesmaids and hand straight over to the Best Man (or the MC)

So that’s it! You’ve reached the end of my Minimalist Guide.

Hopefully the prospect of writing your Groom speech is now about as stressful as gently raking the sand in your Zen garden whilst listening to an iPod full of whale song.

Now take a deep breath in, hold it for a few seconds, then slowly exhale any remaining worries and fears about your speech.

Just pick up a notepad and your favourite pen, and get writing.

Read More Like This

Boring! 5 Groom Speech Clichés That Make You Seem Dull and Unoriginal

Groom Speech: Common Questions

Funny Groom Speech Example

The Ultimate Groom's Wedding Speech Checklist

Don't leave anyone or anything important off your list of thank yous.

The groom's wedding speech is often about covering all bases. It doesn't have the bravado and general LOLs of a best man speech , the gushing and poignant words of a bridesmaid speech, or all the nostalgia and tear-jerking words of a father of the bride or groom speech. Instead, a groom's speech is half admin, half emotion; kind of like an Oscar acceptance! A chance to shout out the wedding party, thank the ushers, and tell your new in-laws how chuffed you are to be part of the family. To help you write your speech - and to make sure you don't leave anyone out - we've put together a handy groom's wedding speech checklist . You'll thank us later!

A groom doing a speech solo is more common, but we've also seen lots of couples do their thank you speech together , as well as brides making speeches too ( more ladies on the mic please !). Our list covers all bases and standard family structures, but tweak it as is appropriate for you. Hopefully it comes in handy whatever kind of wedding thank you speech you're making.

Groom's Wedding Speech Checklist

(In no particular order, but this order makes for a nice crescendo!)

• Thank the guests for coming - give a special shout out to anyone who's come a long way
• Thank any staff or suppliers who worked on the day - only those present
• Thank the celebrant - if present
• Thank anyone who helped in the lead up to the day (outside of the wedding party and immediate family) - any one who gave lifts, stitched bunting, glued centrepieces, etc.
• Thank anyone who took part in the day itself - ceremony readings , music, wedding cake baker, etc
• Mention your new parents in law and siblings - this is a good time to tell them how happy you are to join the family, how welcome/terrified they made you feel, how you promise to be there for their son or daughter/brother or sister.
• Mention your siblings  - be specific about things they helped you with or special memories. This is also a good time to mention any other special family members, grandparents, step-parents, etc.
• Mention your parents - if both your parents are present, thank them both individually, usually an anecdote about the kind of person they've taught you to be goes down well.
• Thank your wedding party - make sure both sides get a mention, though it's fine to gush a bit harder about your best man!
• Thank your other half - for marrying you, for looking fabulous, for being wonderful, and all the other good things you can think of. Remember to tell them all about why you love them and why you can't wait to get started with married life!

Need more help with your wedding speeches - we've got you covered!

• 30 Funny Opening Lines for Wedding Speeches
• How to Begin a Wedding Speech: Great Opening Lines
• The Correct Order of Speeches at a Wedding?
• 9 Ways to Shake Up Your Wedding Speeches
• How to Give a Flawless Best Man Speech
• Everything You Need To Play Wedding Speech Bingo

Listen & Subscribe to The One Fab Day Wedding Podcast

Episode 22: wedding speeches 101.

You can listen to the One Fab Day Wedding Podcast wherever you get your podcasts , and search them on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Image credits

Tomasz kornas photography, via one fab day, see more in:.

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Writing the Groom’s Speech: The Ultimate Guide to Your Wedding Toast

• Wedding Planning

Unless you’re a fan of public speaking, you’ve probably found your way here wondering how on earth you’re meant to begin writing the speech for your wedding day…

Well, as a groom, you’re in luck, the Groom’s Wedding Speech is actually a very simple, straightforward one to write, and with a couple of read-throughs, you’ll nail it (even if you are reading this the night before.

In what order should the Groom’s speech be?

A Groom’s Wedding Speech is one of the four traditional wedding speeches. Typically, the Groom’s wedding speech follows the speeches of the Father of the Bride and the Best Man, and is followed by the Maid of Honour (historically, a Bride would not make a speech). Of course, it will be completely up to you as a couple to decide who will be speaking, and what order that should be in (though someone may just surprise you and wish to speak on the day!), and of course, if this is a same-sex wedding, there may be two Grooms making speeches.  See all the different ways  same-sex couples can reinvent the speech section of their wedding.

Why the Groom’s Speech is the Easiest Wedding Speech to Write

It’s often said that the groom’s speech is the easiest speech to write because it has a simple structure and purpose. Here are some reasons why:

• Shorter length: The groom’s speech is usually shorter than other speeches, such as the Father of the Bride or Best Man’s toast. This means that there is less pressure to come up with a lot of content, be particularly funny or entertaining, or even share personal stories – leave that up to the others if you wish.
• Simple structure: The Groom’s speech typically follows a very simple structure, starting with an opening thank you and acknowledgment of the Bride, followed by a brief anecdote or two, possibly about wedding planning (and how much or little you’ve had to do with it), and ending with a toast to the future. This structure makes it easy to plan and write the speech.
• Personal experience: The Groom’s speech is often based on personal experience, making it easier to write from the heart. The Groom can share stories about how he met his Bride, how he fell in love, or when he knew he wanted to marry her, which can easily make for a heartfelt and meaningful speech. Trust us, all anybody really wants to hear is how stunning you think your new wife is, and what a phenomenal job she has done planning the day (even if you think you took on a fair share of it!)

How to Write the Groom’s Wedding Speech

• Start with a plan

Before you begin writing your speech, it’s important to have a plan in place. Think about the key points you want to make and how you can weave them together into a cohesive message, possibly incorporating a point into both the introduction and conclusion.

• Begin with a strong opening

To captivate your audience from the start, consider beginning with a strong opening. This could be a heartfelt quote or a humorous story that sets the tone for the rest of your speech. The goal is to grab the attention of your audience and set the tone for the rest of your speech.

• Speak from the heart

The best wedding speeches are those that come from the heart. While it can be tempting to focus on jokes or generic sentiments, take the time to speak honestly about your feelings. Share what you love about your new spouse and what makes your relationship special. Speak from the heart, and your words will be sure to resonate with your audience.

• Keep it concise

While you may have a lot to say, it’s important to keep your speech concise. Aim for a speech that lasts around five minutes, as anything longer can cause your audience to lose interest. Stick to the key points you want to make and be mindful of your audience’s attention span.

• Include humor

Wedding speeches don’t have to be serious all the time. In fact, including humor can be a great way to engage your audience and lighten the mood. Consider adding a funny story or anecdote to your speech to break up the more serious moments., practice, practice.

• Practice Reading Your Speech

Once you’ve written your speech, it’s time to practice. Read it out loud several times to get a feel for how it sounds and to make sure it flows well. Consider practicing in front of a mirror or in front of a friend to get feedback. The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll feel delivering your speech on the big day.

Making the Groom’s Speech Funny

If humour comes naturally to you, your speech is likely to be funny too, and your guests are the ones who know and love you best (so they’ll definitely laugh along with you). If you struggle to tell personal anecdotes, consider including some funny quotes or sweet sayings:

• “The secret to a good marriage is to be a little deaf.”  —  Ruth Bader Ginsburg 
• “If at first you don’t succeed…try doing it the way your wife told you.”  —  Unknown
• “The secret to a happy marriage remains a secret.”  —  Henny Youngman
• “A successful marriage requires falling in love many times—always with the same person.”  —  Mignon McLaughlin (this one’s in our ‘ I still do ‘ anniversary journal)
• “To keep your marriage brimming with love in the loving cup, whenever you’re wrong, admit it; whenever you’re right, shut up.”  —  Ogden Nash

What should the Groom actually say in his wedding speech?

Of course, the groom’s wedding speech is also an opportunity to express his love and appreciation for his partner in front of friends and family. It’s a chance to share heartfelt words that capture the essence of their relationship and the depth of his feelings. While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to writing a groom’s speech, the following tips can help create a personal and loving tribute:

• Start with gratitude: Begin by thanking everyone for being there to celebrate this special day. Express your gratitude for their love and support, and how much it means to have them all there with you.
• Acknowledge your partner: Take a moment to acknowledge your partner and how much they mean to you. Share a personal story about how you met or something that has strengthened your relationship over time. Speak from the heart and let your emotions guide you. Thank them, if they have worked really hard to plan the wedding , as it has probably been a huge emotional undertaking for them too.
• Speak to their qualities: Talk about the qualities you admire in your partner, such as their kindness, compassion, sense of humor, or intelligence. Share specific examples that demonstrate these traits and how they have impacted your life.
• Express your love: This is the perfect opportunity to express your love and affection for your partner. Use language that is personal and meaningful to you, whether it’s through poetry, song lyrics, or your own heartfelt words.
• Make promises: A wedding is a celebration of a lifelong commitment, so take this opportunity to make promises to your partner about the future you will build together. Reinforce the vows you wrote to each other . You might promise to support them through thick and thin, to always be their partner in life, or to continue growing and learning together.
• Thank the families: Thank both families for their love and support, and for coming together to celebrate this special day. Acknowledge any special people in your partner’s life, such as parents or grandparents, and express your gratitude for their presence.
• End with a toast: Raise a glass to your partner, your families, and your future together. Invite everyone to join you in celebrating this joyous occasion and toast to the happiness and love that lies ahead.

Is there anything the Groom shouldn’t say in his speech?

Ah, yes, we’re so glad you asked, there are a few things never to include in a wedding speech .

• No matter how funny the anecdote sounds to you on paper, ex-girlfriends or past relationships for either party are off the table . It’s best to avoid this topic entirely.
• Controversial or sensitive topics: Weddings are a time to celebrate love and happiness, so it’s best to avoid controversial or sensitive topics that could potentially upset or offend guests. This could include politics, religion, or other divisive issues.
• Inside jokes or stories that are inappropriate: While inside jokes and stories can be entertaining, it’s important to consider whether they are appropriate for a wider audience. If a story or joke could potentially embarrass or offend someone, it’s best to avoid it.
• Negative comments about anyone (ANYONE): A wedding is a time to celebrate and show love, so it’s important to avoid negative comments or criticism of anyone. This includes family members, friends, vendors, or even the bride or groom themselves. Don’t resort to self-deprecating humour, this just isn’t the time. See etiquette guide to wedding speeches .

Remember, the most important thing is to speak from the heart and be true to yourself. While it can be tempting to focus on jokes or generic sentiments, take the time to speak honestly about your feelings. Share what you love about your new spouse and what makes your relationship special. Speak from the heart, and your words will be sure to resonate with your audience. Don’t worry too much about getting the words perfect – the emotion behind them is what really counts. With these tips in mind, you can create a personal and loving tribute to yo.ur partner that will be remembered for years to come.

Finally, the best, most entertaining and engaging speeches are ones which are to the point and concise. Aim for a speech that lasts around five minutes, as anything longer can cause your audience to lose interest. Stick to the key points you want to make and be mindful of your audience’s attention span.

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The Groom Speech: 10 Rules

The manual: wedding speeches, should you memorize your vows, the father of the bride toast, the toast with the most: the best man’s big speech, how to write vows, 6 things to avoid in your best man speech, 6 things to include in your groom speech.

The success of your wedding toast is based on two criteria. As the groom, it’s critical that your toast convey two qualities: humor and heart. First,  see our guidelines  for the Best Man’s toast for plenty of overarching advice. As the groom, however, you face some additional expectations and pitfalls.

Humor and heart. To sufficiently employ them, you must stick to the following rules:

SEE ALSO:  The 5 Biggest Wedding Planning Mistakes Grooms Make

ONE:  REITERATE YOUR LOVE FOR YOUR BRIDE.

Look, this is  us.  The Plunge. We’re as unsentimental as it gets. But even  we  acknowledge the importance of dialing up the whole “earnest love” shtick. Toward the end of your speech, you must say how lucky you are to have met this woman, how much you love her, how she still makes you wobbly in the knees—and you’ll feel that way for the rest of your life. We know, we know: in normal circumstances this would make us barf.   But it has to be done. And happily, this moment of ahhhhwwww will be nicely counter-balanced if you…

TWO:  INJECT HUMOR.

There’s a difference between “humor” and “jokes.” This is not the time to tell a joke like, “How are women and tornadoes alike? They both moan like hell when they come, and take the house when they leave.” (Save this for the bachelor party. If you save it at all.)

Don’t tell that joke. Or any generic joke. Instead, stick to some humorous anecdotes about how you met, how she’s the only one who finds your cooking edible (self-deprecation—always a plus), how you knew it was over when she whopped your ass at pool, whatever. What’s important is to use true anecdotes.

THREE:  IGNORE DUMB QUOTES.

Plenty of wedding websites will provide helpful quotes you can use. Ignore most of them. The Knot, for example, suggests the Congolese proverb “Love is like a baby; it needs to be treated gently.” Or the Russian proverb, “Love and eggs are best when they are fresh.” Your own sincerity is better than a random, impersonal quote. While it’s okay if your earnestness sounds a little clichéd (hey, it is what it is), never stuff the speech with corny “filler” quotes that everyone else uses at their weddings.

FOUR:  THANK THE HOSTS.

The bride’s parents, especially if they just scribbled out a check for $30,000 bucks, deserve the most prolonged expression of gratitude. It’s okay, kiss a little ass. And thank them even if they haven’t paid a nickel—it’ll score you in-law goodwill. (In fact, it’s expected.  Not  thanking the in-laws will look about as appropriate as grabbing your bride’s sister and jamming your tongue down her throat.) And give a shout-out to the schleppers. Whoever traveled 3,000+ miles just to eat some cake deserves a quick tip of the hat.

SEE ALSO:  Groomsmen Gifts

FIVE:  BUT DON’T THANK THE ACADEMY.

Don’t be like one of those obnoxious Academy Award winners who drones on and on by thanking Patty Sue for this beautiful cake, thanking your buddy Gus for the photography, and thanking our lord Jesus Christ for making this all come together. You’ve just lost your audience.

SIX:  PRACTICE. WHEN YOU’RE DONE, PRACTICE MORE. REPEAT.

Yes, we harped on this when you proposed and we stressed it again for the Best Man’s toast, but it’s the single most effective way to improve your performance. Keep practicing in the mirror until you can deliver it with confidence. Don’t just give this a few minutes. Give it a few hours. If you spent 67 hours playing Madden just so you can have the league’s leading rusher, leading receiver, and leading passer all on the same team—we’ve all done this—then you can spend a few hours prepping for the most important speech of your life.

SEVEN:  LOOK YOUR BRIDE IN THE EYE.

Before you actually get to the lovey-dovey stuff (see Rule 1), turn from the crowd to your bride, pause, let the moment gather a hint of drama, and then look her dead in the eye. Address her by her name. This will make every woman in the reception reach for a tissue and dab their newly-forming tears.

EIGHT:  KEEP IT SHORT.

See? Isn’t this one easier to read?

SEE ALSO:  Groom Speech Videos

NINE:  KEEP THE STRUCTURE SIMPLE.

All you really need is an intro (welcoming the guests), a boatload of thank yous (see above), some humor-and-heart anecdotes about how you met your wife, and then a closing about how much you love her. Bang. That’s it. No need to reinvent the wheel.

TEN:  STEAL

Again, we don’t recommend using canned quotations like this one, courtesy of The Knot again: “St. Augustine once said, ‘Insomuch as love grows in you, so beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul.’”

Or another, from About.com: “Here’s to the prettiest, here’s to the wittiest, Here’s to the truest of all who are true, Here’s to the neatest one, here’s to the sweetest one, Here’s to them, all in one – here’s to you.”

The trick is customizing and personalizing. The site  Speeches.com , for instance, sells six different versions of “Conventional Groom Toasts.” For about $16 bucks, you fill in the blanks (like Mad Libs) and they’ll spit out some stock speeches with the names already in there. The results can be choppy and disjointed. One such excerpt (the underlined parts are our fill-in-the-blank choices):

“Rachel – in case any of you hadn’t noticed, is the perfect wife, and I’m lucky she said yes.

I’m lucky to have someone who can  live with my toe fungus .

I’m lucky to have someone who can  live with my nose hair .

And I’m lucky to have someone who is  just so good hearted  and  so good to be with .

Someone once wrote [sic] that a good marriage is at least 80 percent good luck in finding the right person at the right time. The rest is trust. On that basis, I would say we are 100% ready for this.”

Not the smoothest. But if you have utterly no idea where to start, these templates can give you a rough—very rough—first draft that you can then personalize and polish.

A few other useful links:

20 Speech Topics (but mostly just a detailed list of who to thank—yawn)

http://www.speech-topics-help.com/groom-speech.html

Some quotes. Most are awful. Some are potentially useful.

http://quotations.about.com/od/weddingtoasts/a/wedding5.htm

More toast templates:

http://www.essortment.com/lifestyle/weddingtoastte_sfvl.htm Really want to geek-out and over-prepare? There are some books like the “Complete Guide to Groom Speeches.”

http://groom-speech.blogspot.com/ (Frankly, you’re better off just going to a bookstore and flicking through a few of the sample templates to see if they’re worth a damn.)

Your next groom duty:  Buying Gifts for Your Groomsmen .

40 Wedding Ceremony Readings That Will Wow Any Crowd

Spin Your Wedding Speech For Maximum Impact

Best Man Wedding Toast Ideas, Samples, and Guidance

Join the plunge (don’t worry: it’s free).

Everything You Need To Know About Making Speeches With Your Wife

The 50 Best Jokes For Your Best Man Speech

Go For Emotion In Your Wedding Speech

Using Subtext and Speeching Between The Lines

The Sounds of Silence: Using Pauses in Your Speech

The First Seven Seconds Of Your Wedding Speech-How To Crush It

Best Man Speech: Who Do You Mention?

The Easiest Speech You’ll Ever Give

Who Gives Toasts at the Rehearsal Dinner?

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The dos and don’ts of a groom’s speech

No pressure but next to saying your vows your speech is probably your biggest responsibility on your wedding day.

The good news is everyone’s on your side, willing you on.

They’re all ready to laugh, cry and cheer at the appropriate moment.

Even better, there’s a bit of a set formula for groom’s speeches with a list of time-honoured thank yous to get through.

You may not be used to public speaking and the very thought of delivering you big day speech may fill you with dread but stick to our dos and don’t and you’ve got this!

DO put the time in and prepare properly. You may normally be a fan of winging it but today is the day to deliver a well thought out and structured speech that’s from the heart.

DO speak after your new father-in-law. There’s a traditional order to wedding speeches which usually kicks off with the father of the bride (or groom) who was normally the one on hosting duties.

DO remember to thank your father-in-law for his kind words “on behalf of my wife, or husband, and I!” Anyone who has ever attended a wedding knows the power these seven little words have to get the groom’s first cheer!

DON’T wait till after the wedding breakfast for the speeches if you don’t want to. Again, tradition used to dictate that you had the meal first, speeches after, but if you’d rather get them done and dusted and enjoy your meal without the nerves then go for it.

DO remember to say all your thanks yous. Traditionally the groom starts with his father-in-law, thanks the guests for coming, his new in-laws for welcoming him to their family, his own parents for getting him to this day, the best man and ushers and the bridesmaids.

DO give your mothers a gift at this point. You and your other half can present them with bouquets for a nice touch.

DON’T give out all the presents to the bridal party now. Give out gifts to your ‘maids and ushers the night before, otherwise you’ll be here all day!

DO speak about your other half. Once you’ve made all your thank yous the rest of your speech can be dedicated to your new husband or wife. This is your chance to declare to everyone just how much you love them and share some of your love story. It could be what first caught your eye or some of the proposal story.

DON’T speak for too long. How many times have you been a wedding guest and had a sweepy going on how long the groom would speak for? Eight to 10 minutes should be plenty of time to say everything you want to without your guests having a surreptitious glance at their phones under the table.

DO keep your jokes appropriate! “What happens on the stag” is a phrase designed for wedding speeches. You may find it hilarious that Cousin Johnno passed out blind drunk with his bare bum hanging out and head in the toilet but spare your auntie’s blushes.

DO remember to raise a toast to absent friends. Weddings can be tinged with sadness with families missing loved ones so be sure to acknowledge them.

DON’T have too many dutch courage drinks beforehand. A gregarious groom is one thing but a slobbering wreck is something no one wants to see.

DO give a joint bride and groom or groom and groom speech if you’d prefer. It’s your day so it should be up to both of you to decide how to give the speeches.

Finally DO have fun! It’s not every day you’ve got the full attention of your nearest and dearest so make the most of it.

Are you looking for some wedding gift inspiration?

Read our Grooms Gift Guide and start dropping those hints!

The May 24 issue of Your Scottish Wedding magazine is nearly here!

Here’s what to look out for…

8 simply gorgeous wedding venues in Edinburgh 2024

Scotland's beautiful capital will always be an excellent choice for your wedding

All the May wedding dates of shows, fayres and trunk shows you need

Diaries at the ready. All the May wedding dates you need this month

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Do the Bride and Groom Have to Give a Speech at Their Wedding Reception?

Talking to a crowd isn't for everyone.

Nancy is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com.

Making a speech in front of a crowd is way too difficult for some people to handle, even if the audience is comprised of their loved ones. If you're a bride or groom worried that you're expected to give wedding speeches that spill your heart out at the reception, relax. There are only a few expected speakers during the night, and these include the host (usually the father of the bride or whoever is financing the wedding), the best man, and the maid of honor. With that being said, many couples do like to take a few moments to thank everyone for joining them on this special day, and to thank their families and the vendor teams that made the entire event possible. If you fall into that camp, here's what you need to know.

Go it solo or together.

You can do it alone or as a tag team with your new spouse. If you're appearing as a duo, you could toast each other, then the bridal party , your parents, and the guests and vendors, thanking them for being a part of your special day.

Take your turn.

After the host and best man, the maid of honor makes the next toast. Should you two each want to say a few words on your own, the groom would go next, followed by his bride.

Know your words.

While you don't have to memorize a speech, do figure out what you want to say ahead of time-who to thank, which anecdotes would work best, and so forth. A glass of pre-toast Champagne or a cocktail may loosen you up, but avoid being a sloppy speaker who slurs-especially when that speaker is the bride or groom.

Speak at the right time.

The speeches can come at the tail end of the main course , when everyone is almost finished eating.

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Antisemitism Awareness Act passes House vote. Here's what the bill does.

By Tony Aiello

Updated on: May 2, 2024 / 9:15 AM EDT / CBS New York

NEW YORK -- The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the Antisemitism Awareness Act Wednesday. 

It comes as campus protests  are taking place across the country. While the protests have the support of many Jewish college students, many others have said they feel intimidated and unsafe. 

The Antisemitism Awareness Act could make it easier for concerned students to file civil rights complaints.  

• Read the Antisemitism Awareness Act (.pdf)

CBS New York spoke with Reps. Mike Lawler and Josh Gottheimer, two sponsors of the bipartisan bill.

"We need to be able to define antisemitism," Lawler said.

The bill put forth by Republican Lawler and Democrat Gottheimer aims to do just that.

International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance defines antisemitism

The Antisemitism Awareness Act directs the Department of Education to use the definition promulgated by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance when enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws.

"Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews," the definition says.

It goes on to define examples of antisemitism, and some of the heated rhetoric heard on college campuses lately would be included .

"When you hear 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,' that is calling for the eradication of Jews and the state of Israel," Lawler said.

"All of our colleges have a responsibility to protect against hate and discrimination. There's a difference between speech which should be protected and harassment and violence and intimidation, like a death threat," Gottheimer said.

Colleges that fail to protect Jewish students could face civil rights enforcement.

What about legitimate criticism of Israel?

Critics of the new legislation, including Rep. Jerry Nadler, of New York, say the bill sweeps too broadly and would chill constitutionally protected free speech, including legitimate criticism of Israel .

However, others say speech has limits and some of the rhetoric crosses the line into harassment.

Omer Granot-Lubaton, a graduate student at Columbia University, said, "A lot of people come to me, 'Well, maybe they don't understand what they're saying.' Those people are educated adults, going to the best institutions in the world. They should know what they say."

The bill still needs to pass the Senate and be signed by President Joe Biden to become law.

It's not clear if House Speaker Mike Johnson will bring other bills to a vote, including one to create a national antisemitism coordinator position in the White House.

• Mike Lawler
• Josh Gottheimer
• Antisemitism
• U.S. House of Representatives

Tony Aiello serves as a CBS2 general assignment reporter with a focus on covering news and breaking stories in the Northern Suburbs.

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Biden in Wilmington: From arrival to traffic, here's more about the president's visit

President Joe Biden will head to Wilmington on Thursday.

According to a release from The White House, he will arrive at Wilmington International Airport and then head to the Wilmington Convention Center to give remarks on infrastructure and the environment.

Here's what you need to know about the president's upcoming visit and what to expect for Biden's arrival in the Port City.

When will Biden arrive?

The timeline of around 3 p.m. has shifted a bit due to Biden first heading to Charlotte, where he will "pay his respects to the brave law enforcement officers killed and wounded in the line of duty," according to a White House release.

Four officers wer e killed while trying to serve a warrant to a convicted felon in Charlotte on Monday.

Biden is scheduled to leave Charlotte at 3:10 p.m. and head to Wilmington International Airport, where he is set to arrive at 3:55 p.m.

He will then head to the Wilmington Convention Center, where he will deliver remarks at 4:30 p.m. before departing Wilmington at 6:05 p.m.

More: Ahead of Biden's visit, what Wilmington projects are in dire need of federal funding?

What will Biden discuss?

While at the Wilmington Convention Center, Biden is expected to discuss "how his Investing in America agenda is rebuilding our infrastructure and creating good-paying jobs in Wilmington and across the country," according to a news release from The White House.

In response to why Wilmington might be a fitting location for the discussion of such subject matter, Mayor Bill Saffo mentioned U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Reagan's previous visit to Wilmington , highlighting Reagan's discussion of national PFAS regulations.

Previous Coverage: EPA administrator joins Mayor Saffo and Gov. Cooper to announce Clean Ports Program

"I know that the administration has been very engaged in that issue," Saffo said. "They've also been engaged at the federal level with the removal of lead from our pipes," adding that the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) has been working on that matter for a number of years.

Wilmington has been on the forefront of numerous environmental issues regionally, the mayor added.

"I think (Biden) is here to make an announcement as to what that means not only for this community but for the country," Saffo said.

How has the city of Wilmington prepared for the president's arrival?

Preparing for a presidential visit requires a community-wide collaborative effort, Saffo said.

"When a president visits a community there are a lot of things that we have to work on and work with the administration and ... the secret service in planning these types of events," Saffo said. "Where the events are held, the size of the venue, the locations, the motorcade to and from the airport − the logistics involved are enormous."

Saffo said Biden's visit is historic for Wilmington.

"Obviously we are very proud to have any president arrive in our community that represents our government," noting that former President Donald Trump previously visited the Port City in 2020, designating Wilmington the first World War II Heritage City nationwide.

Previous Coverage: Trump rally in Wilmington postponed because of severe weather

When will Air Force One arrive at ILM?

Air Force One will arrive at the Wilmington International Airport at 3:55 p.m. Thursday.

By Wednesday morning, the Federal Aviation Administration listed a temporary flight restriction (TFR) Thursday in a roughly 30-mile radius surrounding downtown Wilmington between 1:30 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. It's unknown as of Wednesday night if the time range will widen given Biden's change in schedule.

It is important to note that Wilmington International Airport anticipates minor impacts to commercial flight operations during this time as the TFR does not fully restrict scheduled commercial flights, according to airport spokesperson Erin McNally.

"We encourage travelers to check their flight status directly with the airlines for the most up to date information," reads a Facebook announcement from ILM posted Wednesday. "Additionally, travelers may want to allow extra time, in the event there are temporary road closures or changes in traffic patterns." 

Air travel for general aviation users will be restricted primarily between 1:30 p.m. and 5:15 p.m., according to the post. General aviation users are encouraged to check NOTAMS (notices) for details.

What about security and traffic?

The Wilmington Police Department will be providing personnel to assist with the needs of the U.S. Secret Service, police spokesman Lt. Greg Willett said.

The Secret Service works closely with local law enforcement to "minimize disruptions to the public while ensuring the highest level of safety and security," Special Agent Joseph Routh said in an email on Tuesday.

As of Tuesday, Routh was unable to discuss any security specifics, but he said that "the public can expect intermittent road closures and parking restrictions as part of the visit."

Saffo referred to Wilmington law enforcement involvement with the event as "significant," noting the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office, Wilmington Police Department and Wilmington's Secret Service field office have been in communication with one another in preparation of the event.

As for traffic, the Secret Service has been advised about the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge lane closures, Saffo said.

"I don't know the exact route that the president will take, but I know that they've been advised and informed about that," Saffo said. The Secret Service will "try to minimize any kind of impact to the community to the best of their ability."

How to Watch Joe Biden's 2024 White House Correspondents' Dinner Speech

P resident Joe Biden is slated to deliver remarks at the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) dinner on Saturday before a crowd of journalists, celebrities and politicians as protesters have vowed to gather outside the event.

The Context

Outside the dinner site, protesters have pledged to rally against Israel continuing its war in Gaza. The conflict began after the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, that left 1,200 people dead and saw over 200 more taken hostage.

In the nearly seven months of war, the Palestinian death toll has surpassed 34,000, with more than 76,000 wounded, according to the Associated Press, per the Gaza Health Ministry. While the Hamas-run ministry does not differentiate between combatants and civilians in their count, it says at least two-thirds have been children and women.

The staggering number of Palestinian deaths has ignited international criticism that has led to protests across the globe. The death toll and distressing images of children dead in the rubble of bombed buildings resulted in mounting calls for a ceasefire and increased pressure on Biden to take a tougher line on Israel, a longtime U.S. ally.

What We Know

Comedian Colin Jost, known for his role on Saturday Night Live , is expected to deliver humorous jabs at the president and other politicians during the annual event at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C.

The WHCA hosts the black-tie event that usually features the sitting president and popular comedians mocking politicians and current events. In previous years, Biden has used the dinner to mock his political rivals, notably former President Donald Trump .

The dinner will air online on C-SPAN's website beginning at 8 p.m. EST and can also be viewed on C-SPAN's YouTube channel as well C-SPAN's TV channel.

Newsweek reached out via email on Saturday to representatives for the White House for comment.

More than two dozen journalists in Gaza recently wrote a letter published by Medium that urged members of the press corps to boycott the historic event.

"As Palestinian journalists, we urgently appeal to you, our colleagues globally, with a demand for immediate and unwavering action against the Biden administration's ongoing complicity in the systematic slaughter and persecution of journalists in Gaza," the letter states. "We insist you publicly boycott the upcoming White House Correspondents' Dinner on April 27 as an act of solidarity with us — your fellow journalists — as well as with the millions of Palestinians currently being starved in Gaza due to the Biden administration's continued political, financial, and military backing of Israel and cut-off of funding for live-saving humanitarian aid."

Photos captured before the event began showed dozens of protesters trying to block guests outside of the venue.

In an interview with Sirius XM radio host Howard Stern on Friday, Biden said he planned to emphasize the importance of a free press during his WHCA dinner speech.

The president also told Stern that the media is not hard enough on Trump, the presumed 2024 GOP presidential nominee, saying: "I think some of them are worried about attacking him, worried about taking him on."

What's Next?

The WHCA dinner begins at 8 p.m. Biden is expected to deliver remarks around 10 p.m. and will be aired online.

Update 4/27/24, 6:18 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and background.

Related Articles

• Pro-Palestinian Protest Attempts to Drown Out Pro-Israel March at Columbia
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• Protesters Hang Palestinian Flag from Venue Before Joe Biden's Speech

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How do i make the mit app inventor receive the data being shown in the serial monitor of my arduino

I cant figure out how to receive data from arduino to mit app. I would also like for the data to be converted to text to speech.

https://community.appinventor.mit.edu/search?q=bluetooth%20%23tutorials-and-guides ....or search for the particular module you're using.

Remove the Nepali translation part.

If i send numbers it sends bunch of data like [50, 13, 10]

void setup() { pinMode(buttonPin, INPUT_PULLUP); // Set button pin as input with internal pull-up resistor Serial.begin(9600); // Initialize serial communication }

void loop() { // Read the current state of the button buttonState = digitalRead(buttonPin);

// Check if the button is pressed (and was not pressed before) if (buttonState == LOW && lastButtonState == HIGH) { // Button is pressed, print "wow" over serial Serial.println("wow"); }

// Update the last button state lastButtonState = buttonState;

// Add a small delay to debounce the button delay(50); }

@Kean_Reyes , please stop creating new topics for the same subject.

If you look in an ASCII chart, you will see that 50,13,10 is '2' CR LF

Thank you!!!

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How to Write a Father-of-the-Groom Speech

Pepper in a healthy dose of your personality and follow these general guidelines, Dad.

Photo by Cinzia Bruschini

In This Article

Your child’s wedding is likely one of the most highly anticipated moments of your life...until you remember one of your duties is giving a speech. If you’re less than excited about public speaking, take some comfort in knowing that the father-of-the-groom speech is typically reserved for the rehearsal dinner (usually a much smaller audience than the wedding day crowd!). 

There’s a multitude of emotions flowing as your son’s wedding day approaches, but anxiety shouldn’t be one of them. Below, professional wedding vow writer and speechwriter Katelyn Peterson outlines the ideal template for a father-of-the-groom speech and shares go-to tips to hook your audience and release the pre-speech jitters. 

Meet the Expert

Katelyn Peterson is the founder of Wedding Words , a service specialized in crafting custom vows, speeches, and toasts to remove stress and spark excitement for engaged couples and their wedding party. Her work has been featured in The New York Times , Forbes , and Bustle .

Father-of-the-Groom Speech Template 

Pepper in a healthy dose of your personality and follow these general guidelines to sound like a public speaking pro:

• Introduce yourself. Keep it simple, state your name and relation to the couple, and cut the fluff, Peterson says. “For example, ‘Hello, everyone. I'm Craig Jones and I'm the father of the groom.’ There is no need to add this line: ‘For those of you who don't know me…’ It's unnecessary, and doesn't add any impact to your delivery.” 
• Share a few short stories. Share two to three short stories about your son that showcase his positive traits, only sharing details that serve the goal of that story. “And make sure all the stories share a common theme so they flow into one another while also providing an overarching point to your speech.” 
• Recognize your son’s new spouse. Be sure to note what you appreciate or list the qualities you admire about your son's new spouse. Peterson says this part should detail why you're happy to welcome them into your family and it’s a nice touch to include at least one story about them in this section, too. What if you don't know your son's new spouse too well? “No problem," Peterson exclaims. "Focus on why your son loves this person and use those details as an opportunity to say something positive about them.”
• Share well wishes. Communicate advice or your wishes for the couple. This is the section you use to describe the future you hope they share together. 
• Close with a toast. “Tie the speech together with a strong last line ,” Peterson says. “Keep it short and try to tie it back to the theme of your speech.” 

Father-of-the-Groom Speech Tips

Here are Peterson’s best tips for writing and delivering your father-of-the-groom speech .

• Keep it short and sweet. Your speech should fall between three and six minutes. Anything longer and it’s likely you'll start to lose the crowd's attention. 
• Don’t stress about memorizing. “Do not feel like you have to memorize your speech,” Peterson shares. “Print your speech on paper and practice it enough so that you can make eye contact while reciting.”
• Keep "thank you's" concise. If you have more than two to four specific people to thank, do not list names and instead thank generalized groups. Peterson says “if you find yourself listing seven people from your new daughter-in-law's side, instead simply say, ‘I'd especially like to thank the Myer's family for their continued support and love in our son's life.’" 
• Share stories with purpose. “Good stories are what will make your speech,” Peterson reveals. “So focus on telling stories that are funny and entertaining, but also have a sweet and serious moment.” Above all, she notes that every story should have a purpose, such as highlighting a positive trait about your son or his spouse. If you can't find that in the story, remove it and include a new anecdote. 
• Be aware of body language. Pay attention to your body language and know how to properly use the microphone. When you move your head, the mic should travel with you to pick up your voice. Make sure the mic is close enough to pick up your voice but not so close that it covers your face. 
• Enlist a professional. Don't feel like you’re on your own if you’re not a strong writer or speaker; there are professional wedding speech writers who specialize in taking your thoughts and articulating them into a sweet and funny moment . 

Peterson recommends printing out your speech on one sheet of paper that you can easily reference. She advises against reading from your phone and warns that note cards can easily fall out of order. 

Father-of-the-Groom Speech Brainstorming Tips

Now that you know the secrets to speech-giving success, here are some questions to ask yourself to start getting the words flowing.

• What are some of your favorite memories of your son as a kid? 
• What qualities does your son have that will serve his marriage? 
• How does this couple balance each other? 
• What was your initial impression of your son's new spouse? 
• What makes you happy to be celebrating this wedding? 
• How do you envision their future together? 

Father-of-the-Groom Speech Examples to Make Your Own

Get inspired by this real-life example of a light and funny father-of-the-groom speech that showcases a combination of humor , warmth, and personality for this heartfelt moment. 

“I think I’ve met almost everyone, but I’m Doug. I’m Andy’s dad, and his mom is over there—that’s Jenny. I’m a little bit nervous so I have notes. I may refer to those because I don’t want to forget anything. And I can be emotional with things like this, so I want this to be interactive—if I get choked up and start crying you all should feel free to do the same, or if I tell a joke if you guys could go ahead and laugh that would be great! 

Before I go too far, I want to acknowledge Tracy’s parents: Dave and Linda. They’ve put a ton of time and effort and hard work into the planning for tomorrow. Jenny and I have had a great time getting to know them over the last few years. We don’t think of you guys as Andy’s in-laws , we think of you as family . 

And now on to the wedding couple...a little over 25 years ago, Andy was born—don’t worry, I won’t go through every year—but I remember the feeling of excitement and how proud Jenny and I were to be new parents . We watched Andy grow up into a wonderful young man with unquestioning integrity and strong values and it’s those same feelings of excitement and pride that get echoed tomorrow as the two of you get married.

As your kids grow up you want them to have the absolute best. Andy was very fortunate when he met Tracy six years ago, and when he gets married tomorrow I know he truly has found the best for him and we can’t wait to call her our daughter. There are certain couples you see together and you say ‘they were just meant to be ,’ and Tracy and Andy have that type of relationship. They are the perfect match , like bread and butter, or like Forrest Gump would say, 'peas and carrots,' or as my wife would say, 'wine and cheese!'

This is the point where I get to be a dad and offer some fatherly advice, some words of wisdom .

There are seven words that are essential to having a successful marriage: 'Yes, dear', 'you were right', and 'I’m sorry.'

You’ll have disagreements and you’ll have arguments, and when that happens never stop communicating , always talk things out. And remember that communicating isn’t just talking, it’s also listening. Try to see things from their perspective. But when it’s all said and done, with those seven words, everything will be fine. 

Getting married is the journey of a lifetime, it’s when you find your soulmate and you make a promise to that person they will always be your soulmate. It was once said that getting married and having a successful marriage is like falling in love over and over again with the same person. If you pursue your marriage with love, and compassion, and understanding, you’ll be on your way to that journey of a lifetime. Jenny and I love you both unconditionally, and we’re so proud of you both. Without further ado, here’s a toast to a long, happy, healthy marriage blessed with unending love.”

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What the First Amendment Means for Campus Protests

Encampments? Occupying buildings? Demonstrators cite their right to free expression, but the issues are thorny.

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By Alan Blinder

Protesters on college campuses have often cited the First Amendment as shelter for their tactics, whether they were simply waving signs or taking more dramatic steps, like setting up encampments, occupying buildings or chanting slogans that critics say are antisemitic.

But many legal scholars, along with university lawyers and administrators, believe at least some of those free-speech assertions muddle, misstate, test or even flout the amendment, which is meant to guard against state suppression.

Whose interpretation and principles prevail, whether in the courts or among the administrators in charge of meting out discipline, will do much to determine whether protesters face punishments for campus turmoil.

The First Amendment doesn’t automatically apply at private schools.

Public universities, as arms of government, must yield to the First Amendment and how the courts interpret its decree that there shall be no law “abridging the freedom of speech” or “the right of the people peaceably to assemble.”

But private universities set their own standards around speech and protest.

To be sure, private universities tend to embrace free expression more than, say, private businesses. Those policies and approaches, though, are driven by principles like academic freedom and the marketplace of ideas, not constitutional law.

Columbia University, a hub through this round of campus protests and the scene of an enormous police response on Tuesday night, has not forbidden all speech. But its current policy includes a set of rules, such as permissible demonstration zones and preregistration of protests, that the university says are intended to ensure safety while promising that “all members of the university community have the right to speak, study, research, teach and express their own views.”

Legal scholars have said that while the university’s approach may anger students and faculty members, and may even curtail speech on campus, Columbia faces far less legal risk than any public school might.

‘Time, place and manner’ is a crucial standard.

Academic administrators and the courts alike often find comfort in frameworks, and the notion of “time, place and manner” is deeply embedded in case law involving free speech.

Under that doctrine, governments may sometimes regulate logistical details associated with speech. The doctrine is not a blank check for state power over speech — a government must, for example, apply regulations without discriminating against a viewpoint — but it allows for some restrictions in the pursuit of public safety and order.

For university leaders, the doctrine offers a template of sorts for protest policies that can survive legal scrutiny and withstand political backlashes.

“We always thought that time, place, manner — if applied in a fair, open and completely neutral way — was the best mechanism to both allow protest and also to ensure that protest didn’t disrupt academic programming and activities,” said Nicholas B. Dirks, a former chancellor of the University of California, Berkeley, which has one of the richest traditions of protest in higher education.

But, Dr. Dirks added, “That’s easier said than done.”

Another important test is ‘imminent lawless action.’

The Supreme Court, soon after World War I, delivered a First Amendment ruling that included the phrase “clear and present danger.” About 50 years later, the court adopted an approach focused on “imminent lawless action.”

That test is important in gauging whether, for example, the First Amendment protects an antisemitic chant. If the rhetoric is intended to provoke an “imminent lawless action” and is likely to do so, it is not considered constitutionally sound. But a chant that fails any part of that standard is protected, meaning that even some grotesquely uncomfortable, distasteful speech may not be subject to discipline by the government.

“The tricky part is when the conduct and the speech are close to the line,” said Timothy J. Heaphy, who was a United States attorney during the Obama administration and later the university counsel at the University of Virginia.

Some threatening behavior on campuses is illegal under federal civil rights law. Two men, for instance, pleaded guilty to using a threat of force to intimidate Black students and employees at the University of Mississippi after they placed a noose around a campus statue of James Meredith, the first Black student to enroll there, in 2014. One of the men was sentenced to prison.

Are encampments covered by the First Amendment?

Although some campus protesters consider their encampments to be a form of speech, the courts have held that restrictions on overnight camping and the like can meet the time, place and manner test, even on public property.

In a 7-2 ruling in 1984, for instance, the Supreme Court ruled that the National Park Service could refuse a request for protesters to spend nights in “symbolic tents” near the White House under its regulations against sleeping in places that were not classified as campgrounds.

“The regulation forbidding sleeping meets the requirements for a reasonable time, place, or manner restriction of expression,” Justice Byron White wrote in his opinion.

“The regulation is neutral with regard to the message presented, and leaves open ample alternative methods of communicating the intended message concerning the plight of the homeless,” he added.

A court would never see a building occupation like the one this week at Columbia, Mr. Heaphy predicted, as a protected First Amendment activity.

“Students occupied the building,” he said. “That’s conduct. That’s not going to last.”

Can universities change policies?

Generally, yes, but, for public universities, the First Amendment still applies.

Again, private universities have more discretion.

At the University of Chicago, the president, Paul Alivisatos, noted this week that while encampments violate school rules, administrators “may allow an encampment to remain for a short time despite the obvious violations of policy.”

Floating that possibility, he cited “the importance of the expressive rights of our students” and said that “the impact of a modest encampment does not differ so much from a conventional rally or march.”

But he signaled the university would not allow its policy to be eviscerated, and he urged students involved with the encampment “to instead embrace the multitude of other tools at their disposal.”

Alan Blinder is a national correspondent for The Times, covering education. More about Alan Blinder

How to Craft a Heartfelt Mother of the Groom Speech

• Lauren is a contributor for The Knot covering topics such as music, cakes, venues and speeches.
• She has been published in a wide array of lifetsyle-oriented publications including SELF and Allure.
• Lauren is a proud graduate of Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School of Public Communication.

Your son's wedding is sure to be a happy (albeit emotional!) day. After all, watching your son exchange vows with his new spouse is sure to bring a tear to your eye. In fact, it's fair to say your son's big day is just as significant for you as his mother as it is for him. On top of all this, you'll also be tasked with presenting a mother of the groom speech. In honor of your son's special day, you'll have the honor of toasting to your son and new son-in-law or daughter-in-law as they embark on this new chapter together as newlyweds. While this speech has traditionally been given at rehearsal dinners , it's not unusual for the mother of the groom to speak at the wedding reception , either.

If you're struggling to put words on paper to express the joy, happiness, and love you have for your son, you're not alone. To help combat writer's block—and get your creative juices flowing—we reached out to wedding planners and professionals for expert insight. Below, you'll find everything you need to know about crafting the best mother of the groom speech.

How Long Should a Mother of the Groom Speech Be?

When it comes to length, "short and sweet it the way to go," says wedding planner Nora Sheils of Bridal Bliss in Lake Oswego, Oregon. She says that 3 to 5 minutes is the perfect amount to time to get your point across.

But when should a mother of the groom speech be delivered? While the father of the bride speech is most often given during the wedding reception, can the groom's mom give hers then, too? "I believe the mother of the groom can give a speech at both the wedding rehearsal and at the wedding celebration," says celebrity wedding and event planner David Tutera .

However, if you prefer to speak in a more intimate environment, you may opt to present your speech at the rehearsal dinner . According to Sheils, the rehearsal dinner is "the perfect opportunity for a more personal mother of the groom toast."

How to Write a Mother of the Groom Speech

"The wedding is about the couple, so keep that in mind when you're writing your speech, so it's not just one-sided," explains Lynne Kennedy of The Gilded Aisle Weddings in Chicago. She continues, "Guests always love to hear how the couple met or when you knew this love interest was 'the one' for your son."

With all this being said, "Don't talk solely about your son," says Sheils. Instead, she recommends talking about his new spouse, what you love about them, and how they fit into your family.

Mother of the Groom Speech Template

Feeling overwhelmed with emotion? Not sure where to begin? Don't fret. This template from Hester Parks of Park Avenue Events in Atlanta can easily be personalized—all you need to do is fill in the blanks.

Introduce yourself. Of course, everyone will know who you are, but you'll need to greet your guests by introducing yourself.

Thank the wedding guests for coming. Open up your speech by thanking your guests for attending this special occasion. Express your gratitude and share how grateful you are that they were able to celebrate your son's wedding with you.

Talk about your son. Katelyn Peterson of Wedding Words , a wedding vow and speech writing service, advises sharing two to three "short and concise" stories about your son that spotlights their personality.

Find your kind of venue

Talk about your son's partner. Be sure to highlight your son's new spouse, and express what you appreciate about them, Peterson says.

Share your heartfelt wishes for your son's marriage. Conclude your mother of the groom speech with a cheerful toast to the happy couple.

Who does the mother of the groom thank in her speech?

According to Kennedy, the mother of the groom should thank the bride's parents for raising a kind and beautiful person. Sheils agrees with this sentiment. She adds that this could be done at either the beginning or end of your wedding toast (depending on your preference).

The mother of the groom should also thank friends and family members for coming out to celebrate the joyous occasion.

How to Give a Mother of the Groom Speech

You'll want to avoid calling attention to your nerves or public speaking fears, says Peterson. This will only make people aware of the one thing you want to minimize."

Mother of the Groom Speech Jokes

Depending on who you speak to, you'll receive mixed opinions regarding jokes during wedding speeches. However, Sheils loves when wedding speeches are infused with humor. She tells The Knot: "Some of the most memorable toasts I've heard did the perfect job of mixing humor with sentimentality."

Lauren Smith of EventSmith Planning and Productions in Santa Fe, Texas, is another fan of jokes in wedding speeches. "Bringing in a joke or two keeps the crowd engaged and keeps some of the tears from falling during the entire speech," she says. What's more, she continues, "A good opener and a zinger here and there is just the right touch for a wedding."

All this being said, if you do choose to crack some jokes during your speech, make sure that they're respectful and appropriate—and don't overdo it. After all, Smith says it best: "This isn't Amateur Hour at the Improv."

Mother of the Groom Speech Example

Seek inspiration in this fully written mother of the groom wedding speech from The Knot:

Good evening, friends and family members! As Jordan's mother, I wanted to take this time to thank everyone for being here tonight. Your presence means so much to us. I also wanted to thank Blake's parents, [mother of the bride/groom name] and [father of the bride/groom name], for raising such a kind, wonderful, and compassionate daughter. I couldn't be more grateful.

When Jordan was a little boy, my husband and I were big worriers: Did Jordan have enough to eat at kindergarten today? What if he fell and injured himself on the playground? The worries continued as he grew older: What if he got homesick at overnight camp? Did he drink enough water to stay hydrated throughout the day? These anxieties, which I know are now trivial, once consumed me.

See, people always told me that my job as a mother—and a parent in general—was to worry. It's true, up to a certain degree, but I've since learned that kids, at any age, are strong and resilient on their own. Like when Jordan spent his 10th birthday sleeping out at his best friend's house. In the morning, Jordan returned with a large cut on his arm. Jordan came home laughing about the accident, which happened when he was trying to cut a bagel open at 1:30 a.m. because he was hungry. I guess some things just don't change. Instead of freaking out, he remained calm, grabbed his best buddy—who, by the way, is now his best man—and applied pressure to stop the bleeding.

This is just one of many funny stories that have (and continue to!) define Jordan's, shall I say, daring, adventures. In college, he slipped over a beer can in his fraternity house. With two thumbs up and a broken ankle, he was rolled out on a stretcher to the local hospital. He ended up being fine, but he became the butt of the joke for the remainder of the school year.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself not to spend so much time worrying. I know now that my son is in great hands with his beautiful spouse, Blake. From the first time they met, I knew he was smitten. He came back from dinner already planning a second and third date. When I asked when I could meet this special person, he promised me that he would invite them over for dinner if they were still seeing each other in three months. Fast-forward three months later, and guess who came over for dinner? Today, two years later, we are all here in celebration of their wedding! Jordan and Blake, watching you exchange vows at your wedding ceremony was nothing short of spectacular. Blake, you are truly everything I could have wished and hoped for and more for my son. And to have a new child is a dream come true. I am honored to be your mother-in-law.

Now, if you would, please join me in raising your glasses for a special wedding toast to the newlyweds. May you enjoy a lifetime of love, health, and happiness together!

How to End the Mother of the Groom Speech

To end the mother of the groom speech, Tutera recommends "making a warm reference to the bride and welcoming her into the family." He continues, "Share your excitement, joy, and love for her." He also recommends acknowledging your new in-laws by name.

Another option is to raise a glass and invite all of your wedding guests to join you in a toast at the wedding reception. Sheils says "My go-to is 'Here is to love, to laughter, and happily ever after. Cheers!'"

What NOT to Say in a Mother of the Groom Speech

While there are certain points you'll want to make in your mother of the groom speech, there are also several topics to avoid:

Don't embarrass your son. "Unless the groom can take it in good fun, I wouldn't put him up for any embarrassment," says Laura Maddox of Magnolia Celebrates in Roswell, Georgia.

...or his partner. "Stay away from embarrassing stories, especially of the bride." Maddox advises. "No one wants to be raked over the coals on their wedding day."

Skip the inside jokes. Otherwise, according to Sheils, you'll run the risk of leaving others feeling excluded.

Don't mention the exes. "Do not, for any reason, bring up a past relationship, good or bad," says Sheils, adding: "It never sits well."

US has long history of college protests: Here's what happened in the past

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators have taken over parts of college campuses across the U.S., the latest in a decades-long string of protests ignited by political activism — some of which have spiraled into violence amid police crackdowns .

In the past, free speech sit-ins quickly escalated into massive rallies, Vietnam War college demonstrations turned deadly and U.S. civil rights protests ended in mass arrests.

The circumstances of each protest were different, but the story is familiar: Young people demanded changes on their campuses or in the world — and their impassioned demonstrations often escalated amid clashes with authorities.

Columbia , the university at the center of the current wave of protests, has even seen similar protests before, including during the Vietnam War in 1968. Demonstrations led the university to end classified war research and stop military recruitment, among other changes, wrote Rosalind Rosenberg, a professor of history at Barnard College, for Barnard Magazine .

Today's demonstrators also have specific changes in mind, often involving divestment from Israel , citing the deaths of more than 34,000 Palestinian people who died in Gaza amid Israel's bombardment and ground assault. That military campaign was triggered by Hamas' incursion into southern Israel on Oct. 7, when about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed and more than 240 people were taken hostage.

But as campus authorities react swiftly, citing safety concerns and calling in police to break up encampents, it's unclear if or how the current protests will influence the Israel-Hamas war.

USA TODAY revisited four monumental campus protests to explain how college protests have become a staple of American life and often influence the outcomes of political strife. Here's a look at how previous campus protests unfolded — and whether they were successful in their causes.

University of California, Berkeley: Free Speech in 1960s

At the University of California Berkeley starting in 1964, students protested the university's limits on political activities and free speech during the civil rights movement and Vietnam-war era.

"In the wake of  McCarthyism’s  anti-Communist sentiments during the 1950s, public universities in California had enacted numerous regulations limiting  students’ political activities ," wrote Karen Aichinger for the Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee University. "At the University of California, Berkeley, student groups taking part in any on- or off-campus political activities were banned from campus."

What transpired were "small sit-ins and demonstrations" that "escalated into a series of large-scale rallies and protests demanding full constitutional rights on campus," reads the UC Berkeley website.

Nearly 800 students were arrested by local police as a result.

The students' protest ultimately worked in their favor. The university eventually overturned policies that would restrict the content of speech or advocacy, according to the college.

"Today, the Movement stands as a symbol of the importance of protecting and preserving free speech and academic freedom," reads the UC Berkeley website.

Kent State University in Ohio: Vietnam War in 1970

The most prolific university protest of the Vietnam War happened at Kent State University in Ohio in May 1970. Students started protesting the Vietnam War and the U.S. invasion of Cambodia on their campus on May 2. Two days later, the National Guard opened fire into a sea of antiwar protesters and passerbys. The soldiers killed four young people – Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Scheuer, and William Knox Schroeder – and injured several others with their violence.

"The impact of the shootings was dramatic," wrote Jerry Lewis and Thomas Hensley in an article for Kent State University. "The event triggered a nationwide student strike that forced hundreds of colleges and universities to close."

The shootings also influenced national politics, Lewis and Hensley wrote.

"In The Ends of Power, (H.R.) Haldeman, (a top aide to President Richard Nixon), states that the shootings at Kent State began the slide into Watergate, eventually destroying the Nixon administration," the article reads.

Today, the protest and shootings "certainly come to symbolize the deep political and social divisions that so sharply divided the country during the Vietnam War era," Lewis and Hensley wrote.

Jackson State College in Mississippi: Racial Injustice in 1970

Days after the shootings at Kent State, police opened gunfire at a college dormitory Jackson State College in Mississippi, a school with a predominantly Black student population.

Black students there were protesting racial injustice, including how they were treated by white drivers speeding on campus, according to the university .

Police received a call that Black young people were throwing rocks at white drivers near the campus. Police arrived at the scene and shot hundreds of bullets into Alexander Hall, according to an FBI report, NPR reported . Police killed two students – Phillip Lafayette Gibbs and James Earl Green – and injured 12 others. The college also canceled its graduation due to the killings and unrest.

At a 2021 commencement ceremony, the university honored 74 of the students who were unable to walk the stage in 1970, NBC reported . At the commencement ceremony, Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said police “unjustly gunned down two innocent young Black men, terrorized and traumatized a community of Black students and committed one of the gravest sins in our city’s history," NBC reported .

The killings at Jackson State College and Kent State University national sparked outrage. College students across the nation protested on their campuses, according to the Zinn Education Project , a collaboration of historical content from the groups  Rethinking Schools  and  Teaching for Change .

"The spring of 1970 saw the first general student strike in the history of the United States, students from over four hundred colleges and universities calling off classes to protest the invasion of Cambodia, the Kent State affair, the killing of two black students at Jackson State College in Mississippi, and the continuation of the war," wrote Howard Zinn in the book "You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train ."

Angus Johnston, an adjunct assistant professor at Hostos Community College of the City University of New York and a historian of student activism, said after both events: "There was a period of about 30 years or so where it tended to be fairly unlikely that campuses would respond with mass arrests even in the case of admin building occupations."

Nationwide: South Africa anti-Apartheid protests in 1985

Another form of popular college campus protest occurred in the 1980's. Students across the country wanted their colleges to cut ties with groups that supported from the South African apartheid.

"Under apartheid, race restricted every aspect of life for South Africans who were Black, Indian and colored — a multiracial classification created by the government," The New York Times reported . "There were strict limits on where they could live, attend school, work and travel.

Columbia University was at the center of the movement. Students led by the Coalition for a Free South Africa at Columbia University "blockaded Hamilton Hall, the university’s administrative building, leading to the first successful divestiture campaign at the university," reads a summary of the events from the Zinn Education Project .

There was less pushback for protesters during this time, due to a “certain embarrassment among elites in the United States that there was complicity with South Africa’s white government,” said Daniel Farber, a history professor at the University of Kansas who has studied American activism, reports Vox Media .

Columbia University was one of the first colleges to divest from doing business with South Africa and 155 universities followed suit. U.S. Congress also passed the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act in 1986, which aimed to prevent new trade and investment between the nation and South Africa.

What is the future of college protests in America?

Free speech experts told USA TODAY that students should continue to peacefully protest in open campus spaces to avoid conflict.

Alex Morey, the director of campus rights advocacy for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, encourages universities to remain neutral in times of unrest and not to call in authorities unless a demonstration turns violent. The national nonprofit defends Americans rights to free speech and thought.

"Peaceful protest is a hallmark of a healthy speech climate on American college campuses and it has been for decades – whether it's the Berkeley free speech movement, or students protesting the Vietnam War era or civil rights," Morey said. "Generations of students have felt passionately about certain issues and the open air places on campuses are great places to support their views."

Contact Kayla Jimenez at [email protected] .  Follow her on X at @kaylajjimenez.