Does the married couple give a speech?

Are you and FH hosting the wedding (paying for some or most of it)? I believe traditionally the bride's parents thanked the guests but now that more and more often the bride and groom are handling the cost themselves they thank everyone for coming.

We are paying for everything ourselves

Then yes you should make a speech thanking everyone for coming and sharing the special day with you.

I second what Allyson says. Traditionally the bride's father spoke on his and the bride's mother to thank them as they were paying, but as you're paying, a speech from you and/or your FH would be entirely appropriate! Plus, if your dad wishes to speak as well, why not, I say.

In my circle it is necessary and considered rude for the bride and groom to not say something. Not a long speech, just enough to thank everyone

My dad gave a speech, my MOH and BM gave a speech and then I kind of thanked them for their nice words and thanked everyone for taking time out of their day to spend it with us.

Man I hope not! I hate public speaking. I think my brother and sil give a Hirt thank you speech at the rehearsal dinner, but not the wedding

We're hosting our own wedding and I will be giving a speech for my FH and myself. He's not a good public speaker and I'm pretty good at it. It will be the last speech before dinner since I heard no one is supposed to toast after the bride or groom. I'm not sure what I'm going to say yet but I'll definitely be thanking everyone for coming and specifically thanking the one out of state family that is attending.

Conversation in our house before the wedding:

Me: So, are we doing some kind of toast to our guests?

NotFroofy: The boy does that. We don't have a boy.

Me: Well, unless you are planning to acquire a boy before October 6, I think we need to do it.

NotFroofy: What would I do with a boy? Well, let's see. The best man is supposed to thank the bridesmaids. But we don't have a best man or bridesmaids, so that isn't going to work. But it is the father who is supposed to thank everyone for coming.

Me: Yeah, well, neither of our fathers will be there, so we need to act the part of my father.

NotFroofy: What? We have to get pissed and fall down? ["Pissed"=British slang for drunk, not American slang for angry.]

Ah, the complications of lesbian weddings!

If it gives you anxiety, I think you can skip it. It would be ideal to say just a few words of thanks (literally), but you can also thank them in your programs, thank them indivifually when you socialize, and thank them if you're doing a receiving line.

We gave a very short thank you toast and thanked them in the program.

Oh, crap. I don't want to say anything. Maybe i can outsource to FH (as long as he promises not to go on...he was BORN for public speaking) or FFIL since he's paying for the biggest part =)

We'll be giving a thank you speech together near the end of the evening. It doesn't have to be anything long as the other ladies said. It's just thank you for sharing in our day.

For the ladies who are afraid of public speaking...just keep in mind: this is not the general public...it is your family and friends who are there for one of the most important days of your lives.