Speeches at rehearsal dinner?

I think it's whoever wants to say a few words type thing, but I could be wrong!

If you want speeches at rehearsal dinner, I would assign 2 people and ask them to keep it under 2 minutes. Speeches can get carried away and go on and on.

If our parents want to do any toasts, we'll have them do so at the rehearsal dinner. Anyone else who is invited to that and wants to do a toast can, but it won't be super formal! Then our MOHs/Best Man will do their speeches at the wedding reception.

At the few rehearsal dinners I've been a part of, the bride and groom have done a little toast in thanks to all the people who have been there for them throughout the wedding planning, their engagement, and their lives in general. Typically your rehearsal dinner is family, bridal party, and out of town guests so it's usually people you're pretty close with. You could either just do "whoever wants to talk", which may be your parents if they aren't giving a speech during your reception, or it could be you all thanking them for the roles they've played in your lives and for being there to celebrate with you. FH and I were going to do a little thank you toast at our rehearsal/welcome dinner!

My husband and I gave a short speech at our rehearsal dinner. I don't remember much of what we said, only that I cried. Neither our best man or MOH did rehearsal dinner speeches, just their toasts at the reception. At our rehearsal dinner, my dad, my sister (who was also a bridesmaid), and my husband's mom and stepdad all gave scheduled speeches, and then a friend of ours gave an impromptu speech.

My bridal party consists of two maids of honor and two best men (on top of groomsman and bridesmaids), and the later will most likely do speeches at the wedding reception. My FH’s brother will be asked to possibly make a speech at the rehearsal dinner, but of course my dad jokes about his speech being an hour long, so hopefully all the speeches aren’t too long on the wedding day.

Not everyone is comfortable with public speaking in front of strangers and some will refuse no matter how much they love you. Some people who want to speak feel the need to prepare and others do better on the spot. Let guests go as they wish instead of asking people to speak to avoid any disappointment if they aren’t comfortable.


Toasts at the rehearsal dinner is better because it gets them out of the way to allow for more spending time with guests at the reception.

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I think this is what I'm going to move forward with and keep it casual. Thank you!

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Thank you, Shannon! I don't really have a preference if anyone gives speeches at the rehearsal dinner, but yes some people do go on and on...I'll need to keep that in mind.

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Thank you Brittany! We were thinking that too, that the rehearsal dinner might be a good opportunity for our parents to speak if they want to. I think we're going to keep it informal and casual and whoever wants to say a few words at the rehearsal dinner, can.

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I love this! I kind of would like to say a few words myself! Just to thank everyone for being there for us and being part of this journey...I'll talk to my FH and see if we can put a few words together.

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Yesss! I asked our Best Man and MOH to keep their toasts between 2 and 4 minutes.

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These are great points. My bridesmaids aren't particularly shy or hesitant about public speaking, but when I was MOH at my best friend's wedding, I wrote a poem and recited it aloud in place of a speech because of nerves. She loved the poem so it worked out, but yes I understand and empathize if anyone doesn't want to speak. I'm going to keep it super casual and not ask or anticipate anyone speaking...if it happens, great, if not, that's great too.

My husband & I have a small speech, thanking all (both sets of parents & bridal party) for participating in our wedding. His parents gave a small speech but that was it.

I think I would assign a couple people to make speeches at your rehearsal dinner that way it doesn't get too crazy, but you could also have anyone make a speech.