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mrswinteriscoming
VIP December 2021

Who gave (or who will give) a speech at your wedding?

mrswinteriscoming, on May 12, 2021 at 6:38 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 17

FSIL asked me if her husband (FH's brother / best man) is required to give a speech and it got me thinking, who should we have give speeches? My dad has said he wants to give a speech but so far he is the only one we know that will give a speech.

One of my friends asked if he wanted me to have him give a speech but I don't know if it was genuine or a courtesy because this was in the context of discussing a horrible wedding speech he'd heard at a wedding recently and me telling him 'not everyone is as gifted a public speaker as you'.

I don't know if we should ask people or if we see if anyone volunteers? Should it be only in the bridal party or friends too?

Who did you have give a speech/or who are you planning to have give a speech?

17 Comments

Latest activity by Kari, on May 16, 2021 at 10:19 PM
  • AJ
    Super October 2022
    AJ ·
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    FH and I will say a few words, but right now not planning on anyone else making a speech. If BM or MOH want to they can but it I won’t be forcing it.
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  • Hanna
    VIP June 2019
    Hanna ·
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    We had 4 speeches/toasts: my dad, my husband's dad, the MOH, and the best man. All speakers were definitely decided ahead of time because we had to build their speeches into our timeline. We had a multi-course plated dinner so giving them time constraints to try to stick to was super important. If you're having a plated meal (which I believe you are), then I'd highly recommend deciding on the speeches in advance.

    My mom and my SIL gave speeches/toasts at the rehearsal dinner. Our rehearsal dinner was much more casual and unstructured so we pretty much let them do whatever they wanted.

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  • mrswinteriscoming
    VIP December 2021
    mrswinteriscoming ·
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    Our wedding is going to be very formal so there is definitely not going to be any opportunity for anyone to just wing it on the night (and no 'open mic'). I think 4 would be the max we'd go for - probably same people! Thanks!

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  • Michelle
    Champion December 2022
    Michelle ·
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    We’re skipping all toasts/speeches. No one is comfortable talking in front of a crowd and it’s not something we want to force on anyone.

    We’ve been to many weddings, together and as singles, and only seen toasts in person once and that was by the bride’s parents and they kept it under a minute.

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  • M
    Super June 2021
    Melanie ·
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    We're having 4 speeches - my dad, the MOH (my sister), the best man, and one of the groomsmen who really wanted to say something. In my experience, the MOH and the best man are normally a given. We didn't have to ask, they just knew they would be giving speeches (and they actually wanted to speak). You can ask people, but if they're hesitant or just don't want to, don't force it otherwise it could be super awkward. No speeches or just your dad speaking is completely fine.

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  • Samantha
    VIP October 2022
    Samantha ·
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    Just the groom thanking everyone for coming. He speaks for a living and will do a good job, and short and sweet one speech will make everyone else happy too.

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  • B
    VIP July 2017
    Becky ·
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    We forewent all speeches - primarily because of the wedding we went to at which the speeches literally went on for an hour. It was crazy, killed the mood, and everyone ended up bored.

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  • KYLIE
    Super May 2019
    KYLIE ·
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    My FIL, our best man and MOH all gave speeches. My FIL ended his with a prayer to bless the food. He has a ton of public speaking experience and flowed it very well to my MOH, who is also a fantastic public speaker. The three of them did a great job and no one went on too long at all. All weddings I’ve attended have had best man and MOH speeches, and most have had the father of the bride too.
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  • Nicole
    Devoted August 2022
    Nicole ·
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    My FH and I will be doing a short thank you for coming toast. We don't plan on having any other speeches.
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  • Rosie
    Master February 2022
    Rosie ·
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    Absolutely do ask in advance and provide a time limit - as the others have said, it needs to fit between each course of the meal and/or alongside first dance, cake cutting, etc.

    We are only having us give a joint speech plus both dads, mostly because the groom and I think speeches are the worst most boring part of the night and want them over and done with so everyone can relax and partay, haha!

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  • Yasmine
    Master October 2020
    Yasmine ·
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    No one did at our minimony, but at our big wedding my Bestfriend as well as my Husbands Bestfriend will give speeches.

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  • E
    Expert September 2022
    EGD ·
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    We'll be having 3 possibly 4 speeches/toasts.

    My MOH will give one, FH's two brothers are his best men so they will also each give one. I'm still toying with the idea of having FH and I say a few words just to thank everyone for coming, if we do this our speech will be at the end of dinner right before we open the dance floor. The MOH and Best Men will give their speeches before dinner as the buffet is being set up!

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  • E
    Super July 2023
    Eniale ·
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    I don't really like the idea of "required" speeches. Some people are not good at public speaking, some do not want that kind of pressure, some people aren't "talkers" (they don't have much to say besides "love you guys and congratulations" - it doesn't mean they aren't over-the-moon for you, they just don't convey their feelings through words.)

    Having filmed my share of disastrous speeches, you could tell when the MOH/Best Man were told they had to give a speech. They were awkward, plunky, full of clichés that they grabbed off Google, and felt very hollow.

    At our wedding, my mom made a speech, my sister made a speech, and my husband's aunt made a speech. We could have done without the aunt speech, but she felt so compelled. His dad also gave a very brief, simple blessing of "we wish you a long, happy marriage and we love you," basically.

    You can approach the subject with important people - address the bridal party and ask if anyone wants to do a speech, and approach your parents and ask them as well.

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  • Mcskipper
    Master July 2018
    Mcskipper ·
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    Only us. Our Best Man didn’t want to, so I asked my MoH if she still wanted to and she basically said if I wanted it she’d be happy to but was plenty happy to NOT. Fine by me!
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  • M
    Expert April 2021
    Melody ·
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    We had 3 speeches total - best man, maid of honor, and one bridesmaid. We asked the best man and maid of honor to do speeches, and then let the rest of the wedding party know they could do one if they wanted to but definitely didn't have to. Only the one bridesmaid chose to do one. It was perfect for our group.

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  • Katherine
    Expert October 2021
    Katherine ·
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    My fh and I will and the moh and best man. Possibly my parents as well
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  • Kari
    Master May 2020
    Kari ·
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    Typically the bride and groom thank their guests for coming (its not usually much of a speech but can be), and then often the parents (usually its the father, because the patriarchy) of the couple, and then the MOH and Best Man. It's not very common for other people to give speeches but there are no rules.

    I don't think anyone who is uncomfortable giving a speech should be forced to give one. Our parents won't be speaking (that I am aware of) and I don't have an MOH, but my husband's Best Man will probably do a speech.

    I once went to a reception where it was pretty much a free for all to say a few words. I had a few drinks in me and ended up telling a great little story about the couple (I had lived with both of them). It was super fun, but I generally would not recommend doing an "open mic" unless you have a small event and really know your crowd.

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