How long should a wedding speech be?

2-3 minutes. Best man and maid of honor can push to 4. Anything over 5 minutes and guests check out, even if the story is great.

What order do wedding speeches go in?

Typical order: welcome from the couple's parents, best man, maid of honor, couple's thank-you. Some weddings do all speeches before dinner; most do them between courses.

Should you memorize a wedding speech?

No. Read from a printed card. Memorization pressure is what causes the freeze, reading naturally is warmer and safer.

Is it OK to make jokes in a wedding speech?

Yes, if they punch up (self-deprecating) or celebrate the couple. Avoid roasts, exes, drinking stories, and anything you wouldn't say to their grandmother.

Is EverVow a one-time purchase?

Yes. One payment gives you lifetime access, with plans starting at $49. There are no subscriptions, renewals, or hidden fees.

What can I plan with EverVow?

Everything in one place: your guest list and RSVPs, budget, seating charts, vendors, gift registry, honeymoon, and your full planning timeline, plus a public wedding website for your guests.

Does EverVow include an AI planner?

Yes. An AI co-planner is built throughout the app. It can generate checklists, draft timelines, compare vendors, suggest honeymoon destinations, and help arrange seating.

Can my guests RSVP online?

Yes. Each guest gets a simple, mobile-friendly RSVP page where they confirm attendance, meal choices, and dietary needs. Responses show up on your guest list automatically.

Speeches & Toasts

How to Write a Wedding Speech (Best Man, Maid of Honor & Parents)

2026-06-02

If you're staring at a blank page trying to write a wedding speech, take a breath. Below is the 5-step formula I've used to help best men, maids of honor, father of the bride, mother of the groom, and the couple themselves get through it, with real examples and templates for each role. You can draft a solid one in one sitting, promise.

Updated June 2026
5-step formula
All roles covered

The five-step formula

Introduce yourself and how you know the couple (15 sec).
One specific story that shows who they are (60-90 sec).
Turn the story into a truth about them as a couple (30 sec).
One line about the partner, welcome them into the family/friend group (20 sec).
Raise your glass and give a clear toast line (10 sec).

Best man speech example

"For those who don't know me, I'm Jack, I've been Tom's best friend since we were seven. When Tom first told me about Sarah, he said, 'I think I've met someone I'm going to be nervous around forever.' Anyone who knows Tom knows he's not nervous around anyone. That's when I knew. Sarah, welcome to the family, you got the better deal, but we won't tell him. Everyone, please raise a glass. To Tom and Sarah."

Maid of honor speech example

"I've watched Sarah fall for a lot of things in her life, the wrong apartments, the wrong haircuts, three separate startups. But watching her fall in love with Tom was the first time I saw her fall for someone who caught her. Tom, thank you for being the person she gets to come home to. To Tom and Sarah."

Father of the bride & parent speeches

Parent speeches work better warm than funny. Welcome the guests, tell one memory of your child, say something to their partner, then toast. Keep it under three minutes.

"On behalf of our family, thank you all for traveling to be here today. Sarah, from the day you were born, I've watched you become someone we're endlessly proud of. Tom, we didn't gain a son-in-law today. We gained a son. To the newlyweds."

Delivery, where most speeches lose the room

Read out loud, twice. If it takes you more than 4 minutes, cut it.
Print it in 14pt font on a folded card, never rely on your phone.
No inside jokes only 3 people get.
No stories from before the couple met unless they're G-rated and relevant.
Look at the couple, not the crowd. The microphone handles the volume. Your job is to hold their eyes.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a wedding speech be?: 2-3 minutes. Best man and maid of honor can push to 4. Anything over 5 minutes and guests check out, even if the story is great.
What order do wedding speeches go in?: Typical order: welcome from the couple's parents, best man, maid of honor, couple's thank-you. Some weddings do all speeches before dinner; most do them between courses.
Should you memorize a wedding speech?: No. Read from a printed card. Memorization pressure is what causes the freeze, reading naturally is warmer and safer.
Is it OK to make jokes in a wedding speech?: Yes, if they punch up (self-deprecating) or celebrate the couple. Avoid roasts, exes, drinking stories, and anything you wouldn't say to their grandmother.

Save every speech in one place

Keep drafts, the speaking order and toast timings with the rest of your plan so nobody is scrambling on the day.

Organize the wedding party