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Groom Speech Template
We have created a groom speech template that tells you what you have to talk about and when. Much of the groom’s speech is quite formulaic. This doesn’t mean your speech will be boring, but it does make it easier to write.
It is important to personalise your groom’s speech. You don’t want to sound like you are just reading out a list of names and thank you's. By thinking carefully about your opening lines (first impressions count!) you can immediately put your stamp on your groom’s speech.
Remember...
If your wife is not making a speech, remember to say you are speaking on her behalf also. Do it early on in your speech or it will sound like she’s been tagged on at the end as an afterthought.
Thank the previous speaker
Icebreaker
Thank the guests...
Thank your in-laws
Your parents
A few words about the bride
Families
The best man
Thank you's
A toast!
What happens next
This is most likely to be the father of the bride, your new father-in-law. So make it sincere. If the father of the bride speech has been humorous you could respond appropriately. If you don’t know your new in-laws too well, you might want to keep it more formal.
Memorising the first few lines is a great way to combat nerves. It is totally up to you whether you start your speech formally or a bit more light heartedly. Some people find getting an immediate positive response from the audience by delivering a funny speech opener gives them confidence for the rest of it. Read our sample's of groom speech opening lines for inspiration.
... for attending and for any wedding presents you have received. If you are speaking on behalf of your new wife also, include her in this part of your speech. Say a special thank you to any guests (mention them by name) who have made a special effort or travelled a long way to attend, it will be appreciated!
aka the mother and father of the bride. How you address them is of course up to you. If they helped organise the wedding or paid for the occasion, acknowledge this in a tasteful way and express your gratitude. These days it is often the case that several people combine to pay for a wedding, both sets of parents for example. If this is the case, give your thanks accordingly.
Your parents probably had something to do with the success you have made with your life in having found someone you would like to share the rest of it with. Giving them credit for it on your wedding day is a very nice gesture. How in depth about your feelings you go is up to you but sincerity with some light hearted humour can be a winning formula.
Everyone will be eager to hear your heartfelt words about your new wife; you are the stars of the show! Be open and say what you feel. Even if you feel a little awkward pouring your heart out in front of family and friends, you really won’t regret it. Your new wife will especially impressed. There is still room for some light hearted humour in this part of your groom’s speech. There may be a funny story about how the two of you met which you could share with your audience. Or relay some advice you have been given about marriage or your musings about what lies ahead. You could take inspiration from classic groom speech jokes. You will know what is appropriate and what you can get away with. Remember your audience and the golden rule of writing wedding speeches; if in doubt, leave it out! Read more about writing a wedding speech.
As well as entering into a union, you have both gained a number of in-laws in one day. Express your happiness with this. If you don’t know your in-laws very well you could talk about how you are looking forward to getting to know them. If you already know them well, you could express your happiness in your relationship becoming a family one.
He will be speaking after you. As much as you are good friends, he will have prepared some sort of mild humiliation for you so use this opportunity to have a pre-emptive strike. Keep it clean though, his speech is expected to be a bit risqué but you are still under scrutiny. Don’t undo all the great work you have done in your groom speech so far. Also, thank your best man for taking on the role, he’ll be nervous by now as his speech is very near.
Your final thank you's go to the bridesmaids, ushers, minister, caterers; everyone who had a hand in putting on the ceremony and hasn’t had a mention yet.
Proposing a toast to the bridesmaids is traditional. You could extend your toast to the guests, to life, to love… this is your finale so make the most of it.
Introduce the next speaker. This is a good way to stand down from the spotlight and hand over to the next wedding speech.
Now you can relax and enjoy the best man speech. Well, maybe you can’t relax too much but at least your speech is over!
You should have some great ideas about things you’re going to talk about in your groom’s speech. Read about wedding speech delivery so your delivery makes the most of the brilliant words you have written.