Best man speech
Best man speech cue cards with a friendly opening, a story or two about the groom, kind words for his partner, thanks to the hosts and a toast that lands.
Speech9 cardsAbout 5 min to speakBeginnerWedding
Bride’s speech
Bride’s speech cue cards for a modern wedding: thank guests and families, honour friends and the wedding party, speak to your new spouse and lead a toast.
Free to use, edit, print and study. No account needed: your set stays on this device.
The cards
- 1
Open
“Hello, everyone. I wasn’t going to let [partner / the best man] have all the microphone time today.”
Thank whoever introduced you.
- 2
Thank the guests
“Looking around this room, I see [people from every part of our lives].”
Thank guests who travelled from [places] and anyone who helped: [names].
- 3
My family
Speak to your parents or the people who raised you: “[Mum / Dad / Nan], [one sincere sentence about what they gave you].”
Mention siblings briefly.
- 4
My new family
“[Partner’s parents], thank you for [welcoming me / a specific kindness].”
Say you are proud to join their family.
- 5
My people
Thank your [bridesmaids / attendants / friends]: [one detail each, or one line for the group].
“You’ve [held my hand / held my dress / held my phone] through all of this.”
- 6
Us
“[Partner] and I [met / started out] [where]. [What you noticed first].”
A small everyday moment that sums you up as a couple: [the moment].
- 7
To you
Turn to your partner: “[Name], [what you love about them], and [what you look forward to].”
Slow down. Look at them, not the cards.
- 8
A light moment
One gentle, self-aware line: “I promised myself I wouldn’t cry. [Name] has already lost the bet.”
Or a small joke about the planning: [joke].
- 9
Toast
“Please raise your glasses to [love / our families / everyone who made today possible].”
“To [toast]!”
How to use this template
Brides speaking at their own wedding is now common in many countries, and guests love hearing from them. This template gives you a speech that sits easily alongside the groom’s or partner’s speech without repeating it. It opens lightly, thanks guests and both families, celebrates your friends and wedding party, tells a small story about you as a couple and ends with a message to your new spouse and a toast. Each card is short, so you can glance down, find the line and look up again. Fill in the [brackets], agree with your partner who thanks whom so you do not double up, and aim for four to five minutes. Many brides speak after the groom or alongside the maid of honour; check the order with your MC so the thanks are not repeated.
Tips
- Split the thank-yous with your partner in advance so each person is thanked once and warmly.
- Choose one ordinary moment, like a Sunday breakfast or a long drive, to describe your relationship; it feels more real than big claims.
- Pin a small pocket into your dress or ask an attendant to hold your cards until it is your turn.
- Hold the microphone close and keep it there when you turn to your partner or your parents.
- Avoid listing every wedding planning drama; one light line is enough.
- Plan where you will stand so you are facing the room, not turning your back on half the guests.
- Practise in your wedding shoes; standing for five minutes feels different when you are not in your everyday clothes.
- Glance at the next card while guests are laughing or clapping, so you never stop for long to find your place.
Make it fit
- At a wedding with two brides, take turns or alternate cards so you each thank your own family and speak to each other.
- If you are marrying again or bringing children into the marriage, include them by name and talk about the family you are making together.
- If your family includes a parent who has died, add a gentle line on the family card and check with your relatives first.
- In cultures where the bride traditionally does not speak, a short thank-you and toast of one minute can still be welcome; ask your elders what feels right.
- For a shorter slot, keep the guests, one family card, the card to your partner and the toast.
Updated October 28, 2026