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.
Speech8 cardsAbout 3 min to speakBeginnerFamily
Engagement party toast
A short engagement party toast for a parent, host or close friend: welcome guests, share how the couple got here and raise a glass to the wedding ahead.
Free to use, edit, print and study. No account needed: your set stays on this device.
The cards
- 1
Welcome
“Hello, everyone, and thank you for coming. I’m [your name], [relationship to the couple].”
If you are the host: “We’re so glad to have you in our [home / garden / favourite restaurant].”
- 2
The news
“As you all know, [partner 1] asked [partner 2] [where and how, if they are happy to share it], and [partner 2] said yes.”
Leave space for a cheer.
- 3
Bringing people together
Name the groups in the room: “Tonight we have [family / school friends / workmates] meeting for the first time.”
Encourage people to say hello.
- 4
Why they fit
One specific reason the couple works: [how they balance each other, a shared passion, a small moment you saw].
- 5
Looking ahead
“Planning a wedding is [a lot], so be kind to them over the next [months].”
Mention the date if it is set: [date or season].
- 6
A small story
A short, happy story about the couple: [the first time you met them together / how they helped someone / a trip].
Thirty seconds is enough. Save the longer ones for the wedding.
- 7
To the families
Thank [partner 2’s family] for coming and say you are looking forward to [the wedding / getting to know them].
- 8
Toast
“Please raise your glasses to the happy couple and the adventure ahead.”
“To [partner 1] and [partner 2]!”
How to use this template
An engagement party toast is short, warm and mainly about welcome. It is often the first time both families and friendship groups meet, so the speaker’s job is to make everyone feel included and celebrate the couple without giving the full wedding speech early. These cards suit a parent, host, sibling or close friend. They welcome guests, share the news, introduce the groups in the room, give one reason the couple fit, look ahead to the wedding and lead a toast. Keep it to about three minutes. Fill in the [brackets], and check with the couple which proposal details they are happy for you to share. If the couple want to speak, hand them the microphone after your toast so they can thank everyone in their own words.
Tips
- Ask the couple what they want said about the proposal; some love the story told and some prefer it kept private.
- Keep your best stories for the wedding itself if you will also be speaking there.
- In a home or small venue, stand where everyone can see you, such as on a step or by the doorway, and speak a little louder than feels natural.
- If there is a microphone, use it and keep it close; garden parties swallow sound.
- Avoid jokes about how long the proposal took or whether the families get along.
- Invite the couple to say a few words after your toast if they want to.
- Agree with the couple whether to mention the wedding date and venue, since guest lists may still be undecided.
- Time your toast for after most guests have arrived but before the evening gets loud, often just after food is served.
Make it fit
- For any couple, including two men or two women, use their names and adjust the proposal card to fit their story, or skip it.
- If parents are divorced or families are blended, welcome every parent and stepparent by name so nobody feels left out.
- In traditions with a formal engagement ceremony, such as a roka, a ring ceremony or a family betrothal, follow the elders’ order and keep the toast for the social part.
- For a surprise party, add a first card that tells the couple why everyone is there.
- If you are speaking at a joint party for both families, share the welcome with a host from the other side so each family feels at home.
Updated October 28, 2026