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 5 min to speakBeginnerWedding
Wedding speech
A flexible wedding speech for any guest asked to say a few words: welcome, a story, a tribute to the couple and a toast, laid out as cue cards you can print and hold.
Free to use, edit, print and study. No account needed: your set stays on this device.
The cards
- 1
Open warmly
“Good evening, everyone. For those I haven’t met, I’m [your name], and I’ve known [partner 1] since [how and when you met].”
Pause. Smile at the couple before you go on.
- 2
Thank the hosts
Thank [hosts or families] for bringing everyone together.
Mention the venue, the food or the ceremony in one line: “What a beautiful [ceremony / day / place] this has been.”
- 3
Who they are to you
One sentence on what [partner 1] means to you: [friend since school / sister / colleague who became family].
Name one quality everyone in the room would recognise: [kind, stubborn, always early, always late].
- 4
The story
Tell one short story that shows that quality.
- Where: [place]
- What happened: [the moment]
- Why it matters: [what it says about them]
Keep it under a minute and kind enough for grandparents.
- 5
When they met
“I remember when [partner 1] first mentioned [partner 2]. [What they said, or how you could tell it was serious].”
Say what changed in them once they were together.
- 6
Welcome the partner
Speak to [partner 2] directly: “[Partner 2], you [make them laugh / calm them down / bring out the best in them].”
Welcome them, and their family, into your circle.
- 7
A wish for the future
Offer one simple, sincere wish: [patience on hard days, adventures, a home full of friends].
Avoid advice lists. One wish is more memorable than five.
- 8
Raise a glass
“Would you all please stand and raise your glasses.”
Wait until people are ready.
“To [partner 1] and [partner 2]!”
How to use this template
Use this template when you have been asked to give a wedding speech but you are not sure which traditional role fits you: a sibling, an old friend, a godparent or a colleague who is close to the couple. The cards follow a simple arc that works in any country: introduce yourself, thank the hosts, say what one of the couple means to you, tell one story, turn to the other partner, offer a wish and raise a glass. Each card holds one idea and a line of model wording, so you can glance down, find your place and look back up at the room. Replace every [bracket] with your own details, then read it aloud with a timer. Most guest speeches land well at three to five minutes.
Tips
- Ask the couple or the MC when you are speaking and how long you have, and plan to finish a little under that time.
- Hold the microphone a fist’s width below your chin and keep it there when you turn to face the couple, or people at the back will lose you.
- Choose stories that the couple would be happy for their grandparents and their new in-laws to hear; skip past partners, money and in-jokes only three people understand.
- Print the cards in a large font and number them, so a dropped card does not end the speech.
- Before the toast, check that glasses are full and wait a beat after asking people to stand, so the room rises together.
- Have one sip of water before you start, not three drinks; nerves are easier to manage with a clear head.
Make it fit
- For two brides or two grooms, or a couple who prefer not to use bride and groom, keep the [partner 1] and [partner 2] wording and use their names throughout.
- At a second marriage, a blended family wedding or a vow renewal, acknowledge the children or the journey that led here, and keep any mention of the past light and generous.
- For a short slot of about two minutes, keep the opening, the story and the toast and drop the other cards.
- In cultures where elders speak first or toasts follow a set order, check the running order with the family and match their customs, including whether alcohol is used for the toast.
Updated October 28, 2026