How to Write the Best Bride Speech with VideoExamples

Your bride speech is one of the most memorable moments of your wedding day – a chance to express your love, gratitude, and joy to everyone who matters most. Many brides feel overwhelmed about writing their wedding speeches, but this comprehensive guide makes it simple and stress-free.

As a professional wedding videographer who has filmed hundreds of wedding speeches, I’ve seen what makes a bride’s speech truly unforgettable. I’ve captured countless emotional moments, from tears of joy to roaring laughter, and I know exactly which speech techniques create magic.

This complete bride speech guide covers:

Step-by-step speech writing instructions
Real bride speech examples and templates
Tips for overcoming wedding speech anxiety
Professional delivery techniques
Toast ideas and closing lines

You’ll find practical advice for crafting your perfect bride speech, whether you’re looking to create touching moments, add humor, or strike the perfect balance. With real wedding speech examples and proven templates, you’ll have everything needed to write and deliver a memorable bride speech with confidence.

Table of Contents

Updated 29th December 2024

How to Start a Bride Speech

The first moments of your bride’s speech are crucial. They set the tone for everything that follows and can instantly capture (or lose) your audience’s attention. Here are proven strategies to make a memorable entrance into your speech:

Opening with Authenticity

The best bride speeches begin with genuine emotion. This doesn’t mean you need to be overly dramatic, but you should be sincere. Consider these powerful opening approaches:

Personal Acknowledgment Start by thanking your guests for being part of your special day. For example: “There is nothing quite like addressing a room full of people that you love. All of you here today have made a difference in my life as well as my husband’s in one way or another.”
Unexpected Humor A light-hearted opening can immediately put you and your audience at ease. A quick, clever joke or playful observation can break the ice. For instance: “When I first met [Partner’s Name], I never thought I’d end up marrying someone who [funny characteristic or story].”
Emotional Connection Share a brief, heartfelt moment that introduces your relationship. This could be a short anecdote that gives insight into your love: “Five years ago, I had no idea that a missed coffee date would lead me to the love of my life.”

Technical Tips for a Strong Start

Keep your opening concise (aim for 30-45 seconds)
Speak slowly and clearly
Make eye contact with your audience
Use a conversational tone
Practice your opening multiple times

Pro Tip from a Wedding Videographer: The most memorable speech openings feel like a genuine conversation. Imagine you’re talking to a close friend, not delivering a formal address.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t start with an apology or admission of nervousness
Stay away from overly long backstories
Don’t begin with cliché statements

Best Opening Lines for a Bride’s Wedding Speech

The opening line of your wedding speech sets the tone for your entire message and captures your guests’ attention from the start. While the traditional “Thank you all for being here” might feel safe, a creative, heartfelt opening line can instantly create that magical connection with your audience.

Here are proven bride speech opening lines that work beautifully:

For a heartfelt start:

“Growing up, I imagined my wedding day a thousand different ways – but standing here now, surrounded by so much love, reality has far surpassed every childhood dream.”
“Today isn’t just about two people joining in marriage – it’s about two families weaving their stories together, and I’m overwhelmed with gratitude to now be part of both.”
“Standing here as [partner’s name]’s wife feels surreal in the most wonderful way.”

For a touch of humor:

“For those who know me well, you’re probably as surprised as I am that I’m giving a speech today.”
“I tried writing this speech about 27 times, but putting into words how much I love [partner’s name] is harder than choosing my wedding dress.”
“When [partner’s name] proposed, I immediately said yes – to both spending my life with them and to giving this speech, though I’m more nervous about the latter.”

For elegant simplicity:

“Love has brought us all here today, and love is what I want to talk about.”
“Marriage is a beautiful adventure, and I couldn’t have chosen a better person to share this journey with.”
“Today marks the beginning of our greatest chapter together.”

Pro tip: Choose an opening line that authentically reflects your personality and relationship. The most impactful bride speeches begin with words that feel genuine and set up the key themes you’ll explore throughout your speech.

Remember: Practice your opening line until it feels natural. The confidence you’ll gain from knowing your first few sentences by heart will help calm any nerves and set you up for a successful speech.

What Should a Bride Say in Her Speech?

A bride’s wedding speech typically includes five key elements that make it memorable and meaningful. Begin by thanking your guests for sharing in your special day, then express heartfelt gratitude to your parents and in-laws for their love and support. Next, share your feelings about your new spouse, perhaps including a sweet anecdote about how you met or the moment you knew they were “the one.”

Many brides also take this opportunity to acknowledge their bridesmaids and maid of honor, sharing a special memory or thanking them for their friendship. Finally, close your speech by expressing your excitement about your future together, perhaps with a toast to your new marriage.

Example structure:

Welcome and thank your guests
Show gratitude to family
Express love for your partner
Acknowledge your bridal party
Toast to your future together

Pro Videographer Insight: The best speeches feel like genuine, unrehearsed conversations. While you should practice, aim for a natural delivery that sounds authentic and heartfelt.

How Long Should a Bride Speech Be?

The ideal length for a bride’s wedding speech is 5-7 minutes, which typically translates to about 750-1,000 words when written out. This duration hits the sweet spot – long enough to cover all essential points but short enough to maintain your guests’ attention and leave them wanting more.

A perfectly timed bride’s speech breaks down like this:

Opening and greeting: 30 seconds
Thanks to guests and family: 1-2 minutes
Words about your partner: 2-3 minutes
Acknowledgment of wedding party: 1 minute
Closing toast: 30 seconds

Why this length works:

Keeps guests engaged throughout
Allows time for genuine emotion without rambling
It fits comfortably into the wedding reception timeline
Gives you enough time to speak at a relaxed pace
Prevents anxiety about memorizing a lengthy speech

Remember: Quality always trumps quantity. A concise, heartfelt 4-minute speech will be more memorable than a rambling 15-minute one.

How to Thank Your Parents in your Bride Speech

Thanking your parents in a wedding speech is a touching way to honor their love and support. Here’s how to do it gracefully:

Start with Gratitude
Open by expressing heartfelt appreciation. For example:
“Mom and Dad, I wouldn’t be the person I am today without your love and guidance.”
Acknowledge Their Sacrifices
Highlight specific ways they’ve supported you.
“Thank you for always being there, from late-night homework sessions to cheering me on at every milestone.”
Share a Personal Anecdote
Add a meaningful memory that reflects their role in your life.
“I’ll never forget how you [helped plan this wedding/made family dinners feel so special/taught me the value of kindness].”
Express Love and Future Intentions
End with a heartfelt statement and a look ahead.
“Your love has been my foundation, and I hope to carry the lessons you’ve taught me into my marriage.”

In the video above Eryn dedicates the entire ending of her bride speech to her mother. In a touching tribute, Eryn breaks from tradition to surprise her with a gift of her bridal bouquet.

“There are not enough words to say thank you for everything that you’ve done for me. So as a small token of my appreciation, I would like to dedicate my bouquet to you. When I was a little girl I would always tell you that I love you more than all the grains of sand on Durban Beach and that statement remains true. However, I’d like to add a few beaches to the mix.”

Top 5 Tips on What to Say to Your Husband

Addressing your husband in your speech is your chance to make him feel like the luckiest guy in the world (which he is). Here are some tips to help you nail this part of your bride speech:

Share a pivotal moment in your relationship: This could be when you knew he was “the one” or when you fell in love. It tells your story and sets an emotional tone.
Highlight his best qualities and express gratitude: Mention what you love about him and thank him for specific things he’s done. This shows appreciation and reminds you both why you’re getting married.
Include a funny anecdote or playful tease: Humor lightens the mood and showcases your bond. It could be a quirk you love or a memorable adventure you shared.
Make a heartfelt promise for your future together: Share your commitment to supporting his dreams or a playful vow. This looks forward to your life as a married couple.
End with a sincere expression of love: Sum up your feelings in a powerful sentence and say “I love you” in a way that’s meaningful to you both. This creates a touching conclusion.

Remember, the key here is authenticity. Your husband fell in love with YOU, so let your personality shine through. Don’t worry about sounding poetic or perfect – speak from your heart.

Lastly, don’t forget to make eye contact with your husband while speaking about him. Trust me, seeing his reaction will give you all the courage you need to keep going. You might even catch him wiping away a tear or two (and if you do, feel free to tease him about it later!).

Other FAQs for a Bride Speech

A strong conclusion can leave a lasting impression on your guests. Here are some tips for ending your bride’s speech:

Reiterate your gratitude: Express your heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported you.
Toast to your future: Raise a glass to your future together as a married couple.
End on a positive note: Leave your guests with a feeling of hope, happiness, and love.

Here’s a sample conclusion:

“Thank you all for being here to celebrate with us today. Your love and support mean the world to us. As we embark on this new chapter of our lives together, I raise a glass to our future filled with love, laughter, and endless happiness. Cheers!”

Absolutely! Reading your bride’s speech is perfectly acceptable. It can help you ensure that you say everything you want and that your words are clear and well-spoken.

If you’re nervous about reading, practice a few times beforehand to build your confidence. You can also use notes to help guide you but try to avoid reading directly from a script.

The most important thing is to speak from the heart and let your genuine emotions shine through, whether reading or speaking from memory.

The traditional order of speeches often concludes with the bride, a playful nod to the idea that she gets the final word over her new husband. While this is a common sequence, it’s important to remember that the most suitable order depends on the couple’s preferences and the specific dynamics of the wedding party.

Father of the Bride (or family member)
Father of the Groom (or family member)
Maid of Honor
Best Man
Groom
Bride

Of course. I’ve seen this many times as a wedding videographer and it works well. Speaking together as a couple can be a beautiful and memorable way to express your love and gratitude.

Here are some reasons why a joint speech is a great idea:

Double the fun, half the stress: Nervous about speaking solo? Tag-teaming takes the pressure off. Plus, you can blame any awkward jokes on your partner. Win-win!
It’s all about that banter: A joint speech is perfect for showcasing your chemistry. Think of it as your own little comedy routine, minus the bad stand-up outfits.
Divide and conquer: Split up the thank-yous. You thank your side, they thank theirs. It’s like divvying up chores, but way more fun and with better outfits.
Finish each other’s… Sentences!: A little back-and-forth can be super cute. Just don’t overdo it, or you’ll give your guests cavities.
Share your story, two-sided: Each of you can share your perspective on how you met, fell in love, etc. It’s like “He Said, She Said” – wedding edition!
Double the tissues: Fair warning: Joint speeches can bring double the tears. Waterproof mascara is your friend here, folks.
Practice makes perfect(ish): Rehearse together. It’s like dance practice, but with less stepping on toes (hopefully).
Remember, there’s no rule book here: Whether you alternate paragraphs, do a little Q&A, or perform an interpretive dance (hey, it’s your wedding!), the key is to have fun with it.
And if you stumble?: Just look at each other, laugh it off, and keep going. After all, that’s pretty much what marriage is all about, right?

Photos by Ben & Hope Photography.

How to Write the Best Bride Speech with Examples