How to Create a Beautiful and Memorable Bride Speech

Look, I get it. The idea of standing up in front of everyone you know can be more terrifying than trying to fit into your wedding dress after a week-long cake-tasting spree. But here’s the thing: your voice matters, and your wedding day is the perfect time to let it shine in your bride speech.

In this guide, we’re going to walk you through everything you need to know about crafting a bride speech that’ll have your guests laughing, crying, and secretly wishing they’d thought to do a bride speech at their wedding. We’ll cover it all – from how to start your speech without sounding like a nervous chipmunk, to what to say to your new hubby without making everyone else feel like they’re intruding on a private moment, to thanking your parents without unleashing the waterworks (okay, who am I kidding, there will be tears).

Whether you’re a natural-born public speaker or someone who gets tongue-tied ordering coffee, I’ve got you covered. I’ll break it down step by step, sprinkle in some humor, and make sure you’re ready to knock your speech out of the park.

As a wedding videographer, I’ve had the unique opportunity to capture many beautiful speeches from the ladies who have stood where you will stand. I’ve chosen some of the best speeches to inspire you as you see them in action.

Let’s dive in.

How to Start a Bride Speech

A strong opening can set the tone for your entire wedding speech. It’s your chance to capture your audience’s attention and make a lasting impression. Here are some effective ways to start your bride speech:

1. Express Gratitude: Start by thanking everyone for being there to celebrate your special day. Mention how much it means to you to have your loved ones present.
   
   Example: “Good evening, everyone. I want to start by thanking all of you for being here today to share in this incredible moment with us. Your presence means the world to us.”
   
2. Acknowledge Key People: Briefly acknowledge key people like your parents, in-laws, and wedding party. This shows appreciation for their support and contributions to the wedding.
   
   Example: “I’d also like to take a moment to thank my parents for their endless love and guidance, and to my new family for welcoming me with open arms. And to my bridesmaids—thank you for standing by my side through all the laughs and tears.”
   
3. Reflect on the Day: Share a quick reflection on how you’re feeling about the day. It can be light-hearted, emotional, or a mix of both.
   
   Example: “Today has been nothing short of magical. Seeing everything come together, and standing here with the love of my life, feels like a dream come true.”
   
4. Introduce the Heart of Your Speech: This is where you transition into the main part of your speech, whether it’s about your relationship, a special memory, or a message to your partner.
   
   Example: “As I stand here, I’m reminded of the first time I knew that [Partner’s Name] was the one for me…”

Remember, the key is to be you – whether that’s sappy, sarcastic, or somewhere in between. Your guests are already your fans (they showed up, didn’t they?), so relax and have fun with your speech.

What Should a Bride Say in Her Speech?

A bride’s speech is typically a heartfelt expression of gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the wedding day. Here are some key points to consider:

1. Express gratitude: Thank your guests for attending, and acknowledge their support and love.
2. Acknowledge your groom: Express your love and appreciation for your partner. Share a special memory or quality you admire about them.
3. Thank your family and friends: Thank your parents, siblings, and close friends for their love and support.
4. Thank the wedding party: Acknowledge the efforts of your bridesmaids, groomsmen, and other members of your wedding party.
5. Share a personal anecdote: Share a funny or touching story about your relationship with your groom or a special memory from the wedding day.
6. Toast to the future: Raise a glass to your future together as a married couple.

Remember: The most important thing is to speak from the heart. Let your genuine emotions guide your words.

How Long Should a Bride Speech Be?

A bride’s speech should typically be between 3-5 minutes long. This allows you to express gratitude and share personal anecdotes without overwhelming your audience.

Reasons for keeping your bride speech to this length:

• Keeps the audience engaged: A shorter speech is less likely to cause the audience to lose interest. People have shorter attention spans, and a lengthy speech can make them feel bored or restless.
• Allows for personal touches: While you can still share meaningful stories and express your gratitude in a shorter time frame, you’ll need to be concise and choose your words carefully. This ensures that your speech is impactful and memorable.
• Maintains the flow of the evening: A long speech can disrupt the overall pace of the reception. You don’t want to keep your guests waiting for the next event or activity.
• Avoids repetition: It’s easier to avoid repeating yourself when you’re keeping your speech concise. This helps to ensure that your speech is well-organized and easy to follow.

Ultimately, the ideal length for your speech will depend on your delivery, style, and the topics you want to cover. However, aiming for 3-5 minutes is a good starting point.

Tips for Thanking Your Parents in A Bride Speech

Alright, bride-to-be, it’s time to talk about thanking those wonderful humans who raised you! Yep, I’m talking about your parents. They’ve been there through thick and thin, from bandaging your scraped knees to helping you choose that knockout wedding dress. So, let’s make sure we give them a proper shout-out in your speech.

• Take a trip down memory lane: Remember that time your dad let you “drive” the car while sitting on his lap? Or when your mom stayed up all night to help you finish your science project? Start with a fun memory like that. It’ll make everyone go “Aww!” and show just how awesome your parents are.
• Give ’em credit where credit’s due: Your parents probably moved mountains to get you where you are today. Maybe your mom worked two jobs to send you to college, or your dad learned to braid hair just for you. Whatever it is, now’s the time to say, “Hey, I noticed, and it meant the world to me!”
• Make your husband look good (your parents will love that!): Thank your folks for welcoming your other half into the family. Did your dad teach your partner to fish? Did your mom share her secret recipe? Mentioning stuff like this shows your parents that their efforts to bond with your partner haven’t gone unnoticed.
• Share their pearls of wisdom: Your parents have probably dropped some knowledge bombs about love and marriage over the years. Maybe it was profound, maybe it was hilarious – either way, sharing it in your speech is a great way to honor them. Plus, it might save some of your guests a fortune in future therapy bills!
• Get a little misty-eyed about the future: Let your parents know that you plan to take all their good advice (and maybe some of their bad dance moves) into your marriage. Tell them you hope to build a life that’ll make them proud. Warning: This might cause some serious happy tears, so have tissues ready!

Remember, you don’t need to sound like a Hallmark card here. Just be you! Your parents love YOU, quirks and all. So whether you’re a stand-up comedian or a softie who cries at cat videos, let that shine through in your thanks.

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, let’s be honest, he is). Here are some tips to help you nail this part of your 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: A touch of 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

Photos by Ben & Hope Photography.