Short wedding speech examples: 1 to 2 minute speeches by role

A short wedding speech of one to two minutes is about 100 to 300 words, enough for an introduction, one story, a line of good wishes and a toast. The examples below were written for this page, with invented names, so you can see what fits in that time.

When a short speech is the right length

Full UK speeches usually run longer. Bridebook's length guide puts most at 5 to 7 minutes, and says to cut down if many people are speaking. Its speech order guide says shorter speeches "tend to be better received". A short speech suits you if:

• The couple has asked for short speeches, or there are many speakers.
• You are an extra speaker without a traditional slot.
• You are giving a welcome toast before dinner, with a longer speech to follow.
• You are very nervous and would rather do two minutes well than six minutes badly.

Our guide to wedding speech length gives the usual range for each speaker.

How to time it

VirtualSpeech gives 100 to 150 words a minute as a comfortable speaking pace.

Length	Words at 100 to 150 a minute
1 minute	100 to 150
1 minute 30	150 to 225
2 minutes	200 to 300

Word counts are a starting point. Laughter, pauses and the toast itself add time, so read your speech aloud, standing, with a timer. The examples below are about 150 to 160 words each, so expect each to run between one and two minutes.

Father of the bride

This is an example written for this page, about 155 words.

Good evening, everyone. For anyone I haven't met, I'm Rachel's dad, and on behalf of both families, welcome. Thank you for coming, some of you from a very long way.

I'd like to thank Sue and Martin, James's parents, for welcoming Rachel so warmly, and everyone who helped make today happen. Linda and I couldn't have done it without you, and we certainly couldn't have afforded the flowers.

Rachel, when you were six you announced that you would marry someone who could beat you at chess. Nobody ever did. James, I'm told you lost your first game in eleven moves and asked for a rematch. I think that's when she knew.

James, welcome to the family. You make our daughter laugh, you put up with her opinions on how to load a dishwasher, and you clearly adore her.

I won't keep you from your dinner. Please stand and raise your glasses. To Rachel and James.

Groom

This is an example written for this page, about 150 words.

Thank you, Tony, for those kind words. On behalf of my wife and me... (I've been waiting all day to say that), thank you all for being here.

Thank you to Tony and Linda for welcoming me into your family and for everything you did to make today possible. Thank you to my mum and dad, for everything, always.

To our bridesmaids, thank you for looking after Sophie this morning and for getting her here on time. Nearly on time. And to Dan, my best man, thank you for keeping me calm, and for the speech I'm about to regret.

Sophie, the first time we met, you told me my taste in music was "a cry for help". Six years later, you still say it, and I still play it, and I still can't believe you said yes.

Please raise your glasses to the bridesmaids. And to my wife, Sophie.

Best man

This is an example written for this page, about 155 words.

Hello everyone. I'm Chris, and I've known Matt since our first week at university, when he set off the fire alarm making toast. Twice.

Matt asked me to keep this short. I think he was worried about what I'd say. He was right to be, but I'm a better friend than he deserves.

In fifteen years, Matt has been the person who turns up. He helped me move house four times, never once complained, and only broke one lamp. When my dad was ill, he drove up every weekend for two months without being asked.

When he met Amy, the rest of us noticed something. He started being on time. He learnt to cook something other than toast. He talked about her constantly.

Amy, you've made my best friend happier than I've ever seen him. Thank you for that.

Ladies and gentlemen, please raise your glasses to the bride and groom. To Amy and Matt.

Maid of honour

This is an example written for this page, about 160 words.

Hi everyone, I'm Lucy, and Kate has been my best friend since we were nine, when she shared her packed lunch with me because I'd forgotten mine.

Kate is the most organised person I know. She had a spreadsheet for this wedding before she had a fiancé. She has a playlist for every mood, and a backup playlist for the backup mood.

So when she met Ollie, who once turned up to a flight a day late, we were worried. But Ollie, you've brought out a side of Kate that doesn't need a plan for everything. And she has, mostly, got you to the airport on time.

Watching you two together, it's obvious you make each other better. Kate keeps Ollie on schedule, Ollie keeps Kate laughing, and between you, you've somehow made spontaneity something you can plan.

Kate, thank you for asking me to stand next to you today. Please raise your glasses. To Kate and Ollie.

Making yours

Each example follows the same short shape: introduce yourself, thank the right people, tell one story, say something warm about the couple, and lead the toast. The traditional thanks and toasts differ by role, so check who you are toasting before you write. If a grandparent is saying a few words, our grandparent wedding speech guide has a short example, and our guide to ending a wedding speech covers leading the toast.

To make a short speech your own, swap in one real story only you could tell. One specific detail does more in two minutes than a list of compliments.

Start your draft

Answer five questions on theweddingspeech.ai and see your free speech preview.