# Wedding speech cue cards: how many, what to write and how to hold them Source: https://theweddingspeech.ai/guides/wedding-speech-cue-cards Wedding speech cue cards should hold keywords and short prompts, not your whole speech. Two UK sources say to use cue cards rather than word-for-word notes, and Emily Post says it is fine to use notes during a toast. Most cue card advice is craft, not rule. Where a point below has a published source we name it. Where it is only our own advice we say so. ## What goes on a cue card - **Prompts, not sentences.** [London Speech Workshop](https://londonspeechworkshop.com/5-tips-memorable-wedding-speech/) advises cue cards rather than word-for-word notes, and [Bridebook](https://app.bridebook.com/uk/article/the-top-10-donts-for-your-best-man) says "key prompts, well-rehearsed" tends to land best, as full memorising can add pressure and reading word for word can sound flat. - **Your opening line in full.** Our advice, not from a published source: the first sentence is said when you are most nervous, so write it out. - **Your closing toast in full.** Also our advice. Write the exact words of the toast so you do not lose them at the end. - **Names.** Our advice: write names and the order you thank people in. Our [who to thank guide](/guides/who-to-thank-in-a-wedding-speech) lists the usual names. ## How many cards No wedding authority we found gives a number. Our rule of thumb is one card per paragraph or story. Our free [cue cards tool](/tools/wedding-speech-cue-cards) does the same and caps a card at 45 words. That tool's own working: a five-minute speech is about 750 words at 150 words per minute, so at least 17 cards at that cap. Keyword-only cards need far fewer words per card, so your count will vary. Our [how long should a wedding speech be](/guides/how-long-should-a-wedding-speech-be) guide has the lengths by role. ## Font size, numbering and holding them We found no published source for these, so they are our advice: - **Large and plain.** Use a large, plain font you can read at arm's length. London Speech Workshop's only related advice is large text and clear paragraph breaks if you do write it all out. - **Number every card.** Put the number on the front so a dropped stack goes back in order. - **Hold them low and in one hand.** Keep them below your chin so guests can see your face. Do not staple them; a hole-punch and ring or a clip keeps order. - **Turn, do not shuffle.** Move each finished card to the back. ## Cards or phone? Our free tool can print numbered A6 cards or show one at a time on a phone. A phone is easy to carry, but [Bridebook](https://app.bridebook.com/uk/article/the-top-10-donts-for-your-best-man) suggests carrying a printed copy as a backup in case of "a dead battery or dodgy microphone". We found no wedding authority recommending phones over cards. ## Rehearse with the cards you will use Practise from the cards themselves, not from the full script, or you will meet them for the first time at the microphone. [Emily Post](https://emilypost.com/advice/the-grooms-toast) says to practise out loud, and Bridebook's best man guide says to rehearse in front of one trusted person and to time it. Our advice: do one run standing, holding the cards the way you will on the day, and note which prompts did not jog your memory. Rewrite those cards with a fuller phrase, and drop any card you never looked at. ## A simple layout to copy This is our own layout, not a published standard. Card 1: opening line in full, plus who you are. Middle cards: one story or point each, as three to five words. Second-to-last card: the thank-yous, in the order you will say them. Last card: the toast, in full, with the couple's names spelled the way they spell them. ## Notes are allowed [Emily Post](https://emilypost.com/advice/the-grooms-toast) says "It is fine to use your notes during your toast" and advises preparing them several days ahead and practising out loud. [London Speech Workshop](https://londonspeechworkshop.com/5-tips-memorable-wedding-speech/) says reading from the page is an acceptable fallback if you pause for reactions and keep eye contact. Our [wedding speech nerves guide](/guides/wedding-speech-nerves) compares notes and memorising. ## Start your draft Answer five questions on theweddingspeech.ai and [see your free speech preview](/questions), then turn it into cards.