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Groom's speech

A free groom's speech template with the thank-yous in the right order and a timer. It works for any couple, whoever in the couple is speaking.

The groom's speech is usually the second speech at the wedding breakfast: six to eight minutes, about 700 to 950 words. Most of it is thank-yous in a sensible order, then a few words about the person you are marrying, and a toast.

The template works for any couple. If you are two grooms, a bride, or neither, whoever in the couple is speaking can use it. Write it below, free and with no account. You see your minutes as you type, you can practise it out loud, and you can print A6 cue cards.

How to write a groom's speech in 5 steps

  1. Make the thank-you list. Write down the guests, both families, the wedding party, anyone who helped and the toastmaster or venue team. Cross off anyone you will thank another way.

  2. Put it in order. A common order is the guests, the families, the wedding party, then your partner. Keep each thank-you to a sentence or two.

  3. Fill in the template. Answer the questions in the writer, or fill the brackets yourself. You get a first draft with the thank-yous, a part about your partner and the toast.

  4. Add what is personal. Say one true thing about your partner that the room does not know. It is the part people remember.

  5. Practise out loud and print A6 cards. Run it with the timer, cut what runs long, then print A6 cue cards in large type. Bring them to the wedding breakfast, with your phone as a backup.

Examples, by length and tone

The examples for this page are being read through before we publish them. The template, the questions and the writer on this page work now.

The template, with timings: Groom's speech template

Six parts, about seven minutes in all, which is the middle of the usual range for this speech.

About 7 minutes at the wedding breakfast. The thank-you speech from one of the couple. It works whatever the couple looks like: whoever is speaking uses it.

  1. Welcome and thanksabout 50 seconds

    Good afternoon, everyone. [Partner's name] and I want to start by saying thank you for being here.

    [Name the people who travelled furthest, and anyone who could not come].

  2. Thank the familiesabout 90 seconds

    [Thank your parents, and say one specific thing each of them has done for you].

    [Thank your partner's parents, and say what you value about them].

    [Thank anyone who paid for, planned or helped with today].

  3. Thank the wedding partyabout 60 seconds

    [Thank your best man, your best woman or whoever stood beside you, with one line about them].

    [Thank the rest of the wedding party, the readers and the people who looked after the details].

  4. About [Partner's name]about 120 seconds

    [How you met your partner: where, what happened].

    [When you knew, and what you noticed].

    [What you love about the way they live every day, in a sentence].

  5. Someone who is not here (only if you want a line)about 20 seconds

    [One gentle line about someone who is not here today].

  6. The toastabout 50 seconds

    [Who you are toasting: your parents, the wedding party or both].

    Please be upstanding, and charge your glasses. To [your toast].

The questions that fill it in

  1. Who travelled furthest, and who could not come? Name the place or the person.
  2. What do you want to thank your parents for? One specific thing each.
  3. What do you value in your partner's parents? Something you have noticed.
  4. Who paid for or planned the day? Say it plainly, or skip it.
  5. Who stood beside you? One line about them.
  6. How did you meet [Partner's name]? Where, and what happened.
  7. When did you know? A moment you can picture.
  8. Who are you toasting? Your parents, the wedding party or both.

Questions people ask

Who do I thank in a groom's speech?
The guests for coming, both families, the wedding party, whoever helped with the day, and the people who gave their time on the day itself, such as the toastmaster or the venue team.
In what order do I thank people?
A common order is the guests, the families, the wedding party, then your partner, so the most personal thanks come last. Nobody will mind if you change it.
How long should a groom's speech be?
Six to eight minutes, about 700 to 950 words at a calm pace. All the speeches together should come in under forty minutes, so ask the couple what they would like.
Do I toast the wedding party?
Traditionally the groom toasts the bridesmaids. Today many say the wedding party, or name each person. End by asking everyone to be upstanding for the toast, whichever you choose.
What if we are two grooms, two brides, or not a bride and groom?
Then whoever wants to speak gives a speech. Call it your speech, thank people in the same order, and use the template as it is. It assumes nobody's role.
Should I speak before or after the meal?
Speeches are traditionally after the meal, though some couples have them between courses. Ask the toastmaster or venue how the wedding breakfast is planned, and tell your best man.
Can I be funny?
Yes, lightly. Make the joke about you, not your partner, and keep to one or two. The thank-yous are the heart of this speech, so end on a sincere line.

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