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Wedding speeches and vows

Speeches for the best man, the father of the bride and everyone else, and vows for the couple: a template for every role, a timer and cue cards.

How to write a wedding speech or your vows

  1. Pick your role. Father of the bride, groom, best man, maid of honour, the couple's vows or your own. Each has its own template.

  2. Answer a few questions. Your real stories first: how you met them, one moment that says who they are, who you want to thank.

  3. Write to a length. A best man speech runs about 5 minutes, the father of the bride 7 to 9. The timer shows yours as you type.

  4. Practise out loud. Read it aloud with the timer running. Most people speak more slowly on the day than at their desk.

  5. Print your cue cards. A6 cards on A4 paper, big type, numbered, and your phone as a backup.

Frequently asked questions

Can the couple read my speech?
No. Your speech is yours. The couple sees that you are writing and roughly how long it runs, never the words, unless you tap Share. You can undo that at any time.
What is the order of the wedding speeches?
Traditionally the father of the bride, then the groom, then the best man, often at the wedding breakfast. Many couples now add the maid of honour, the bride or both. It is your day: change the order as you like.
Can my partner read my vows?
No. Each of you sees only how long the other's vows run and whether they are ready, never a word.
Do I need an account?
No. You can write from the couple's link or this page with no account. Add your email to keep your speech safe and open it on another phone.

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