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How to Begin a Wedding Speech: 80 Speech Introductions

Got to give a speech but don't know where to begin? Our wedding speech introduction examples will help you get started

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A man wearing a wedding suit visible from the shoulders down holding a wedding speech and reading over it in order to practise his wedding speech introduction

A man wearing a wedding suit visible from the shoulders down holding a wedding speech and reading over it in order to practise his wedding speech introduction

Love them or hate them, the speeches are central to any wedding reception, but it can be nerve-wracking if you're the one standing up to say a few words. Whether you're the bride, groom, father of the bride, best man or maid of honour, we've got you covered with tips to help you begin your wedding speech, including some introduction examples, so you can start strong and feel confident. 

"Getting the introduction right is key because it sets the tone for the whole speech," explains wedding wordsmith and professional speechwriter Amerdeep Sanghera of Lovingly Penned. "You don't want guests thinking, 'Oh no, not another speech'. Instead, you want to see those smiles spread. So the introduction is pretty much the most important part of the whole thing."

Sounds stressful, right? Well, don't panic. From funny opening lines to general tips on how to get started, scroll on to make sure your speech is talked about for all the right reasons… 

How to Start Your Wedding Speech

Knowing how to start your wedding speech - whether it's a traditional wedding speech or if you're going for a more modern take - can be challenging, but we've asked the experts for tips and ideas on how to beginning a wedding speech. 

1. Introduce Yourself

A maid of honour introducing her speech at a wedding next to the bride and groom, with two bridesmaids seated next to her

It doesn't matter if you're the father of the bride, the maid of honour, the best man – even the groom – it’s always polite to introduce yourself. Smile as you do so and make a bit of a joke if you feel tense, or reference how important the day is if you don’t feel like joking:

  • “Hi, I’m [BRIDE/GROOM’S NAME] – you should probably all know who I am, and if you don’t, well done for sneaking in unnoticed.”
  • “Hi, I’m [BEST MAN’S NAME], but you can call me by my full name: [BEST-MAN’S-NAME-WOULD-YOU-LIKE-A-DRINK].”
  • “Hello, I’m [FATHER OF THE BRIDE’S NAME] and I’m so delighted to welcome you all here on this beautiful day.”

Don’t go overboard with a long-winded introduction about yourself – a line or two about who you are and your role in the day will be enough.

To grab the audience's attention, be confident and keep it simple. If in doubt, start with the thank-yous. If you’re the best man, it’s fine to start with a joke (check out some of our tried and tested best man jokes to inspire you) but remember, this isn't a stand-up routine and you should always add how honoured you are to be part of the day. 

2. Make Eye Contact

Pick a few reassuring faces in the crowd and pitch your speech to them – but don’t focus just on one person. Aim for a couple of different locations around the room so the whole audience feels engaged. "A simple way to do this early on is to ask people to give the couple a round of applause," adds Amerdeep. 

If the idea of making eye contact is too much, pick inanimate objects to focus on but mix them up.

3. Have Notes to Hand

Don’t think you need to know your whole speech off by heart – you’ll feel more confident if you have your notes to hand and no one will judge you for it. If you don’t want it to feel too scripted, simply give yourself cue cards to work from.

4. Don’t Drink Too Much

A father of the bride giving a speech as the bride and groom look on and laugh

Don’t try and drown your nerves before you stand up. You might not remember your performance, but everyone else will (for a long time). Consider a one-drink limit before you begin your speech and save the celebratory fizz for after you’ve completed it – slur free!

5. Consider Hiring a Pro

If you're really stumped on how to begin your wedding speech, a professional speechwriter will help you gather your thoughts and anecdotes and put them into a coherent structure to get you started.

Speech Introduction Examples

Here are a few more ways to introduce your speech, no matter what role you’re playing in the wedding day – just tweak it to suit you and your speech.

Bride and/or Groom or Newlyweds 

  • “We would like to welcome all of you here today to celebrate and thank you for choosing to spend the day with us."
  • "Hello everyone! I hope you're having a wonderful day so far."
  • "On behalf of me and my new [WIFE/HUSBAND/SPOUSE], I'd like to thank you all for coming today!"
  • "Hi everyone - hopefully you all know who I am, otherwise you might be at the wrong wedding..."
  • "If you don't know me, allow me to introduce myself - I'm the luckiest person in the world!"

Father of the Bride or Groom

  • “Friends and family of [NAME] and [NAME], thank you for being here today to celebrate their marriage.”
  • “The highest happiness on earth is the happiness of marriage.”
  • “Today, promises have become permanent and friends have become family.”
  • “Thank you for joining us today on such a wonderful occasion.”
  • "What an honour I have, to give a speech today on my child's wedding day."

Amerdeep suggests: "Before we get into the emotional rollercoaster that is my speech, let's take a moment to appreciate the real stars of the show, [NAME] and [NAME]. Seriously, can we give them a round of applause for pulling off this spectacular event?

"If you're looking for more ideas, don't miss our father of the bride speech examples

Maid of Honour or Bridesmaid Speech Introduction Examples

A maid of honour (Hitched Editor Zoe Burke!) introducing her maid of honour speech whilst looking at the bride and smiling

  • “Welcome to the most important day in the lives of [NAME] and [NAME].”
  • “Today is a celebration and we are here to celebrate with [NAME] and [NAME].”
  • “Love has brought [NAME] and [NAME] and everyone in this room together today.”

Amerdeep also recommends: "Hello, beautiful people! I can't help but feel like I'm on stage at the Oscars, standing here. Sadly, there's no red carpet or golden statue for me, but I do have the privilege of celebrating two incredible people and their love story tonight."

Hitched Editor Zoe Burke chose to go for humour when it came to starting her maid of honour speech. "I was the first one speaking and I knew I needed a laugh quickly to help with my nerves, so I said 'Well, I've had the chance to wear a beautiful dress, carry a gorgeous bouquet and walk down the aisle without any of the financial pressure or stress of planning a wedding, so thank you!'

"It can be trickier figuring out how to start a wedding speech if you're not one of the traditional speech givers, but adding in some humour always helps!"

You can see more maid of honour speech examples here.

Best Man

  • “My name is [BEST MAN] and it’s an honour to be here today as [GROOM]’s best man.”
  • “Hi, I’m [NAME] and it’s time for me to do this speech I scribbled down about an hour before the ceremony started.”
  • “I must admit, I’m not accustomed to public speaking. Up until I was asked to give this speech I thought a toastmaster was a kind of kitchen appliance!”
  • “Before I begin, I must admit that [NAME] and [NAME] have asked that I remove anything resembling innuendo from this speech – I’ve promised if I come across anything even slightly risqué, I’ll whip it out immediately.”

"Another favourite of mine is, 'Alright, let's kick off this party! But before we hit the dance floor, let me share a few stories about our fearless groom and his journey to this moment…'" adds Amerdeep.

Opening Lines: Funny, Sentimental & Story-Driven

Once you've worked out how to introduce yourself, here are some snappy one-liners to go into your speech. Whether you're launching into a story, telling a funny anecdote or sharing a sentimental few words, these one-liners are guaranteed crowd-pleasers. 

Funny Opening Lines

For the Bride: 

  • "I’ve dreamed of this day my entire life - though in my original plan, it starred George Clooney. But [Groom’s Name], you’re a solid runner-up!"
  • "Before I say anything else, let me just take a moment to appreciate this dress. I’m only wearing it once, so soak it in, people!"
  • "They say every bride looks radiant on her wedding day, but honestly, it’s just the adrenaline and three layers of Spanx."

For the Groom: 

  • "Today, I finally get to tell [Bride’s Name] she’s stuck with me for life - she laughed when I proposed, so I’m glad she eventually said yes!"
  • "They say happy wife, happy life. So, I guess my life's mission has officially begun!"
  • "When I first saw [Bride’s Name] walk down the aisle, I thought, ‘Wow, she looks stunning!’ And then I panicked: Did I lock the car?"

For the Nearlywed: 

  • "As we sit here witnessing what true love looks like, we can’t help but think: Is it too late to elope?"
  • "Today has been so beautiful and inspiring... and slightly terrifying. No pressure, [Fiancé’s Name]."
  • "We’re just thrilled to be here, learning all the ways to make a marriage work. Step one: Keep the speeches short, right?"

For the Best Man: 

  • "They asked me to keep it classy and PG, so I had to cut 90% of my stories about [Groom’s Name]. Don’t worry; the unedited version is at the bar later!"
  • "I have a confession: I almost started this speech with, 'Webster’s dictionary defines marriage as...' but I thought [Bride’s Name] might throw her bouquet at me."
  • "Being [Groom’s Name]'s best man is a lot like being his friend: sometimes rewarding, often confusing, and always involves cleaning up after him."

For the Father of the Bride: 

  • "As I was walking [Bride’s Name] down the aisle, I kept thinking, ‘There goes my baby... and half my retirement fund.’"
  • "When [Bride’s Name] told me she was getting married, I had two thoughts: First, ‘Who’s the lucky guy?’ and second, ‘I hope he has a toolbox, because I’m done fixing things at her place.’"
  • "Giving your daughter away is like handing over a priceless antique to a guy you hope won’t break it. Good luck, [Groom’s Name]."

Sentimental Starts for Wedding Speeches

For the Bride: 

  • "Today isn’t just about celebrating love - it’s about celebrating us, and the journey we’ve been on to get here. [Groom’s Name], you’ve made every step worthwhile."
  • "Standing here, I feel like the luckiest woman in the world, not just because I married my best friend, but because I get to share this moment with all of you."
  • "When I was a little girl, I dreamt of a fairy-tale wedding. What I never imagined was how extraordinary the prince would be."

For the Groom: 

  • "They say every man marries up, and standing here with [Bride’s Name], I know that’s undeniably true. I don’t just love you - I admire you."
  • "Today, I married not just the love of my life but my partner, my teammate, and my greatest inspiration. [Bride’s Name], you are everything to me."
  • "When I look at [Bride’s Name], I see my future, my happiness, and every reason to be a better man. I truly couldn’t be more grateful."

For the Nearlywed: 

  • "Watching [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name] today, we’re reminded why we said yes to forever. Love like theirs makes us believe in our own journey."
  • "Today has been a masterclass in love and partnership. If we can be half as happy as [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name], we’ll be more than lucky."
  • This beautiful day isn’t just inspiring; it’s a reminder of why we’re taking this step ourselves - to build a life as full of love as theirs."

For the Best Man: 

  • "Being [Groom’s Name]’s best man is a privilege, but what’s even more inspiring is seeing him with [Bride’s Name]. You can’t help but believe in true love when you see these two together."
  • "When [Groom’s Name] met [Bride’s Name], everything changed for him. And today, looking at them, it’s clear they’re each other’s perfect match."
  • "I’ve known [Groom’s Name] for years, but seeing him with [Bride’s Name] has shown me a whole new side of him - the best side. And that’s thanks to you, [Bride’s Name]."

For the Father of the Bride: 

  • "As I walked [Bride’s Name] down the aisle, I felt two things: pride for the incredible woman she’s become and joy knowing she’s found someone who truly cherishes her."
  • "Watching [Bride’s Name] grow up has been the greatest privilege of my life. And seeing her with [Groom’s Name] today, I know she’s in safe and loving hands."
  • "Every father dreams of his daughter finding someone who makes her happy, and [Groom’s Name], I can see how much you love her. For that, you’ll always have my gratitude."

Story Driven Wedding Speech Intros

For the Bride: 

  • "I’ll never forget the first time I met [Groom’s Name]. He was late, he spilled coffee on himself, and I thought, ‘This is the man I’m going to marry.’ Funny how life works!"
  • "A few years ago, I made a wish on a shooting star, asking for someone who’d make me laugh, challenge me, and love me completely. Then [Groom’s Name] walked into my life, and the rest is history."
  • "When [Groom’s Name] proposed, I laughed so hard, I almost forgot to say yes. But that’s been our journey - full of laughter, surprises, and so much love."

For the Groom: 

  • "When I first met [Bride’s Name], I thought, ‘Wow, she’s way out of my league.’ And yet, somehow, here we are. I’ll never stop being grateful that she saw something in me."
  • "There’s a story I’ll never forget: our first date. [Bride’s Name] ordered the messiest thing on the menu and laughed when it went everywhere. That’s when I knew—this is someone I could spend my life with."
  • "Before [Bride’s Name] came into my life, I thought love was something that just happened in books or films. Then she showed me what it really looks like."

For the Nearlywed: 

  • "One of my favourite memories with [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name] is the time they got lost on a hike. It was pouring rain, and they still couldn’t stop laughing. That’s when I knew their lovewas the real deal."
  • "When we got engaged, we asked [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name] for advice. They told us, ‘Always laugh together.’ And looking at them today, we know they were right."
  • "Once, we went on a trip with [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name], and the way they cared for each other - over every detail - was so inspiring. It’s clear they’re each other’s world."

For the Best Man: 

  • "I remember the day [Groom’s Name] told me about [Bride’s Name]. He said, ‘I think I’ve met someone special.’ Seeing him today, I know he wasn’t wrong."
  • "Years ago, [Groom’s Name] and I had a pact: if he found ‘The One,’ I’d be the first to know. When he met [Bride’s Name], he broke the pact because he didn’t need to say a word. I could tell by the way he looked at her."
  • "There’s a story I’ll never forget: the first time [Groom’s Name] tried to impress [Bride’s Name]. It was a disaster, but somehow, she saw past it. And that’s how I knew she was the one for him."

For the Father of the Bride: 

  • "When [Bride’s Name] was a little girl, she once told me she’d only get married if she found someone who could make her laugh. [Groom’s Name], thank you for keeping your end of the bargain."
  • "I still remember teaching [Bride’s Name] to ride a bike. She fell a dozen times but kept getting back up. That resilience has shaped her into the incredible woman standing here today."
  • "There’s a moment I’ll always cherish: the day [Bride’s Name] told me she’d met someone who made her truly happy. Seeing her with [Groom’s Name] today, I can see exactly what she meant."

Wedding Speech Introductions with Quotes

For the Bride: 

  • "As Maya Angelou once said, ‘Love recognises no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.’ Today, [Groom’s Name], you’re my destination."
  • "Jane Austen wrote, ‘There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart.’ [Groom’s Name], your tender heart is why I stand here, ready to spend forever with you."
  • "In the words of Audrey Hepburn, ‘The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.’ [Groom’s Name], I promise to hold onto you, through thick and thin."

For the Groom: 

  • "Aristotle once said, ‘Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.’ [Bride’s Name], you’ve shown me what it means to share a soul, a dream, and a lifetime together."
  • "As Victor Hugo wrote in Les Misérables, ‘To love or have loved, that is enough. Ask nothing further.’ [Bride’s Name], loving you is all I’ll ever need."
  • "Oscar Wilde once said, ‘Who, being loved, is poor?’ [Bride’s Name], with your love, I feel like the richest man alive."

For the Nearlywed: 

  • "As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry wrote in The Little Prince, ‘Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.’ Watching [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name] today, we’re inspired to keep looking outward, hand in hand."
  • "Lao Tzu once said, ‘Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.’ [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name], your love gives us all courage to follow your example."
  • "Rumi once wrote, ‘The minute I heard my first love story, I started looking for you.’ [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name], your story is the one we hope to write for ourselves."

For the Best Man: 

  • "As Mark Twain once said, ‘To get the full value of joy, you must have someone to divide it with.’ [Groom’s Name], you’ve found that someone in [Bride’s Name], and we can all see how much joy you bring each other."
  • "In the words of J.R.R. Tolkien, ‘I would rather spend one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone.’ [Bride’s Name], you’ve made [Groom’s Name] the happiest man in Middle-earth-or at least in this room."
  • "Bob Marley said, ‘One love, one heart.’ [Groom’s Name], you and [Bride’s Name] have found your one love, and your hearts beat as one."

For the Father of the Bride: 

  • "To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides." – David Viscott "Good evening, everyone. As I stand here today, watching my daughter marry the love of her life, I can't help but reflect on this beautiful quote. It's a feeling I’ve always hoped for her, and today, I see that she’s found someone who brings the warmth of the sun to her life."
  • "A daughter is one of the most beautiful gifts this world has to give." – Laurel Atherton "Ladies and gentlemen, as the father of the bride, I am truly blessed. I was given the gift of a daughter, and now, I’m witnessing her make her own beautiful gift to someone else. It’s a moment filled with joy, pride, and love."
  • "The best thing to hold onto in life is each other." – Audrey Hepburn "As a father, it's not easy to let go, but it gives me peace to know that my daughter is holding onto someone who will cherish her, support her, and walk beside her through life’s journey. Today marks the beginning of that beautiful adventure."

If you’re still worrying about your wedding speech, don’t miss our guide on how to deal with wedding speech nerves.

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