Weddings are special occasions where people come together to celebrate the love and commitment of the couple. Apart from the vows and rings exchange, speeches are also an important aspect of a wedding occasion. Wedding speeches help convey heartfelt messages to the newlyweds and offer a platform for sharing personal stories and experiences. However, not everyone at the wedding is expected to give a speech. So, who usually makes speeches at weddings? Let us explore this question in more detail.
The Parents of the Bride and Groom
Typically, the parents of the bride and groom are the first speakers at any wedding. This tradition recognizes their role in raising and supporting the couple in their journey towards marriage. The parents’ speeches are often emotional and sentimental, and they take the opportunity to express their happiness and support for their children’s union.
During their speeches, parents of the bride and groom may offer advice, share anecdotes from the couple’s childhood, or express their gratitude and appreciation towards their son or daughter-in-law. These speeches often set the tone for the rest of the night, and are an excellent opportunity to bring the guests together in appreciation and celebration of the newlyweds.
The Best Man and Maid of Honour
The maid of honor and best man generally have a close relationship with the bride and groom. They are typically the best friends or siblings of the couple. Hence, they play a special role in the wedding, and this may include giving a speech.
The maid of honour’s speech is usually heartfelt and emotional, and they often touch on the bride’s character, personality, and how they met. They may communicate to those who don’t know the couple well and outline why the two people getting married are so perfect for each other.
On the other hand, the best man’s speech is typically more humorous and lighthearted. They usually poke fun at the groom, share embarrassing stories, and include inside jokes that the guests wouldn’t know about.
However, the main focus of the best man’s speech is to celebrate the couple’s love and commitment. These speeches serve as a tribute to the newlyweds and help make the reception lighthearted and fun.
Siblings and Close Relatives
In several cultures, siblings, family members, and close relatives make speeches at weddings. The speeches can be either sentimental, humorous, or a balance of both. These speeches usually contain valuable insights and stories on the couple’s journey towards marriage, which only they can share.
The length, content and tone of speeches made by siblings and close relatives vary significantly and are dependent on the elements that mainly guide them, such as traditional practices, family culture, family dynamics, etc. That said, speeches made by siblings or relatives can be a great way of making the guests feel more connected to the newlyweds.
Other Close Friends and Family Members
There is no hard and fast rule that restricts speeches at weddings to parents, best friends, maid of honour, or the best man. It is entirely acceptable and expected for guests to make impromptu speeches during the reception. This may occur during the meal service, and the tone of the speeches may vary based on the relationship the guest has with the couple.
Moreover, guests who are not comfortable delivering a proper speech may opt to offer a traditional toast and raise their glass of champagne in congratulation to the newlyweds.
Conclusion
Wedding speeches are essential elements of any wedding occasion. They provide an avenue for expressing feelings, sharing personal experiences, and acknowledging the role of all guests in contributing to the couple’s happiness. Typically, the parents of the groom and bride start the speeches, followed by the best man and maid of honour. However, other siblings, close relatives, and friends may also be called upon to give a toast or an impromptu speech. Ultimately, speeches assist in bringing everyone together in celebration of the bond of love between the couple.
FAQ
Do the groom’s parents make a speech?
Traditionally, parents of both the bride and the groom are expected to make a speech at the wedding reception. While the father of the bride gives a speech during the ceremony, the father of the groom traditionally gives a speech during the reception.
The father of the groom has an important role during the wedding celebrations. Apart from being a proud dad, he is also seen as a host of the wedding celebrations. Therefore, he has the privilege of welcoming the guests during the reception. Also, since the groom’s family is the one hosting the dinner, they are expected to make speeches and toast the newlyweds.
That being said, the groom’s mother can also make a speech. It’s not just limited to the father of the groom. The mother can also express her joy and excitement for her son’s wedding day and welcome her new daughter-in-law to the family. Just like the father, the mother can also offer some parting advice and wisdom to the newlyweds.
It’s important to keep in mind that traditions vary based on culture, religion, and family. Some families may choose to skip the speeches altogether, while others may have different people speak, like the groom himself, the bride’s parents, or other family members. It’s always good to check with the couple and their families to see if speeches are expected and if there are any guidelines to follow.
While the father of the groom traditionally gives a speech during the wedding reception, the mother of the groom can also make a speech. However, traditions vary based on culture, religion, and family, and it’s important to check with the couple and their families to see if speeches are expected and if there are any guidelines to follow.
Does father of the bride give a speech?
Traditionally, the father of the bride is expected to give a speech at a wedding reception. This speech is usually given during the wedding breakfast or as part of the evening reception festivities. The father of the bride speech is a classic and heartwarming tradition that dates back many years, and is considered to be a very important part of the wedding celebration.
In this speech, the father of the bride will typically talk about his daughter, her upbringing, and offer his congratulations to the happy couple. It is also common for him to offer some words of wisdom or advice for the newlyweds as they embark on their journey together.
However, it is worth noting that there is no rule that says the father of the bride must give a speech at a wedding. Every couple is unique, and it is ultimately up to them to decide who they want to speak at their wedding, and in what order. Some couples may choose to forego traditional speeches entirely, or may choose to have other family members or friends speak instead.
In any case, if the father of the bride does decide to give a speech, it is important to remember that it is not only a time to celebrate the happy couple, but also to share in the joy of two families coming together. The speech should be heartfelt, genuine, and memorable, and should reflect the love and support that the father and his family have for the newlyweds.
What are the best ways to start a wedding speech?
A wedding is a day of immense importance for the couple getting married as well as for their close family and friends. If you have been given the privilege to deliver a wedding speech, then you must start in a way that immediately captures the attention of the audience and conveys your heartfelt emotions. Here are some of the best ways to start a wedding speech:
1. Welcome the guests: Your wedding speech should begin with a welcoming gesture thanking all the guests for attending the event. You can respectfully acknowledge the presence of the bride and groom, their families, and their friends who have traveled from near and far to be a part of their special day.
2. Share a personal story: Another great way to start your wedding speech is by sharing a personal story about the couple. It can be a funny or a touching tale that shows the bride and groom in a new light. This will help the guests relate to the couple and create an emotional connection right from the beginning.
3. Use a quote: If you are lost for words, you can choose a quote that reflects the emotions of the day and start your speech with it. It can be a romantic or even a funny quote that sets the tone for your speech.
4. Begin with a toast: A classic way to start a wedding speech is by raising a toast to the bride and groom. You can use a simple phrase like “Cheers to the newlyweds” or a more poetic one like “May your love be as infinite as the stars in the sky.”
5. Express gratitude: You can also start by expressing your gratitude for being a part of the wedding day and thanking the bride and groom for giving you the opportunity to speak. This will immediately let the guests know that you are invested in the couple’s joy and happiness.
Remember to keep your wedding speech personal, heartfelt and above all, sincere. Your words will be cherished by the couple for years to come, so put in some thought and practice to make them memorable.
