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Wedding Toasts — How to End Your Speech with a Bang

Wedding Speeches

How should you end your wedding speech? Bearing in mind that a wedding ‘speech’ is formally a ‘toast’, it’s surprising how rarely we are asked who toasts who at the end of each wedding speech. A ‘toast’ is, of course, a moment when you ask the guests to raise their glasses to acknowledge one or more special people in the room. This is where it starts to get complicated with wedding toasts!

The Traditional Wedding Toasts

• Traditionally the father of the bride speech includes a toast to the happy couple.
• The groom responds on behalf of his wife and toasts the bridesmaids.
• The best man replies on behalf of the bridesmaids and toasts the happy couple.

Times Are Changing

Clearly, the format and intricacies of weddings have changed drastically over the years. Wedding toasts have developed into speeches, and the rules for those speeches have become much more flexible .

Quite rightly, other people are taking to the mic’ and joining in. If you are inviting guests and other members of the wedding party to speak, we suggest you are as clear as possible about what you’d like them to cover and who you would like them to thank . You don’t want endless repetition; this isn’t the Oscars.

Alternative Wedding Toasts

• Guests can toast their hosts for their wonderful hospitality.
• Mother of the bride speeches can include a toast to friends and family.
• A bride speech can include a toast to her husband.
• A groom speech can include a toast to his wife.
• There’s also an argument for toasting ‘Absent Friends’.

How to Give an Unforgettable Wedding Toast

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I ask you to be upstanding and raise your glass to [insert person here].”

This ticks the box, but if you’ve given a stirring speech balancing heartfelt emotion and perfectly judged humour , it’s not really a fitting climax. It sounds more like a toast from a Livery function. As ever, we’d suggest a more modern and relevant form of words like:

“Please raise your glass to a long, happy and healthy future for [insert bride and groom’s names here].”

“Please raise your glass to the most important people in the room… friends and family.”

Finally, please make sure you use the names of members of the wedding party during any wedding toasts, not just their titles. “Thanks to our hosts for their hospitality” or “Here’s to the bride and groom” is terribly impersonal. Thanking “Sue and Jeff” is much warmer and more genuine.

Guest post by Lawrence Bernstein of Great Speech Writing

Images from…

Best Man Toast: Lara Hotz Photography

Groom Toast: James Andrew Photography

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How (and why!) to end the wedding ceremony with a grand finale-Courtesy of Unboring!Wedding Academy

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1. PRONOUNCE YOUR COUPLE AS MARRIED

2. get ’em to kiss, 3. make your closing remarks.

I know, I know. You’re thinking, “Make closing remarks? Now? Is this really the time for pedantic housekeeping announcements?”

And that’s why a lot of officiants just skip this part! They try to stuff this in after the recessional when the couple and the wedding party are gone. And the ceremony ends like a deflating balloon.

But we’re not gonna do that. We know better. To answer your question: No! It’s not at all time for pedantic housekeeping announcements! What it is time for: building the energy in the room while giving our couple a moment to head up the aisle for the grand finale.

Which means: when we properly orchestrate this moment in the ceremony, two things are happening at the same time here. One: our closing remarks will be fun and get all the guests ramped up for their biggest cheer yet. And Two: our couple will be chomping at the bit to charge outta here – the recessional! So when the couple stop kissing and the guests stop cheering, you’ll feel the energy ebb. It’s like a tide going out. Now, it’s nothing to worry about – when you’re expecting it. It just means it’s time to step back in and step it up.

THE REMARKS In that moment, we want to step back into frame (I keep to the right or left of the couple), and deliver our quick, high-energy closing remarks.

First, we want to tell the guests where our couple are going next – whether to the bar or out for photos. They’re the stars of the show, and people should know where they are and when to expect them to rejoin us.

Second, we want to tell the guests what they’re doing next. Is it cocktail hour? Group photo time? Lawn games back at the barn? Guest-book signing? Check in to their hotel rooms? What time do they need to be back for the reception? In twenty seconds or less, give the guests an idea of what’s in store for them over the next hour or so.

Third, thank everyone for coming – on behalf of the couple and their family. (And if you’re wondering whether you’ve already thanked everyone for coming at the start of the ceremony: no, you haven’t. We avoid platitudes as much as possible at the start of the ceremony. But that’s another article for another time.

Thank the guests now, not before.

Finally, I like to end the closing remarks with a question that will get everyone cheering. Like, “Are you ready to celebrate with these two tonight?” in your best outdoor voice. That will get the guests smiling and laughing and shouting, “Yeah!” Which is the perfect setup for the next part of the Grand Finale Formula.

THE FACE-OUT But wait! Before we get to that, we need to talk about what the couple were doing while you were making those closing remarks. They’re not just standing there! Our couple need to get ready for the big recessional. It’s Face-Out time!

And this is something you want to practice at the rehearsal so they know exactly what to do.

While you’re speaking, your couple need to do two things:

First , they need to turn themselves outward to face the aisle. The guests and the photographer love this part! Your couple has been facing each other the whole time up to now. But at this point, they get to look at their guests straight-on, and the guests get to see them. There are loads of smiles and great photos here.

Second , it’s time to get the flowers back! If your couple has a bride (or two!), she likely doffed that off to a Maid of Honour or parent in the front row. For the recessional, we want the bride to have her bouquet in her hand. So whoever has that bouquet steps over and gives her flowers back. With our closing remarks done, our couple facing the aisle, and our bride holding her flowers, it’s time for the last two steps of the Grand Finale Formula.

4. GET THE GUESTS ON THEIR FEET

5. present the couple as married.

And without skipping a beat, “…because it’s my honour to officially present to you for the very first time….”

Let’s hit pause there – like we’re in a Marvel movie where we control time. Look around. There you are, standing off-centre, gesturing towards the couple.

And your couple? They’re facing their guests, just beaming. The DJ or band are at attention, fingers hovering over the button or the keys or the strings – poised to start the recessional song the moment you finish your sentence. They’re just waiting for their cue word.

And the cue word is whatever your couple decided you’d say to present them.

It might be “Alex and Bailey as wife and wife!” It might be “Mrs. and Mrs. Burns!” Whether first names or a last name, when you say that cue word…. Unpause!

The music comes in with a bang.

The guests clap and cheer.

The couple bounce up the aisle.

The wedding party follows, arms in the air.

The family in the front row follow them, and then the guests eagerly head out to whatever’s waiting for them.

And you? Well, you’re standing front and centre. Smiling at the guests. Drinking it all in. Knowing you just perfectly punctuated a terrific ceremony with the biggest possible ending: a Grand Finale.

Mark Allan Groleau

HAVE WE MET? I'm Mark Allan Groleau.

I've been officiating weddings for 10 years. The first few were rough. In fact, I didn't even like doing weddings. But then in a risky move, I departed from convention and made the ceremony all about the couple and their story.

It was electrifying. I did it again and again. Over a few years, I developed a style and system that could guarantee I'd thrill every couple and their guests.

The Unboring!Wedding Formula was born. And with it, I found my mission: make weddings unboring everywhere. And this mission doesn't only extend to couples getting married. It includes you.

With this training, you join an elite group of officiants and celebrants worldwide who are demonstrating just how fun and moving and elating a wedding ceremony can be. And the world is taking notice. My work has appeared on every major North American news network.

For your couple, their guests, and your maximum potential... let's do this. Let's settle for nothing less than what your ceremony can be: an Unboring!Wedding!

Still looking for a wedding officiant? Search for your perfect Officiant here on our website .

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Clinking Glasses: The Perfect Conclusion to Your Wedding Toast

Ending a wedding speech is important to leave the audience with your thoughts about the couple and a moment for everyone to celebrate the marriage together.

Closing lines for a wedding toast can make or break the speech. It's the final impression you leave on the couple and the guests, and it's important to make it a memorable one.

Here are some tips and examples of great closing lines for a wedding toast:

• Sum up the main points of your speech. The closing lines should serve as a nice wrap-up to the main points of your speech. Reflect on the couple's love story, the significance of the day, or any advice you may have shared.
• Reference a joke from earlier in the speech. Audience love callbacks since it feels like an inside joke.
• Raise a glass. One of the most traditional ways to end a wedding toast is to raise your glass and invite the guests to join you in a toast to the happy couple.
• Use a quote or poem. If you're struggling to find the perfect words, consider using a quote or poem that speaks to the couple's love and commitment.
• Share a personal memory or wish. Share a personal memory of the couple, or a wish for their future together. This can be a great way to add a personal touch to your speech and show the couple how much you care.
• Use a call to action. Encourage the guests to join you in congratulating the couple, or to raise a glass in their honor.

Closing Lines

Here are some examples of closing lines you can use:

• "So, let's raise our glasses to the happy couple and wish them a lifetime of love and happiness."
• "May your love story be one for the ages, and may the memories you create together be ones you'll treasure forever."
• "To the happy couple: Let us toast to your love and your future together, may it be blessed with joy, laughter and forever love."
• "May your love continue to grow stronger with each passing day. cheers to the happy couple!"

Don't overthink it. As long as you show your love to the couple and say cheers, you'll be great!

The Best Way To End A Wedding Speech

Table of Contents:

According to Chertoff, “the conclusion of a wedding speech should summarize the feeling of the speech and the occasion.”. “The speaker might ask everyone to raise a glass in toast to the couple, or they might just want to end by expressing their love for the newlyweds. It’s actually that easy.

In the past, guests would raise their glasses to their gods during wedding speeches, which is when wedding speeches first appeared. Even in modern times, giving a speech (or toast) in honor of the newlyweds remains a significant component of wedding festivities.

Allyson Joseph, an event producer at Bob Gail Events in Los Angeles, California, explains that the parents of the newlyweds, a representative from each side of the wedding party (the best man and maid of honor), and the newlyweds themselves are typically expected to make a response toast.

Given that they frequently host this event, the father and mother of the groom typically make a toast at the rehearsal dinner, whereas the bride’s family typically does so at the wedding.

How do you conclude a wedding thank-you speech?

Finish on a positive note. Mention how fortunate you feel that all of your guests could attend and how you will always remember this day in your wedding thank-you speech. then start the celebration by raising your glasses to the sky.

Use this as a guide to deliver some serious props if you’re trying to nail your wedding thank-you speech.

After exchanging vows, you’re ready to start celebrating, but before you start turning up the Backstreet Boys and busting out your best dance moves, you need to thank each of your guests for attending your wedding. They significantly contributed to the uniqueness of this day, so they merit serious praise in your bride and groom’s thank-you speech.

A wedding thank-you speech typically lasts no longer than a few minutes, so keep that in mind before you start writing a full-blown lecture. Why? Because your guests will have already heard wedding speeches from your MOH, best man, dad, and possibly a few others, where they’ve probably cracked jokes and shared anecdotes about you. If you go over five minutes, they’ll probably be yawning, so try to keep it brief and to the point.

What would be a good example of a closing statement?

Formal Closing Statements Thank you for today; it has been a pleasure to be with all of you. I appreciate everyone’s patience, and I hope you all have a wonderful evening. I’ll miss you, folks. It has been an honor to speak with such accomplished people and to share my viewpoint with you all. Thank you, and have a nice evening or day.

In order to make an impression on your audience that will last, there are two aspects of a speech or presentation that are of utmost importance. e. both the introduction and the conclusion. The right language can help you leave on a positive note, and it goes without saying that doing so can prevent your presentation from being forgotten or, in some cases, regrettable.

Your presentation’s closing remarks will vary depending on the setting, the speech’s subject, and the audience you’re speaking to. Here are some examples of effective closing statements that you can use, along with some general advice for bringing your presentation to a successful conclusion.

With formal closing remarks like these, you might want to conclude your presentation.

What would be a good speech closing?

Consider one of the following options for closing your speech: Cite a motivational saying. Try to come up with a succinct quote that expresses the mood you want the audience to be in. dot. Add a call to action. Dot. Narrate a tale. Dot. What happens if the audience complies with your request? Describe the impact. dot. proceed to the Q&A. dot. Match the first sentence.

A special request from one of our readers is addressed in this month’s topic. In his letter, Jon asks, “Could you address dynamic closings in speeches?” Any advice you could give us would be very helpful as my team and I work very hard on that aspect of our presentations. “.

Yes, in fact, the two most crucial parts of any speech or presentation are the opening and closing sentences.

Every speech offers the chance to have an impact on listeners’ attitudes, opinions, or actions. Making your speech count is a tremendous opportunity and a grave responsibility. Writing a strong conclusion is one method for accomplishing that.

How does one end a toast?

The Customary Toast “Please join me in raising a glass to the happy couple, (NAME) and (NAME).” “I’d like you all to join me in wishing the new Mr. and Mrs. (NAME) all the wealth, health, and happiness in the world. dot. The new Mr. and Mrs./Mr. (NAME) to my best friend and his lovely bride or groom.

Making a toast to the happy couple is a requirement for the best man speech; for ideas, check out these 22 toasts!

Give a best man toast to the newlyweds as part of your best man speech preparation. You’ll need to ask everyone to raise their glasses in celebration of the happy couple and their future together.

The ideal way to conclude a best man’s speech is with a wedding toast, but if you need some assistance with how to memorably conclude your speech, we have some fantastic best man speech toast examples that you can adapt and use.

What would be an example of a closing speech?

Formal Closing Remarks Thank you for the opportunity to spend today with all of you. I appreciate your patience and want to wish you all a wonderful evening. I’ll miss you, folks. Thank you, and good evening or day. It has been an honor to be among such accomplished people and to be able to share my viewpoint with you all.

The setting, the speech’s subject, and the audience you are addressing will all influence the type of closing remarks you include in your presentation. Here are some examples of good closing statements you can use, along with some general advice on how to wrap up your presentation.

How do you raise a toast to the bride and groom at the conclusion of a speech?

Congratulate the happy couple. Express your joy at the couple’s impending nuptials and how much it means to you to be there. Make an introduction. dot. Tell a (selected) tale. dot. Greetings to both partners. dot. Choose the popular choices. dot. In toasting, raise your glass. Cached.

Writing a wedding toast can be a very intimidating and nerve-wracking task. Wedding toasts can either be hilarious, memorable, and completely sweet, or they can be a train wreck in the making that guests dread. Every couple hopes that their reception speeches will fall into the first category, but there is no assurance—at least not yet.

Marisa Polansky and Kristine Keller established Speech Tank, which provides completely unique toasts for any occasion, to combat those terrible speeches. We sat down with Polansky and Keller to get the inside scoop on writing a totally killer speech, and what better excuse to turn to the experts than for your best friend’s wedding? Your audience will beg for an encore if you have it!

Your wedding toast should be heartfelt but brief. A beginning, middle, and end should be included.

What are a wedding’s parting words?

Final words: Groom and bride, as you two join this marriage and become husband and wife, and as you declare your love and faith for one another today, I would kindly ask that you always keep in mind to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, and that you respect the opinions, ideas, and suggestions of one another.

I’ve listed five categories below to help you with your ceremony design. You can use them exactly as written, only use a part of them, or combine different options. Readings may be incorporated into the ceremony at any point (not just in the designated area). You can access that particular category on the page by clicking one of the links in the list below. Wedding ceremony readings can be brief or lengthy, traditional or unusual, romantic, traditional, modern, literary, spiritual, sentimental, humorous, instructive, good marriage advice, or any other content that reflects you as a couple. They also greatly enhance the mood of your ceremony. The beauty of your love can be expressed through readings, which can also enrich your ceremony with meaningful information. All readings can be read by Stephen, but some couples prefer to honor a member of their family, a close friend, or a member of the wedding party by having them read a piece. To express your love for one another, you should read some passages to one another.

Traditional Giving Away: Who presents this woman to this man for marriage?

The bride’s escort will say, “I do; her mother and I do; we do; her family does” as the response. Select your preferred response.

What do we say as our final words?

Once you have finished presenting your content, thanking the audience is the easiest way to conclude a speech. That has the advantage of being widely understood. Anyone can use it as a great cue for the audience to begin applauding and then leave.

The most crucial parts of your presentation are its start and finish. You must capture the audience’s interest at the outset of your speech if you want them to pay attention for the duration of it. You have a chance to make an impression on the audience that they will remember in the conclusion.

According to studies, people “perform best at the beginning and end” of information recall tasks. You must therefore make sure your closing statement has impact. People are inspired, empowered, and motivated to take action by a strong conclusion.

We frequently use the rule of three, a straightforward but effective communication technique, in both written and verbal communication. The audience is more likely to remember information when it is presented in groups of three.

How do you conclude a speech without saying “thank you?”

A question is set up at the start of the speech, and the conclusion provides the answer. In order to demonstrate your point, finish the story you started. Finish with the presentation’s title; a thought-provoking, memorable title is best for this.

The most crucial parts of your presentation are its beginning and conclusion. You must capture the audience’s interest early on in order to keep their attention throughout the rest of your speech. You have a chance to make a lasting impression on the audience at the conclusion.

According to studies, when asked to recall information, people “perform best at the beginning and end.”. Consequently, it’s crucial that your concluding statement leave an impression. People are inspired, empowered, and motivated to take action by a strong conclusion.

We frequently use the rule of three, a straightforward but effective communication technique, in both written and verbal communication. Information that is presented in patterns of three helps the audience remember it better.

What are some effective speech closing techniques?

Here are nine suggestions and illustrations for capping off a speech. 1) Write down every word of your closing remarks. 2) Always include a call to action at the conclusion of your speech. dot. 3) Conclude a speech by summarizing. dot. 4) End with a tale. dot. 5. Make Them Laugh. dot. Make It Rhyme. dot. 7) End on a motivational note. dot. 8) State Clearly That You Are Done.

A great speech or talk is comparable to a great play, movie, or song.

It begins by grabbing the listener’s interest, develops little by little, and then comes to a powerful conclusion.

The truth is that if you don’t know how to conclude a speech, your main points might not be understood and your overall argument may not be persuasive.

What should a thank-you speech’s final words be?

Thank You to the Audience I sincerely appreciate your time today, tonight, or this morning. We’ve now reached the conclusion. For your time and attention today, I sincerely thank you. I appreciate your interest and focus so much.

After your presentation, is there anything you want the audience to do or think? Tell your audience exactly what you want them to do with a call to action if you want them to take action.

Please take two minutes to leave a comment about your experience with presentations after you complete today’s lesson. The comments section is where you can join a discussion on this subject and share your ideas or ask questions.”.

Here are a few phrases to use when introducing your CTA:

What should the officiant say during the wedding?

The only elements that are essential or necessary are the declaration of intent (i.e., the official “I dos” and legal affirmation that “yes, I want to marry this person, and yes, I’m here by choice,” are exchanged) and the pronouncement, in which the officiant declares the couple is legally wed.

Okay, so we’ve covered a lot of something new, a lot of something old, and recently a lot of something blue, but borrowed isn’t as obvious (check out our latest, everything is trendy/new/what’s hot in weddings RN). Unless you want to wear your mother’s or grandmother’s gown, in which case you should donate it after the wedding. That’s why I thought today would be a good day to talk about wedding rituals. Why? Because marriage has been practiced for thousands of years and despite the fact that recent weddings have become extremely personal, the fundamental format and structure of wedding ceremonies remain largely constant. Thus, as you might have guessed, the wording will sound quite familiar from one wedding to the next; in fact, it is the most obvious instance of something being stolen.

My husband has been thoughtfully planning his remarks for at least six months because he will be officiating my sister and my future brother-in-law’s wedding next month. And over the past few months, he has devoted whatever evening free time he has to looking through sample scripts and locating verses and language that he feels fits with their overall tone and personality. Borrowing plays a very important role in this. Because, according to A Practical Wedding, there’s nothing wrong with a little wedding plagiarism here!

When it comes to secular or non-religious weddings, ceremonies can be much more flexible. The majority of couples who get married in a religious ceremony typically defer to the preferences of the religious leader and the tie-the-knot traditions typical of their house of worship. The couple getting married and the officiant(s) they choose will have to plan the service’s progression in this case. The only elements that are essential or necessary are the declaration of intent (i.e., the pronouncement, in which the officiant declares that the two are legally married, the formal “I dos” and legal acknowledgement that “yes, I want to marry this person, and yes, I’m here by choice.”). Everything else is an empty vow book, ready to be filled with as many or as few words of love as the couple chooses. This is their day!

What happens at the end of a wedding speech?

To conclude your toast, you ask everyone to raise their glasses and say something endearing, humorous, or heartfelt aloud for everyone to echo. Typically, you would end it with “to the bride and groom/happy couple/newlyweds” or use their names, and the wedding party would say it back to you. Cached.

Related Articles:

• How To Give A Great Wedding Speech Or Toast Speech Delivery Tips, How To Memorise A Speech, Tips Fo
• How To Write A Wedding Speech. How To Write Your Best Man Speech Or Maid Of Honour Speech
• How To Give A Father Or Mother Of The Bride Or Groom Wedding Speech (Parents Wedding Speech)
• How To Give A Bride And Groom Wedding Speech (Tips For Wedding Thank You Speech)
• How To End A Bride’S Speech
• An Example Of A Wedding Speech

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Here's the Wedding Speech Order to Follow at Your Reception

• Jessica contributes wedding planning, wedding etiquette and relationship content to The Knot.
• She also covers lifestyle and wellness topics for print and digital publications such Refinery29, Bustle, Well + Good, Cosmopolitan, Byrdie, The Zoe Report, The Cut and more.
• Jessica has a journalism degree from Cal State University, Northridge and is certified as a life and success coach.

Mapping out your ideal wedding reception timeline is an art form. You want the wedding day to flow from beginning to end, with numerous memorable moments along the way, including the wedding speeches . Choosing the wedding speech order is a big part of finalizing your reception timeline, since it's important to get the wedding toasts and speeches checked off before the dancing and festivities begin. To help you nail it down, we've outlined the traditional order of speeches at a wedding, along with some options for more modern wedding speech orders and other important speech-related questions. But above all, the most important thing to remember is that this is just a guideline—you don't have to follow it exactly (or at all). Use this order of wedding reception speeches as a starting point, but feel free to adjust accordingly, too.

In this article:

Who Speaks First at Weddings?

The traditional wedding speech order, do you have to follow the traditional wedding speech order, how many speeches do you have at a wedding, are wedding speeches before or after the meal.

Typically, the father of the bride is first in the traditional wedding speech order. In the past, this was because the bride's parents were usually the ones hosting (read: paying for) the wedding, says Trista Croce , founder of luxury wedding planning and event company BTS Event Management based in Phoenix, Arizona. However, for many couples, this may or may not be the case. In today's world, it's not unheard of for the groom's parents to pitch in for wedding costs, or for the couple to be footing the bill themselves. So in these cases, it's really up to the couple to decide who should speak first. It can be whoever hosts the wedding, the best man, or one or both parents if they choose to stick to tradition.

Yes, there's a specific order for traditional wedding speeches, but if you don't know where to begin, let us guide you through it. Here's the rundown of who gives the welcome speech at a wedding, when the father of the bride should give a speech and more.

1. The Father of the Bride or Parents of the Bride

The father of the bride speech is often one of the most special and tear-jerking moments of the day—and it's usually the first toast given when following the traditional order of speeches at the wedding. The father of the bride will typically start off by welcoming guests and thanking them for coming. The speech can also include a heartfelt anecdote about the bride and some words of wisdom for the happy couple. Depending on the situation, the mother of the bride can give a speech along with (or in place of) the father of the bride.

2. The Father of the Groom or Parents of the Groom

Next up in the traditional order of toasts at a wedding, according to Croce, is the groom's family. This could include the father of the groom's speech, mother of the groom speech or a few words from both parents. Some couples opt to have the father of the groom's speech take place during the rehearsal dinner instead, as old-school wedding etiquette stated that the groom's parents host the rehearsal dinner while the bride's parents host the wedding. But as always, who speaks at the reception and in what wedding speech order will depend on your relationship, your family situation and your personal preference.

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3. the maid of honor.

Following the parent speeches, Croce recommends having the maid of honor go next in the wedding toast order. However, some couples opt to flip the order and have the best man speak first followed by the maid of honor. The maid of honor speech typically includes an introduction and a short story explaining their relationship with the couple, personal anecdotes, funny stories, encouraging words and a closing remark with a toast.

4. The Best Man

The last speech on the agenda is the best man speech , which can follow the same format as the maid of honor speech. The best man can start by introducing himself, congratulating the couple, sharing a story about the groom and offering nice words about their new spouse. They can also mix in a tasteful joke or two and end with a wedding toast to the newlyweds and their future together.

5. The Master of Ceremonies

Although not considered part of the traditional wedding speech order, another "speaker" that can take the mic during a wedding reception is a master of ceremonies. In most cases, your wedding DJ or your wedding band leader will handle it. But for a modern wedding speech order alternative, you could choose to have someone you know or hire a different professional for the role. This, of course, is optional and there are pros and cons to consider, but it can be a fun way to add some structure (and humor!) to the reception.

Following the traditional order of wedding speeches is a good starting point, but you should always feel free to do what works best for your specific situation. Wedding traditions are just that—traditions. They're not rules couples must follow. "Family dynamics and friends are so different these days," Croce says. "This format is not going to suit everyone." Some people may also not feel comfortable with public speaking and choose not to give a speech. Our tip: use the traditional wedding speech order above as a guideline and decide on the wedding speech order that makes sense for you, your partner and your guests.

If you're weighing the pros and cons of a more modern wedding speech order, first consider the specific people who you'd want to speak at your wedding. You might skip the traditional parent speeches in favor of someone else, like the brother of the bride , sister of the groom or vice versa. And while it's not required, the newlyweds can give speeches too—whether individually or together—to give guests a warm welcome and express their appreciation to everyone who showed up to celebrate their big day. In that case, adding a bride's toast or groom's toast to the order of wedding speeches is another option. Lastly, you might have children (like the daughter of the bride ), stepchildren or other close loved ones who would be honored to speak at the reception.

In most cases, it's best to limit the number of wedding reception speeches to no more than four people. Whatever you decide, keep the total length of speeches in mind. If you decide to have more than four speeches during the reception, ensure each of them is brief. The last thing you want is for speeches to drag on and cut into the rest of the reception timeline, such as dinner and cutting of the cake. A good rule of thumb, Croce recommends, is keeping the entire speech portion of the reception to 20 minutes, maximum. From there, you can divide up those minutes between the different speakers.

If there are other important people in your lives who would also like to say a few words as well, such as wedding party members (bridesmaids, groomsmen), grandparents or close friends, you can ask them to give a speech at the rehearsal dinner instead. Rehearsal dinners are often more casual, intimate and less structured, which means there's more wiggle room for additional speakers that won't have the chance to speak during the wedding reception.

Wedding speeches typically take place during the meal at the wedding reception.The sweet spot, according to Croce, is starting the speeches about 3/4 of the way through dinner as guests are finishing up their meal and still seated. That way, once the speeches are wrapped up, guests will be done eating, tables will start being cleared and everyone will be ready to hit the dance floor and get the party started.

Timing is very important, especially with speeches, because you want to have your guests' undivided attention and keep them entertained and engaged all the way through. If speeches are done too early on during the meal, guests will still be finding their seats, chatting amongst each other and servers may be shuffling around, which can be noisy and distracting for guests. If the wedding speeches are done after the meal, guests may be feeling antsy to get up, move around and mingle.

Samantha Iacia contributed to the reporting of this article.

15 Wedding Pronouncements to End Your Wedding Ceremony

If you’ve ever been to a wedding or seen one in the movies, you’ve heard a wedding pronouncement. The typical pronouncement from the big screen goes like this, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!” It’s when the officiant announces the marriage and sets the stage for the big smooch.

But did you know there’s more than one way to pronounce a couple? If you’re looking for something less traditional or more formal, there are options. If you want something more feminist or more inclusive, there are options. If you’re looking for something unique that speaks to you as a couple, then you’re in the right place.

Below we’ve gathered 15 wedding pronouncements to inspire you to find the right one for your nuptials.

Before we get into the wedding pronouncements, an important note:

Many traditional pronouncements are written for a husband and wife (or “man and wife”). But if that language doesn’t resonate with you, ditch it. Don’t let traditional language and outdated ideas hold you back from creating a pronouncement that represents who you are. Here are some other titles you can use instead of husband and wife:

• Wife and Husband
• Husband and Husband
• Wife and Wife
• Legally Wed
• Spouses for Life
• Partners for Life
• (insert your own awesome titles here!)

Most wedding pronouncements end with the line, “You may now kiss the bride!” If that gives you the icks (and we totally get why it might), you don’t have to include it. You can remove the line altogether or change it to:

• You may seal your promise/union/marriage with a kiss
• And now for your first kiss as a married couple
• You may kiss
• You may now kiss each other
• I invite you to seal your promise with a kiss
• Let’s begin the adventure of marriage with a kiss
• Now might be a good time to kiss
• (insert your own awesome line here!)

Photo and feature image by Erica Miller Photography

Now that (Name) and (Name) have given themselves to each other by the promises they have exchanged, I pronounce them to be (preferred titles), in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (Optional kiss line)

Religious (Formal)

(Name) and (Name) through their words today, have joined together in holy wedlock.

Because they have exchanged their vows before God and these witnesses, have pledged their commitment each to the other, and have declared the same by joining hands and by exchanging rings, I now pronounce that they are (preferred titles). Those whom God hath joined together, let no one put asunder.

Since (Name) and (Name) have grown in knowledge and love of one another, and because they have agreed in their desire to go forward in life together, seeking an even richer, deepening relationship, and because they have pledged to meet sorrow and joy as one family, we rejoice to recognize them as (preferred titles). (Optional kiss line)

(Name) and (Name), you have publicly promised your commitment to each other for all time. I call upon all gathered here to witness that you are now (preferred titles). (Optional kiss line)

Consented Together

(Name) and (Name) have consented together in marriage, declaring their love for one another. They are now (preferred titles). (Optional kiss line)

Photo by Emily Nicole Photos

Valid & Binding

In the presence of your family and friends, you have joined yourselves in marriage. I declare your marriage is valid and binding and rejoice to recognize you as (preferred titles). (Optional kiss line)

So They Are

(Name) and (Name) have promised each other, publicly, in front of family and friends, that they want to be married. So they are! (Optional kiss line)

As you have both accepted the vows of the other, you may now go forth and fulfill your vows with the same love and devotion which now blossoms between you. You are now (preferred titles). (Optional kiss line)

Guests’ Support

You have united two families and two sets of friends. I ask them now to promise that they will support your marriage with joy, love and optimism.

All those who wish to promise their support say “I do!” (Guests respond “I do!”)

With the blessing of everyone who is present here today, I now pronounce you (preferred titles). (Optional kiss line)

Kiss is a Promise

(Name) and (Name), you have expressed your love to one another through the commitment and promises you have just made. It is with these in mind that I pronounce you (preferred titles).

You have kissed a thousand times, maybe more. But today the feeling is new. No longer simply partners and best friends, you have become (preferred titles) and can now seal the agreement with a kiss.

Today, your kiss is a promise. (Optional kiss line)

Photo by Erica Miller Photography

Now that (Name) and (Name) have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of rings, I pronounce that they are (preferred titles). (Optional kiss line)

Express Your Love

(Name) and (Name), you have expressed your love to one another through the commitment and promises you have just made.  It is with these in mind that I pronounce you (preferred titles). (Optional kiss line)

Good Company

In the presence of this good company, By the power of your love, Because you have exchanged vows of commitment, We recognize you as (preferred titles). (Optional kiss line)

Adventurers

And now it is time for me to declare you married. From today your family, friends, community, and indeed the whole world, will know you as co-travellers through life, adventurers, soul-mates, (preferred titles). (Optional kiss line)

Short & Sweet

I now pronounce (Name) and (Name), (preferred titles). (Optional kiss line)

How will you be pronounced as a married couple?

Find the perfect officiant to share your wedding pronouncement with your guests. Get in touch to book your wedding officiant today! 

Riana Ang-Canning

Riana Ang-Canning has been working with Young Hip & Married since 2017. She is a professional content writer with experience in travel, lifestyle and weddings. Riana not only writes Young Hip & Married blog posts but is also involved with the company's internal communications, social media, copywriting and more. She knows YHM, and the wedding world, inside and out!

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3 Announcements to Make at the End of the Ceremony

At the end of the ceremony, there are 3 important announcements we want to make to the guests in our closing remarks.

If you’re also wondering what to say at the beginning, here’s what to say and do to start a wedding ceremony .

Most of all, we want to keep this part short and sweet. A drawn-out, detail-filled instructional at the end of the ceremony will drain the primed-and-ready-to-party atmosphere out of the room. On the other hand, omitting basic information will lead to unnecessary confusion and chaos as guests aren’t sure what to expect next.

In terms of when to squeeze these in, I find that these Closing Remarks go best when we come back to centre after the Signing of the Registry and right before we conclude the ceremony with the Presentation of the Couple for the very first time.

Here are the 3 brief announcements we need to make to guests in our Closing Remarks so the energy stays high and everyone knows what to do next.

1. Tell guests what the newlyweds are doing next

Okay, but we don’t want to get  too  specific here. Ahem.

In the wedding workshop with my couple 4-6 weeks before the wedding, I always ask them what they will be doing after they head down the aisle. Essentially, they’re either leaving or staying, so this announcement is simply Option A or B.

Option A: the couple are leaving.

In this case, I’ll simply say, for example, “Ashley and Steve are heading out briefly for photos and will rejoin us shortly,” and then move on to Announcement #2.

(I almost always say, “…for photos,” even if that’s not 100% the case. But when we say that they’re stepping out for photos, no one asks. It’s not like we wanna say, “Ashley and Steve need a breather from all you people, but they’ll rejoin us shortly,” right?)

Option B: the couple are staying.

Sometimes this will take the form of a receiving line. Sometimes they’re just the first to the bar. So here, as with Option A, we’ve told the guests what the newlyweds are doing (i.e. “Ashley and Steve would love to immediately greet each of you in a receiving line at the back of the room,”) and then we move right into Announcement #2.

2. Tell guests what’s next for them

So we’ve told the guests what the couple are doing next so they’re not all mumbling among themselves, “Where are Ashley and Steve?”

Announcement #2 of the Closing Remarks is of the utmost importance for helping a room of 50, 100, 250 people flow smoothly into the next part of the day. And in this case, yes, we get specific: what’s next for the guests?

There are actually 3 parts to Announcement #2: where guests need to go,  what they can expect when they get there, and roughly  how long  that part will last.

Whether the couple are leaving or not, all the guests are invited to go somewhere next.

Pro-tip here: we phrase this as an invitation, not an order. Not: “Please go now to the such-and-such.” After all, nobody  has  to do anything here.

So I always  invite  guests into the next part. “Guests are now  invited  back out the rear doors and into the mezzanine…” See? So much less aggressive!

After we’ve told the guests where they are invited to go, we want to tell them what they can expect when they get there.

The important thing here is not to over-promise and underdeliver.

Meaning, we don’t want to say, “…for caviar and charcuterie,” and when they get there it’s only beer. Or to say “cocktails!” and it’s only wine. Not that this is a catastrophic problem, but remember: the purpose of our announcements here is to eliminate confusion and facilitate a smooth transition. To take away a sense of powerlessness.

So in the wedding workshop with the couple, I always ask, “Is it drinks and hors d’oeuvres?” and “What drinks can folks expect?”

Again, our announcement here is literally just a couple of sentences, but we want to be as accurate as possible. We don’t want guests saying, “Where are the friggin’ sausage rolls the officiant promised us?” when there’s really only a beer keg in the corner.

Finally, we want to give the guests a general sense of how long it will be, and what’s coming up after that .

There’s likely a next after the next. That is, guests are probably invited to another phase of the day  after the thing we’re inviting them to now. A cocktail hour might be followed by dinner; a group photo might be followed by a drive to a park… that kind of thing.

Just as I wrote in my post about how to run a fun and successful wedding rehearsal , no one enjoys feeling trapped in an activity with no sense of how long it’ll take or if and when it will end.

So I always ask the couple in our wedding workshop what’s coming up after the next thing for their guests. And I ask them, “Do you want me to mention a specific time when that happens, or should we just keep it to a general ‘sometime after that’ or ‘shortly afterwards?'”

Again, this is just a little phrase at the end of our announcement, but it’s hugely helpful for the guests to not feel stuck and saying to each other “How long do we have?” “Do I have time for a smoke?” “Can I whip out to the mall real quick?”

If there’s something coming up after the very next thing, now’s a great time to tell them. For example: “…with the reception to follow shortly after that.”

3. On behalf of the couple, thank guests for coming

With those 2 important logistical pieces out of the way, we want to wrap up Closing Remarks with a thank you to all the guests on behalf of the happy couple.

I always wrap up by asking guests if they can do something for me: can they party as hard tonight as these two are in love? It’s usually answered with a hardy “YEAH!” and a cheer. Because,  as I’ve posted before , anytime we ask guests a question, they’re thrilled to be included and respond in kind.

(Bonus!) 4. Tell guests to post photos with a hashtag

You know how in school you always heard that there are 5 vowels, but 6 too? “A, E, I, O, U… and sometimes Y.”

(Do they still teach that?)

Well, this is like that.

There are 3 announcements – SOMETIMES 4! – to make at the end of the ceremony.

In my wedding workshop with the couple, I always ask them two things related to a hashtag.

First, I ask them if they have a hashtag for their wedding’s social media posts.

Sometimes it’s the first they’ve thought about it. Which is great! That’s why we do the workshop 4-6 weeks before the wedding.

Sometimes they say they don’t care to make one. Fine. But if they do, then I ask them to tell me what it is, and I enter it into the “closing remarks” section of my notes.

Second, if they do have a hashtag, I ask the couple whether they’d like me to announce it at the end of the ceremony.

Now, we do want to end the closing remarks with that “thank you,” not a hashtag announcement. So if they say yes, I slip it in between Announcement #2 and #3; between the “now you’re invited to…” and “thank for celebrating with us today!”

Simple as that!

“And now, everyone please stand with me; it’s my honour and privilege to present to you for the very first time…!”

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