How to write a groom speech — a complete guide.
You've never written a wedding speech before. Here's exactly what to include, in what order, and how to make it sound like you.
Free preview included · No credit card required · Full speech from £4.99
On this page
Most grooms approach their speech by trying to cover everything. The result is too long and too vague. This guide will show you how to pick the right content, structure it well, and write something that actually sounds like you.
What a Speech Smith speech looks like
A short sample — your speech will be personalised to your stories and people.
The structure of a strong groom speech: Thank you section (60–90 seconds): Both families, key individuals, the wedding party. Specific, not generic. The relationship (90 seconds): When you met, what changed, why this person. Something to your partner (30–45 seconds): The most important lines in the speech. Direct, honest, brief. Gifts / final thanks (30 seconds): Best man, bridesmaids, parents — any presentations. The toast (15 seconds): Simple, direct, for both of you. --- Good afternoon. I'm going to start with the thank yous, because I have a lot of them and I want to do them properly. To both sets of parents — thank you. For obvious reasons that I don't have the time or the emotional capacity to fully articulate right now. You know what I mean. To the wedding party — Tom, Ed, Sarah, Laura, you've been extraordinary today. I owe you. To everyone who's made the journey today — genuinely, thank you. You are the people who matter most to us, and the fact that you're here makes this what it is. Now. To my wife. I've been thinking about what to say to Emma for about six months, and I've landed on something honest and simple. Before I met her, I was fine. I had a good life. I was doing alright. Since meeting her, everything has been better. Not dramatically different — just better in every direction, all the time. And I think that's what love is, and I know that I'm very lucky to have found it. Emma, I love you. Let's do this. Ladies and gentlemen, to Emma and James.
Sample only. Your speech is written from the specific details, stories, and names you provide.
How it works
Tell us your story
Names, your relationship, a few key memories, and the tone you want — honest details make the best speeches.
Get your free preview
Your personalised speech is written in under a minute. Read the opening for free, no account needed.
Unlock the full speech
Pay once to unlock the full speech, short version, printable cue cards, and three ready-to-use one-liners. From £4.99.
What makes this speech work
Every detail you share becomes part of your speech. Here's what to think about.
Start with the thank yous and do them specifically
The thank yous come first because they discharge the obligation of acknowledgement and then free you to say what you actually mean. Be specific — 'my parents, who have supported everything I've done even when it didn't deserve support' is better than 'my parents, who've always been there for me'.
The section to your partner is the most important part
This is what people remember. It should be direct, honest, and brief. Not a long list of her qualities — the one true thing you want to say, said simply.
Write the partner section last
This is often the hardest part. Write everything else first. By the time you've written the rest of the speech, you'll know exactly what you actually want to say to her.
Tell the story of meeting, not the biography
How you met, what you thought, what changed — told in specific detail — is always more engaging than a history of the relationship. One moment, told well.
Time it at speech pace
A written speech that looks like five minutes often runs to seven when spoken with pauses. Time it aloud and cut to fit. Aim for five to six minutes maximum.
Frequently asked questions
Five to six minutes is ideal. That's roughly 650–800 words at speaking pace. You don't need to fill time — you need to say what matters.
Yes, broadly — certain people expect to be thanked and the room expects it from a groom speech. But you can do it quickly and specifically rather than at length.
Say that. 'I find it difficult to say this, so I'm going to say it simply' — that framing gives you permission to be direct rather than performative, and directness is usually more moving.
Yes, if it comes naturally. One or two lines of warm humour — usually about the relationship or the wedding planning — keeps the room with you without turning it into a comedy set.
Yes — answer the generator questions and you'll have a full personalised speech in under a minute. Use it as written or adjust to your voice.
Start writing your speech today.
Free preview. No credit card. Full speech unlocked in seconds.