Standing up to thank your wedding guests shouldn’t feel like delivering a corporate presentation.
After watching countless couples fumble through generic speeches that sound like they were pulled from a 1950s etiquette manual, I’ve crafted these templates to help you sound like yourselves—not like you’re reading from a teleprompter.
1. The Classic Heartfelt Approach
This traditional approach works because it’s genuine without being overly sentimental. You’re acknowledging the collective importance of your guests while setting a warm, appreciative tone.
The beauty lies in its simplicity—no one expects Shakespeare at a wedding reception.
“Good evening, everyone. [Bride’s name] and I are completely overwhelmed by the love and support you’ve shown us today.
Looking around this room, we see the faces of people who have shaped our lives in countless ways, and having you here to celebrate with us means more than we can put into words.
We want to thank our parents, [names], for showing us what true partnership looks like and for raising us to find each other. To our wedding party, [names or general reference], thank you for standing by our sides today and for the years of friendship that brought us here.
And to everyone who traveled near and far, who helped us plan, who offered advice, or simply believed in our love story—thank you. [Bride’s name] and I promise to honor the example of love and commitment we’ve witnessed from all of you.
Now please, eat, drink, dance, and help us celebrate properly!”
2. The Humor-Forward Template
Humor immediately relaxes your audience and shows your personality as a couple. The key is keeping jokes light and inclusive—avoid inside jokes that leave half the room confused. Self-deprecating humor works better than roasting your guests or families.
“Well, we made it! [Groom’s name] managed not to trip walking down the aisle, I remembered all my vows, and [funny wedding day moment].
Honestly, we’re calling today a complete success, and that’s largely thanks to all of you being here to witness our [inside joke about relationship] finally make it official.
Seriously though, we’re incredibly grateful. To our families, [names], thank you for [specific funny but loving reference]. To our friends who [specific group reference], you’ve made our relationship stronger just by being yourselves.
And special thanks to [specific person or group] for [specific contribution]. We know some of you traveled from [locations] to be here, and others had to [specific sacrifice].
The fact that you’re here means we get to share this incredible day with the people who matter most. So let’s make some memories worth the trip!”
3. The Emotional Vulnerability Speech
Vulnerability creates connection, but it requires balance. You want to be genuine without making your guests feel like they’re intruding on a private moment. Acknowledge emotions without drowning in them.
“I’m going to try to get through this without crying, but I make no promises. [Bride’s name] and I have been looking forward to this moment not just because we love each other, but because we love all of you.
This room is filled with people who have carried us through [general reference to challenges], celebrated our [achievements/milestones], and somehow still wanted to show up when we asked you to watch us get married.
To our parents, [names], you gave us the foundation to build this relationship on. To our siblings, [names], thank you for [specific reference]. To our friends, you’ve been our chosen family, and seeing you here today feels like the perfect way to start our marriage.
We know that love isn’t just what happens between two people—it’s what grows when you’re surrounded by people who believe in you. Thank you for believing in us, for being here, and for being part of our story. We love you all more than you know.”
4. The Gratitude-Heavy Approach
Gratitude-focused speeches work when you genuinely want to acknowledge specific contributions. This approach lets you highlight the team effort that made your wedding possible while keeping the focus on appreciation rather than obligation.
“[Bride’s name] and I want to start by saying thank you—not just for being here today, but for everything that brought us to this moment.
Weddings don’t happen because two people fall in love; they happen because those two people are surrounded by a community that supports them, and that’s exactly what we have here tonight.
Thank you to our parents, [names], for [specific contributions]. Thank you to our wedding party, [names], for [specific reference]. Thank you to [vendors/helpers] for making today flawless. Thank you to our friends who [specific group actions].
And thank you to everyone who [general guest contributions]. We know that your presence here represents time, energy, and love that you’ve chosen to share with us. We don’t take that lightly. Tonight is our way of saying thank you—so please celebrate with us like you mean it!”
5. The Storytelling Template
Stories create emotional connection and give your speech a natural arc. The key is choosing a story that includes your guests rather than excluding them—they should feel like part of the narrative, not just observers.
“Five years ago, [Groom’s name] and I [how you met]. If someone had told me that day that I’d be standing here, married to this man and surrounded by all of you, I probably would have [humorous response].
But here we are, and honestly, it makes perfect sense because every good love story needs an incredible supporting cast.
You’ve all played such important roles in our story. [Names of family members] taught us [lessons]. [Names of friends] showed us [examples]. [Other specific references] helped us [growth moments].
Today feels like the perfect next chapter because we get to write it with all of you still in our lives. Thank you for being part of our story from the beginning, and thank you for being here as we start this new chapter. We can’t wait to see what comes next.”
6. The Short and Sweet Option
Sometimes brevity is exactly right. Short speeches work when you’re genuinely not comfortable speaking publicly or when the moment calls for simplicity. The trick is making every word count.
“[Bride’s name] and I are not big speech people, so we’ll keep this simple: we love you all, we’re grateful you’re here, and we’re excited to party with you. Today has been perfect because you made it perfect.
Thank you to our families, [names], for everything. Thank you to our friends for [general reference]. Thank you to everyone who helped make today happen.
We’re incredibly lucky to have people like you in our lives, and having you here to celebrate with us is the best wedding gift we could ask for. Now let’s eat, drink, and dance!”
7. The Adventure-Themed Speech
Adventure-themed speeches work well for couples who’ve traveled together or share a love of new experiences. The metaphor gives you a framework for talking about marriage while acknowledging your guests’ role in your journey.
“[Groom’s name] and I have always been adventurers—we’ve [specific adventures]. But the biggest adventure we’ve ever taken is deciding to build a life together, and having all of you here today feels like the perfect way to start that journey.
Every adventure is better with good people, and looking around this room, we know we’ve got the best crew possible. Our families, [names], gave us the courage to explore.
Our friends showed us that the best adventures are shared ones. And all of you have supported us as we’ve figured out where we want to go next.
Thank you for being part of our adventure so far, and thank you for being here as we take this next big step. We can’t wait to see where the journey takes us!”
8. The Partnership-Focused Template
Partnership language emphasizes teamwork and shared goals. This approach works well when you want to position your marriage as part of a larger community rather than as an isolated romantic gesture.
“[Bride’s name] and I have learned that the best partnerships aren’t just between two people—they’re supported by a whole network of relationships. Looking around this room, we see our network, and we’re incredibly grateful for each and every one of you.
To our parents, [names], thank you for modeling what good partnerships look like. To our friends, thank you for being our partners in [activities/support]. To our wedding party, thank you for partnering with us to make today special.
And to everyone here, thank you for being our partners in life—for celebrating with us, supporting us, and showing us what it means to be part of something bigger than ourselves.
[Bride’s name] and I are excited to be partners in marriage, but we’re even more excited to do it surrounded by partners like you.”
9. The Family-Centric Approach
Family-focused speeches work when you want to emphasize belonging and connection. This approach is particularly effective when you have close relationships with both biological and chosen family members.
“Family isn’t just about who you’re born to—it’s about who shows up for you, who celebrates with you, and who loves you through everything. [Groom’s name] and I are looking around this room at our family, and our hearts are completely full.
To our parents, [names], thank you for giving us roots and wings. To our siblings, [names], thank you for [specific reference]. To our extended family, thank you for [general reference].
And to our friends who have become family, thank you for choosing us and letting us choose you. [Groom’s name] and I feel incredibly lucky to be starting our marriage surrounded by so much family love.
Thank you for being here, thank you for being ours, and thank you for making today feel like the best family reunion ever.”
10. The Future-Looking Speech
Future-focused speeches create excitement and anticipation. This approach works when you want to emphasize continuity and ongoing relationships rather than just celebrating a single day.
“[Bride’s name] and I have spent a lot of time talking about our future together—where we want to live, what we want to do, how we want to grow. But one thing we’ve never questioned is who we want in our future, and that’s all of you.
We’re excited about [specific future plans], but we’re even more excited about sharing those experiences with the people who matter most. To our families, [names], we hope [future hopes]. To our friends, we can’t wait to [future plans].
And to everyone here, we hope you know that this celebration isn’t just about today—it’s about all the tomorrows we want to share with you.
Thank you for being here today, and thank you in advance for all the ways you’ll continue to be part of our story. Here’s to the future!”
How to Personalize Your Speech
Start with the template that feels most like your voice, then customize the bracketed sections with your specific details.
Replace generic references with actual names, real stories, and genuine emotions. Practice reading it aloud—if something feels awkward in your mouth, change it.
Remember that your guests want to see you, not a perfect performance. Include specific details that only you would know, but keep inside jokes to a minimum. Most importantly, mean what you say.
Authenticity trumps eloquence every single time, and your guests will remember how your speech made them feel long after they’ve forgotten your exact words.