Wedding speech order: what you need to know

For a wedding, the speeches are an important part of the celebration. But are you here wondering, “What is the wedding speech order?” We have a look at how it’s traditionally run!

When it comes to weddings, speeches are one of the most memorable—and nerve-wracking—parts of the celebration. Whether you’re the couple, a parent, or part of the wedding party, knowing who speaks and when can help the reception run smoothly and ensure every toast hits the right note.

The traditional wedding speech order (Western/Australian Style)

Let’s tackle this first up, your wedding is yours. And although there are traditions, no couple is expected to follow all of them, if any at all. As more couples are choosing to go their own way when it comes to the expectations of weddings, sometimes it can be helpful to look at what has worked in the past. If they saying is, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” then this can be your guide for the wedding speech order.

While there’s no one-size-fits-all, this is the classic order most couples follow:

1. Master of Ceremonies (MC)

   • Welcomes guests, outlines the evening’s events, and introduces each speaker.

   • Keeps things flowing between speeches, meals, and entertainment.

2. Father (or Parent) of the Bride

   • Traditionally, the father of the bride kicks off the speeches.

   • Welcomes guests, shares warm memories of the bride, and officially welcomes the groom or partner into the family.

3. Groom (or One Half of the Couple)

   • Thanks the guests, parents, and wedding party.

   • Offers a heartfelt tribute to their new spouse.

   • May include a few personal anecdotes or light jokes.

4. Bride (or Other Half of the Couple) (optional, but increasingly common)

   • Offers her own thanks and reflections, especially in more modern or equal-partnership celebrations.

5. Best Man (or Person of Honour)

   • Often brings the humour.

   • Shares stories about the groom or couple, followed by a toast.

   • Should stay classy while being entertaining.

6. Maid of Honour (or Person of Honour) (optional but growing in popularity)

   • Shares personal insights about the bride or couple.

   • May toast the couple with something heartfelt and emotional (or funny and relatable!).

7. Other speeches (friends, siblings, parents of the groom, etc.)

   • Some couples include additional loved ones, such as a sibling, grandparent, or parent of the groom

Modern variations: Make it your own

Many couples are rewriting tradition and sharing the speech duties equally, or skipping some altogether. For second marriages or weddings, speeches and the fanfare might be skipped – it’s been done before.

As more people can admit their fear of speeches, a lot of people are saying ‘no’ when it comes to all eyes on them – and fair enough! Writing a speech and saying it in front of lots of people, who might have had a couple of drinks, it’s a big deal.

LGBTQIA+ weddings often personalise the order to suit their dynamic. There’s no “right” order when both parties want to speak. And for some couples, neither wants to talk. For couples like this, it’s still a good idea to do a very quick ‘thank you’ to everyone who made it. But feel free to pass on the anecdotes and personal jokes, if it’s not for you – don’t force it!

You might also swap the order around if someone has to leave early, or to accommodate dinner timing or entertainment.

Tips for a smooth speech flow

• Keep it brief – Aim for 3–5 minutes per speech.

• Check the run sheet – Make sure everyone knows when they’re speaking and has a mic if needed.

• Spread them out – Avoid back-to-back speeches; space them between courses or formalities to keep guests engaged.

• Assign an MC – A confident MC will keep the energy up, the transitions smooth, and the timeline on track.

Last thoughts

Whether you stick to tradition or do things your own way, the key to a successful speech order is balance. Make sure everyone feels included, the evening flows well, and there’s a mix of humour, sentiment, and celebration. At the end of the day, wedding speeches are about love, connection, and sharing your story. Our biggest tip? Keep it genuine. You can’t go wrong.