Wedding speech order: what you need to know

When it comes to weddings, speeches are one of the big anchor moments of the reception. They can be sweet, hilarious and occasionally chaotic, especially if no one is totally sure when they are meant to stand up. If you are wondering how the order actually works, you are not alone.

Here is the simple, modern rundown so you know who speaks when. It will help your reception flow, keep the nerves in check and make sure every toast lands exactly the way you want it to.

The traditional wedding speech order

First things first, your wedding is yours! Traditions can be lovely, but no one expects you to follow every single one. Most couples pick and choose what feels right, and that is exactly how it should be. Still, it can help to understand the classic structure before you decide what to keep and what to skip.

If you want a simple guide to what has worked for generations, this is the traditional wedding speech order most couples start with:

1. Master of Ceremonies (MC). Welcomes everyone, sets the tone for the reception and introduces each speaker. Keeps things flowing between speeches, food and entertainment so there are no awkward gaps.
2. Father or Parent of the Bride. Traditionally speaks first. Welcomes guests, shares a few warm memories 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, then shares a heartfelt tribute to their new spouse. A personal story or a light joke usually lands well here.
4. Bride or other half of the couple. Optional in the past but very common now. Offers her own thanks and reflections and brings balance to the moment.
5. Best Man or Person of Honour. Often brings the humour. Shares stories about the groom or couple, then wraps up with a toast. The goal is entertaining but still classy.
6. Maid of Honour or Person of Honour. Shares heartfelt insights about the bride or couple and may toast them with something emotional, funny or a bit of both.
7. Other speeches. Some couples invite additional loved ones to say a few words, such as siblings, grandparents or a parent of the groom.

Fun ways to break tradition

If the classic order feels a bit stiff for your vibe, there are plenty of playful twists couples are loving right now. Think of these as inspiration, not rules.

You could open with a joint speech and set the tone together. You could swap the order entirely and let the Maid of Honour or Best Man kick things off. Some couples invite their mums to speak rather than their dads. Others turn speeches into a relaxed cocktail hour moment with roaming microphones and shorter, snappier toasts.

Another growing trend is the round of mini speeches. This is where a handful of close friends each share one thoughtful or funny moment that takes less than a minute. It keeps things lively and spreads the love.

Whatever you choose, the only goal is a reception that feels like you. If a tradition does not serve you, you can skip it without a second thought.

Tips for a smooth speech flow

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

• Check the run sheet. Ensure everyone knows when they’re speaking and has a microphone 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.

Whether you stick to tradition or do things your own way, the key to a successful speech order is balance. Ensure that everyone feels included, the evening flows smoothly, 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.

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