Standing up in front of everyone you love most, holding a microphone, and trying not to sound like a complete mess? Yeah, I get it. Not everyone dreams of being the center of attention on their wedding day, and that’s perfectly okay.
Here are seven speech templates designed specifically for brides who’d rather be anywhere else but behind a microphone—but still want to say something meaningful.
1. The Quick and Sweet Thank You
Sometimes the best approach is the simplest one. This speech gets straight to the heart of what matters most without any unnecessary flourishes or extended storytelling.
“Thank you all for being here today. Having you here means everything to us. When we started planning this wedding, we realized that the most important thing wasn’t the flowers or the food—it was making sure the people we love most were here to celebrate with us. And here you are.
To our families, thank you for raising us to be the people we are today, and for welcoming each of us into your hearts. To our friends, thank you for the years of laughter, support, and for not judging us when we got way too excited about centerpieces. [Partner’s name] and I are so grateful for all of you. Please eat, drink, and dance badly with us tonight.”
This approach works because it acknowledges everyone without singling anyone out, which can feel less intimidating. You’re not telling long stories or trying to be funny—you’re just being genuinely grateful. The beauty lies in its brevity and sincerity.
2. The Family-Focused Speech
If your family relationships are central to your story, this template puts them front and center while keeping things manageable for nervous speakers.
“I want to start by thanking the two people who taught me what love looks like—Mom and Dad. You showed me that marriage isn’t just about the big romantic gestures, but about choosing each other every single day, even when someone leaves dishes in the sink. [Partner’s name], I promise to choose you every day, dishes and all.
To [Partner’s] family, thank you for raising this incredible person and for making me feel like I’ve always belonged with you. And to everyone here, thank you for being part of our extended family. We couldn’t imagine celebrating without you. Now let’s eat some cake.”
This speech works particularly well if you’re close to your families and want to honor that connection. It’s personal without being overly intimate, and it naturally flows from family to partnership to gratitude. The casual ending helps break any tension you might be feeling.
3. The Journey Together Speech
For couples who want to acknowledge their relationship journey without getting too deep into personal details, this template strikes the right balance.
“[Partner’s name] and I have been together for [time period], and people always ask us how we knew we were right for each other. The truth is, it wasn’t one big moment—it was a thousand little ones. It was realizing that we could sit in comfortable silence, that we laughed at the same ridiculous things, and that we both wanted to build something beautiful together.
Today isn’t just about celebrating our love—it’s about celebrating all the love in this room. Thank you for being part of our story, for your support, your friendship, and your presence here today. We’re so lucky to have you in our lives. Let’s celebrate together.”
This approach acknowledges your relationship without oversharing intimate details. It’s relatable because most people understand that love is built in small moments rather than grand gestures. The shift to celebrating everyone else’s love takes the pressure off you as the sole focus.
4. The Gratitude-Heavy Speech
When you’re nervous, focusing on gratitude can feel more natural than trying to be clever or entertaining. This template leans into that comfort zone.
“I’m not great at public speaking, but I couldn’t let today pass without saying thank you. Thank you to everyone who helped us get here—and I mean that literally. [Partner’s name] and I had no idea how many people it takes to put on a wedding until we started planning one.
Thank you to our families for your love and support, and for not rolling your eyes too hard when we changed our minds about the flowers three times. Thank you to our friends for listening to us talk about wedding planning for months and still showing up today.
And thank you to [Partner’s name] for being patient with me through all of this, and for being the person I want to do life with. We love you all.”
Starting with an acknowledgment of your nerves can actually help you relax and makes you more relatable to your audience. Most people appreciate honesty over polish, and this speech delivers genuine warmth without requiring you to be someone you’re not.
5. The Simple Love Story
This template works well if you want to share something personal about your relationship but keep it brief and accessible to everyone listening.
“I want to tell you about the moment I knew [Partner’s name] was special. We were [brief, simple story—maybe about a small kindness, a shared laugh, or a moment of support]. It wasn’t dramatic or movie-worthy, but it was perfectly us. That’s when I realized that the best kind of love isn’t always the loudest kind.
Today, surrounded by all of you, I get to marry my favorite person. Thank you for being here to witness this moment and for all the ways you’ve supported us along the way. Your presence here means more than you know. Now let’s party.”
The key to this speech is choosing a simple, relatable story rather than something overly personal or complex. You want something that shows your partner’s character without requiring a lot of setup or explanation. Keep the story short—no more than two or three sentences.
6. The Community-Centered Speech
If you’re someone who values community and friendship highly, this template celebrates the people around you while keeping the focus off your personal relationship details.
“Looking out at all of you today, I’m overwhelmed by how lucky we are. You are our chosen family, our support system, and our favorite people to celebrate with. [Partner’s name] and I didn’t just find each other—we found our way into this incredible community of people who love and support us.
To our parents, thank you for showing us what commitment looks like. To our siblings, thank you for keeping us humble and for all the group texts that make us laugh. To our friends, thank you for being the family we chose and for making our lives infinitely better. We can’t wait to keep building this life together, surrounded by all of you.”
This approach works well if you’re genuinely more comfortable talking about others than about yourself. It acknowledges different groups of people in your life while positioning your marriage as part of a larger community rather than an isolated romantic event.
7. The Nervous but Honest Speech
Sometimes the best approach is to acknowledge your nerves head-on and speak from that vulnerable place. This template embraces the awkwardness rather than fighting it.
“I’m really nervous right now, which probably shows. I’ve been practicing this speech for weeks, and I still feel like my heart might beat right out of my chest. But I realized that being nervous just means this matters to me—all of you matter to me, and this day matters to me.
[Partner’s name], you know I’m not great with words, but I want everyone here to know that you make me braver than I thought I could be. And to everyone else, thank you for being here even though you know you might have to sit through an awkward speech from me. Your love and support mean everything to us. I think that’s all I can manage right now without crying, so let’s eat.”
This speech works because it’s disarmingly honest. When you acknowledge your nervousness, people naturally root for you rather than judge you. It also sets realistic expectations—no one’s expecting perfection from someone who just admitted to being terrified.
The ending with a touch of humor about potentially crying helps lighten the mood and gives you a graceful exit strategy if you do get emotional. Most importantly, it’s authentically you rather than trying to be someone you’re not.
Remember, your guests aren’t there to critique your public speaking skills—they’re there because they love you. Whatever you say, as long as it comes from the heart, will be exactly right for your day.
