How to write a wedding speech that wows the guests and makes a good impression on the family.

Start planning early, which includes doing your research.

At weddings, traditionally the best man, the bride’s father and the groom take to the mic to make speeches. These days, anyone can be invited to give a speech, so if you’ve been asked to say a few words at a friend’s, family member’s or colleague’s wedding, you’ll need to start thinking about what you want to say. Writing a memorable wedding speech takes time, care, and a bit of planning. Start early and focus on the couple. What’s their story, what are their personalities like, and what are the silly, sweet, heartfelt and funny moments that define them? Research can mean looking through old photos, reading old messages or talking to friends and family for anecdotes. This helps you find the right tone and shape your speech around meaningful stories rather than clichés. The best speeches are personal but balanced; they celebrate the couple while keeping guests entertained. They also share a laugh, but never in a hurtful or cruel way. Remember to consider the setting, whether you’ll be speaking at a relaxed garden wedding, a grand venue or a small family gathering, as this influences tone and delivery.

Once you’ve gathered your ideas, organise them into sections. You want to start with an opening (how you know the couple), then get to the heart of your speech (the stories, the humour, the emotion), and finish with a strong closing (a reflection or poignant message followed by a toast). This makes the speech flow naturally, and by giving you some structure to work with, it should help you avoid last-minute panic if you suddenly forget what you’re supposed to be saying. To help you figure out how to write a wedding speech that lands brilliantly, use Adobe Express to create a visual outline and cue cards to practise your delivery and timing. You can also design a digital keepsake of your speech, complete with photos and notes, as a gift for the couple after their special day.

Give yourself time to figure out what to say and how best to say it.

The best speeches feel effortless, but they rarely roll off the tongue on the first try. Instead, great speeches only come together after reflection. Allow yourself time to experiment with the tone for your speech. Do you want it to be funny, be heartfelt or perhaps be a little serious? Think about your audience: family, friends, and colleagues may all have different expectations for what you’re about to say. Draft freely first, then refine your message by removing anything that feels forced or too personal.

Next, focus on clarity and authenticity. The most engaging speeches feel genuine, where your natural voice shines through. Reading your draft aloud can help you find rhythm and check pacing and hear if what you’re saying sounds like you. Listen for where you naturally pause, smile, and laugh. Those are usually your strongest lines. When you’re confident in your draft, test it on one or two trusted people. Ask whether it sounds like you and if the stories land well. Their feedback can help you polish your timing and delivery. Adobe Express can support this stage too. You can design your own speech cards with clear fonts, colour coding for sections, and notes to cue emotion or pacing. Learn more about presentation skills and how to give an engaging speech or presentation.

Ask for help if you’re stuck, but don’t share your speech with everyone.

Staring at a blank document or at an empty notes page on your screen can take the fun out of speech writing. If you’re struggling to find words, ask close friends or family for insights. They might recall moments you’ve forgotten or offer details that add warmth and humour. Collaborative brainstorming can help you unlock fresh ideas while still keeping the speech authentic to you.

When deciding who to involve with your speech writing, be selective about who you share your draft with. Before you fire off a message into your group chat or start asking everyone for their input, think about who could really help you with your speech. Revealing it too widely can spoil the surprise or invite too many conflicting opinions. The goal isn’t to please everyone but to make the couple, and the moment, feel special. Just make sure to keep your core message consistent and personal. With Adobe Express, you can create an editable outline for yourself to help you practise your speech. You might find it easy to imagine you’re writing a letter to the couple, so start with a basic letter template or presentation template, and then rearrange sections, highlight key themes, and visually plan how your words will build toward the final toast.

Practise your speech to make sure your word choice fits your speech style.

Practising is what turns a good speech into a great one. Rehearse your speech multiple times, both privately and in front of someone you trust. Read it aloud to check rhythm, pronunciation, and pace. Notice any words that feel unnatural. If they trip you up now, they’ll likely trip you up on the day. Switch out words or simplify your phrasing where needed to keep your tone conversational and confident. If you hit a wall with a word, practise it over and over again, at different speeds and intonations. Don’t worry if you trip over it on the day; yes, everyone will be focusing on you, but they probably won’t even register your mistake. If you don’t want all eyes on you, why not create your own slideshow filled with funny photos of the happy couple for people to look at whilst you give your speech?

Try to memorise key transitions rather than the entire speech word-for-word, as this allows you to stay flexible and present while speaking. Pay attention to timing; five minutes or less is plenty of time to tell a few good stories and keep your message sharp and engaging. During your practice, record yourself using your phone. Get used to the sound of your own voice, then listen back for tone and clarity. Are there any bits where you stumble or mumble? Do you go too fast? Watch your body language; do you look stiff, or do you struggle to stand still? Make small adjustments and practise again. If you’re using Adobe Express, you can design storyboards with visual cues to make rehearsal easier and more structured.

Use Adobe Express to prepare and practise your wedding speech.

Adobe Express isn’t just for creating stunning wedding invitations and greetings cards; it can also help you plan your speech in a way that works for you. Start by creating a visual storyboard to outline your ideas, then turn it into a clean, printable version for practice. Add sections for the introduction, stories, and closing toast, using colours and icons to separate each part.

If you’re nervous about forgetting what you want to say on the day, you can design digital cue cards with readable fonts, easy spacing, and a subtle background to keep your focus on your words. You can even add small reminder notes like “pause here” or “smile”. If you’d like to share your speech later, Adobe Express lets you turn your notes into a presentation or short video with imagery from the wedding. You can also create thank-you slides or social posts after the event, which is a lovely way to celebrate the moment online.

Add finishing touches and make your speech unforgettable.

By the time your speech is written and rehearsed, it’s all about confidence and connection. Add final touches by refining transitions, trimming filler words, and ensuring your message feels balanced – part humour, part heart. Remember, authenticity wins every time, and a simple, well-spoken line can have far more impact than a long, polished paragraph. On the day, take a deep breath and focus on the couple. Look at them as you speak. Smile and let yourself enjoy the moment; it’s as much a memory for you as it is for them. And if you lose your place, just return to your key message: celebration, love, and gratitude. With templates ready to customise, Adobe Express helps you handle every part of your speech journey, from first draft to final delivery.

Keep your creativity flowing beyond the big day.

Writing a wedding speech might spark more ideas, from creating thank-you cards and slideshows to personalised photo albums. Use that energy to design thoughtful keepsakes for the couple or your family. Every piece of content you create can carry your personality and care. Adobe Express makes it simple to turn ideas into visuals, whether that’s a printed memento of your speech or a shared online video celebrating the newlyweds. Keep expressing yourself with creativity and ease, long after the final toast has been made.

How to bring your wedding vows to life.

Adobe Express can help you.

Design printable cue cards, visual outlines, and digital keepsakes for your wedding speech. Customise fonts, colours, and layouts to match your tone, and discover hundreds of templates to make planning and practising simple. Start creating with Adobe Express today.

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