Top 12 Bride Speech Examples

Example 2: Destination wedding bride speech 

Introduction: Ladies, gentlemen, and non-binary friends—welcome. Welcome to our beautiful, tropical wedding day! I know I look more casual than the typical bride, but it’s 35 degrees out and I want to be comfortable!

Share your gratitude: It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway— I’m so unbelievably grateful to all of you for coming. I know it wasn’t easy, and I know it wasn’t cheap, especially when you consider the flights, hotels, and layers of suncream! But seriously, the fact that so many of you have made the journey to be with us here today means the absolute world. 

It’s not every day that we get to celebrate something as special as this, and the fact that we get to do it surrounded by people we love, in this beautiful corner of the world, is something we’ll never forget.

Stories about wedding planning: Don’t get me wrong, planning this beach wedding hasn’t been a walk in the park (or a swim in the sea?). Trying to work with vendors in a completely different time zone and with language barriers has been interesting, to say the least! There’s only so much you can communicate with emojis and Google Translate. And let’s not forget the challenges of deciding on what shade of white the flowers should be when I’m miles away from the venue! But somehow, we’ve made it all come together—with a lot of help, patience, and probably a few cocktails along the way. 

I honestly don’t think I could’ve pulled it off without [Groom’s name]’s steady hand. Genuinely, thank you. 

Thank your wedding party: And, of course, a huge thank you to my girls. You’ve been absolute legends throughout this whole process. From late-night brainstorming sessions to rescuing me from my own indecisiveness (seriously, I didn’t know choosing bridesmaids’ dresses could turn into a full-blown existential crisis), you’ve been my rocks. I couldn’t have done this without your love, support, and brutal honesty when I needed it most. 

Acknowledge your work: And finally, a quick bit of acknowledgement from me. I’ve had a lot of help planning this, but women don’t praise themselves enough, and do you know what—I did a flipping good job at planning this wedding! Isn’t it fab? I did my best for you all, and I truly hope you enjoy this lovely day. 

Toast: As a final note, please join me in toasting to the newly minted Mr & Mrs [Surname] I hope your hangover isn’t half as bad as the sunburns I’m seeing from up here!

Example 3: Adventure-loving bride speech 

Introduction: Welcome, everyone. I know, I know—another speech, right? But don’t worry, I promise to keep it short and sweet. My name is [Your name] and I’m the blushing bride!

Share your gratitude: First off, let me just say how absolutely chuffed we are to have you all here. Whether you’ve travelled from just around the corner or from the other side of the globe, the fact that you’ve made the effort to be here, to celebrate with us, means the absolute world. Honestly, it’s not every day you get to gather your favourite people in one place, and seeing all your smiling faces makes all the late night table planning, vendor emails, and fabric swatches all worth it. 

Love for your partner: [Groom’s name], you are, without a doubt, my greatest adventure. I thought I’d seen the world, but you’ve shown me a whole new one. You’ve taught me that the best journeys aren’t necessarily to far-off places, but to the quiet moments, the everyday joys, and the places where love grows strongest. You are everything, and I’m the luckiest lady in the world. 

Thank your wedding party: And to my fabulous besties, where would I be without you? You’ve been there for every Bridezilla moment, every tearful meltdown over the perfect centrepieces, and every last-minute “Does this dress make me look alright?” panic. You’ve been my cheerleaders, my voice of reason, and the ones topping up my prosecco glass—which is obviously the most important job!

Acknowledge your work: I’d also like to take a minute to appreciate the work I’ve put in. This day has been two years in the making, but I’ve been dreaming of getting married since I was a little girl. In my wildest dreams, I never could have imagined a man as kind as [Groom’s name], and sharing this magical day with him has been the cherry on top of the cake. 

Toast: So, before I start crying, please join me in a toast to my new groom. [Groom’s name], you are my home. You’re the one I want to face every sunrise and every storm with. I know that no matter what the future holds we’ll tackle it together, hand in hand. To us!

Example 4: Wedding planning bride speech 

Introduction: Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls— can you believe this day is finally here? I’ve dreamed of being a bride since I was a little girl, and now it’s finally here! My name is [Your name], just in case you don’t recognise me!

Share your gratitude: I couldn’t be more grateful to you for all being here today. I know I keep saying it, but this really is the best day of my life! To have so many people I love in one place, sharing in this incredible moment, is honestly more than I could have ever hoped for. Whether you’ve travelled from miles away or just popped down the road, your presence really means the more than you could know.

Stories about wedding planning: Wedding planning has been a lot tougher than I imagined. Turns out it takes a few hands and a lot of money to make a fairytale come true. But, in true British fashion, we muddled through with plenty of tea, biscuits, and the occasional glass of wine (or two). 

From agonising over flower arrangements to debating whether the cake really needed five tiers, it’s been a journey full of laughter, tears, and more to-dos than I ever thought possible. But seeing it all come together today, surrounded by so much love and happiness, makes every single moment worth it.

Thank your wedding party: To my wonderful girls, my bridesmaids and maid of honour—thank you. This day truly wouldn’t have been possible without you. I can’t thank you enough for your support. Whether we were toddling around primary school together, or whether you’re a questionable uni bond, you all mean so much to me. 

Acknowledge your work: Planning this wedding has given me a new-found appreciation for anyone who has ever planned a wedding. It’s absolutely no joke, and who knew something as innocuous as canapés could be so stressful? It truly has been a labour of love—but every late night, every decision, and every checklist box was worth it to create a day like today. And honestly, seeing all of your smiling faces makes every bit of the stress melt away.

Example 5: Love through the years bride speech 

Introduction: Welcome, welcome everyone. I’m so grateful to have you all here today. Not many people have the pleasure of meeting their soulmate so much later in life, but I, [Bride’s name] have that infinite and incredible pleasure. I met [Groom’s name] when I was 49, and today, I stand here as a 55-year-old first time bride, and I couldn’t be prouder. 

Share your gratitude: First off, let me just say how utterly chuffed I am to see all your lovely faces here today. It’s no small feat to gather everyone together in one place, and seeing so many people we care about under one roof (or marquee!) is truly magical. Thank you for being here to celebrate this moment with us—it wouldn’t be the same without you and it truly means the world to us to have you all here.

Stories about wedding planning: Now, I’ll be honest, I never thought I’d be standing here in a wedding dress at this stage of my life. I’d resigned myself to the idea that maybe love wasn’t in the cards for me, and that was okay. But then, out of nowhere, along came [Groom’s name]—a man with an infectious laugh, an enormous heart, and the kind of patience that has seen him sit through hours of me debating paint colours for the kitchen!

Falling in love later in life has been the most unexpected and beautiful experience. There’s a magic to it—knowing who you are, knowing what you want, and then finding someone who makes you feel like everything has finally fallen into place. It’s a kind of love that feels steady and joyful, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

Thank your wedding party: Thank you to my gorgeous nieces for being such special bridesmaids. I was so proud to have you by my side on my special day, and I hope you all grow up to find someone as special as my wonderful husband. 

Example 6: Childhood sweethearts bride speech 

Introduction: Thank you everyone for the wonderful speeches so far. I’m sure you all could have predicted that I was going to make a speech, couldn’t you? For those of you who don’t know me, my name is [Bride’s name], and in case you couldn’t tell by the big white dress or my name on the invitations—I’m the bride!

Share your gratitude: This day has been a long time in the planning, and I’m so grateful to you all for making the effort to be here. I know it takes a lot of organising, travelling, snagging babysitters, and figuring out what to wear to come to a wedding, so thank you from the bottom of my heart. Whether you’ve known us since we were kids or joined us later in life, having you here to celebrate with us means the absolute world.

Love for your partner: [Groom’s name] and I first met when we were just kids—awkward, wide-eyed, and with absolutely no clue that we’d one day be standing here as husband and wife. We grew up together, figuring out life one step at a time, sharing everything from playground laughs to teenage tantrums, and eventually discovering that what we had was something really special.

Growing up together has been a beautiful kind of journey. We’ve seen each other at our best, our worst, and every awkward phase in between. And yet, through it all, we’ve somehow managed to grow not just alongside each other, but closer together. [Groom’s name], you’re not just my husband—you’re my best friend, my partner in crime, and the person who knows me better than I know myself.

Thank your wedding party: And to my girls—thank you. You’ve been there every step of the way. Through every dodgy haircut, through every exam, through every moment of wedding madness—you’ve been my constants. You were even there for those awful two hours that [Groom’s name] and I thought it would be good to go on a break! Who’s idea was that (definitely not mine). 

In all seriousness, I honestly don’t know what I’d do without you. You’ve been my cheerleaders, my support system, and my sisters for as long as I can remember, and I’m so grateful to have you in my life.

Acknowledge your work: I couldn’t have planned this day without all the people I’ve named today. It’s definitely been a journey, and it’s safe to say I’ve learned a few things along the way—like the fact that choosing a table plan is basically an extreme sport, and that no matter how many Pinterest boards you make, nothing ever quite prepares you for the sheer number of decisions! But truly, every late-night email, every checklist task, and every “Does this really matter?” moment was completely worth it to see all of your smiling faces here today.

Example 7: Chance encounter bride speech

Introduction: Well, well, well… who can believe we’re here, hey? From a chance encounter all those years ago to the biggest day of our lives. Who would have thought an innocent train journey would have led us here? For those of you who don’t know me, my name is [Bride’s name], and I’m the lucky-in-love, blushing bride. 

Share your gratitude: I couldn’t be more grateful to be standing here today. Not just because I get to marry the love of my life, but because we’re surrounded by all of you—our favourite people in the world. Whether you’ve travelled from miles away or just popped down the road, thank you for being here to celebrate with us. It means so much to us, and, let’s be honest, it wouldn’t be much of a party without you lot, would it?

Love for your partner: They say love makes the world go around, and I couldn’t agree more. It’s the glue that holds us together, the spark that lights up our lives, and the force that reminds us what truly matters. Standing here today, looking at [Groom’s name], I feel so incredibly lucky to have found my perfect partner. He’s my best friend, my safe place, and the one who makes every day better just by being in it. Thank you, babe. I completely love you. 

Stories about wedding planning: Let me tell you, planning this wedding has been as organised as when I met [Groom’s name]. Do you know how we all met? I’m sure you do. We met on a train, got chatting, and bonded over our love of KitKats. Very normal right? Liverpool Lime Street to London Euston—if anyone’s interested. Well, at the end of the journey [Groom’s name] gave me his number on a piece of paper and asked me to text him. Also very normal. But, I lost the number. I guess he thought I hated him because I never texted him? I was gutted I lost his number, but sometimes, it’s fate.

Well, we met again, can you believe it? On the Bristol to Exeter. Both on the way to visit old uni friends. Strange, right? Anyway, I gave [Groom’s name] my number, and told him to text me. Never got a text. Payback, right?

Anyway, we both bumped into each other again on the Manchester Piccadilly to Holyhead. We were both going to get the ferry to Dublin. I asked why he didn’t text me, he said he lost my number (a likely story). We decided it was fate, cancelled our plans, and spent the whole weekend in Dublin together. And the rest is, as they say, history. 

Thank your wedding party: Now, onto my amazing wedding party. To my girls—what an absolute dream team you’ve been. From endless fittings to putting up with me changing the colour scheme… was it… 7 times in the end? You’ve all had the patience of saints. You were my first loves, the ones who have been there through thick and thin, and I honestly couldn’t have done this without you. Thank you for being the best friends a girl could ask for.

Toast: Today is proof that fate, or a very determined universe, has a sense of humour. Three train journeys, one lost number, and a very spontaneous weekend in Dublin later, and here we are. Life has this incredible way of putting you exactly where you’re meant to be—even if it takes a few missed texts and chance meetings along the way.

So, let’s raise a glass—to chance encounters, to fate’s impeccable timing, and to never giving up on what’s meant to be. Cheers!

Example 8: Love’s symphony bride speech 

Introduction: Welcome, everyone. I know you’ve heard a lot of speeches, but I promise mine is the last. For those of you I haven’t met, my name is [Bride’s name], and I’m the bride! Can you believe it?

Share your gratitude: What a magical day this has been so far. I can’t begin to tell you how much it means to have all of you here with us. Whether you’ve travelled far or near, your presence has filled this day with so much joy and love. Seeing all your smiling faces has reminded me of just how lucky [Groom’s name] and I are to have such incredible people in our lives. Thank you for being here and for being part of our story.

Stories about wedding planning: Wedding planning was so much tougher than I imagined. I thought you just picked some flowers, picked some food, and it just magically all came together. Naive, right? I appreciate now how much work every wedding I’ve ever been to must have been. The care, the effort, and the money that goes into pulling it off is crazy. But, you’re all worth it. 

Thank your wedding party: To my girls, you’ve all been absolute superstars. From helping out with the decorations to calming me down when I was convinced everything was falling apart, you’ve been my lifeline through this entire process. You’ve put up with my endless “What do you think of this?” messages, my late-night panics about seating charts, and the odd Bridezilla moment. Truly, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. 

Toast: So, let’s raise a glass—to love in all its forms, to the people who make our lives brighter, and to the moments that make it all worthwhile. Thank you for celebrating with us and for making this day a dream come true. To love!

Example 9: Funny bride speech 

Introduction: Well, they’ve left the best ‘till last, haven’t they? Welcome, everyone. Welcome to our special day. For those of you I haven’t met… Please leave… I’m joking! My name is [Bride’s name] and the important thing is that I think I’m funny. 

Share your gratitude: Thank you all so much for being here today. I know it’s no small feat to get dressed up, travel, and sit through a whole day of speeches just for a bit of cake and a dance. But honestly, seeing all of you here means the absolute world to us.

Stories about wedding planning: I’ve actually loved the process of wedding planning. Although it hasn’t all been smooth sailing, it’s had its fair share of comedy moments. Like the time [Groom’s name] and I tried to write the guest list together—who knew it could turn into a full-blown negotiation? Or the time he insisted he’d be “hands-on” with the planning, only to realise that “hands-on” actually meant saying “Yes, love, that looks great” to every single decision I made.

Then there was the cake tasting. Now, that was something [Groom’s name] took very seriously. I’ve never seen a man so passionate about sponge flavours in my life. In the end, I had to draw the line so we didn’t end up with a four-tier chocolate monstrosity with a secret compartment for snacks!

Thank your wedding party: To my amazing bridesmaids—thank you. You’re the absolute best. From helping me choose the dress to dealing with my pre-wedding meltdowns, you’ve been my rocks. And let’s not forget your honesty when I was debating hairstyles or colour schemes—you didn’t hold back, and I love you for it.

Acknowledge your work: And finally, a little thank you to me. Pulling this day together wasn’t easy, but it was so worth it to have you all here with us and to marry my bestie. I couldn’t be more grateful for all the love and support shown to us this last month. It’s been a dream. 

Toast: So, will you please join me in a toast—here’s to love, laughter, and a lifetime of questionable decisions made together. Here’s to the friends and family who have laughed with us, supported us, and probably rolled their eyes at us a time or two. And here’s to [Groom’s name]—my partner in crime, my snack-tasting soulmate, and the only person who can make me laugh until my stomach hurts. Cheers!

Example 10: Happy bride speech

Introduction: Welcome, everyone. Welcome to what is undoubtedly the happiest day of my life. I’ve dreamed of this day since I was a little girl, wandering around with a pillowcase on my head and making my teddies watch me walk down the aisle. My name is [Bride’s name], and I’m so honoured to be here today. 

Share your gratitude: I know I’ve already said it, but this really is a dream come true. Having all of you here—our family, our friends, the people who have loved and supported us through every step of our lives—means the absolute world to me. Thank you for making the effort to be here, for your kind words, your laughter, and the love you’ve brought to this day. 

Stories about wedding planning:Wedding planning was everything I hoped it would be. Sure, it was stressful at times, but knowing it would all end with this wonderful day made it all worth it. Every tiny little decision felt so important at the time—like whether the napkins should be folded into fans or rectangles (spoiler: we went with rectangles because apparently fans were “too fancy”). 

But honestly, the funniest moment was when [Groom’s name] decided he wanted to help with the table decorations. He spent an afternoon convincing me that mini Lego centrepieces were the way forward. I love him dearly, but let’s just say his creative vision didn’t make the final cut.

Thank your wedding party: I’d like to take a moment to thank you girls—my bride squad, and the reason I’m standing here today still feeling half sane. Girls, you’ve been my absolute lifeline throughout this entire process. You’ve listened to my endless wedding ramblings, made me laugh when I needed it most, and reminded me to enjoy every single moment. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without you, and I love you all to bits.

Toast:And finally, a toast— to me, my new husband, and all the wonderful people that made this day happen! Cheers. 

Example 11: Short bride speech

Introduction: Welcome, everyone! Welcome to our special day. Now, I’m not really one for long-winded speeches, so I’m going to keep this short and sweet. My name is [Bride’s name], and I’m the incredibly lucky bride!

Share your gratitude: I couldn’t be more grateful to be here today. And, in fact, I can’t believe it’s finally here! All those months of planning and organising, and now we’re here. I couldn’t be prouder or happier to celebrate this day surrounded by all of you—our family, friends, and loved ones. Thank you for taking the time to be here, for your unwavering support, and for bringing so much love and joy into our lives. It truly means the world to us.

Love for your partner: And, of course and above all, a huge thank you to [Groom’s name], my husband—how surreal and wonderful it is to say that! I’m so excited for this next chapter with you, and I know it’s going to be amazing because we’ll face it together.

Thank your wedding party: And finally, thank you to my dream team—my bridesmaids and maid of honour. Planning this wedding with you has been the most incredible experience, and I honestly couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you for your love, your patience, and for making this journey so much fun.

Toast: So, let’s raise a glass—to love, to laughter, and to all of you. Here’s to a lifetime of happiness, adventure, and plenty more celebrations to come. Cheers!

Example 12: LGBTQ+ bride speech 

Introduction: Ladies, gentlemen, and non-binary friends, welcome to our big day. I know that a bride’s speech isn’t the most traditional of wedding speeches, but in case you can’t tell by the fact we’re both in dresses, and neither of them white, this isn’t the most traditional wedding. My name is [Your name] and I have the incredible pleasure of being [Partner’s name]’s blushing bride. 

Share your gratitude: When I think about all the hurdles we’ve overcome to be here today, I couldn’t be prouder, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Thank you for being here, for standing by us, and for embracing us exactly as we are. Your love and kindness have made this day possible, and we’ll never forget that.

Stories about wedding planning: You’d think that being two brides, we’d both want to have a hand in the pie when it came to wedding planning, but oh no—[Partner’s name] made clear from the start they didn’t want anything to do with this process, and that they’d be happy with a registry office and a pub lunch afterwards. Now, while there’s nothing wrong with that (after all, who doesn’t like a beef and Guinness pie?), I did have a slightly different vision for the big day. Maybe you can plan the vow renewal, babe?

Thank your wedding party: It’s been a wild ride, and I certainly couldn’t have done it without my tribe of best men, bridesmaids, brides-theys, and flower boys. You’ve all been absolute legends, and this day wouldn’t have been possible without your love, patience, and unwavering support.

Toast: And so, as my final act in this speech, will you all please join me in a toast. To Mrs and Mrs [Surname]—to love, resilience, and a lifetime of being unapologetically ourselves. Cheers!