The groom's speech has a settled structure, which makes it well suited to a template. The words in the highlighted gaps are prompts. Swap them for your own names, places and stories. Once it's filled in, read it aloud and change any line that doesn't sound like you. The details you add are what make it worth hearing.
If you'd like to know why each part is there, the groom speech structure page explains the running order. There are also four full groom speeches to read.
1. Opening and the previous speaker
Thank whoever spoke before you, usually the father of the bride. Say who you are if some guests won't know.
Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you, [previous speaker's name], for that lovely speech, and for [something he said about you, or a light comment]. On behalf of my [wife / husband] and myself, thank you all for being here.
2. Your new in-laws
Thank them for welcoming you, and for any help with the day. One friendly detail is enough.
[in-laws' names], thank you for welcoming me into your family. [a small memory, such as the first time you went round]. Thank you for [what they did for the wedding], and thank you for [your partner's name].
3. Your own parents
[Mum and Dad / names], thank you for everything, and for [something specific they did for today]. [one line about what they've done for you over the years].
4. People who can't be here
Keep it to two or three sentences, and check with your partner first.
I'd also like to mention [name and relationship], who [died / couldn't make it]. [one detail about how they would have enjoyed today].
5. The guests
Thank you all for coming, especially [guests who travelled], who have come all the way from [place]. [a light detail about their trip].
6. People who helped
Thanks as well to [name] for [what they did, such as the cake, the flowers or the music], and to [name] for [what they did].
7. The wedding party
Thank the bridesmaids for their help and say how lovely they look. Then thank the ushers and any children.
To our bridesmaids, [names], thank you for [what they did this morning or in the months before]. You all look beautiful. And thank you to [ushers, page boys or flower girls] for [what they did].
8. The best man
[best man's name], thank you for being my best man and for [something he organised or did]. [a gentle joke about how long you've known each other or what he's about to say].
9. Your new wife or husband
This is the part guests will remember. Tell them how you met, then give one or two details about what your partner is like. Finish by speaking to them directly.
Now, [partner's name]. We met [where and how]. [a short story about the first meeting or first date].
[something they do that shows what they're like, with a real example].
[partner's name], thank you for marrying me. [one or two plain sentences about how you feel].
10. The toast
So would you all please stand and raise your glasses. To [the bridesmaids / the wedding party / our families / absent friends].
If you'd like other wording, the wedding toasts page has plenty of options.
The template filled in
Here is how it might look once it's complete. Matt is an engineer on the Isle of Wight ferries and a Southampton season ticket holder. He is marrying Jess, a midwife at the Princess Anne Hospital.
Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you, Nigel, for that lovely speech, and for only mentioning the time I reversed into your hedge once. On behalf of my wife and myself, thank you all for being here.
Nigel and Karen, thank you for welcoming me into your family. The first time I came round, Karen had made a roast for ten, and there were four of us. Thank you for all your help with today, especially the table plan, and thank you for Jess.
Mum and Dad, thank you for everything, and for driving the bridesmaids here in Dad's car this morning after he spent all of Thursday polishing it. You've always been there for me, and I'm very grateful.
I'd also like to mention my nan, Iris, who died last year. She was a Saints fan for seventy years, and she'd have enjoyed today almost as much as a win at St Mary's.
Thank you all for coming, especially my cousin Shaun and his family, who have come all the way from Vancouver and are still not sure what time it is.
Thanks as well to Jess's Auntie Bev for the cake, and to my mate Lewis for playing the guitar in the ceremony.
To our bridesmaids, Amber and Rosa, thank you for getting Jess ready this morning and for a year of dress fittings. You both look beautiful. And thank you to our page boy, Alfie, for carrying the rings and not dropping them.
Craig, thank you for being my best man and for organising the stag in Bournemouth. You've known me since we were five, so I'm expecting the worst.
Now, Jess. We met at a friend's barbecue in Shirley, where she beat me in an argument about whether you can put pineapple on a burger. I lost the argument and ate the burger anyway.
Jess brings babies into the world for a living, often at three in the morning, and she still comes home and asks how my day went. She's calm when I'm not, and she's the person I most want to see at the end of a long shift.
Jess, thank you for marrying me. I love you, and I'm so proud to be your husband.
So would you all please stand and raise your glasses. To Amber and Rosa, the bridesmaids.
Each section is short, and nearly every one has a real detail in it. If you'd like a longer speech, the part about Jess is the place to add another story. The how long page will help you judge the length.
If you'd rather answer some questions than fill in a template, Speechmade will write a draft with AI from your answers, following the same order. You can change any part of it before the day.
Common questions
Do I have to use every section of the template?
No. Leave out anything that doesn't apply to you. If nobody close has died, skip that section. If there were no bridesmaids, thank whoever helped you both instead. The thank-yous, the part about your partner and the toast are the sections to keep.
How long will my speech be if I use this template?
If you write a sentence or two for each thank-you and a couple of short stories about your partner, it usually comes out at four to six minutes. Read it aloud and time it once before the day.
Does the template work for a same-sex wedding?
Yes. Swap in husband or wife as needed, and choose a toast that fits your day, such as the wedding party or both families. The order of the thank-yous stays the same.
Can I change the order?
Yes. Some grooms talk about their partner straight after thanking the families and leave the wedding party until the end. Keep the toast last so the room knows when you've finished.