How to Begin a Wedding Speech: Our Favourite Opening Lines (2024)

If you've read our feature on how to make a great wedding speech, you'll know that it's really important to start strong! Well, today, we're showing you how to do exactly that, with a list of the best wedding speech opening lines. The beauty of this list is that it works for any kind of wedding speech, whether you're the bride, groom, best man, bridesmaid, father-of-the-bride, or even the flower girl or the groom's granny! We've made sure to include lots of different options so there's something to suit every style of speech, whether you want to keep it super simple, bring the audience to tears, or wow them with a joke! Some of our wedding speech opening lines can be customised, too, to help you make your speech even more personal. So, let's dive in!

How to Begin a Wedding Speech: Our Favourite Opening Lines (1)

Our Favourite Wedding Speech Opening Lines

To help you find what you're looking for, we've split our sample opening lines into three categories; simple and sincere opening lines, funny opening lines and opening lines with quotes from famous people.

Note: (name) can indicate yourself, the bride/groom, the couple as a whole, or another member of the wedding party.

Wedding Speech Opening Lines: Simple and Sincere Opening Lines

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you (name) for the kind introduction."

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. As (name's friend/relative), I'm delighted to welcome you all here tonight."

"Thank you so much, (name), for such a wonderful introduction. I only hope I can live up to your kind words!"

"Hello everyone. I hope you're all having a great night so far."

How to Begin a Wedding Speech: Our Favourite Opening Lines (2)

"Hello, I'm (name) and, for those of you who don't already know me, I'm (relation to couple)."

"Hi everybody, I'm (name), and I'm here to talk a little bit about my good friend (name)."

"Hi everyone, I'm (name), and I'm going to talk a little bit about (name). When I was writing this speech, I asked myself how I could sum up (X) years of friendship, laughter and adventures in one speech, and I decided that I can't. We'd be here all night."

"Hello everybody and welcome. I think we can all agree that it's been a wonderful day so far. (Couple names), you should be really proud of the amazing day you've put together. We're all very lucky to be a part of it."

"Hello everyone. I hope you're all having a great night so far. My life changed completely on (date, year), when (name) came into my life, and it changes again today, as they embark on their latest adventure with (name)."

"Hi everybody. Thank you for the warm welcome. Mark Twain once said that 'there are only two types of speakers in the world. 1. The nervous and 2. Liars.' I'm definitely in the former category, so I hope you'll forgive me if I'm a little bit shaky this evening."

How to Begin a Wedding Speech: Our Favourite Opening Lines (3)

Wedding Speech Opening Lines: Funny Opening Lines to Make Guests LOL

"Hi everyone, I'm (name), and before any of you ask, yes I am single."

"Hi everyone, I'm (name), and I'll be your speaker for the next 95 minutes."

"Hi everybody. If you don't know who I am... well, you're probably at the wrong wedding! But stick around, we need extra people for the conga line."

"Hi everyone. You're probably wondering why I gathered you here today. I've got a once-in-a-lifetime investment opportunity that I know you're going to - sorry, wrong speech!"

"Hello everyone! Thank you all for being here on such an exciting night. Yes, the rumours are true, I will be debuting some new choreography on the dance floor this evening. But in the mean time, I suppose I should talk a little bit about (couple names)."

"Hello, and welcome. You may know me as (name's friend/relative), but tonight, I go by the title, (name), Lord of the Dance."

How to Begin a Wedding Speech: Our Favourite Opening Lines (4)

"Hi everyone. Just in case you don't already know, I'm (name) and I'm the best man. There are some really successful, good-looking, charming men in the room tonight, but now that it's written on the ceremony program in black and white, it's official - I am the best."

"Hi everyone, I'm (name), and I'd like to begin my speech with a quote from the great Seamus Heaney/Maya Angelou/Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr./Mother Teresa... but unfortunately I left my speech in my other jacket. So you'll have to make do with me!"

“Hi everyone. If I could just say a few words … I’d be a better public speaker! That gag was actually stolen from Homer Simpson, which should give you an idea of the caliber of speech you can expect from me tonight.”

"Hi everyone, and welcome. Webster's dictionary describes a wedding as, 'The process of removing weeds from one's garden'. That's a Homer Simpson quote, which should give you an idea of the caliber of speech you can expect from me tonight.”

How to Begin a Wedding Speech: Our Favourite Opening Lines (5)

"Hello everyone, I'm (name.) According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right?"

"Hi everyone. When I was preparing this speech, (name) gave me a list of topics that were strictly off-limits, so I'd like to start with those."

"Hi everyone. I'm (name). Anyone who knows me knows that I'm (name)'s biggest fan. So much so, that I was actually quite hurt when I learned that I wasn't going to be involved in the first dance!"

"Hi everyone. I just want to take a few minutes to talk about my good friend (name). I first met (name) when we were 13, and since then, I've always looked up to him. He was, after all, the only 6ft 2' student at (school name)!"

"Good evening everyone. To our English speakers, I'd like to say welcome, we're delighted that you could be with us today to celebrate the marriage of (couple names). To our (other language) speakers, I'd like to say (use Google Translate or ask a native speaker to translate, 'My llama is very handsome. I hope my translation is correct.')"

How to Begin a Wedding Speech: Our Favourite Opening Lines (6)

Wedding Speech Opening Lines: Beginning with a Quote

"Hi everyone. I'd like to begin my speech with a quote from Dr. James Dobson, who said, 'Don'tmarrytheperson you think you can livewith;marry onlytheindividual you think you can'tlive without.'"

"Hi everyone. I'd like to begin my speech with a quote from Franz Schubert, who said, 'Happy is the man who finds a true friend, and far happier is he who finds that true friend in his wife.'"

"Hi everyone. I'd like to begin my speech with a quote from The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who said, 'There is no more lovely, friendly, and charming relationship, communion, or company than a good marriage.'"

How to Begin a Wedding Speech: Our Favourite Opening Lines (7)

"Hi everyone. I'd like to begin my speech with a quote from Franklin P. Jones, who said, 'Love doesn't make the world go 'round; love is what makes the ride worthwhile.'"

"Hi everyone, I'm (name.) I hope you're all having a wonderful day so far. When I got married to my partner (name), somebody told me, 'Don't just be husband and wife, be president of each other's fan clubs,' and I'd like to pass on that same advice to (couple)."

"Hello everyone. I'd like to begin with a quote from Mignon McLaughlin, who said, 'A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.' Over the past (x) years, I've had the pleasure of watching (name) fall in love with (name) over and over again."

You've found your opening line - now what? Click over to this featurefor a handy checklist of people to thank in your wedding speech.

Greetings, enthusiasts of the art of wedding speeches! As someone deeply immersed in the world of public speaking, particularly in the context of weddings, I can attest to the significance of a strong start in capturing the audience's attention and setting the tone for a memorable speech. Having delved into various speech genres, I've come to appreciate the nuanced craft of tailoring introductions to different occasions, personalities, and tones.

Now, let's break down the concepts embedded in the article on crafting exceptional wedding speech opening lines:

  1. Variety of Speech Roles: The article acknowledges the diverse roles involved in a wedding speech, addressing not only the bride and groom but also the best man, bridesmaid, father-of-the-bride, flower girl, and even the groom's granny. This understanding of the varied speakers demonstrates an appreciation for the unique perspectives each role brings to the occasion.

  2. Categorization of Opening Lines: The article intelligently categorizes opening lines into three types: simple and sincere, funny, and those incorporating quotes from famous people. This categorization recognizes the multifaceted nature of wedding speeches, catering to different personalities, moods, and preferences.

  3. Personalization of Opening Lines: Highlighting the importance of personalization, the article encourages speakers to customize certain opening lines. This reflects a keen awareness that a personalized touch enhances the emotional impact of a speech, making it more meaningful for both the speaker and the audience.

  4. Humor as a Key Element: The inclusion of funny opening lines underscores the significance of humor in engaging the audience. The article provides examples of witty remarks, acknowledging the role of laughter in creating a lively and enjoyable atmosphere during wedding speeches.

  5. Quotations for Inspiration: Incorporating quotes from notable figures such as Mark Twain, Homer Simpson, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and others adds depth and gravitas to the speech. This reveals an appreciation for drawing on wisdom from various sources to convey profound sentiments about love and marriage.

  6. Acknowledgment of Cultural and Language Diversity: The article displays cultural sensitivity by recognizing both English and other language speakers. It suggests using Google Translate or seeking assistance from native speakers to bridge language gaps, ensuring inclusivity in the wedding celebration.

In conclusion, armed with this comprehensive guide on wedding speech opening lines, you're well-equipped to craft an introduction that resonates with your unique style and the essence of the occasion. So, whether you're aiming for simplicity, humor, or profound insights, consider this expertly curated list as your roadmap to a captivating wedding speech opening!

How to Begin a Wedding Speech: Our Favourite Opening Lines (2024)
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