Wedding speech for your brother: examples, a template, and tips

Toast from the groom's older sister

Good evening, everyone. I'm Kelsey, Connor's older sister. Connor, I want you to know that I've waited twenty-eight years to have a microphone and your full attention. Thank you for this opportunity.

When Connor was six, he wanted a dog more than anything in the world. Our parents said no. So he spent an entire summer being the dog. He fetched the newspaper every morning. He sat by the door when Dad got home. He would not eat cereal unless it was in a bowl on the floor. In September, our parents gave up and got a beagle. To this day, it's the most committed I've ever seen anyone be to anything.

Until Hailey.

Connor met Hailey at a friend's barbecue, and the next day he called me and asked, very casually, how long you're supposed to wait before texting someone. I said a day or two. He said, "Okay, so I've already texted her four times. Is that bad?" It was not bad. She texted back every time.

Hailey, you are kind and funny and endlessly patient, and you make my brother a calmer, happier person. You also laugh at his jokes, which is more than the rest of our family can say. We love you, and we're so glad you're one of us.

Connor, you've always gone all in on the things you love. I'm so proud that this time, it's her.

Everyone, please raise your glasses. To Connor and Hailey.

A sample we wrote by hand. The people in it are made up. Yours is written from your own stories.

Toast from a brother (not the best man)

Hi, everyone. I'm Jeff, Kyle's brother. I'm not the best man tonight. Kyle gave that job to his college roommate, and honestly, after the things I know, that was a smart move on his part.

Kyle and I shared a bedroom until I was fourteen. We had a line of masking tape down the middle of the floor, and the rule was you couldn't cross it. The problem was that the door was on my side. So for about three years, Kyle had to ask permission to leave his own room. He'd knock on the wall and say, very politely, "Requesting passage." I'd let him through about half the time.

I'm telling you this because Kyle never once tried to rip up the tape. He just figured out how to work with what he had and stay polite about it. He's been that way his whole life. He is the most patient person I know.

And then there's Morgan. Morgan is not patient. Morgan saw Kyle's old apartment, said, "This couch has to go," and the couch was gone by Saturday. I've never seen my brother so happy to lose a fight.

Morgan, thank you for loving him, and for getting him off that couch. You two balance each other in the best way.

So please raise a glass. To Kyle and Morgan. Passage granted, both of you, for life.

A sample we wrote by hand. The people in it are made up. Yours is written from your own stories.

Short toast for a brother's wedding

Hi, everyone. I'm Tim, Luke's little brother. Luke taught me to ride a bike, to throw a spiral, and to never, ever touch his stuff. I've done pretty well with two out of three.

Sara, he's loyal, he's kind, and he will drive anywhere at any hour if you need him. Now he's yours. Take good care of each other.

To Luke and Sara.

A sample we wrote by hand. The people in it are made up. Yours is written from your own stories.

Heartfelt toast from a big sister

Good afternoon, everyone. I'm Diana, and Nate is my little brother. When I left for college, he was eleven, and he wrote me a letter every single week for the first semester. Most of them were about the dog, but a few of them asked me how to talk to girls. I was not qualified to answer then, and I'm still not.

But at some point he figured it out, because here we are.

Nate grew up to be the guy everyone calls when something breaks. A flat tire, a leaky sink, a broken heart. He shows up with a toolbox or a pizza, whichever is needed, and he stays until it's fixed.

The first time I met Rachel, she told me the story of how they met: her car died in a grocery store parking lot, and a stranger with jumper cables offered to help. I said, "Let me guess. He stayed until it started." She laughed and said, "He followed me home to make sure it didn't die again." That's my brother.

Rachel, you've been part of our family for a while now, and today just makes it official. We adore you.

Please raise your glasses. To Nate and Rachel. May every breakdown be a small one, and may you always have each other's jumper cables.

A sample we wrote by hand. The people in it are made up. Yours is written from your own stories.