Wedding speech opening lines: funny, heartfelt, and short ways to start
The best wedding speech opening is short, specific, and about the couple. Say who you are and how you know them in one sentence, then open with a single image, a light joke about yourself, or a first memory. Skip "For those who don't know me…" followed by a long backstory, the dictionary definition of marriage, and jokes about the bachelor party. Below are opening lines you can adapt for every role, two full speeches that show an opening carried through to the toast, and a fill-in formula.
- Length of an opening
- One to three sentences, about 10 to 20 seconds.
- Must do
- Say your name and how you know the couple, early.
- Works well
- A specific image, a self-deprecating line, a first memory, or a nod to the moment.
- Avoid
- Exes, embarrassing secrets, the dictionary definition of love, and jokes only three people get.
Opening lines you can adapt
Every line below is a starting point we wrote. Swap in your own names and details, and keep the one that sounds most like something you would actually say.
Funny opening lines
- "Good evening. I'm [name], the best man. [Groom] asked me to keep this short, so if you see me still talking in ten minutes, please start the music."
- "For those who don't know me, I'm [name]. For those who do know me, I'm sorry in advance, and I promise this is the cleaned-up version."
- "I've known [name] for [number] years, and in that time I've seen them [harmless, specific habit]. I've never been prouder than I am tonight, and that includes the time they [small, kind accomplishment]."
- "When [name] asked me to give this speech, I said yes right away. Then I realized I'd have to say it out loud, in front of all of you. So bear with me."
- "I was told that a good speech is like a [dress / tie / wedding cake]: long enough to cover the subject, short enough to keep it interesting. I'll aim for the short end."
Heartfelt opening lines
- "The first time I met [name], [a specific, small moment]. I didn't know then that I'd be standing here today."
- "I've spent a lot of time trying to find the right words for tonight, and I keep coming back to one: [a word that describes your person]."
- "Some people walk into your life and make everything a little easier. For me, that's [name]."
- "[Name] has been there for every big moment in my life. It means the world to be here for this one."
Short and simple opening lines
- "Hi, everyone. I'm [name], [name]'s [relationship]. I'll keep this short, because I know there's cake."
- "Good evening. I'm [name], and I've had the luck of being [name]'s [friend / sister / brother] for [number] years."
- "Thank you all for being here. I'm [name], and I'd like to say a few words about two people I love."
Two full speeches that start strong
A best man speech with a funny opening
Good evening, everyone. I'm Chris, the best man. Jake asked me to keep this short, clean, and true. I've managed two of the three, and I'll let you decide which one I gave up on.
Jake and I met at summer camp when we were eleven, and he was the only kid who packed a label maker. Every bunk, every bag, every flashlight: labeled. I made fun of him for a week. Then I lost my flashlight, and guess whose had his name on it? Jake's. He'd labeled mine too, just in case.
That's Jake. He's organized, he's thoughtful, and he's always planning for the people around him. So when he met Sam, I wasn't surprised that he had a plan. I was surprised that, for the first time, he threw the plan out. He called me after their second date and said, "I don't know what I'm doing, and I think that's good."
Sam, you're the only thing Jake has never tried to label. You're just you, and he loves that.
Please raise your glasses. To Jake and Sam.
A sample we wrote by hand. The people in it are made up. Yours is written from your own stories.
A maid of honor speech with a heartfelt opening
The first time I held my sister, I was six, and I was told to support her head and not drop her. I've been trying to do both ever since.
Hi, everyone. I'm Lauren, Emily's big sister and maid of honor.
Emily grew up to be the person everyone calls first. When something good happens, you want to tell her, because she'll be happier about it than you are. When something hard happens, you call her too, because she'll drive over with soup and not ask too many questions.
Ryan, you've been calling her first for four years now. I've watched the way you make room for her: for her opinions, her terrible singing in the car, her need to be early to absolutely everything. You love the parts of her that the rest of us just tolerate, and you do it out loud.
Emily, I don't have to support your head anymore. But I'll always be right here.
Everyone, please raise a glass. To Emily and Ryan.
A sample we wrote by hand. The people in it are made up. Yours is written from your own stories.
Fill-in template
Copy this into a document and replace each [bracketed] part with your own words. Then read it aloud and cut anything that doesn't sound like you.
[Opening line: a short, specific image, a gentle joke about yourself, or a first memory of your person. One or two sentences.]
Hi, everyone. I'm [your name], [your role and how you know the couple].
[Optional bridge back to the opening: one sentence that connects your opening line to the story you're about to tell.]
[Your main story, then the warm words to their partner, then your toast.]
Openings by role
- Best man: a light line about yourself or about being asked, then straight into a story about the groom. See the best man speech guide.
- Maid of honor: a first memory of the bride or a single image that sums up your friendship. See the maid of honor guide.
- Father or mother of the bride: often starts with a welcome and thanks if you're hosting: "On behalf of our family, thank you all for being here." Then a memory of your child. See the father of the bride and mother of the bride guides.
- Sibling: a childhood moment works beautifully, like the "support her head" line in the second example above. See the sister and brother guides.
- The couple: start with thanks, then a line to each other. See the groom's speech guide.
Openings to avoid
- "Webster's dictionary defines marriage as…" The room has heard it before.
- A long "for those who don't know me" backstory. One sentence is enough.
- Exes, past relationships, or the bachelor party. Grandparents, new in-laws, and possibly children are listening.
- Apologizing for being nervous at length. One light line is charming; a minute of it makes everyone nervous with you.
- Borrowed jokes that don't fit your person. A generic joke from the internet is less funny than a small true detail.
Tips for delivering your first line
- Wait for quiet. Stand, smile, and let the room settle for a moment before you start.
- Memorize the first two sentences. Looking up at the room for your opening makes it land, and it calms your nerves.
- Slow down. Say your opening at about half the speed you think you need.
- Pause after a joke. Give people a second to laugh before you move on.
Frequently asked questions
How do you start a wedding speech?
Say your name and how you know the couple in one sentence, then open with something short and specific: a first memory, a single image, or a light joke about yourself. Keep the opening to about 10 to 20 seconds before moving into your main story.
What is a good funny opening line for a best man speech?
A light joke about yourself or about being asked works best, because it gets a laugh without embarrassing anyone. For example: "I'm the best man. The groom asked me to keep this short, so if I'm still talking in ten minutes, please start the music."
Should I introduce myself at the start of a wedding speech?
Yes. Even at a small wedding, some guests won't know you. One sentence is enough: your name and how you know the couple.
Is it okay to open with a quote?
A short quote can work if it really fits the couple, but keep it to one line and follow it quickly with your own words. Long quotes and dictionary definitions tend to lose the room.
What should I avoid in a wedding speech opening?
Exes, embarrassing secrets, the bachelor or bachelorette party, inside jokes most guests won't get, and long apologies for being nervous.
Can Said It Well write my opening line?
Yes. Tell us how you know the couple, the tone you want, and a story or two, and we write the whole speech, opening through toast, from only the details you give us. You can ask for a funnier or warmer opening in plain words. Reading the opening is free; the full speech is $24 one time.