How long should a groom speech be?
A groom speech should be 3 to 5 minutes long, about 390 to 650 words at 130 words per minute. Because it carries most of the thank-yous, keep the thanks brisk so the part about your partner gets the time it deserves.
That's 3 min to 5 min, or roughly 390 to 650 words at 130 words per minute.
Why this length works
The groom usually speaks for the couple, which means thanking parents, guests, the wedding party, and anyone who helped, then saying something real about the person he just married. Three to five minutes covers all of that if the thank-yous are tight.
Guests do not expect the groom to be the funniest speaker of the night; that job usually falls to the best man. What they want is sincerity. A groom who speaks warmly about his partner for two minutes leaves a bigger impression than one who tells jokes for ten.
How to structure a 4 min groom speech
Thank-yous
~155 words
1 min 12 sec · Parents on both sides, guests who traveled, and anyone who helped. Group names where you can.
Your partner
~235 words
1 min 48 sec · How you met, what you love about them, and the moment you knew. This is the heart of the speech.
The wedding party
~50 words
24 sec · A line of thanks for the best man and attendants, and a light handover if someone speaks after you.
Toast
~80 words
36 sec · Raise a glass, to your partner or to everyone who came to celebrate with you.
Tips
- Write the full thank-you list first, then shorten it by grouping. Thanking 'both our families' is quicker, and nobody gets left out by accident.
- Speak to your partner, not just about them. Turning to face them for a line or two is the moment guests remember.
- Get one gentle laugh at your own expense early on. It relaxes you and the room.
- If the best man speaks after you, leave the teasing to him and set him up with a friendly handover.
- If you are speaking as a couple, decide who says which thank-yous so nobody is thanked twice or forgotten.
Common mistakes
- Reading a thank-you list so long that it takes up most of the speech.
- Forgetting your partner's parents, or the people who paid for or hosted parts of the wedding.
- Making ball-and-chain jokes about married life. They are tired and can sting.
- Skipping what you actually feel about your partner because you are worried about getting emotional.
Example opening lines
- “Thank you all for coming. I've practiced this speech in the car for three weeks, so if I signal left halfway through, that's why.”
- “Before anything else, I want to say how grateful I am that Rachel said yes, and that she hasn't changed her mind in the last six hours.”
- “I'm not the funny one in this relationship, as most of you know. So I'll stick to what I'm good at, which is being completely sure I married the right person.”
Time your speech
Paste your draft to check its length at your pace, then rehearse it in the teleprompter.
Or type a number of words
Speaking time at 130 wpm
4 min
520 words · about 2 pages double-spaced
| Pace | Time |
|---|---|
| Slow 110 wpm | 4 min 44 sec |
| Presentation 130 wpm | 4 min |
| Conversational 150 wpm | 3 min 28 sec |
| Voice-over 160 wpm | 3 min 15 sec |
| Fast 180 wpm | 2 min 53 sec |
| Reading aloud, average 183 wpm | 2 min 50 sec |
| Silent reading 238 wpm | 2 min 11 sec |
Measure your own pace
Paste a script above (Words → time), press Start, read it aloud at your normal delivery, then press Stop. Nothing is recorded; this only times you.
Rehearse it
Open your script in the free teleprompter. It scrolls at the words-per-minute pace you choose and can record an audio take.
Frequently asked questions
What order do wedding speeches go in?
In the traditional UK order, the father of the bride speaks first, then the groom, then the best man. Many couples now change it up, adding the maid of honor or speaking together, so ask whoever is running the reception.
How many words is a 4-minute groom speech?
About 520 words at 130 words per minute. Allow a few extra seconds for applause after the thank-yous and the toast.
Can the bride and groom give a speech together?
Yes. A joint speech works well if each partner takes clear sections. Keep the total to about 4 to 6 minutes so it does not feel like two full speeches.