Wedding receptions don’t always go as expected. All it takes is someone to say the exact wrong thing when it’s their turn to make a speech. Suddenly, the wedding is a horror show and the bride (and often the groom, too) is devastated. Here are three real-life examples of wedding speeches that led to embarrassment for the speaker or others involved:
Bad 1: The maid of honor got the name wrong
During a wedding, the maid of honor, who was the bride’s sister, gave a speech where she accidentally replaced the groom’s name with the name of the bride’s ex-boyfriend not once, but four times throughout her prepared speech. She read it verbatim from a piece of paper, never correcting herself, and the groom’s name was not mentioned at all. This gaffe left the groom visibly uncomfortable and the guests in a mix of shock and awkward laughter.
Bad 2: The drunken best man
At a wedding, the best man, who was also the groom’s brother, was heavily intoxicated during his speech. He started by jokingly referring to the bride as his “sloppy seconds,” which was an attempt at humor but was met with silence from the crowd. The situation was further compounded when the groom’s deaf grandmother, not understanding the context, asked loudly what was said, prompting him to repeat the crude remark. This led to a moment of palpable discomfort among the guests.
Bad 3: The inappropriate joke
At a conservative Christian wedding, the best man included a line in his speech, “may all your ups and downs be between the sheets,” which was met with gasps and awkward glances. The comment was considered highly inappropriate for the setting and audience, leading to both the speaker and the couple feeling embarrassed as the crowd’s mood shifted from celebratory to uncomfortable.
These instances highlight how easily a wedding speech can go awry when not carefully thought out or when the speaker is not mindful of the audience, the context, or their own state of sobriety.
By contrast, here are three real-life examples of wonderful wedding speeches that touched hearts and contributed positively to the celebration:
Good 1: The father’s poetic tribute
At a wedding in Ireland, the father of the bride, known for his love of literature, gave a speech that was both poetic and deeply moving. He began by quoting W.B. Yeats, “But I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.” He then spoke about how his daughter had always been a dreamer and how he could see her dreams coming true with this marriage. He detailed her life’s journey, the qualities he admired in her, and his gratitude towards the groom for being her partner in this dream. The speech was heartfelt, eloquent, and left many in tears, including the bride and groom.
Good 2: The best man’s story of friendship
During a wedding in New York, the best man shared a story about how he met the groom in kindergarten when they both got in trouble for drawing on the classroom walls. He detailed their journey from childhood friends to the present day, emphasizing moments where the groom’s character shone through — like when he helped organize a fundraiser for a classmate with cancer. He concluded by saying, “You’ve always been there for others, and now, I know you’ll be there for your new wife in the same way.” His speech was humorous, touching, and celebrated the groom’s loyalty and kindness, resonating with everyone who knew their shared history.
Good 3: The maid of honor’s sisterly love
At a wedding in Australia, the maid of honor, who was also the bride’s sister, gave a speech that beautifully encapsulated their sibling relationship. She talked about growing up together, the shared room, secrets, and the countless times they’d stood up for each other. She recounted a funny story about a childhood lemonade stand they ran together, which led into a metaphor for their relationship and how they supported each other’s dreams. She ended by saying, “I’ve never seen you happier than you are with John, and I couldn’t be more ecstatic that you’ve found someone who loves you as much as I do.” The speech was a blend of laughter, love, and a bit of nostalgia, making it a poignant moment for everyone present.
These three speeches were memorable for their sincerity, personal touch, and the way they highlighted the positive aspects of the couple’s relationship or individual qualities, enhancing the joy of the wedding day.
Ghostwriters Central, Inc., is a Southern California-based company that specializes in providing custom-crafted wedding speech writing services to clients everywhere who don’t want to do the writing themselves. The process begins with a questionnaire and an interview so that the speech will meet the client’s expectations. If you want their help, just click the link.
