Wedding Welcome Speech: Tips for Expressing Gratitude and Joy

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Being mandated with the duty to give wedding welcoming speeches is an honor. It means you share a stronger bond with the couple than many others present. But the anxiety and subtle confusion that comes with giving a welcome speech almost take out the fun.

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To help calm your nerves and slay to perfection in this important event of your life, we’ve brought tips. In this post, you’ll find guides on how to start and give speeches to inspire you.

Wedding Welcome Speech Examples

There are different kinds of wedding ceremony speech samples. This is because although the bride’s father is traditionally the host, things are changing. The maid of honor, the best man, the groom himself, very close buddies, and anyone, can give the introduction to the wedding welcoming speeches. And you’ll find beautifully crafted speech samples online.

“Hi, I’m (name) and it’s time for me to do this speech I scribbled down about an hour before the ceremony started.”

“My name is (name) and it’s an honor to be here today as (groom)’s best man.”

“Welcome to _____ & _____ wedding reception! I am (name). Please take your seats so we can officially welcome our guests of honor.”

“Friends and Family of the _____ and _____, welcome and thank you for being here on this important day. We are gathered to celebrate the very special love between _____ and _____, by joining them in marriage.”

“Hello everyone and welcome. Thank you for joining us on this day of gladness and good fortune. _____ and _____ are coming together to publicly proclaim their undying love through the celebration of their marriage. So we are all here to learn about loving and being loved, and to watch the miracle of love exchanged enriches every one of us.”

Done! You’ve got the best wedding welcome speech! But wait, there’s more!

Wedding welcome speech bride and groom

  • Classic Gratitude:

    “Thank you all for joining us on this special day. Your presence means the world to us.”

  • Humorous Start:

    “We’re thrilled you’re here—if nothing else, for the cake and open bar!”

  • Personal Anecdote:

    “Looking around, we’re reminded of the love and support that brought us here today.”

  • Cultural Touch:

    “In our culture, weddings celebrate family and togetherness, and we’re so grateful you’re here.”

  • Romantic Note:

    “Today, we begin a new chapter, surrounded by those who mean the most to us.”

Start your reception with a heartfelt welcome speech that sets the tone for your celebration. Use these wedding speech ideas to express gratitude and share your joy.

Wedding Reception Welcome Speech

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us on this magical day. Your presence makes this celebration truly special. Here’s to love, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Let the festivities begin! Cheers!”

“Friends and family, your smiles light up the room. Thank you for sharing in our joy. Today is a celebration of love, laughter, and cherished moments. Let’s make memories that last a lifetime. Cheers to all of you!”

“To our dear guests, your presence fills our hearts with happiness. Thank you for being part of our love story. As we gather for this reception, let’s savor the joy, create memories, and dance the night away. Cheers to love and togetherness!”

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Welcome Speech Tips

Wedding introduction speeches can make even the boldest person nervous. So nervous that you either forget your lines or don’t know how to start a speech. Below are a few tips to help you start great wedding welcoming speeches.

  • Introduce yourself

Don’t step on stage with the false pride that everyone knows you. Because there are lots of guests who need a fresh reminder of who you are. Always introduce yourself and keep it short. Don’t go on and on, it could get boring. You may also start with witty one-liners. They are ice breakers.

  • Open Lines

Crafting warm and inviting opening lines to engage the audience. Importance of expressing gratitude and acknowledging the guests’ presence.

“Good evening, everyone, and thank you for being here to celebrate the most important day of our lives.”

“We are so excited to have all of you here today to share in this beautiful moment as we start our journey together.”

“Welcome, friends and family! Your love and support mean everything to us, and we’re so grateful to have you with us today.”

  • Make eye contact

Making eye contact signifies confidence. Don’t look to the ground when giving a welcome speech. Look in the audience instead as it helps you comment. Roam around with your eyes and keep contact with specific persons for a few seconds. It makes everyone feel included.

  • Go with notes or cue cards

At the time of giving the speech, you may be quite stressed out or have your mind on other things. While it’s beautiful to say your speech off heart, the brains could play a trick on you. So always have a paper on hand. If you don’t want to write it out flat, then go with cue cards that act as reminders for your next line or paragraph.

  • Skip drinks

If possible, skip the drinks until after the welcome speech is over. You have enough time to celebrate. In other cases, it could be some Dutch courage you’re seeking. Still, skip the drink and use a mock audience backstage instead. Filling your head with drinks just before a speech will mess everything up for you. From incoherence to uncoordinated acts and possible misbehavior.

  • Keep it short

Remember you’re giving the first speech out of many. There are still other activities on the program which must fly. So keep it short, straight the point and informative. It should last 10 minutes at the maximum. This sums up to about 1,000 words when written.

  • Mention the spouse

Don’t focus only on your half of the couple. Mention their spouse and praise them.

  • Closing Remark

Encouraging other speakers to follow with their toasts or speeches.Emphasizing the importance of creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.

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Crafting the Perfect Wedding Welcome Speech Guide

Welcome to our guide on crafting an exceptional wedding welcome speech! In this guide, we’ll explore the importance of a welcome speech, who traditionally delivers it, and the ideal moment to present this warm introduction.

Is a Wedding Welcome Speech Necessary?

A wedding welcome speech is more than just a formality—it sets the tone for the entire celebration. It expresses gratitude to guests, creating a warm atmosphere and enhancing the overall experience. It’s a thoughtful touch that makes everyone feel valued.

Who Does the Wedding Welcome Speech?

Typically, the honor of delivering the welcome speech falls to a key figure such as the bride’s or groom’s parents, the master of ceremonies, or a close friend or family member. Whoever takes the stage should be someone who can convey warmth, gratitude, and excitement.

When Should You Give a Wedding Welcome Speech?

The wedding welcome speech is ideally delivered at the beginning of the reception, just before the festivities kick off. It ensures that everyone feels welcomed and sets a positive vibe for the rest of the celebration. This opportune moment allows guests to settle in, creating a seamless transition into the joyous occasion.

How To Deliver A Wedding Welcome Speech?

There’s really no ‘one size fits all’ to delivering welcome wedding speeches. But there are some “holy grails” that must never be quite neglected. Follow these tips and you’d deliver a welcome wedding speech no one will forget.

  • Start with something funny

How to start a speech? The truth is weddings are solemn and the guests may not be over the ceremony yet. It might take an effort for them to listen to you. Their ears were not made for you after all. To start a wedding speech, begin with a warm welcome, a heartfelt thank you, or a personal story about the couple. For more tips, check out our Wedding Vendors Directory.

  • Harvest the good memories

Do you have some personal experience with the couple? Then narrate it. If you’re closer to one of them, share sweet memories. The guests will be well delighted to know a little more about the couple they’ve come to celebrate.

  • Give well wishes and advice

The good memories are in the past and they’re about building a future together. So why not give them some bricks in the form of advice? Also, encourage and cheer them up.

  • Say thank you

Thank everyone present, beginning from the couple to the parents, the wedding party guests, and down to those that helped.

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Brides Often Ask

Who Gives Speeches at Weddings?

At weddings, speeches are typically given by the best man, maid of honor, parents of the couple, and sometimes the couple themselves. Other close family or friends may also speak if planned.

What to Say to Welcome at a Wedding

“Good [morning/afternoon/evening], everyone! On behalf of [Couple’s Names], I extend a warm welcome to each of you. Thank you for gracing us with your presence on this joyous occasion.”

Best Opening Line for a Wedding Speech

“As we gather here today to celebrate the union of two incredible souls, let us embark on a journey of love, laughter, and cherished memories. Welcome, and let the festivities begin!”

Wedding speeches are as interesting as you make them. These are wedding welcoming speeches that could make guests howl with laughter or shed a tear. Regardless of who gives the wedding welcome speeches, there are guides to help you pull it off. Thus, we’ve rounded off tips and samples to keep you inspired as you prepare your wedding welcome speech.

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