Example 1: Heartfelt with a few laughs, UK wedding, about 4 minutes
510 words · about 4 min spoken
Hello everyone. First, thank you all so much for being here with us today. I know some of you have traveled a long way, and it means the world to Daniel and me to have our favorite people together in one room—finally!
I want to thank my parents, Meera and Anil. Mum and Dad, you managed to fly my grandmother all the way from Pune, and you cooked for a hundred people at the mehndi. I still don’t know how you did it. Daniel’s parents, Sue and Graham, you have made me feel like part of your family since my very first Sunday roast. I’ll never forget nervously trying to impress you with my gravy-pouring skills. Thank you for welcoming me so warmly.
To my maid of honor, Hannah—if you did not have a sewing kit in your bag, I would currently be giving this speech in half a blouse. Thank you for seven years of friendship, and for introducing me to the man who can name every capital city, given enough time.
And before I go any further, I want to remember Daniel’s grandad, Ron. He’s not with us today, but I know he’d be smiling to see us here. He told Daniel, more than once, “Hurry up and marry that girl.” I’m glad Daniel finally took his advice.
Daniel and I met on a pub quiz team in Leeds—thanks to Hannah. He claims his knowledge of the capital of Kazakhstan is what won me over, though I think it was his persistence in reminding us about it every round. We lost that quiz by one point, and Daniel asked for my number so we could “go over the answers.” Classic Daniel—always prepared.
Our first date was supposed to be a romantic boat trip on the canal. The engine died after ten minutes, and we spent the next hour drifting and eating crisps, waiting to be rescued. Daniel laughed the whole time, and I realized then that he was someone who could find joy in absolutely any situation. Four years later, he proposed on the same canal—on a boat he’d checked twice—and still managed to get the ring box stuck in his coat pocket. Some things never change.
Daniel, I love so many things about you. You are calm when I’m not. You bring me tea before I even know I want it. You learned the names of all eleven of my aunties, which honestly deserves its own medal. I can’t wait for slow Sunday mornings, for the dog we keep talking about, and for a home where everyone feels welcome at the table.
Today has been a big day—two ceremonies, two outfits, and my grandmother, at 89, was still the first one up on the dance floor. If we have half her energy and even a quarter of her moves, I think we’ll be just fine.
(Raise your glass) Here’s to our families, our friends, and to finding someone who will always laugh with you when the engine fails. To love, and to all of you. Thank you.
What the writer told Toastful to get this speech
- Speaker
- Priya, bride
- Relationship
- We met seven years ago on a pub quiz team in Leeds, through my friend Hannah. Daniel was the only one who knew the capital of Kazakhstan, and he would not stop reminding us. We lost by one point that night, and he asked for my number so we could 'go over the answers.'
- Personality
- He is calm when I'm not. He brings me a cup of tea before I even know I need one, and he has learned the names of all eleven of my aunties.
- Thank-yous
- My mum and dad, Meera and Anil, who flew my grandmother over from Pune and cooked for a hundred people at the mehndi. Daniel's parents, Sue and Graham, who drove up from Cornwall and made me feel like a daughter from my very first Sunday roast at their house. And my maid of honor, Hannah, who sewed my blouse back together twenty minutes before the ceremony.
- Stories
- On our first proper date Daniel booked a 'romantic' boat trip on the canal, and the engine died after ten minutes. We sat there for an hour eating crisps until a narrowboat towed us back, and he laughed the whole time. Four years later he proposed on the same canal, on a boat he had checked twice, and he still got the ring box stuck in his coat pocket.
- Looking ahead
- Slow Sunday mornings with nowhere to be, finally getting the dog we keep talking about, and a home where both our families feel welcome at the same table.
- About today
- We had a Hindu ceremony this morning and a civil ceremony this afternoon, so it's been a long day: two ceremonies and two outfits. My grandmother, who is 89, was the first one up dancing.
- Remembering
- Daniel's grandad Ron, who died last spring. Years before Daniel proposed, Ron was the first person to tell him to 'hurry up and marry that girl.' Just a line or two for him after the thank-yous and before our story, not at the very end.