Here Are the Best Times for Your Wedding Reception Speeches

Fit all those toasts seamlessly into your wedding reception timeline.

Full article: The Wedding Speech Order, Explained (theknot.com)

Speeches are such a special and personal part of any wedding celebration, so you want to make sure to time them just right. At the reception, the host (often the father of the bride—but not always) and honor attendants (conventionally the best man, followed by the maid of honor) are expected to say a few words. In order to capture the crowd and maximize the impact of these heartfelt speeches, time them in a way that won’t hinder your guests from celebrating. Here are our top four recommendations for when to time your wedding reception speeches. 

During Cocktails:

What better time to cheers to the couple than while everyone has a drink in hand? If your cocktail hour space and day-of timing make sense, have your loved ones make speeches while the post-ceremony excitement is still fresh and bubbles are flowing. If you like this idea, plan to have your wedding portraits taken before your ceremony—you don’t want to be snapping couple’s portraits while your maid of honor hits the mic.

Immediately After Your Entrance:

Looking at a traditional reception timeline, this is the recommended moment for toasts. Your first speaker can start clinking for the room’s attention once you’ve made your entrance and guests have found their seats. Saying speeches before the first course is served is a smart choice if your speakers are nervous and dying to get their moment in the spotlight over with—or if you want them out of the way before they’ve downed one too many drinks.

Interspersed Between Courses:

Spacing toasts out between courses is another popular option. If you have a few extra toasts to get through or just want to give guests a little breathing room between sets, opt for a format like this one.

Right Before the Dance Party:

If you’d prefer, wait until plates have been cleared to jump into speeches. And make sure you save the last slot for the most outgoing speaker (maybe it’s the best man or maid of honor)—whomever you trust to make an upbeat segue from sentimental speech to dance party mode.