25 Poems That Will Actually Make Your Wedding Toast Unforgettable

Hi, Friend! Jen Glantz here. I’m a bestselling author, the first ever bridesmaid for hire and have been hired by hundreds of brides all over the world. Let’s talk about figure of speech poem examples.

We’ve all been there. You’re staring at a blank page, the wedding is a week away, and you’re trying to write a toast for your sister, best friend, or brother. You realize pretty quickly that your own words feel a little… flat. You need something that punches harder than “they love each other very much.”

If you’re in that boat, don’t panic. You want words that stick. You want to borrow a little genius from a famous poet to make your speech sound smarter than it is. This post dives into the specific poems and lines you need to take your vows or toast from “just okay” to genuinely spectacular.

Quick Resources:

• Write your toast with the AI Wedding Speech Generator

• Explore everything available in All Wedding Tools

TL;DR

• Relatability Wins: Pick poems that sound like real life, not a dusty textbook from 1850.

• Keep it Brief: Attention spans are short. A single powerful line beats a three-minute reading every time.

• Match the Vibe: Use exaggeration for laughs and deep imagery for the tear-jerker moments.

• Avoid the Cringe: Please, skip the clichés like “love is a rose” unless you’re putting a fresh spin on it.

• Get Help if You’re Stuck: If you can’t weave the quote into a story, professional speech writing tools can bridge the gap.

How to Pick a Poem That Isn’t Boring

Picking the right piece isn’t just about Googling “famous love poems.” You have to think about the “Relatability” factor. Does this text feel like the couple, or does it sound like a homework assignment? You also need to weigh complexity against clarity. A spoken toast moves fast; if the guests need a dictionary to get the joke, you’ve already lost them.

Tone is everything. You wouldn’t use a somber, dark metaphor for a roast, and you definitely don’t want chaotic humor during solemn vows. Finally, apply the “Cringe Test.” If the line feels overused, find a unique modern twist. Understanding the different vibes allows you to pick the one that fits the couple’s personality best.

Turn the right poem into a polished toast with the AI Wedding Speech Generator

Factor	Green Flag (Do This)	Red Flag (Avoid This)
Relatability	Sounds like something the couple would actually say.	Uses “Thee” and “Thou” (unless you’re at a Ren Faire).
Length	Short, punchy stanzas (4-8 lines).	Multi-page epics that make guests check their watches.
Complexity	Clear imagery you get instantly.	Abstract concepts you have to read three times to get.
Vibe	Matches the room (funny for reception, sweet for vows).	Tragic or dark poems during a celebration.

Deep Emotional Comparisons (Metaphor & Simile)

These selections work best when you want to hit them right in the feels. They score high on romance and are perfect for formal toasts or sentimental vows. A really good line here can bring tears to the eyes (the good kind). If you want more traditional options, check out these classic love poem examples for timeless inspiration.

1. She Walks in Beauty by Lord Byron

“She walks in beauty, like the night / Of cloudless climes and starry skies.” It’s a classic for a reason. It compares beauty to a vast, peaceful sky. It brings a sense of calm elegance to any speech.

2. [i carry your heart with me(i carry it in] by E.E. Cummings

“Here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud.” Cummings describes love as the essential foundation of everything. It’s a little abstract, very touching, and perfect for a modern, artistic crowd.

3. A Red, Red Rose by Robert Burns

“O my Luve is like a red, red rose / That’s newly sprung in June.” This is basically the gold standard for traditional romance. It’s old school, sure, but it fits perfectly if you’re aiming for a classic fairy-tale vibe.

4. Love by Roy Croft

“I love you, not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you.” This is such a solid choice because it views love as something that makes *you* better. It’s highly relatable and always a crowd-pleaser.

5. Maps by Yesika Salgado

This poem describes the body and history as a map. It treats personal history like geography. This works beautifully for a Maid of Honor speech focusing on the bride’s personal journey and growth.

Weave emotional metaphors into a real story using the AI Wedding Speech Generator

Practical Application: The Pivot
Don’t just read the poem and sit down. Use the metaphor to launch into a real story.

The Speech: “Yesika Salgado writes about people being ‘Maps.’ When I look at [Bride], I see the map of our friendship. I see the winding roads of our college road trips… But mostly, I see that every road she took led her exactly here, to [Groom].”

Create moments like this effortlessly with the AI Wedding Speech Generator

Wit and Exaggeration (Hyperbole)

Use these when you want to get a laugh or emphasize just how big your feelings are. A little intentional exaggeration breaks the tension and warms up the crowd. If you want to sprinkle in some shorter jokes alongside these, check out our collection of wedding speech one-liners to keep the energy up.

6. As I Walked Out One Evening by W.H. Auden

“I’ll love you, dear, I’ll love you / Till China and Africa meet.” Auden uses massive exaggeration to promise eternal commitment. The impossibility of the continents meeting just highlights that the love isn’t going anywhere.

7. To My Valentine by Ogden Nash

“More than a catbird hates a cat / Or a criminal hates a clue / … That’s how much I love you.” This turns the typical love poem on its head. It’s funny, sharp, and great for a speech that wants to avoid being overly sappy.

8. Falling in Love is Like Owning a Dog by Taylor Mali

“Love is a big sloppy lick on the face.” This is funny, chaotic, and very real. It’s perfect for a couple who loves animals and prefers not to take themselves too seriously.

9. Yes, I’ll Marry You by Pam Ayres

This piece talks about the annoying stuff—socks, snoring, messy habits. It grounds the speech in reality, which actually makes the “I love you anyway” punchline hit way harder.

Couple Type	Recommended Style	Why It Works
High School Sweethearts	Hyperbole (Auden)	Emphasizes that “forever” feeling since they have such a long history.
The “Opposites Attract” Duo	Wit (Ogden Nash)	Uses humor to acknowledge their differences while celebrating the bond.
The Realists	Domestic Humor (Pam Ayres)	Acknowledges that love is about handling snoring and laundry, not just magic.
The Adventurers	Chaotic Simile (Taylor Mali)	Matches their high energy and willingness to embrace the mess.

Balance humor and heart seamlessly with the AI Wedding Speech Generator

10. Sonnet 130 by William Shakespeare

“My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun.” This is an “Anti-Simile.” It makes fun of traditional poetry by saying what the lover is not. It proves love is rare even without fake, flowery comparisons.

Giving Love a Life of Its Own (Personification)

These poems treat abstract things like love or time as if they were people, making them feel like active guests at the wedding. If you’re struggling to fit these into your speech, using maid of honor speech templates can help you slot these poems into a cohesive story.

11. The Master Speed by Robert Frost

“Two such as you with such a master speed / Cannot be parted nor be swept away.” Frost talks about the marriage bond like it has physical power and speed. He makes the union sound like an unstoppable force of nature.

12. Touched by an Angel by Maya Angelou

“Love arrives / and in its train come ecstasies.” Here, love walks in the door like a guest and changes the whole vibe of the room. High emotional impact? Definitely.

13. The Other Side of the Door by Jeff Moss

“There’s a life… waiting for you.” This poem imagines the future as something waiting behind a door. It is simple, sweet, and works really well for a parent giving a toast.

14. Time in a Bottle by Jim Croce

“If I could save time in a bottle…” The lyrics treat “Time” as a physical thing you can catch and keep. It’s a nostalgic choice for a reading (and yes, a classic song).

15. Your Catfish Friend by Richard Brautigan

“If I were to live my life in catfish forms…” This is a surreal, weird little mix of friendship and imagery. It is quirky, memorable, and perfect for a best friend’s speech where you want to be a little different.

Turn quirky ideas into a confident speech using the AI Wedding Speech Generator

Painting a Picture (Imagery & Symbolism)

Use these to paint a vivid picture in the audience’s mind. It helps them “see” the love rather than just hearing you talk about it.

16. The Chaos of Stars (Excerpt) by Kiersten White

“I didn’t fall in love with you. I walked into love with my eyes wide open.” This contrasts walking vs. falling. It symbolizes choice over accident, which is super empowering for modern couples.

17. Union by Robert Fulghum

“The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another…” This piece talks about the ceremony itself. It breaks the “fourth wall” of the wedding, acknowledging the ritual directly.

18. Habitation by Margaret Atwood

“Marriage is not / a house or even a tent / it is before that, and colder.” Atwood uses stark imagery to describe marriage as learning to survive in the wilderness together. It’s gritty, realistic, and beautiful in a raw way.

19. Wild Awake by Hilary T. Smith

“People are like cities: We all have alleys and gardens…” This compares people to complex urban landscapes. It acknowledges that loving someone means loving their “dark alleys” too, not just the pretty parts.

20. The Art of Marriage by Wilferd A. Peterson

“A good marriage must be created.” This poem uses imagery of art and creation. It positions the couple as active artists rather than passive participants.

Symbol	What It Means in Real Life	When to Use It
Walking vs. Falling	Conscious choice vs. accidental crush.	For couples who were friends first or dated for a long time.
Wilderness/Survival	Resilience and partnership in hard times.	For couples who have already overcome big challenges.
Cities/Maps	Complexity and baggage.	Ideally suited for a Maid of Honor acknowledging growth.
Art/Creation	Effort and daily maintenance.	Perfect for officiants giving advice during the ceremony.

Rhythm and Flow (Alliteration & Sound)

These examples prioritize the music of the words. They are pleasing to hear and use rhythm to build emotion. It keeps the audience listening just because it sounds so good.

The “Pause Button” Technique
How to read rhyming poetry without sounding like a nursery rhyme.

The Mistake: Rushing to the end of the line just to hit the rhyme.
The Fix: Ignore the line breaks. Read to the punctuation.
Example: “To love and be loved by me [PAUSE]… we loved with a love that was more than love [PAUSE]…”
Result: The rhythm becomes a heartbeat, not a jingle.

21. Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou

“The span of my hips, The stride of my step…” Angelou uses rhythm to build massive confidence. This is excellent for a bachelorette party reading or a hype-up speech.

22. Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe

“To love and be loved by me.” This poem is heavy on repetition. While it’s a tragedy, specific stanzas show the intensity of connection through sound alone.

23. Love is a Place by E.E. Cummings

“Love is a place… For this is a world / of yes.” This uses a rhythmic, almost musical structure. It is short, punchy, and sweet.

24. One Perfect Rose by Dorothy Parker

“A single flow’r he sent me…” Parker uses rhyme and rhythm to set up a cynical but funny punchline about wanting a limousine instead of a rose. Great for a dry sense of humor.

25. Apache Marriage Blessing (Traditional)

“Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other.” This blessing uses repetition to create a soothing, chant-like rhythm. It’s perfect for the ceremony itself.

Turning These Lines into a Speech You Actually Want to Give

Finding the right poem is only step one. The hardest part is weaving that poem into a speech that feels personal, funny, and stress-free. You might think, “I have the poem, I’m good to go.” But a poem without a story is just a reading. You need to bridge the gap between the poet’s words and the real-life couple standing in front of you.

For a deeper look at how to deliver these lines effectively, our complete wedding speech guide offers step-by-step advice on presentation and timing.

The Sandwich Method
How to structure the speech so the poem feels natural.

1. Top Bun (The Setup): Start with a personal observation. “I’ve watched John and Jane build their home together, brick by brick…”

2. The Meat (The Poem): “It reminds me of a few lines by Robert Frost about building a life…” [Insert Poem Here]

3. Bottom Bun (The Connection): “Just like in that poem, I know you two will weather any storm. Cheers to your unbreakable foundation.”

Pull your entire toast together with the AI Wedding Speech Generator

Bridesmaid for Hire offers 100+ AI wedding tools specifically designed to help write speeches and vows. But if you are nervous about delivering that Maya Angelou poem in front of 200 people, Jen Glantz and her team offer behind-the-scenes coaching to help you deliver with confidence.

Wrapping It Up

Figurative language transforms a standard speech into an experience. Whether you choose the wit of hyperbole or the depth of a metaphor, the goal is connection. Don’t stress about whether your words land perfectly on the first try. Focus on the emotion behind them. With the right poem and a little preparation, you will leave the couple—and the guests—with a memory they won’t forget. Reviewing these examples is the first step, but speaking from the heart is what makes it last forever.