25 Wedding Speech Quotes That Will Make You The Hero Of The Reception

Hi, Friend! Jen Glantz her. 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 wedding speech quotes.

Let’s be real: standing in front of a crowd with a microphone is terrifying. Your palms sweat, your heart starts doing gymnastics, and suddenly, you can’t remember your own middle name. Wedding toasts have been around for centuries, which is great for tradition, but it adds a whole lot of pressure on you to say the perfect thing.

I still remember the first time I stood up at my best friend’s reception. The microphone felt like it weighed fifty pounds. I knew I needed to say something profound, but my mind went completely blank. You want to be memorable without sounding like a Hallmark card, but finding that balance feels impossible when 150 people are staring at you. If you need a deep dive on how to actually structure the whole thing, check out our wedding speech guide. But if you’re just looking for that one perfect line to anchor your speech, you’re in the right place. We’re skipping the clichés and getting straight to the good stuff.

Quick Resources:

• Draft a full toast in minutes with the AI Wedding Speech Generator

• Explore the full planning suite in All Wedding Tools

TL;DR

You need a strategy before you pick a line. Randomly grabbing a quote from Pinterest usually leads to awkward silence. We look at four things: the vibe, relevance, the “cringe” factor, and where the quote actually fits. The goal? Modern, authentic humor. No outdated “ball and chain” jokes, please. Below is a curated list of 25 quotes, along with some help for those who need more than just a one-liner.

• Check the Vibe: Read the room. Slapstick humor usually bombs at a black-tie gala.

• Stay Relevant: Pick words that actually sound like you and reflect your relationship with the couple.

• Avoid the Cringe: Skip the “boomer humor” that acts like marriage is a prison. Focus on the partnership.

• Placement Matters: Is this an opener to break the ice, or a tear-jerker for the end?

• Get Professional Help: If you’re really stuck, use tools or coaching. There’s no shame in getting a little help.

Quick Decision Matrix	Formal Black Tie	Rustic/Boho Barn	Casual Backyard
Best Quote Type	Literary or Cinematic Classics	Romantic or Folk Wisdom	Funny or Short & Punchy
Delivery Style	Polished, Slower Pace	Warm, Storytelling Tone	Conversational, Energetic
Taboo Topics	Ex-partners, Drunken Stories	Overly cynical jokes	Inside jokes nobody gets

Match your tone and format fast with the AI Wedding Speech Generator

1. Considerations for Selecting Wedding Speech Quotes

Don’t just pick a quote because it sounds nice. You have to know why it works. We break this down into four areas—Vibe, Relevance, Cringe Factor, and Brevity—so you don’t end up accidentally offending Grandma or boring the bridesmaids.

Turn your best quote into a complete speech with the AI Wedding Speech Generator

The “Vibe Check” (Tone & Atmosphere)

Seriously, read the room before you commit to a line. A formal event needs a totally different energy than a casual one.

If the couple is hosting a white-glove dinner, crude jokes are going to alienate the crowd fast. On the flip side, a backyard BBQ is the perfect place to be a little more relaxed and conversational.

Relational Relevance

Your relationship dictates what you can get away with. A Maid of Honor can joke differently than a distant cousin. Pick a quote that sounds like something you would say. If you’re usually sarcastic, a super sappy poem might confuse everyone. If you’re the class clown, getting too serious might feel forced.

The “Cringe” Factor (Timelessness vs. Trends)

Can we agree to retire the jokes about marriage being a trap? Avoid the “game over” humor. Select quotes that celebrate equality and modern romance. Jokes that frame marriage as a burden just feel weird at a modern celebration.

The Cringe Converter	Instead of this (Outdated)…	Try this (Modern & Authentic)…
The Joke	“Marriage is a workshop… where the husband works and the wife shops.”	“Marriage is a workshop… where you both work on being the best versions of yourselves.”
The Sentiment	“Game over, buddy. Your freedom is gone.”	“The game has changed. Now you have a permanent player two.”
The Advice	“Happy wife, happy life.” (Implies appeasement)	“Happy spouse, happy house.” (Implies partnership)

Brevity and Placement

Figure out where the quote fits best. Is it a hook to grab attention? The emotional center of your story? Or the final toast? Generally, shorter lines work best for the end of the speech when everyone is ready to drink.

Build a tight opener-to-toast flow in the AI Wedding Speech Generator

Practical Example: Structuring Your Speech

• The Opener (The Hook): Start with a funny quote to break the ice. Example: “Rita Rudner once said…”

• The Body (The Story): Share a personal story that proves the quote is actually true about the couple.

• The Closer (The Toast): End with a short, punchy line as you raise your glass. Example: “So, as the Irish say…”

2. Top 25 Wedding Speech Quotes (Categorized with Context)

Here is the core list. We’ve categorized these by tone and speaker role so you know exactly how to deliver them without it getting awkward.

Category A: Funny & Lighthearted (Best Man / Maid of Honor)

Humor is the best way to break the tension. These five quotes are great for Best Men and Maids of Honor who want to calm their nerves and get a laugh without being offensive. If you need more ideas, check out our list of short funny wedding speeches.

Write a funny, non-cringey toast with the AI Wedding Speech Generator

1. Rita Rudner

“I love being married. It’s so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life.” This is a great opener because it acknowledges the reality of living together while still being sweet.

2. The Office (Michael Scott/Wayne Gretzky)

“‘You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.’ — Wayne Gretzky — Michael Scott.” If the crowd is mostly Millennials or Gen Z, this is a winner. It’s a fun way to explain how the couple met, especially if one of them had to make the first move.

Practical Example: The “How We Met” Setup
“When John first saw Sarah at the coffee shop, he was terrified to approach her. But, quoting Wayne Gretzky—and later Michael Scott—’You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.’ Thankfully, John took the shot, and that is why we are all here today.”

3. Phyllis Diller

“Never go to bed mad. Stay up and fight.” This flips the cliché “never go to bed angry” on its head. It usually gets a good chuckle during the advice portion of the speech.

4. Will Ferrell

“Before you marry a person, you should first make them use a computer with slow internet to see who they really are.” Perfect for couples who met online or work in tech. It highlights that patience is pretty much the most important part of marriage.

5. Jerry Seinfeld

“To be with a woman, you have to have a PhD in ‘What’s the matter?'” Exercise a little caution with this one. It works best in a roast-style toast where you know the bride has a good sense of humor.

Category B: Romantic & Cinematic (Modern Classics)

Movies give us some of the best lines. These are for the couples who love cinema or just want a touch of Hollywood romance. You can also look at our list of love quotes for wedding speeches for more inspiration.

6. When Harry Met Sally (Nora Ephron)

“When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” This is arguably one of the most famous wedding quotes ever. It’s the gold standard for Grooms or close friends talking about the engagement.

7. Friends (Phoebe Buffay)

“He’s her lobster.” Simple, nostalgic, and implies they are soulmates. If they like Friends, they’ll love this.

8. The Notebook (Nicholas Sparks)

“The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more.” A beautiful closing line for a Maid of Honor speech at a more formal, romantic reception.

9. Winnie the Pooh (A.A. Milne)

“If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.” This is a sweet, innocent option for a Groom or parent. It brings the emotion without being overly complex.

10. Dr. Seuss

“We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.” I love this for couples who have quirky hobbies or unconventional love stories. It celebrates individuality.

Category C: Literary & Deep (Parents / Officiants)

Parents or officiants often want to add a little gravitas and wisdom to the moment. These are particularly useful when drafting father of the bride speeches that need a sentimental tone.

11. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

“Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.” Excellent advice for a Father of the Bride to give, focusing on partnership and shared goals.

12. Mignon McLaughlin

“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” This is realistic wisdom. It acknowledges that a long marriage takes effort.

13. Victor Hugo (Les Misérables)

“To love another person is to see the face of God.” Use this for a formal evening wedding if you want to immediately elevate the tone.

14. Maya Angelou

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” Perfect for couples who have had to overcome hardship, distance, or family objections to get to the altar.

15. Emily Brontë (Wuthering Heights)

“Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” This is intense. Only use this if the couple shares a deep, spiritual connection, otherwise it might feel too heavy.

Speaker Role Cheat Sheet	Recommended Category	Why?
Best Man	Funny & Lighthearted	Cleanses the palate, entertains the crowd, breaks tension.
Maid of Honor	Romantic or Friendship	Balances emotion with personal history and connection.
Parents	Literary & Deep	Adds weight, wisdom, and generational approval to the union.
Officiant	Short & Punchy	Keeps the ceremony moving while delivering impact.

Generate the right version for your role with the AI Wedding Speech Generator

Category D: Short & Punchy (The Toast)

When guests are holding their champagne glasses, they don’t want a monologue. They want a quick, effective line so they can drink. These five are perfect for the end.

16. Irish Blessing

“May you live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live.” Witty, rhythmic, and a total crowd-pleaser. It’s almost impossible to mess this one up.

17. Traditional Toast

“Here’s to love, laughter, and happily ever after.” It bridges the gap between generations—respecting tradition while acknowledging the fun.

18. Franklin P. Jones

“Love doesn’t make the world go ’round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.” A grounded way to cap off a speech that focuses on the couple’s adventures together.

19. Anonymous

“You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince.” Great for a fairy-tale theme or a playful nod to the bride’s dating history before she found the right guy.

20. Latin Proverb

“Amor vincit omnia” (Love conquers all). If you want maximum meaning in minimum words, this is the sophisticated winner.

Category E: Wisdom on Friendship (For the Best Friend)

Best friends giving speeches often want to highlight the foundation of the relationship. These quotes focus on that transition from friendship to marriage.

21. Friedrich Nietzsche

“It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.” It sounds serious, but it’s accurate. It highlights that friendship is the real foundation here.

22. Joseph Campbell

“Love is a friendship set to music.” A lovely bit of imagery for couples who love music festivals or met at a concert.

23. Sex and the City (Carrie Bradshaw)

“The most exciting, challenging, and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you find someone to love the you you love, well, that’s just fabulous.” I recommend this for a Maid of Honor speech celebrating an independent bride.

24. Aristotle

“Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.” A high-brow, philosophical compliment to the couple’s unity.

25. Ann Landers

“Love is friendship that has caught fire.” This is a dynamic image of passion, perfect for a couple with high energy.

Practical Example: Transitioning from Story to Quote

• The Story: “I remember when Dave drove 4 hours in a snowstorm just because Julie had a bad day.”

• The Bridge: “That wasn’t just a grand gesture; it was the foundation of everything they have built since.”

• The Quote: “As Ann Landers said, ‘Love is friendship that has caught fire.’ And seeing you two today, that fire is burning brighter than ever.”

The “Bridesmaid for Hire” Angle

Even with the perfect quote in your pocket, staring at a blank page creates panic. You have the opening hook, but bridging the gap to the toast often feels overwhelming.

If you’re reading this and still feeling a pit in your stomach, don’t panic. That’s literally why I started Bridesmaid for Hire. Jen Glantz built this business to be the support system you didn’t know you needed. Whether you are a Maid of Honor dreading the microphone or a Groom struggling to put feelings into words, we offer more than just day-of coordination.

• Speech Writing Tools: Stop guessing and start writing. Our wedding speech and vow writing tools help you craft a personalized masterpiece in minutes.

• Professional Coaching: If the spotlight makes you want to faint, our professional wedding speech coaching services can turn you from a nervous wreck into a confident speaker.

• The Ultimate “Fixer”: We handle the stress so you can actually enjoy the champagne.

Stop struggling to find the words. Let the professional bridesmaid who has heard thousands of speeches (and saved quite a few of them) help you write the one everyone will remember.

Stop staring at a blank page—use the AI Wedding Speech Generator

Final Thoughts

Selecting the right words takes more than just a Google search; it takes understanding the couple and reading the room. You’ve got the criteria and the quotes now. Take a deep breath, pick the line that speaks to you, and go deliver it with confidence. You’ve got this.