Your wedding speech is all about giving thanks. If you’re having trouble finding the right words just take inspiration from, or simply adapt and use, some of these fabulous thank you lines. Just remember to change the names! Here’s how to thank people in the groom’s speech.
To Thank Your New Father-in-Law
‘I just want to thank my father-in-law for his kind/generous/special words. I feel honoured that he has taken/welcomed me into his family.’
‘Thank you, Ken, for your kind/generous/sweet/special words. It is good to know how you feel about Sarah and me getting married.’
‘My wife and I would like to thank Ken for being the best father of the bride ever. Not only did he give her away instead of locking her in her room, but his kind/sweet/generous/witty words have also made me feel welcome as the newest member of the family.’
To Thank Your Father- and Mother-in-Law
‘I am so delighted/pleased/honoured/relived/happy to have Ken and Angela as my new in-laws. I knew that I’d like/love/get on with/adore them when I fell in love with Sarah because they have helped her to be the person she is.’
To Thank Your Wife
‘Sarah, you are a beautiful/stunning/radiant/gorgeous/lovely bride, and I know that you are just as beautiful on the inside. I am so happy/chuffed/delighted/ecstatic/proud that you agreed to be my wife and share the rest of your life with me. I’ve been so proud of the way you have juggled organising this wedding with your job/everything else and have still been patient and understanding. Now, I just want to say, in front of our friends and family, how much you mean to me. I love you.’
‘Sarah, you know that I love you and I hope that by marrying you today, in front of everyone we care about, you will see just how much you mean to me. I am so proud to be your husband, and I want us to grow old and grey together.’
‘Sarah, or as I should now say, Mrs Smith, I couldn’t believe my luck when you first agreed to go out with me. Now that you are my wife, I’ve got everything I ever wanted, and I’m looking forward to spending the rest of my life with you.’
To Thank the Best Man
‘When I asked Sarah to marry me, I knew that I needed a best man and that there was only one man that title could be given to. Bob is my brother and also a friend! Has been my best friend since school/1972/we met in the sandpit/he stole my BMX, and I knew that he would be perfect for the job. I would like to thank him for all the work he’s done today – acting as toastmaster/not losing the ring/getting me to the church on time! Bob, you’ve been a great mate and the best best man I could have chosen.’
To Thank the Bridesmaids
‘The beautiful bridesmaids have been amazing. Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like you all to charge/raise your glasses. I give you… the bridesmaids.’
‘My wife and I/Sarah and I would like to say a special thank you to the bridesmaids, who have been a tower of strength throughout the preparations/day. They’ve been great/wonderful. Ladies and gentlemen, please charge/raise your glasses. I give you… the bridesmaids.’
To Thank the Guests
‘I am overwhelmed by how many of you came today and I want you to know how much my wife and I appreciate you all being here to share this day with us.’
‘I’m going to speak for both of us when I say how much I appreciate you all taking the time to be here today. And thank you so much for your generous presents. We will be circulating later and hope to have the chance to talk to all of you.’
To Thank Her Parents
‘I saw Ken looking so proud as he walked down the aisle with Andrea and I hope that they will be as happy to have me as their own son-in-law as I am to have them as my parents-in-law. I just want to reassure them that I love Sarah and will do everything in my power to make her as happy for the rest of her life as I know she is today.’
To Thank Your Parents
‘My mum and dad have been great and I’d like to thank them for all the support they have given me over the years and for their kindness towards Sarah. I know that she really loves having you as her new in-laws.’
‘When I proposed to Sarah, I did so in the knowledge that not only do I love her, but also that marriage can be the most wonderful thing in the world. I know that because my parents have been married for 30 years and are still in love. I hope that Sarah and I can be as happy as the two of you.’
Find more inspiration and advice in the Wedding Blog, and discuss this topic and more with hundreds of brides and grooms-to-be at Facebook.com/confettiwedding/
