Guide · Speeches
How to write an engagement party speech
You have been asked to say a few words at an engagement party. It is a short, happy speech: welcome everyone, say something true about the couple and raise a glass. Here is a simple structure you can fill in tonight.
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The five-part structure
- Welcome and who you are (two or three lines). Thank everyone for coming and say how you know the couple. If two families are meeting, welcome both by name.
- How they met, in brief (a few lines). One or two sentences on how the couple got together. Keep the full story for the wedding.
- One short story about each of them (most of the speech). Something that shows who they are, or a moment you knew they were right for each other.
- A welcome to the new family (a few lines). Say something kind about the person joining your family. This is the line people remember.
- The toast (one line). Ask everyone to raise a glass to the happy couple and say both names.
Who usually speaks, and in what order
- The host speaks first, often a parent of one of the couple.
- A parent from the other family may follow with a few words of welcome.
- A sibling or close friend can add one short, light speech.
- The couple close with a thank you to everyone for coming.
Toast wording you can use
- "Please raise your glasses to [name] and [name]. Here is to a long, happy engagement and an even happier marriage."
- "To [name] and [name]: we could not be happier for you. To the happy couple!"
- "[Name], welcome to the family. We are lucky to have you. To [name] and [name]!"
Delivery tips
- Aim for two to four minutes. Read it aloud once with a timer.
- Use cue cards in big print rather than your phone.
- Look at the couple during the welcome-to-the-family part.
- Pause after a laugh before you carry on.
- Check pronunciation of names in the other family beforehand.
Mistakes to avoid
- Telling the whole how-we-met story. Save it for the wedding.
- Jokes about exes, "finally" getting engaged, or wedding costs.
- Talking only about your side of the family.
- Going on too long. Short and warm always wins.
Related guides: father of the bride speech, best man speech, maid of honour speech and 50th birthday speech.
Frequently asked questions
- How long should an engagement party speech be?
- Two to four minutes is plenty. That is roughly 300 to 500 words at a relaxed pace. It is a warm-up for the wedding, so keep the big stories for later.
- Who gives a speech at an engagement party?
- Usually whoever is hosting, often a parent of one of the couple. A sibling or close friend may say a few words, and the couple often finish with a short thank you. Agree the running order beforehand.
- Should the couple give a speech too?
- It is a nice touch but not required. A short thank you from one or both of them, under two minutes, closes the evening well.
- What should I avoid saying?
- Exes, how long the engagement took, wedding costs, and anything about the other family that could be taken the wrong way. Both families are often meeting properly for the first time.
- Can I use stories I want to save for the wedding?
- Use one small story now and keep the best ones for the wedding speech. Guests will hear both, so do not tell the same story twice.
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