Famous wedding speeches on YouTube: what we can learn from celebrity toasts

By the speechwriters.ai editorial team · Last updated 22 October 2026

Nine famous wedding speeches and toasts you can watch on YouTube – from Tom Fletcher and Hugh Grant to the royal weddings – with what makes each work and a tip to borrow.

Watching a great speech is one of the quickest ways to improve your own. Below are nine famous wedding speeches and toasts, real and from films, that you can watch on YouTube. For each we've picked out what makes it work (or, in one case, go wrong) and a tip you can borrow. Click a video to play it.

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The speeches

1. Tom Fletcher (McFly)

His own groom's speech, December 2012

Video: “My Wedding Speech” on YouTube, from the Tom Fletcher channel.

Why it works: Fletcher openly admits he's a nervous public speaker, so he played to his strengths and sang his speech, rewriting the lyrics of his band's songs to tell the story of the relationship. It works because the format is personal, not a gimmick: the songs are his, the story is theirs, and the thank-yous are still all there.

Takeaway: If speaking frightens you, build the speech around something you're already comfortable doing – a song, a slideshow, a list – but keep the traditional jobs (thanks, compliments, toast).

2. Hugh Grant as Charles

Best man speech, Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)

Video: “FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL (1994) | Best Man Speech” on YouTube, from the Amazon MGM Studios channel.

Why it works: Richard Curtis's script is a masterclass in British self-deprecation. Charles makes himself the butt of the opening jokes, teases the groom with a set-up he never fully explains, and then drops in one sincere line about commitment before the toast. The awkward pauses are part of the charm.

Takeaway: Open with a joke at your own expense before you tease anyone else – it wins the room's goodwill. (Just don't reveal anyone's secrets as Charles does.)

3. Kristen Wiig and Rose Byrne

Engagement-party toasts, Bridesmaids (2011)

Video: “Bridesmaids | Toastoff” on YouTube, from the Universal Pictures channel.

Why it works: This is a brilliant lesson in what not to do. Two friends compete to prove who is closest to the bride, so each speech becomes about the speaker. Inside jokes, one-upmanship and a speech that won't end – the room's discomfort is the comedy.

Takeaway: Make every line about the couple, not about your friendship with them. If a story mainly proves how close you are, cut it.

4. John Krasinski as Jim Halpert

Groom's toast, The Office (US), 'Niagara'

Video: “Jim's Wedding Toast To Pam - The Office US” on YouTube, from the The Office channel.

Why it works: Jim's toast is short, specific and warm – and then Michael Scott barges in. It shows how a calm, sincere speaker can hold a room, and why an unplanned 'quick word' from someone else can derail things.

Takeaway: Agree the running order of speakers in advance and tell the venue's toastmaster or DJ, so nobody grabs the microphone on impulse.

5. Steve Martin as George Banks

Father of the bride, Father of the Bride (1991)

Video: “Father of the Bride Wedding Toast” on YouTube, from the Christopher Hill channel.

Why it works: George's toast is gentle rather than gag-heavy. He admits the wedding has driven him slightly mad, then turns to how quickly his daughter grew up. The humour comes from honesty about his own feelings, which makes the emotional turn feel earned.

Takeaway: Fathers of the bride don't need to be stand-ups. One honest admission about how you feel is worth five jokes.

6. Michael Constantine as Gus Portokalos

Father of the bride, My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

Video: “In the end we are all fruit - MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING” on YouTube, from the Anila Everest channel.

Why it works: Gus, who has spent the film doubting the match, uses a playful word origin to say the two very different families belong together. It's a simple, memorable image that welcomes the in-laws without lecturing.

Takeaway: When two families or cultures are joining, find one simple image that ties them together, and say it warmly to the other family.

7. Bishop Michael Curry

Address at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Windsor, May 2018

Video: “Love is the way | Bishop Michael Curry's captivating sermon - The Royal Wedding - BBC” on YouTube, from the BBC channel.

Why it works: Not a reception speech, but the most talked-about wedding address of recent times. Curry repeats one idea – the power of love – and returns to it again and again, with huge energy. It ran longer than many expected, which is a lesson in itself.

Takeaway: A single theme, repeated, is easier to follow than a dozen ideas. But know your time slot – energy doesn't excuse running long.

8. Prince William and Catherine Middleton

Wedding vows at Westminster Abbey, April 2011

Video: “The Royal Wedding Vows” on YouTube, from the The Royal Family channel.

Why it works: Watched by a vast audience, the couple speak slowly, clearly and without rushing. It's a reminder that steady pace and eye contact matter more than fancy words when the moment is big.

Takeaway: Slow down. Whatever you think is a normal pace on the day, halve it, and pause where you'd put a full stop.

9. Bill Murray

Impromptu advice at a stag party, Charleston, 2014 (uploaded by the groom)

Video: “When Bill Murray Crashed My Bachelor Party” on YouTube, from the EJ Rumpke channel.

Why it works: Murray had no notes and no warning, yet gives a short, quotable piece of marriage advice with a clear point and a punchy ending. It went viral because it was one idea, delivered with conviction.

Takeaway: If you're asked to say 'a few words' with no notice, pick one piece of advice or one wish for the couple, say it, and raise a glass.

What the best ones have in common

• They're about the couple. Even the funny ones come back to the people getting married.
• One clear idea. Curry's love, Murray's advice, Gus's fruit – each is easy to remember afterwards.
• Self-deprecation before teasing. British audiences warm to a speaker who laughs at themselves first.
• A sincere turn before the toast. Laughs, then one heartfelt line, then raise a glass.
• Pace. The big moments are delivered slowly. Rehearse with our teleprompter and cue cards.

Want your own speech to follow the same shape? Start with the free outline tool, then check the length with the speech timer.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most famous wedding speech on YouTube?

Among real speeches, Tom Fletcher's sung groom's speech from 2012 is one of the most watched, with millions of views. Bishop Michael Curry's address at the 2018 royal wedding is the most talked-about wedding address of recent years.

Can I copy a famous wedding speech?

Borrow the structure and techniques, not the words. Guests will recognise famous lines, and a speech only works when the stories are about your couple.

What is the best film wedding speech?

Hugh Grant's best man speech in Four Weddings and a Funeral is a favourite in the UK for its self-deprecating style. Steve Martin's toast in Father of the Bride is a good model for fathers.

How long are famous wedding speeches?

Most film toasts last two to four minutes. Real speeches vary: aim for 5–7 minutes for a best man or father of the bride speech, around 650–900 words.

Does watching the videos on this page set cookies?

Not until you click play. The videos then load from YouTube (Google) in privacy-enhanced mode, and YouTube may set cookies.

Related guides

• Funny best man speech examples (that won't upset Gran)
• How to start a wedding speech (with example opening lines)
• How to end a wedding speech (with example closing lines)
• Father of the bride speech: a complete guide
• Best man speech dos and don'ts