Groom speech thank-you list: who to thank (and how)
By the speechwriters.ai editorial team · Last updated
A complete checklist of who the groom should thank in a UK wedding speech, in what order, with sample lines that keep the thank-yous warm rather than dull.
The thank-yous are the groom's main job – and the part of the speech most likely to send the room into a polite stupor. The answer isn't to cut them; it's to do them well. That means getting the right people, in a sensible order, with one specific detail each, and grouping everyone else.
The checklist, in order
| Who | Must / optional | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The previous speaker (usually father of the bride) | Must | Thank them for their words and welcome |
| Guests | Must | Especially those who travelled far or came with small children |
| Your spouse's parents | Must | For raising them, welcoming you, and any contribution to the day |
| Your own parents | Must | Often the most emotional thank-you of all |
| Step-parents and grandparents | Usually | Don't leave anyone out by accident – check the family tree |
| Anyone who contributed money or major help | Must | Without mentioning amounts |
| Those who made things (cake, flowers, dress alterations) | Optional | Especially if friends or family |
| The venue and suppliers | Optional | One line covers everyone |
| Absent loved ones | Optional | Brief, and agreed with your spouse |
| Your spouse | Must | The heart of the speech – see below |
| Ushers, page boys, flower girls | Must | Gifts usually given here |
| Bridesmaids | Must | Traditionally followed by the toast to the bridesmaids |
| Best man | Must | Last, as you hand over to him |
How to make thank-yous interesting
Add one specific detail
Generic thanks blur together. A single concrete detail brings each one to life:
- Generic: "Thank you to my parents for all their support."
- Specific: "Mum and Dad, thank you for everything – for the lifts to rugby every Sunday for ten years, for pretending to enjoy my Year 9 drum practice, and for being the first people I wanted to tell when Priya said yes."
Group people
"Thank you to everyone who helped with the decorations – Auntie Sue, Jen, Raj and the whole Thursday crew" is quicker and kinder than four separate sentences. Grouping also protects you from forgetting someone in a list.
Share the load
If your spouse is speaking too, divide the list. A common split is that each of you thanks your own family and friends, and you thank the wedding party together. See our bride speech guide.
Sample lines for each group
Guests: "Thank you all for being here. Some of you have travelled from Cornwall, Canada and – in Dave's case – Croydon, which apparently took longest."
In-laws: "Graham and Helen, thank you for raising such a brilliant daughter, for your generosity towards today, and for making me feel part of the family from that very first Sunday lunch."
Your parents: "Mum and Dad, everything good about me started with you. Thank you."
Grandparents: "Nan, thank you for coming, for the knitted good-luck socks I'm wearing right now, and for teaching me that a cup of tea fixes most things."
Helpers: "Thank you to Priya's cousin Anjali, who made the cake that's about to disappear very quickly, and to Uncle Steve, who has driven a minibus between here and the hotel all day without complaint."
Venue: "And a big thank you to everyone at Hartley Manor, who've made today run like clockwork."
Ushers and children: "To our ushers – thank you for herding everyone into the right seats. And to our page boy, Alfie, who carried the rings with the seriousness of a royal guard."
Bridesmaids: "To the bridesmaids, who've kept Priya calm, organised the hen do, and look stunning today – thank you."
Best man: "Finally, Dan. Thank you for standing by me today and for the last twenty years. I'd ask you to go easy on me, but I know there's no point."
The thank-you to your spouse
Technically it isn't a thank-you, but it sits naturally after the families and before the wedding party. Make it the longest, slowest and most personal part of the speech. See our groom speech guide for sample lines.
Who not to thank individually
- Every supplier by name – one line covers them.
- Friends who simply turned up – the guest thank-you covers them.
- Anyone whose name might cause tension (an ex-partner of a parent, for example) unless you've discussed it with the family.
Gifts
If you're giving gifts to parents, bridesmaids, ushers or the best man, have them stored under the top table in labelled bags, and have an usher ready to hand them out. Keep the presentation quick so the speech doesn't stall.
Once your list is ready, time the whole speech with our speech timer. If the thank-yous take more than about two minutes, start grouping more.
Frequently asked questions
Who should the groom thank first?
Usually the previous speaker (often the father of the bride), then the guests, then both sets of parents.
Should the groom thank the bride's parents for paying?
Yes, thank them for their generosity, but don't mention specific sums or who paid for what.
Does the groom thank the bridesmaids or the best man?
Both. Traditionally he thanks the bridesmaids and toasts them, and thanks the best man last before handing over.
How long should the thank-yous take?
About one and a half to two minutes in total. If it's longer, group more people together.
Related guides
- Groom speech: structure, sample lines and tips
- Bride speech: a modern guide for British weddings
- Wedding speech order in the UK: traditional and modern
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