How to end a wedding speech (with example closing lines)

By the speechwriters.ai editorial team · Last updated 20 October 2026

Strong endings for wedding speeches – how to move from funny to heartfelt, how to call the toast properly, and example closing lines for every speaker.

The ending is the part of your speech people remember best, and the part most speakers rush. After five minutes of nerves, there's a powerful urge to blurt out "Cheers!" and sit down. Take your time instead. A good ending has three steps: a shift in tone, a sincere final thought, and a clear toast.

Step 1: Shift the tone

Most wedding speeches – especially best man speeches – are mostly light-hearted. The ending is where you change gear. A simple bridge line signals the shift:

• "But in all seriousness…"
• "I've spent the last five minutes teasing him, so let me say something true."
• "Behind all the jokes, here's what I really want to say."
• "Before I finish…"

Slow down when you say it. Lower your voice slightly. The room will follow you.

Step 2: The sincere final thought

This is a sentence or two, said plainly, about the couple or what they mean to you. It doesn't need to be poetic. Specific and honest is what moves people.

Examples by speaker

Best man: "Tom, you've been my best mate for twenty years. I've seen you through exams, breakups and some truly terrible haircuts, and I have never seen you as happy as you've been since you met Priya. You two are brilliant together."

Father of the bride: "Emily, your mum and I have loved every single day of being your parents. Seeing you this happy is everything we ever wished for you."

Groom: "Priya, I don't know what I did to deserve you, but I promise to spend the rest of my life trying to."

Maid of honour: "Lucy, you've been my best friend for half my life. Thank you for letting me stand beside you today. Sam, look after her – she's the best of us."

Bride: "Tom, you're my favourite person, my best friend and now my husband. Let's go and have the best life."

Step 3: The toast

Getting the toast right is about mechanics as much as words.

1. Ask everyone to stand: "Ladies and gentlemen, would you please stand and raise your glasses."
2. Wait until they're actually up and have a glass in hand. It always takes longer than you think – chairs scrape, people search for drinks. Give it five seconds.
3. Give a clear, short toast, ideally the couple's names: "To Tom and Priya." Guests repeat it, so make it easy to say.
4. Drink, and sit down. Don't add anything after the toast.

Who toasts whom?

Closing lines you can adapt

• "So please raise your glasses to two people who make each other better every day. To Tom and Priya."
• "Here's to a lifetime of adventures, a house full of laughter, and Tom finally learning to use a satnav. To the bride and groom!"
• "To love, to laughter, and to happily ever after."
• "Please join me in a toast to absent friends, and to the two people who've brought us all together today."
• "May your love be modern enough to survive the times, and old-fashioned enough to last for ever. To the happy couple."

Ending with a quote

A short quotation can work, but choose carefully: overused ones ("Love is patient, love is kind" – also likely to have been read in the ceremony) lose their impact. A line from the couple's favourite song, film or book is more personal. Keep it to one sentence, and make sure it fits the tone of your speech.

Mistakes to avoid

• The false ending – "And finally… oh, and one more thing." Once you start the toast, finish.
• Toasting before people have stood, or before glasses are filled.
• Ending on a joke at the couple's expense. The last word should be warm.
• Mumbling the names. Say them clearly so the room can repeat them.
• Forgetting to hand over to the next speaker if that's your job.

Write your ending first, then build the rest of your speech towards it. Use the outline tool to get three opening options and a structure, and the speech timer to make sure the whole thing fits.

Frequently asked questions

What do you say at the end of a wedding speech?

Shift to a sincere final thought about the couple, then ask everyone to stand and raise their glasses for a clear toast, such as 'To Tom and Priya'.

Should I end my wedding speech with a joke?

It's better to end on something warm. A joke can come just before the sincere moment, but the final words should be heartfelt.

How do you ask guests to raise a toast?

Say 'Would you all please stand and raise your glasses', wait for them to do so, then give the toast.

Is it OK to end with a quote?

Yes, if it's short and personal to the couple. Avoid quotes likely to have been used in the ceremony.

Related guides

• Short wedding toasts: examples for every speaker
• Best man speech structure: a UK template that works
• Father of the bride speech: a complete guide
• Groom speech: structure, sample lines and tips