Speeches and toasts

By the Speaking Coach team at Sodhera Intelligence

Structure, length, example lines and what to avoid for weddings, birthdays, farewells and other speeches people dread.

How to Write a Best Man Speech (With Examples and Timing)A best man speech structure that fits 3 to 5 minutes: who you are, one or two stories about the groom, the turn to the couple, and the toast. Example lines.
How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech: Structure and ExamplesHow to open, which one story to tell, how to speak to both partners and how to raise the glass: a maid of honor speech structure with example lines.
How to Write a Eulogy: Step-by-Step Guide With ExamplesHow to write and deliver a eulogy for anyone: gathering stories, a simple structure, how long to speak, example lines and how to get through it on the day.
How to Write a Father of the Bride Speech (With Examples)What a father of the bride should say: welcome guests as host, thank people, share one childhood memory, welcome the new spouse and give the toast. Examples.
How to Give a Wedding Toast as a Guest: What to SayAsked to toast at a wedding but not in the wedding party? A 1 to 2 minute guest toast formula, examples for friends, coworkers and relatives, and what to skip.
What to Say in Your Own Retirement Speech (With Examples)What to say at your own retirement party: thank colleagues specifically, tell one career story, say what's next, and close, without listing every job you held.
How to Write a Graduation Speech Students Will RememberHow to write a graduation or commencement speech as a student or guest speaker: pick one theme, use shared class memories, and end with a clear send-off.
How to Write and Deliver a Persuasive Speech (With Outline)A persuasive speech outline for class: a clear claim, evidence, the strongest objection and your answer, and a call to action. Plus delivery that convinces.
What to Say in a Farewell Speech When You Leave a JobWhat to say on your last day at a job: thank people, share one memory, say how to stay in touch, all in under three minutes. Examples for any reason.
How to Give a Self-Introduction Speech (Examples for Class)A 60-second self-introduction speech formula for class, a group or a new team: name, a hook, what you do, one real detail and a close. With examples to adapt.
What to Say in a Mother of the Bride Speech (With Examples)What the mother of the bride says: a warm memory of her daughter, a welcome to the partner and their family, and a short toast. Structure and example lines.
What Should the Groom Say in His Wedding Speech? ExamplesWhat the groom says at the reception: who to thank and in what order, a few true words to your new spouse, and the toast. A 5-minute structure with examples.
How to Write a Student Council Speech That Wins VotesHow to write a student council or class president speech: who you are, two or three promises you can keep, and a close people remember. Examples by grade.
How to Give an Acceptance Speech for an Award or HonorWhat to say when you accept an award: thank the organisers, a few people by name, say what it means and close, all in 1 to 2 minutes. Work and school examples.
How to Write a Valedictorian Speech: Structure and IdeasHow to write a valedictorian or salutatorian address: speak for the whole class, swap clichés for specifics, and fit the ceremony's time slot. Example lines.
How to Give a Thank-You Speech Without Sounding ScriptedHow to thank a team, host, volunteers or mentor in a short speech that sounds sincere: name what they did, say what it changed, and keep it under two minutes.
What to Say in a Birthday Toast: Short Examples for FriendsShort birthday toasts for a friend, partner, parent or sibling: a 30 to 90 second formula, funny and heartfelt examples, and how to raise the glass at dinner.
How to Write an Informative Speech: Outline and ExamplesHow to write and give an informative speech for school: narrow your topic, use a simple outline, signpost each point, and deliver it without sounding read.
How to Give a Motivational Speech That Actually Moves PeopleHow to motivate a team, class or group without hype: name where you really are, tell one story, set one challenge and make one clear ask. Outline and examples.
How to Write a Eulogy for Your Mom or Dad (With Examples)How to write a eulogy for your mother or father: speak as their child, choose family memories, coordinate with siblings and stay composed. Example passages.
How to Give a Toast at Any Occasion: A Simple 4-Part FormulaA 4-part toast formula for any occasion, from dinners to work milestones: connect, reason, wish, raise. Example toasts for 8 situations and etiquette.
How to Give a Welcome Speech for an Event (With Examples)How to open a conference, ceremony, meeting or community event: a 5-part welcome speech structure, timing, example scripts and the mistakes that drain the room.
How to Give an Impromptu Speech When Asked With No NoticeAsked to 'say a few words' on the spot? Use a ready-made structure: PREP, past-present-future or thank-story-toast. Example lines for parties and work.
How to Give Closing Remarks at an Event or ConferenceWhat to say in closing remarks: sum up key moments, thank speakers, sponsors and organisers, give next steps and end cleanly. Structure and example scripts.
How to Give Your Toastmasters Ice Breaker Speech (4-6 Min)How to write your first Toastmasters project, the Ice Breaker: pick a theme about you, build a 4 to 6 minute arc, example outlines and timing tips.
How to Introduce a Speaker: What to Say Before They TalkHow to introduce a guest speaker in 30 to 60 seconds: why this topic, why this person, why now, then their name last. Example intros and mistakes to avoid.
How to Present an Award: What to Say Before the WinnerWhat to say when presenting an award: why the award matters, why this person earned it, and how to announce the name. Timings and example scripts.
How to Write a Eulogy for a Friend: What to Say and ExamplesHow to write a eulogy for a close friend, including one who died young: what to include, how to use humour, speaking to their family, and examples.
How to Write a Eulogy for a Grandparent (Grandma or Grandpa)How to write a eulogy for your grandmother or grandfather: fitting a long life into 5 minutes, speaking as a grandchild, and an example eulogy.
What Should the Bride Say in a Wedding Speech? ExamplesWhat a bride says in her wedding speech: who to thank, what to say to your new spouse, lines for friends and family, example speeches and how long to talk.
What to Say as a Wedding Officiant: Ceremony Script TipsOfficiating a friend's wedding? The ceremony order, what to say at each step, how to tell the couple's story, lead the vows and close, with examples.
What to Say in a 50th Birthday Speech: Ideas and ExamplesWhat to say at a 50th or other milestone birthday: fit five decades into three minutes, tease gently, honour the person. Structures and example speeches.
What to Say in a Bar or Bat Mitzvah Speech (Parent or Teen)What parents say to their child at a bar or bat mitzvah, and how the teen shapes their own speech: the Torah portion, family, thanks, length and examples.
What to Say in a Christmas or Holiday Party Speech at WorkWhat a manager or host says at the work Christmas or holiday party: the year's wins, real thank-yous, an inclusive tone and a short finish. With examples.
What to Say in a Father of the Groom Speech (With Examples)What the father of the groom says, often as rehearsal dinner host: welcome guests, one story about his son, a word for the new family, a toast.
What to Say in a Mother of the Groom Speech (With Examples)What the mother of the groom says at the rehearsal dinner or reception: a story about her son, a welcome for his new spouse and family, with examples.
What to Say in a Rehearsal Dinner Speech or Toast (Examples)What hosts, parents and guests say at a rehearsal dinner: a story-led structure, example lines for each role, timing, and what to save for the reception.
What to Say in a Retirement Toast for a Coworker or BossWhat to say when you toast a colleague's or boss's retirement: a 4-part structure, example toasts for a coworker, a manager and a team, and what to leave out.
What to Say in an Anniversary Speech for Parents or SpouseWhat to say at a 25th, 40th or 50th wedding anniversary as a son, daughter or spouse: a simple structure, example speeches, and how to tell their story.
What to Say in an Engagement Party Toast (With Examples)What to say when you toast a newly engaged couple, as host parent or friend: a short structure, how-they-met lines, example toasts and what to save.