How Long Should Wedding Speeches Be? Finding the Perfect Balance (Without Boring Everyone)

Ah, wedding speeches — a beloved tradition that can either be heartfelt and engaging or a long, drawn-out affair that makes guests reach for the nearest glass of prosecco out of sheer desperation. So, how do you ensure your speeches hit the mark, leaving guests misty-eyed rather than clock-watching? As a UK wedding videographer who’s filmed over 200 weddings (yes, I’ve been to that many), I’ve seen my fair share of speeches. Consider these my tips, or do your own thing; it’s your day, after all!

Meaningful, timed wedding speeches! Ideal length for guests and for rewatching in your wedding video.

1. Keep the Attention Span of Guests in Mind

Let’s be honest, most of us have the attention span of a goldfish once we’ve settled into the festivities — especially after a drink or two. And that’s not even factoring in children, who are prone to fidgeting after the first 5 minutes. To avoid turning your speeches into a marathon, aim for 7-10 minutes per speaker. Anything beyond that, and even the most well-meaning guests will start looking longingly at the exit or, worse, the bathroom.

Speaking of which...

2. Guests Who’ve Had a Drink Will Need the Loo

It’s a wedding, there’s alcohol, and bladder capacity decreases with every top-up. Speeches that stretch on risk a parade of people sneaking off mid-sentence to the bathroom. Keep speeches short, concise, and to the point. 7-10 minutes is plenty of time to get in all the emotional sentiments and a few jokes, without having guests cross their legs.

3. Have Fewer Speakers

If you’re envisioning everyone from your second cousin to your childhood neighbour saying a few words, perhaps reconsider. Having too many speakers not only drags out the speech segment but also increases the risk of repetition, tangents, and downright awkwardness. The magic number? Three or four speakers max. You don’t need an open mic night — your guests will thank you.

4. All Speeches in One Go

Now, while breaking speeches up between courses may sound like a good way to give guests a breather, it actually just stretches out the process. Each time you pause for refills and clear each course, you add an extra 10 minutes or so to the proceedings. Plus, getting everyone seated and attentive again can be like herding cats. My advice? Get all the speeches done in one sitting, in one go. Guests can relax and enjoy the meal (and the booze) afterward without worrying about more speeches to come.

5. Shorter Time Limits Keep It Snappy

Setting a time limit for speeches isn’t just a polite suggestion — it’s crucial. A short limit of around 7-10 minutes will force speakers to avoid lengthy anecdotes, irrelevant details, or wandering off into strange tangents (yes, I’m talking to you, best man). Plus, it encourages them to stay focused on what really matters: celebrating the couple in a way that resonates with the whole room.

Keep it tight and concise. Guests will be captivated by a short and snappy speech.

6. No Long-Winded Stories, Please

We all love a good story, but there’s a fine line between charming and, well, self-indulgent. If the speech includes multiple stories about that time in Ibiza where no one can quite remember what happened, it’s probably too long. Guests want to feel part of the moment, not like they’ve stumbled into a poorly planned TED Talk.

In Conclusion: Keep It Concise, Keep It Classy

The key to a successful speech is to leave your guests wanting more, not checking their watches. By considering attention spans and capping both the number and length of speeches, you’ll create a heartfelt and engaging moment that everyone can enjoy. And most importantly, it’ll give you time to get on with what everyone’s really here for — the celebration!

So, keep speeches concise, cut out the tangents, and maybe save the novel-length anecdotes for a cosy family dinner post-honeymoon.

Remember, no one ever left a wedding wishing the speeches were longer!

As an experienced wedding videographer, I know exactly what it takes to capture the perfect moments, including those all-important speeches. My goal is to ensure you can relive those heartfelt words for years to come, with a beautifully filmed record of your day. If you’d like to have your speeches captured in your own personal wedding video, get in touch and let’s create something unforgettable!