How to Craft a Heartfelt Mother of the Groom Speech

Your son's wedding is sure to be a happy (albeit emotional!) day. After all, watching your son exchange vows with his new spouse is sure to bring a tear to your eye. On top of all this, you'll also be tasked with presenting a mother of the groom speech. In honor of your son's special day, you'll have the honor of toasting to your son and new son-in-law or daughter-in-law as they embark on this new chapter together as newlyweds. While the mother of the groom speech at the rehearsal dinner is traditional, it's not uncommon for the MOG to speak at the wedding reception, too.

If you're struggling to put words on paper to express the joy, happiness, and love you have for your son, you're not alone. To help combat writer's block—and get your creative juices flowing—we reached out to wedding planners and professionals for expert insight on how to write a wedding speech. Below, you'll find everything you need to know about crafting the best mother-of-the-groom toast.

In this article:

• Mother of the Groom Speech Length
• How to Write a Mother of the Groom Speech
• Mother of the Groom Speech Template
• Mother of the Groom Speech Examples
• Mother of the Groom Speech Mistakes

Mother of the Groom Speech Length

If you're asking yourself, "How long should a mother of the groom speech be?" wedding planner Nora Sheils of Bridal Bliss in Lake Oswego, Oregon, says, "Short and sweet is the way to go." According to her, mother of the groom speech etiquette dictates that three to five minutes is the perfect amount of time to get your point across.

But when should a mother of the groom speech be delivered? While the father of the bride speech is most often given during the wedding reception, can the groom's mom give hers then, too? "I believe the mother of the groom can give a speech at both the wedding rehearsal and at the wedding celebration," says celebrity wedding and event planner David Tutera.

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However, if you prefer to speak in a more intimate environment, you may opt to present your speech at the rehearsal dinner. According to Sheils, the rehearsal dinner is "the perfect opportunity for a more personal mother of the groom toast."

How to Write a Mother of the Groom Speech

"The wedding is about the couple, so keep that in mind when you're writing your speech, so it's not just one-sided," explains Lynne Kennedy of The Gilded Aisle Weddings in Chicago. She continues, "Guests always love to hear how the couple met or when you knew this love interest was 'the one' for your son."

With all this being said, "Don't talk solely about your son," says Sheils. Instead, she recommends talking about his new spouse, what you love about them and how they fit into your family.

Mother of the Groom Speech Template

Feeling overwhelmed with emotion? Not sure where to begin? Don't fret. This template of mother of the groom speech tips from Hester Parks of Park Avenue Events in Atlanta can easily be personalized—all you need to do is fill in the blanks.

1. Introduce yourself.

Of course, everyone will know who you are, but you'll need to greet your guests by introducing yourself. Say hello, state your name and share that you're the groom's mother.

2. Thank the wedding guests for coming.

Open up your speech by thanking your guests for attending this special occasion. Express your gratitude and share how grateful you are that they were able to celebrate your son's wedding with you.

3. Talk about your son.

Katelyn Peterson of Wedding Words, a wedding vow and speech writing service, advises sharing two to three "short and concise" stories about your son that spotlights their personality.

4. Talk about your son's partner.

Be sure to highlight your son's new spouse and express what you appreciate about them, Peterson says.

5. Share your heartfelt wishes for your son's marriage.

Conclude your groom's mom speech with a cheerful toast to the happy couple.

6. Thank your son's spouse and their family.

According to Kennedy, the mother of the groom should thank her [son-/daughter-/child-in-law]'s parents for raising a kind and beautiful person. Sheils agrees with this sentiment. She adds that this could be done at either the beginning or end of your mother of the groom wedding toast (depending on your preference).

The mother of the groom should also thank friends and family members for coming out to celebrate the joyous occasion.

7. Ending speech

To end the mother of the groom toast, Tutera recommends "making a warm reference to the bride and welcoming her into the family." He continues, "Share your excitement, joy, and love for her." He also recommends acknowledging your new in-laws by name.

Another option is to raise a glass and invite all of your wedding guests to join you in a toast at the wedding reception. Sheils says, "My go-to is 'Here is to love, to laughter, and happily ever after. Cheers!'"

Mother of the Groom Speech Examples

You've got your guide, but you may still be struggling with applying everything you've learned. Need mother of the groom speech ideas? You're in luck! Whether you want to give a speech that's funny or emotional, the below mother of the groom speech samples are free to personalize as needed.

Mother of the Groom Rehearsal Dinner Speech

If following tradition, you'll be delivering a rehearsal dinner speech by a mother of the groom rather than a wedding toast. While the two are similar, the wording differs slightly for each of them. For what to say, check out this mother of the groom rehearsal dinner speech example.

Good evening, everyone. Thank you all for being here tonight as we celebrate [Groom's Name] and [Spouse's Name] ahead of tomorrow's big day. As a mother, it's both an honor and a privilege to see my son as he begins this new chapter.

[Groom's Name], from the moment you were born, you've filled my life with love, laughter and so much pride. Watching you grow into the wonderful man you are today has been the greatest joy of my life. And now, to see you about to marry [Spouse's Name], I can't help but feel incredibly grateful. [Spouse's Name], thank you for bringing so much happiness and love into my son's life. I've seen how you two support each other and it warms my heart knowing he's found someone so wonderful to share his life with.

Here's to the amazing future that lies ahead for the two of you. Congratulations!

Mother of the Groom Wedding Day Speech

If the couple has asked you to make your mother of the groom speech at the wedding instead of the rehearsel dinner, this sample speech should help you brainstorm exactly what you want to say.

Good evening, everyone! I'm [Groom's Name]'s mom and today I've been filled with so many emotions—pride, joy, gratitude—and a bit of bittersweetness as I watched my son marry the love of his life. [Groom's Name], you've been my pride and joy from the moment I first held you. I remember when you were just a little boy, always full of energy and curiosity.

You know, [Groom's Name] always loved animals—cats, dogs, birds, you name it. But when he was eight, he started asking for a pet. He begged us every day, but his father and I weren't sure he was ready. He was mature for his age, but a dog is a big responsibility. Eventually, we gave in (as we often did) and got Daisy. But [Groom's Name] didn't just take her for walks or play with her. For weeks, he'd take his plate from the dinner table and eat on the floor next to her so she wouldn't be lonely. He even read her bedtime stories, one page at a time. His empathy and love weren't just reserved for Daisy—they extended to his friends, siblings, and even strangers. And it's that same caring nature that I see in his relationship with [Spouse's Name].

[Spouse's Name], I am so grateful for the love you bring to my son's life. You have made him so incredibly happy, and I couldn't have asked for a better partner for him. I'm filled with so much joy knowing that you're beginning an incredible journey together. I'm excited to see the adventures that lie ahead for both of you. Cheers to the newlyweds!

Short Mother of the Groom Speech

Not every groom's mother's speech at a wedding has to be long and overly formal. Short mother of the groom speeches can be just as heartfelt. This mother of the groom toast example is every bit short and sweet.

Hi everyone! Thank you all for being here. I'm [Your Name], [Groom's Name]'s mom. I just want to take a moment to express how truly happy I am to see [Groom's Name] marrying [Spouse's Name] today. From the moment you two met, I could see the love you share and it fills my heart with so much joy. [Groom's Name], I'm so proud of the man you've become, and I couldn't have asked for a better [daughter-/son-/child-]-in-law than [Spouse's Name]. You're a perfect match, and I'm excited to see the life you'll build together.

Funny Mother of the Groom Speech

If you're wondering how to make a mother of the groom speech funny, look no further. This lighthearted, funny wedding toast is sure to spark a chuckle or two. (As a bonus, toss in one of the mother of the groom wedding jokes found below.)

Hello, everyone. I can't say how much it means to me that you're all here tonight. I've officially handed [Groom's Name] over to [Spouse's Name] and let me tell you, I'm not sure I'm ready for this! It's hard to watch your little boy grow up, but I'm so incredibly proud of the man he's become.

Just like how I used to slip little notes into his lunchbox with positive words for the day, I have a bit of advice now as he takes this next step toward his future. Mainly, never go to bed angry and always let [Spouse's Name] pick the movie. Ha! Seriously, though—as a mother, you always want the best for your son and [Spouse's Name]; you are without a doubt the best thing to ever happen to him.

You two are an amazing pair, and I couldn't be happier to see you both so in love.

So, let's raise a glass to [Groom's Name] and [Spouse's Name]—may your marriage be filled with love, laughter and happiness. Cheers!

Emotional Mother of the Groom Speech

Want a mother of the groom speech example that'll guarantee there won't be a dry eye in the room? Give this sample mom's speech at a son's wedding a whirl.

Good evening, friends and family members! As [Groom's Name]'s mother, I wanted to take this time to thank everyone for being here tonight. Your presence means so much to us. I also wanted to thank [Spouse's Name]'s parents, [Parent's Name] and [Parent's Name], for raising such a kind, wonderful and compassionate person. I couldn't be more grateful.

When [Groom's Name] was a little boy, my husband and I were big worriers: Did he have enough to eat at kindergarten today? What if he fell and injured himself on the playground? The worries continued as he grew older: What if he got homesick at overnight camp? Did he drink enough water to stay hydrated throughout the day? These anxieties, which I know are now trivial, once consumed me.

See, people always told me that my job as a mother—and a parent in general—was to worry. It's true, up to a certain degree, but I've since learned that kids, at any age, are strong and resilient on their own. Like when [Groom's Name] spent his 10th birthday sleeping out at his best friend's house. In the morning, he returned with a large cut on his arm. [Groom's Name] came home laughing about the accident, which happened when he was trying to cut a bagel open at 1:30 a.m. because he was hungry. I guess some things just don't change. Instead of freaking out, he remained calm, grabbed his best buddy—who, by the way, is now his best man—and applied pressure to stop the bleeding.

This is just one of many funny stories that have (and continue to!) define [Groom's Name]'s, shall I say, daring adventures. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself not to spend so much time worrying. I know now that my son is in great hands with his marvelous spouse, [Spouse's Name]. From the first time they met, I knew he was smitten. He came back from dinner already planning a second and third date. When I asked when I could meet this special person, he promised me that he would invite them over for dinner if they were still seeing each other in three months. Fast-forward three months later, and guess who came over for dinner? Two years later, we are all here in celebration of their wedding!

[Groom's Name] and [Spouse's Name], watching you exchange vows at your wedding ceremony was nothing short of spectacular. [Spouse's Name], you are truly everything I could have wished and hoped for and more for my son. And to have a new child is a dream come true. I am honored to be your mother-in-law.

Now, if you would, please join me in raising your glasses for a special wedding toast to the newlyweds. May you enjoy a lifetime of love, health and happiness together!

Mother of the Groom Speech Quotes

If you're still struggling to find the right words, consider adding one or two quotes for your mother of the groom speech. From pop culture to history, these quotes about marriage, love and a bond between mom and son are perfect additions to a wedding speech from a mother of the groom.

• "The best thing to hold onto in life is each other." –Audrey Hepburn
  
• "Sons are the anchors of a mother's life." —Sophocles
• "If you would have your son to walk honorably through the world, you must not attempt to clear the stones from his path, but teach him to walk firmly over them; not insist upon leading him by the hand, but let him learn to go alone." —Anne Brontë, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
• "Love is a friendship set to music." —Joseph Campbell
• "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return." —Nat King Cole, "Nature Boy"
• "Love is a two-way street constantly under construction." —Carroll Bryant
• "There is an endearing tenderness in the love of a mother to a son that transcends all other affections of the heart." —Washington Irving
• "No man succeeds without a good woman behind him. Wife or mother, if it is both, he is twice blessed indeed." —Godfrey Winn

Mother of the Groom Speech Jokes

Depending on who you speak to, you'll receive mixed opinions regarding jokes during the mother of the groom wedding speech. However, Sheils loves when wedding speeches are infused with humor, telling The Knot, "Some of the most memorable toasts I've heard did the perfect job of mixing humor with sentimentality."

Lauren Smith of EventSmith Planning and Productions in Santa Fe, Texas adds that "bringing in a joke or two keeps the crowd engaged and keeps some of the tears from falling during the entire speech." she says. What's more, she continues, "A good opener and a zinger here and there is just the right touch for a wedding."

Here are a few funny mother-of-the-groom speech jokes to consider:

• "Smart, kind, attractive—I really am the whole package! But enough about me..."
• "Thank you, [Spouse's Name], for taking him off my hands… but no returns!"
• "If I rush through this speech, it's because I'm nervous and definitely not because I'm eager to eat cake."
• "Gosh, what an emotional day it's been. Even the cake is in tiers."
• "All those years of teaching [Groom's name] to share with his siblings, and now he's sharing his life with someone. He finally got it!"
• "I'm not sure what's more emotional—seeing my son get married or realizing I'm now officially old enough to have a son getting married."
• "I've been told that giving a wedding speech is one of the hardest things a mother can do. But let's face it—raising a son and surviving his teenage years was the real challenge."

If you do choose to crack some jokes during your speech, make sure that they're respectful and appropriate—and don't overdo it. After all, Smith says it best: "This isn't Amateur Hour at the Improv."

Mother of the Groom Speech Mistakes

While there are certain points you'll want to make in your wedding speech for a son from his mother, there are also several topics to avoid:

• Don't embarrass your son. "Unless the groom can take it in good fun, I wouldn't put him up for any embarrassment," says Laura Maddox of Magnolia Celebrates in Roswell, Georgia.
• ...or his partner. "Stay away from embarrassing stories, especially of the bride," Maddox advises. "No one wants to be raked over the coals on their wedding day."
• Skip the inside jokes. Otherwise, according to Sheils, you'll run the risk of leaving others feeling excluded.
• Don't mention the exes. "Do not, for any reason, bring up a past relationship, good or bad," says Sheils, adding: "It never sits well."

Additional reporting by Shyla Watson