Speech Examples by Occasion
Templates and full sample scripts for weddings, funerals, graduations, welcomes and awards, sorted by who is speaking.
Every link on this page goes to a full guide with speech examples for one occasion and one speaker. Most include a template, at least one complete sample script and advice on length. They are grouped by occasion and then by role, because a father of the bride and a best man need different speeches for the same reception.
Pick the occasion, open the guide closest to your role, and use its template as the skeleton for your own stories.
Wedding speeches
Toasts and speeches for the best man, maid of honor, parents, the couple and whoever opens the reception.
Best Man Speech Examples: Templates, Scripts, and Ideas for Every Length
Full and short best man scripts, a section-by-section template and ideas for each part of the toast, aimed at three to five minutes.
Read the guideHow to Write a Maid of Honor Speech: A Simple Template, an Example, and Timing Tips
A step-by-step process: what to gather first, a simple template, one full example and ways to end.
Read the guideFather of the Bride Speech: Templates, Examples, and Tips That Actually Work
A template, example speeches and opening lines, plus a section on blended families and other special situations.
Read the guideGroom Speech: Examples and a Simple Structure for Thanking Guests, Honoring Both Families, and Toasting Your Partner
Reception speech examples for thanking guests, honoring both families and toasting your partner, with a step-by-step writing order.
Read the guideBest Wedding Toast Examples: Scripts and Templates for Every Guest
Short toasts for parents, siblings, friends and guests outside the main speaking roles, with a simple template and a one-to-two-minute target.
Read the guideWedding Welcome Speech: A Complete Script, Examples, and Timing Guide
The short opening that starts the reception: who gives it, a template, a full script and timing.
Read the guide
Eulogies and funeral speeches
An outline to start from, eulogies by relationship, and guides to length and the closing lines.
How to Write a Funeral Speech: A Complete Outline, Template, and Examples
The general guide: a fill-in outline, a template, examples for different relationships and what to do when you do not know where to begin.
Read the guideHow to Write a Eulogy for Your Mother: Structure, Examples, and What to Say
Structure, example passages, openings and endings, plus a section on writing when grief makes it hard.
Read the guideHow to Write a Eulogy for Your Grandfather: Structure, Examples, and What to Say
Structure and examples, including what to say if you were not as close to him as you wished.
Read the guideEulogy Examples for a Friend: Structure, Scripts, and What to Say
Examples and opening lines for a friend, including how to speak when you did not know their family.
Read the guideHow Long Should a Eulogy Be? Word Count, Timing, and What to Cut
Length in minutes and words, how it changes when several people speak, and what to cut first if you run long.
Read the guideHow to End a Funeral Speech: Closing Lines, Transitions, and Delivering the Final Moments
Closing lines, the transition into them, and how to deliver the last 30 to 60 seconds, including when you cannot hold it together.
Read the guide
Graduation speeches
Templates and full scripts for valedictorians, salutatorians, class officers and invited commencement speakers.
Graduation Ceremony Speech Sample: Templates, Examples, and Tips for Every Speaker
The general starting point: a template, two full scripts and tips for valedictorians, class presidents and parents.
Read the guideHigh School Graduation Speeches: Templates, Examples, and Tips for Students, Class Officers, and Invited Speakers
For class officers, chosen student speakers and invited guests, with a template and two full scripts.
Read the guide8th Grade Graduation Speech: Templates, Examples, and Tips for Every Speaker
A simple template and two sample scripts for an 8th grade ceremony, with timing and nerves covered.
Read the guideCommencement Speech Examples: A Template, Full Scripts, and Tips for Every Commencement Speaker
For invited speakers: a full template, two annotated scripts and how long a guest address should run.
Read the guideValedictorian Speech: A Template, Real Examples, and How to Deliver the Class's Final Word
A template and two full examples for the class's final word, with guidance on tone and what the role is responsible for.
Read the guideSalutatorian Speech: A Template, Real Examples, and How to Balance Achievement with Humility
A template and two examples for the salutatorian slot, with a section on balancing achievement and humility.
Read the guide
Write it, then rehearse it
A template gets the words onto the page. Whether the speech works is decided when you say it aloud, so plan time for rehearsal as well as writing.
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Fill in a template
Choose the guide for your role and replace its placeholders with one or two real stories. Specific details do the work that adjectives cannot.
- 2
Time it aloud
Read the draft at speaking pace with a timer. A normal rate is about 130 to 160 words per minute, so a three-minute slot holds roughly 400 to 480 words. Cut until you fit.
- 3
Rehearse on your feet
Say it standing, several times, looking up at the end of each sentence. Mark the pauses and the lines you stumble on.
- 4
Get feedback before the day
Deliver it to one person you trust, or run it in the public speaking practice in SayNow AI, which scores a spoken run-through and suggests improvements.
- Public speaking practiceRehearse a prepared speech aloud in SayNow AI and get feedback on fluency and structure.
- Best Ways to Memorize a Speech: How to Pick, Combine, and Practice the Right MethodMethods for learning a speech so you can look up from the page.
Rehearse your speech out loud in SayNow AI
Choose the public speaking scenario, deliver your speech and get a score with suggestions on fluency, structure and how well it fits the occasion.
Free to download · iOS and Android
More occasions
Smaller sets of guides for welcoming a room, giving or receiving recognition, and other ceremonies.
Welcome speeches and speaker introductions
For the person who opens an event, greets a congregation or introduces the next speaker.
Welcome Speech Sample: Complete Scripts and a Simple Event Format
A complete script, a fill-in template and examples for school, workshop and community events, plus how a welcome differs from a speaker introduction.
Read the guideWelcome Speech for Church: A Template and Sample Scripts for Sunday Service and Special Occasions
Sample scripts for a regular Sunday, first-time visitors, and guest speakers or special services.
Read the guideBlack Church Welcome Speech: Templates and Sample Scripts for Sunday Service, Visitors, and Special Occasions
Scripts for Sunday service, visitors, a guest preacher and Youth Day, with a simple structure.
Read the guideBlack Church Anniversary Welcome Speech: A Template and Sample Scripts for Honoring History, Visiting Clergy, and Celebration
A full anniversary script covering visiting clergy, church history and founding members, and the choir and musicians.
Read the guideIntroduction of Speaker Sample: 6 Templates for Any Event
Six ready-to-use introductions for conferences, panels and webinars, with what to include and what to cut.
Read the guide
Awards, thanks and farewells
For accepting an award, honoring someone else, thanking a group or marking a retirement.
Acceptance Speech Example: Templates, Scripts, and Tips for Every Award
A template, examples and opening lines, including what to say when you did not expect to win.
Read the guideThank You Speech: Templates, Examples, and Tips for Any Occasion
A template and examples for thanking a team, volunteers or donors.
Read the guideSpeeches for Recognition: A Template, Real Examples, and Tips for Honoring Someone Well
How to honor someone at work or in your community, with a template and examples for presenting an award.
Read the guideRetirement Speech: Templates, Examples, and Tips for a Farewell Everyone Remembers
For your own farewell or a speech about a retiring colleague, with a template, examples and opening lines.
Read the guide
Other ceremonies and school speeches
A coming-of-age celebration, a day of remembrance and a campaign speech.
Bar Mitzvah Speech: Templates, Examples, and Tips for the Child, Parents, and Family
Separate guidance for the child, parents, grandparents and other relatives, with two full examples.
Read the guideMemorial Day Speech: Templates, Examples, and Tips for Honoring the Fallen
A template and a full sample script, with advice on length and notes for different kinds of speaker.
Read the guideStudent Council Sample Speech: Templates, Examples, and Pledge Language for Every Race
Campaign speeches for president, vice president and class representative, with a template and pledge wording.
Read the guide
Related
- How to Start a Speech: 7 Proven Opening Techniques That Actually WorkSeven opening techniques.
- How to End a Speech: 8 Closing Techniques That Leave a Lasting ImpressionEight ways to close.
- How Long Should a Speech Be? The Right Length for Every OccasionThe right length for each occasion.
- Speech Delivery: The Complete Guide to Voice, Body Language, and PacingVoice, body language and pacing.
- Hero's Journey frameworkShape one memory into a story with a beginning, a turn and an ending.
- Impromptu speaking practiceFor toasts and remarks you are asked to give without notice.
- Interview questions by roleGuides to job, visa and admissions interview questions.