Is it necessary for the Best Man or Maid of Honor to speak at the reception? ?

Question

Is it necessary for the Best Man or Maid of Honor to speak at the reception? ?

Answer 1

I guess it is not NECESSARY, but usually the bride and groom assume that becuase you were chosen to that position, you would like to say something about the couple. If you do not want to speak, let them know ahead of time. I was MOH at my friends wedding, and all of a sudden it was like... and now the MOH would like to say something... I had nothing planned and she didn't tell me I needed to talk.. I had to pull it out pretty fast. Good luck.

Answer 2

It depends on how the bride and groom want it. Every wedding that I have been to the maid of honor and best man have made a toast. I assume this is traditional but if the bride and groom say they could care less, do what you want.

Answer 3

No, it's not necessary.

Answer 4

the best man makes a speech at the reception

Answer 5

No. In fact, I think most guests would be happy with no speeches at all.  

Answer 6

Usually the maid of honor will make a speech at the bridal shower and the best man will make a speech at the wedding reception.

Answer 7

They both usually make a speech but in two of the more recent weddings I have been to other members of the bridal party made the speeches  (in both cases the MOH did not want to make a public speech so others did).  If someone really doesn't want to make a speech there is no reason to force them into it, that's just kind of mean.    

Answer 8

Necessary? No. Does it usually happen? Yes. At my FI's best friend's wedding, however, he gave toast instead of best man since he is a better speaker.

Answer 9

No,if they dont want to make a toast they dont have to.I'm not forcing them to.My sister doesn't like speaking infront of alot of people and I will not make her either.

Answer 10

you can have anybody speak at the reception, but it's your wedding and if you don't want them to speak they don't have too. It's up to you.

Answer 11

Not necessary, but traditional.  If someone feels uncomfortable speaking in front of a crowd, you could always do the speech yourself and incorporate some of their ideas.  For example you could say:

"I'm reminded of a conversation my best man and I were having the other day about how Jane and I met...he said blah blah blah"

Then at the end of the speech, he could stand up and simply say "Congratulations John and Jane!"

Good luck!

Answer 12

No, it's what the couple getting married chooses. Whereas for us, we knew both our BM or MOH would have spoken well - and not have been scared or anything, we just had another choice. My oldest sister gave the toast to the Bride and Groom, and it was lovely.

Answer 13

It is traditional but not necessary. If you're the best man and you don't like public speaking, you can pass off the job to the groom's father, another close friend, etc. But if the groom asked you to be his best man, you're probably good friends and have some good stories to tell about him :)

It used to be that only men gave toasts, but now the maids of honor nearly ALWAYS speak at the reception, to represent the bridal party. Seems fair, right?

Answer 14

Its not necessary. We asked my brother to do the toast at our wedding, and he was not a groomsman. I understand why the Best Man usually does the toast (because he is close to the groom), but that doesnt have to be a hard and fast rule.