Three years ago, Maya handed me a colander at a farmers' market and said, "Smell this basil." I had no idea I'd just met the woman I'd marry — I just knew I'd follow her to whatever stall she pointed at next. Turns out that's still true. I'm Daniel, and I'm the luckiest man in this room.
First, to Maya's parents, Rosa and Ken — thank you for raising a daughter who returns shopping trolleys to the bay even in the rain, and for welcoming me like I was always meant for the chair at the end of your table. To my mum, who drove four hours today with a boot full of flowers she "just happened to have" — I see you, and I love you for it. And to every one of you who travelled, booked the awkward flights, left the kids with grandparents — look around. This is the room Maya and I will remember when we're old.
Now, to my wife. I still can't quite believe I get to say that.
Maya, here's the thing I know about you. When my dad was in hospital last winter, you didn't send a card or say the right words. You showed up at 6am with terrible coffee and a crossword, and you sat. Every morning. You never once made it about you. That's who you are — you don't perform love, you just do it, quietly, in colanders of basil and cold hospital chairs.
I can't promise you a life without spilled coffee or missed trains. But I can promise I'll keep following you to the next stall, and the one after that, for as long as you'll let me.
So — everyone, on your feet. Charge your glasses.
To Maya. To smelling the basil. To us.
Talk through your stories and we'll shape them into a heartfelt groom speech that's unmistakably yours — in minutes.
Make it mine →This speech works because it's genuinely personal. It avoids generic praise and instead tells specific stories that show who the person really is. That specificity is what moves a room.
At 299 words, it proves you don't need length to make an impact. Every line earns its place.
If you're not sure how to start your own version, it's often easier to talk your speech out first and shape it into a structured version. You can also explore our guide to writing a wedding speech for a step-by-step approach.
Talk through your stories and let Nail The Speech turn them into a groom speech that sounds like you.
Create Your Speech →Good evening, everyone. When I first met Maisie, I knew she was clever, kind, and beautiful. What I didn't know was that she was also a bigger nerd than me – and that's saying...
Distinguished guests, guests of no particular distinction, relatives young and old, friends, freeloaders, hangers on, gypsies, tramps, thieves and anyone else who may have...
Everyone, boys and girls - it's time for the main event. I'm joking of course, we all know the food is the main event! In all seriousness, thank you all for being here today. For...