Speech Etiquette!

I wouldn't have thought it would matter too much. Most people these days don't tend to stick strictly to what is considered traditional. I would just go with whatever you want and don't overthink it!

Only thing I would say is that if you are having them before the meal (which seems to be more normal nowadays) try to keep them short and sweet. Guests are usually starving by that point, just want their dinner and don't give the speeches their full attention. I much prefer speeches after the meal as the guests have their bellies full and are just happy to sit back, relax, let their food go down and enjoy the speeches much more then.

If you would like some guidance on etiquette for "non traditional" order then I would say suggest that you keep both ends of the speeches a traditional order and anything in-between can go in any order.

1. The person giving away. (sometimes if this is a Mum then I have seen that a Brother can step in for the speech )

2,2,4, Any others here

And always the best man Last

Yes, I was told to do them first and told everyone no more than 2 minutes! I also didn't want those doing the speeches worried and chewed up to the point that they couldn't eat so wanted it out of the way so everyone could relax!

I also thought about doing a couple before then the rest before the dessert.

Before dinner is fine providing people stick to a VERY strict timeline.

A bit like how weddings always run late, speeches can go stupidly crazy over and affect the dinner timings and this risks dinner being spoiled / over cooked.

Not only that, speeches that take too long can mean that by the time the last one is finished people leave for the loo or a cigarette. Then start talking outside and service can't start until they're back. It's a good concept but can really mess with everyones timings.