Speeches - no best man/bridesmaids

You don't actually 'need' speeches. And at most weddings I've been to, I'd have been more than happy for them to have been missed out - unless the person giving the speech is a gifted speaker, they can be quite painful to listen to! If you're not fussed about having speeches, then I'd just settle for a brief 'thank you' one.

We're not having speeches as we're both not a fan of them really. my FH would definitely not make a speech as he hates public speaking, even if it is with friends and family present and his best friend (best man) has refused too (in all fairness the best man never had speeches at his wedding either so I understand why)

My MOH would do a speech and so would my sister (BM) but I don't really require them to do so. as the bride I will make a short welcome/thank you speech and that's the end of it.

The other idea I had to replace the speeches in our case was my sister doing a Wiccan blessing for us instead, almost like a very quick extension to the actual ceremony as both myself and her are of Wiccan faith. my FH knows how important it is for me to include this in the wedding somewhere so he is more than happy for her to do so if the venue allow us to (we still need to check with them) but it would be a 10 minute thing tops and hopefully something visual for our guests who are not familiar with our faith to witness and enjoy.

I definitely don't think you need to have speeches in a wedding, it's quite possibly one of the more boring parts of the day. you could always just do a welcome and toast with your guests prior to dinner or like you say maybe a nice video montage of moments from your relationship so far, or of friends and family in a relaxed environment pre-recorded so they don't have to worry or be stressed on the day.

just have fun with it.

This is such a thoughtful and modern approach to wedding planning. Not having a traditional bridal party doesn’t take anything away from the meaning of the day, and inviting close friends to get ready with you sounds like a lovely way to keep that sense of connection. When it comes to speeches, fewer but more personal ones can actually feel more intimate and memorable. A joint speech or short words from the couple can work beautifully too. For more ideas and inspiration around modern lifestyle choices and planning, you can also explore https://techsparo.com/

This is such a thoughtful approach to wedding planning, and it’s really refreshing to see couples choosing what genuinely feels right for them rather than following tradition. Not having bridesmaids or groomsmen doesn’t take away from the meaning of the day at all, and inviting close friends to get ready with you sounds like a lovely alternative. When it comes to speeches, even a short, heartfelt message from the couple can be more meaningful than multiple formal ones. For more ideas around modern celebrations, lifestyle choices, and planning inspiration, https://topafro.com/ also shares some great perspectives.