Teleprompter for a wedding speech or toast

Updated October 23, 2026 · Anthony Delmotte

In short. Put the speech on short cue cards on your phone, use “Read without filming” so the prompter just shows the text, and let it follow your voice so you can pause for laughs. Keep it to about three minutes, roughly 400 words.

Why a phone beats paper

Paper shakes, and you look down at it. A phone held at chest height, with the text following your voice, lets you look up at the couple and the room between lines. Pauses for laughter are no problem: the text waits for you.

How long should it be?

Three to five minutes is the sweet spot: about 400 to 700 words at a relaxed pace. Paste your draft into the speech time calculator and set the pace to slow; speeches always run slower than you think.

Write it as cards

One story per card: how you met them, the funny moment, the sincere part, the toast. If you lose your place, a glance at the card tells you where you are. In SmoothCue you can reorder cards until the order feels right.

On the day

• Turn on Do Not Disturb and set the brightness high.
• Use “Read without filming”: no camera, just your words.
• Learn the first line and the toast by heart, and say them looking at the guests.

Want to see how it comes across? Film your rehearsal with the front camera and watch it back. On the day, let a friend film with another phone while you read.