I am genuinely clueless and am hoping to find some guidance here! My fiance and I were planning to give a short speech/toast at our Rehearsal Dinner, thanking everyone for coming in from out of town and thanking our parents and other family members who supported us throughout the planning process (whether financially, emotionally, assisting with projects, etc... we would thank everyone who contributed in any way). My father was going to do a speech at the actual reception, again thanking everyone for traveling and celebrating with us. My mother believes that the bride or groom should make a speech at the reception thanking the contributors. While I see where she's coming from, I personally don't feel that public recognition is the most sincere form of gratitude, and would rather do those thank-you's during the Rehearsal Dinner, accompanied by gifts to the parents (and of course thank people again individually while mingling during the reception). In most of the recent weddings I've been to, the bride and/or groom did NOT make a speech during the reception. What are your thoughts?? (Sorry for being long-winded!)