Ceremonial Speech: Wedding Ceremony Addressed

A ceremonial speech can absolutely be about a wedding. In fact, wedding speeches are a staple of wedding receptions, and they are often given by the bride, groom, father of the bride, best man, or maid of honour. These speeches are a chance to celebrate the newlywed couple, share stories, and offer well-wishes for their future together. Whether you're giving a traditional or modern speech, the key is to capture the couple's unique love story and set the tone for a memorable celebration.

Tips for writing a wedding speech

Writing a wedding speech can be a daunting task, but with some careful planning and preparation, you can deliver a speech that is both memorable and heartfelt. Here are some tips to help you craft the perfect wedding speech:

Start Early:

It is important to start planning and writing your speech a few weeks to a month before the wedding. This will give you ample time to gather ideas, edit, and fine-tune your speech. As you think about the couple and your relationship with them, jot down notes and anecdotes that you may want to include.

Structure and Outline:

A good wedding speech should have a clear structure with a beginning, middle, and end. Start by introducing yourself and explaining your relationship with the couple. Then, share some fond memories or stories. You can also include a few jokes or humorous anecdotes to lighten the mood, but be mindful of keeping the content appropriate for all ages. Next, offer advice and well-wishes to the couple, and finally, thank everyone for their presence and contribution to the celebration.

Keep it Short and Sweet:

Aim for a speech duration of around 2-5 minutes. This is enough time to share meaningful thoughts and stories without losing the attention of your audience. Focus on a few key points and select concise stories or anecdotes to illustrate them.

Practice and Rehearse:

It is essential to practice your speech multiple times to ensure it feels natural and authentic. Read your speech out loud, record yourself, or practice in front of a mirror to identify areas for improvement. Practicing will also help you manage your nerves and ensure you don't rush through your speech on the big day.

Be Yourself and Speak from the Heart:

Let your personality shine through in your speech. If you are a funny person, pepper your speech with jokes, but don't force humour if it doesn't come naturally. Sincerity and sentimentality are just as important in a wedding speech. Share stories and anecdotes that showcase the couple's relationship and the strengths of their individual characters.

Know Your Audience:

Remember that your audience will consist of people from different age groups and backgrounds, including children, colleagues, and grandparents. Avoid crude language or inside jokes that only a few people will understand. Keep your speech positive, tasteful, and inclusive.

Time Your Speech:

Be mindful of the timing of your speech during the wedding festivities. Check with the wedding planner or master of ceremonies to confirm when you will be speaking. Typically, speeches are reserved for the reception, but every wedding is different. Knowing the timing will help you feel more prepared and less nervous.

Keep Notes Handy:

While it is ideal to memorise your speech, it is a good idea to have some notes or cue cards with you as a backup. This will help you stay on track if you get nervous or forget a part of your speech.

Manage Your Nerves:

It is normal to feel nervous before delivering a speech. Take slow, deep breaths, and focus on the couple and your relationship with them. Remind yourself that you are among friends and family who want you to succeed. If it helps, you can have a drink or two to calm your nerves, but be careful not to overindulge.

By following these tips and tailoring your speech to the couple, you will be well on your way to delivering a wedding speech that is engaging, heartfelt, and memorable.

Who should give a wedding speech?

The Hosts

The hosts of the wedding, usually the parents of the bride, should speak first. This first toast should be a combination of a welcome message to the guests and a toast to the happy couple. If the father of the bride isn't present, this can be done by a close family friend.

The Parents

It is common for at least one parent to give a speech. This is usually the father of the bride, who, in many cultures, pays for the wedding and is therefore seen as the host. However, this doesn't have to be the case, and you can ask any of the parents to give a speech. If you want to include both sides, it's best to choose one parent from each to speak for around three to six minutes.

The Couple

It's nice to have at least one person from the couple say a few words. They should thank their guests for coming, thank their parents, especially if they are paying for the wedding, and thank the wedding party.

The Best Man and Maid of Honour

The best man and maid of honour usually speak towards the end of dinner. The best man's speech is traditionally expected to be funny, so be sure to add in a few jokes. The maid of honour's speech can be a chance to share funny anecdotes about the bride.

Other Wedding Party Members

You may also want to include the father of the groom, the mother of the bride, or the bridesmaids in the speeches. If you are including these, the order should go: father of the bride, groom, bride, bridesmaids/maid of honour, best man. But, ultimately, you can pick any order that works for you!

Other Guests

If you want to include other guests in the speeches, it's best to keep the number of speakers low. You can also have an open mic at the rehearsal dinner, which is more casual, and guests can take turns speaking without the pressure of preparing a big speech.

How to start a wedding speech

A wedding speech is a type of ceremonial speech, and these speeches are central to any wedding reception. They can be nerve-wracking to deliver but are an important skill to master as they help the audience make sense of the occasion's significance. Here are some tips on how to start a wedding speech:

• Introduce Yourself: It is always polite to introduce yourself, even if you are the groom, father of the bride, maid of honour, or best man. Keep it simple and smile as you do so. You can make a joke or reference how important the day is. For example: "Hi, I'm [BRIDE/GROOM'S NAME]—you should probably all know who I am, and if you don't, well done for sneaking in unnoticed."
• Keep it Short and Simple: A line or two about who you are and your role in the day is enough. You don't want guests thinking, "Oh no, not another speech." Instead, you want to grab their attention and keep it simple.
• Start with Thank-Yous: If you are unsure how to begin, a safe bet is to start by thanking the guests for coming, the couple for including you in their special day, or the newlyweds' parents.
• Add a Joke: If you are the best man, it is fine to start with a joke, but remember that this isn't a stand-up routine. You can also add how honoured you are to be part of the day.
• Engage with the Audience: Pick a few reassuring faces in the crowd and pitch your speech to them. Aim for a couple of different locations around the room so the whole audience feels engaged. A simple way to do this is to ask people to give the couple a round of applause.
• Have Notes: You don't need to memorise your entire speech. Having notes or cue cards will make you feel more confident, and no one will judge you for it.
• Avoid Excessive Drinking: Don't try to drown your nerves before your speech. Consider a one-drink limit before you begin, and save the celebrations for after.
• Consider a Professional: If you are really stuck, consider hiring a professional speechwriter to help you gather your thoughts and put them into a coherent structure.

• "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you [name] for the kind introduction."
• "Hello everyone. I hope you're all having a great night so far."
• "Hi everybody, I'm [name], and I'm here to talk a little bit about my good friend [name]."
• "Hello everybody and welcome. I think we can all agree that it's been a wonderful day so far. [Couple names], you should be really proud of the amazing day you've put together. We're all very lucky to be a part of it."
• "Hello everyone. I hope you're all having a great night so far. My life changed completely on [date, year], when [name] came into my life, and it changes again today as they embark on their latest adventure with [name]."
• "Hi everyone, I'm [name], and before any of you ask, yes, I am single."
• "Hello, and welcome. You may know me as [name's friend/relative], but tonight, I go by the title, [name], Lord of the Dance."

How to deliver a wedding speech

Wedding speeches can be nerve-wracking, but they don't have to be! Here are some tips on how to deliver a wedding speech that will leave a lasting impression:

Preparation is Key:

Before the big day, make sure you know your speech inside out. Practice it repeatedly until you're confident and familiar with the flow. This will help you avoid reading directly from a piece of paper, which can be dull for your audience. Instead, use cue cards with key points to prompt you. Practicing will also help you avoid the urge to speed through your speech, which is common when nervous. Remember to pace yourself and take pauses to let your points sink in and for any laughs to land.

Body Language and Delivery:

Stand up straight, take a deep breath, and smile before you begin. Even if you're nervous, these simple tricks can make you appear confident. Make eye contact with your audience and use hand gestures to emphasise your points. Move around a little if it helps, but avoid swaying from side to side. If you're using a microphone, hold it below your mouth, pointing towards your nose, to avoid 'popping'.

Know Your Audience:

Remember that your audience is likely made up of a diverse group, from friends to grannies, strangers to children. Tailor your speech to suit a range of sensitivities and avoid crude language or explicit stories. While some naughtiness is expected, steer clear of anything overtly rude or humiliating. Save the inside jokes for later and keep your speech accessible to everyone.

Toast the Happy Couple:

Be sure to include a toast to the newlyweds and direct your guests to join in. Look at the guests when asking them to raise their glasses, and then turn towards the couple as you name them again.

Keep it Personal:

Talk about love and give illustrations of it. Share a story or an anecdote that showcases the couple's relationship and their unique connection. This could be a funny story, a first attempt at cooking, or a promise to keep things exciting.

Relax and Enjoy:

Remember, most people are nervous about giving a wedding speech, but it's an honour and a chance to celebrate the happy couple. Smile, be yourself, and enjoy the moment!

Sample wedding speech scripts

The wedding ceremony is the heart of the big day. While the attire, flowers, and food are all important, the wedding ceremony—where a couple exchanges vows and rings—is when two people become married.

Officiant Speech

The officiant is the most important person at the ceremony. They lead the entire service and hold the power to marry the couple. The officiant's speech usually begins with a welcome and thanks to the guests for witnessing the marriage.

> "Welcome, friends, family, and loved ones. We are gathered here today to join [Name] and [Name] in marriage. Family and friends, thank you all for coming today to share in this wonderful occasion. Today we are here together to unite [Name] and [Name] in marriage."

Couple's Vows

The couple will then usually exchange vows and rings. If the couple is writing their own vows, it's important to dedicate time to practising their delivery. Here is an example of vows:

> "I, [Name], take you, [Name], to be my [wife/husband]. I promise to be faithful to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honour you all the days of my life."

Declaration of Intent

The officiant will then ask the couple to declare their intentions to join in the sacred covenant of marriage. Here is an example:

> "[Name], do you take [Name] to be your husband, to love him, comfort him, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him, as long as you both shall live?"

Ring Exchange

The couple will then exchange rings as a symbol of their commitment. Here is an example:

> "With this ring, I, [Name], take you, [Name], to be no other than yourself. Loving what I know of you, and trusting what I do not yet know, I will respect your integrity and have faith in your abiding love for me, through all our years, and in all that life may bring us."

Pronouncement

The officiant will then pronounce the couple as married. Here is an example:

> "By the power vested in me by the state of [State], I now pronounce you [husband and wife]! You may now kiss!"

Wedding Party Speech

It is customary for a member of the wedding party, such as the father of the bride, the maid of honour, or the best man, to give a speech. Here are some tips for giving a wedding party speech:

• Introduce yourself with a joke or a reference to the importance of the day.
• Keep it simple and confident.
• Have notes to hand.
• Don't drink too much beforehand!

> "Hi, I'm [Bride/Groom's Name]—you should probably all know who I am, and if you don't, well done for sneaking in unnoticed!"

>

> "Hello, I'm [Father of the Bride's Name], and I'm so delighted to welcome you all here on this beautiful day."

>

> "Hi, I'm [Name], and it's time for me to do this speech I scribbled down about an hour before the ceremony started."

Frequently asked questions