Make Your Wedding Speech Hilarious: Tips And Tricks

Whether you're the best man, maid of honour, or a parent of the happy couple, giving a wedding speech is a great opportunity to get everyone laughing. But how do you make your wedding speech funny?

First, it's important to remember that your humour should be unique, honest, and insightful. Avoid generic wedding jokes and clichés, and instead, focus on the personalities of the newlyweds and your own experiences with them. Exaggerate their quirks, tell embarrassing (but not too embarrassing!) stories, and don't be afraid to roast yourself as well.

- Keep it short and snappy.

- Include a mix of heartfelt and comedic moments.

- Make it original – avoid overused internet jokes.

- Pace your laughs throughout the speech.

- Get help from friends and family – they might have funny stories you can include.

- Involve the guests with a comical question or two.

- Don't forget to end with a funny toast!

Exaggerate the couple's quirks

Exaggerating a couple's quirks is a great way to make your wedding speech funny and memorable. Here are some tips and examples to help you exaggerate the couple's quirks effectively:

Know Your Audience

While you want to exaggerate the couple's quirks, it is important to be mindful of the audience. Avoid inside jokes or stories that only a few people will understand. Opt for anecdotes that are universally funny and will resonate with a diverse audience, including the couple's friends, family, and colleagues.

Embellish Their Unique Habits

Think about the couple's unique habits, hobbies, or inside jokes. You can exaggerate these quirks by taking them to the extreme. For example, if the couple is known for their love of coffee, you can joke about how they have their own coffee bean farm or how they need a daily coffee IV drip to function.

Playful Ribbing

Good-natured teasing is a great way to exaggerate the couple's quirks. Highlight their idiosyncrasies in a lighthearted manner. For instance, if one of them is always running late, you can joke about how the other partner has to set their watch an hour ahead just to be on time. Or, if one of them is a neat freak, you can tease them about having a colour-coded closet or a spreadsheet for their sock collection.

Use Hyperbole

Hyperbole is a figure of speech that exaggerates the truth for emphasis or humour. Use hyperbole to amplify the couple's quirks and make them larger than life. For example, if the couple loves to travel, you can say something like, "These two lovebirds have covered more miles than Marco Polo and Christopher Columbus combined! I hear they're planning to retire on Mars!"

Include the Audience

Involving the audience in your speech can make it more engaging and interactive. You can exaggerate the couple's quirks by asking the audience to participate in a skit or a mock game show. For instance, if one of them is a foodie, you can pretend to host a cooking show and ask the audience to guess unusual ingredients that the foodie might use in their recipes.

Examples:

• "For those who don't know, [Bride] and [Groom] share a unique talent for sleeping. They can fall asleep anywhere, anytime. I once found them napping in a cupboard during a game of hide-and-seek! So, if anyone needs a sleeping pill, just give them a call—they're pros at catching z's."
• "We all know [Bride] and [Groom] are fitness enthusiasts. They run marathons for fun and do triathlons on the weekends. In fact, their first date was a 10K race! While the rest of us are winded from walking to the buffet table, these two are probably planning their next Ironman."
• "If there's one thing [Bride] and [Groom] love, it's their fur babies. They treat their dogs like royalty. Their pooches have a more extensive wardrobe than most of us, and they even have a personal chef who prepares gourmet meals. I wouldn't be surprised if they left their life savings to Mr. Snuffles in their will!"
• "We all know [Bride] and [Groom] are hopeless romantics. They make the rest of us look bad with their grand gestures. [Groom], I hope you're prepared to write a sonnet every day and serenade [Bride] with a different love song each night. And [Bride], I expect you to respond with daily love letters and candlelit bubble baths. Anything less would be a disappointment!"

Make fun of yourself

Making fun of yourself is a great way to get the audience on your side and make your wedding speech memorable. Here are some tips on how to do it:

Don't Be Afraid to Be Self-Deprecating: It's okay to laugh at yourself! If you can make fun of your own quirks, flaws, or embarrassing moments, it will only make you more relatable and likeable to the audience. This approach can also help put the couple at ease, especially if they are feeling nervous or self-conscious.

Exaggerate Your Flaws: Think about some of your unique qualities or habits that might be a bit unusual or quirky. Exaggerate them to create a comedic character that the audience will find entertaining. For example, if you're known for being a bit of a neat freak, you could joke about how the only thing you and the groom have in common is your love of tidiness, and how you're looking forward to many happy years of colour-coded spreadsheets and meticulously organised closets.

Share Embarrassing Stories: We've all had our fair share of embarrassing moments, and owning them can be a great way to get a laugh. Share a story about a time when you did something silly or made a mistake, and don't be afraid to exaggerate the details for comedic effect. Just make sure that the story doesn't embarrass anyone else or cross any boundaries.

Break the Ice with a Self-Deprecating Joke: If you're feeling nervous about giving a speech, break the ice by making fun of yourself. This will help you relax and connect with the audience. For example, you could say something like, "I know you're all expecting a heartwarming and witty speech, but unfortunately, I frantically scribbled this down 15 minutes ago, so let's see how it goes!"

Keep It Light and Good-Natured: When making fun of yourself, it's important to maintain a light and good-natured tone. Avoid bringing up sensitive topics or issues that might be painful for you or the couple. The goal is to create a fun and joyful atmosphere, not to air dirty laundry or make anyone feel uncomfortable.

Use Contrasts: If you're the best man or maid of honour, you can use contrasts between yourself and the couple to create humour. For example, if the couple is known for their adventurous spirit, you could joke about how you prefer a quiet night at home, and how you'll be their designated babysitter whenever they're off on their globetrotting adventures.

Remember, the key to making fun of yourself effectively is to do it with warmth and good humour. The audience will appreciate your willingness to laugh at yourself, and it will make your speech more engaging and memorable.

Use hyperbole

Hyperbole is a figure of speech that uses extreme exaggeration to emphasise a point or evoke feelings. It is a great tool to use in a wedding speech to add humour and keep your audience engaged. Here are some tips and examples to help you use hyperbole effectively:

Understand the Basics of Hyperbole

Hyperbole is derived from the Greek word meaning "excess". It is a figure of speech where you make an extravagant exaggeration to emphasise a point or add creative flair to your writing or speech. For example, saying "I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse" doesn't literally mean you will eat a horse, but it emphasises how hungry you are. In a wedding speech, you can use hyperbole to add humour, creativity and emphasis to your message.

Know When to Use Hyperbole

Hyperbole is perfect for creative writing and communication, especially when you want to add colour to a character or inject humour into your speech. It is commonly used in novels, poetry, politics and advertising slogans. In a wedding speech, hyperbole can be used to exaggerate certain aspects of the couple's relationship or shared experiences, adding a touch of humour and creativity to your message.

Examples of Hyperbole in Wedding Speeches

• "I've known [Bride/Groom] for a decade, and in that time, they have made me laugh a million times!"
• "The love between [Bride] and [Groom] is so powerful, it could move mountains!"
• "I knew from the very first moment I met [Bride/Groom] that they were the one for me. In fact, I was so sure, I could have bet my life savings on it!"
• "The first time [Bride/Groom] cooked for me, I was so impressed, I could have kissed the chef!"
• "The wedding preparations have been so hectic; I feel like I've aged a decade in the last month!"

Avoid Overusing Hyperbole

While hyperbole can add humour and emphasis to your speech, be careful not to overuse it. Constant exaggeration can be exhausting for your audience and may detract from the impact of your message. Use hyperbole sparingly and intentionally to ensure it stands out and has the desired effect.

Tell unknown stories about the couple

If you've been asked to make a wedding speech, chances are you know the couple pretty well. And what better way to make your speech memorable than by sharing some unknown stories about the newlyweds? Here are some ideas to get you started:

The Roast

Embarrassing stories are always good for a laugh, but make sure the couple is comfortable being roasted! Did the groom have a history of being rejected by prospective love interests? Or perhaps the bride once baked a birthday cake that turned out rock-hard. These stories, told with humour and vivid detail, will have the guests in stitches.

The Other Roast

Some stories are embarrassing not because of the results, but because they reveal bold or daring behaviour. Perhaps the bride once ran naked through the town square on a dare, or the groom once decided to test whether he was fireproof. These stories, while potentially embarrassing for the couple, will add a touch of humour and spontaneity to your speech.

Impressive Character Stories

While not as entertaining as a roast, impressive character stories can be inspirational and sometimes even funny. Think of a time when the bride or groom showed exceptional courage or perseverance. For example, if the bride is known for her highly organised nature, share a story of a time when she took those characteristics to extremes. These stories will not only entertain the guests but also showcase the couple's unique characteristics and how well they complement each other.

Childhood Stories

If you've been friends with the couple since childhood, you might have a treasure trove of stories from those early years. Adults hold "grudges", and these childhood stories can be hilarious when retold at a wedding. Just remember to keep the stories tasteful, especially if there are children or elderly relatives present. If the couple doesn't have any particularly funny stories, you can always borrow some from someone else and insert the bride or groom's name!

Couple Stories

If you were there for the couple's first date, you have a responsibility to share that story! These stories can be funny or heartwarming, but they're sure to be memorable. If you haven't met the couple until later in their relationship, it's okay to admit that. You can still share stories from phone calls, texts, or the times you've spent together since then.

Involve the guests

Involving the guests is a great way to make your wedding speech funny and engaging. Here are some tips and ideas to achieve this:

Ask a Question

Starting your speech with a question is an effective way to grab the guests' attention and get them involved. Begin with a phrase like, "Has anybody here..." and then share something amusing or hysterical about the couple. For example, you could ask, "Has anyone here ever wondered why [groom] always wears sunglasses indoors? Well, let me tell you a story about the time we went to the beach..." This will not only spark curiosity but also create a connection with the audience as they try to guess the answer.

Interactive Activities

Instead of a traditional speech, you could try something more interactive that involves the guests. For instance, you could organise a game or activity that gets everyone engaged. This could be a trivia game about the couple, a scavenger hunt, or even a light-hearted competition between the guests and the wedding party. Not only will this add a unique twist to your speech, but it will also create a memorable experience for everyone involved.

Share a Relatable Story

Sharing a relatable story or anecdote is a great way to involve the guests in your speech. Think of a time when you first met the bride or groom, or a memorable experience you shared. Retelling these stories will not only be entertaining but will also give the guests a glimpse into the couple's life and relationship. It adds a personal touch and creates a sense of connection with the audience.

Include the Guests in Your Story

When sharing stories or anecdotes, try to include the guests in your narrative. For example, you could say, "Many of you here today have witnessed [bride's] incredible baking skills and her famous chocolate chip cookies. Well, let me tell you about the time she tried to bake a cake for the first time..." By including the guests in your story, you create a sense of inclusion and make them feel like they are a part of the celebration.

Ask for Guest Participation

Another way to involve the guests is by directly asking for their participation. This could be as simple as asking them to raise their glasses for a toast or inviting them to stand up and share a fun fact about the couple. You could even organise a group activity, such as a sing-along or a simple game, that gets everyone involved and creates a sense of unity.

Use Interactive Props

Using interactive props during your speech is a creative way to involve the guests and make it more engaging. For example, you could use a prop that relates to the couple's relationship or a theme from the wedding. This could be anything from a photo prop that guests can pose with to a simple game or activity that involves audience participation. Not only will this add a visual element to your speech, but it will also keep the guests entertained and invested in what you have to say.

Frequently asked questions