Best Man's Guide: Thanking The Wedding Speakers

As the best man, you may be tasked with the responsibility of thanking the other speakers at a wedding. It is important to show your appreciation and make the speakers feel valued for their contribution to the special day. Here are some tips to guide you through the process:

- Express gratitude sincerely and genuinely. A simple and heartfelt thank you goes a long way in showing your appreciation.

- Be timely in your appreciation. Thank the speakers soon after their speeches, either in person or with a round of applause, to ensure the impact of their words is still fresh in everyone's minds.

- Personalise your thanks. Mention specific aspects of their speech that resonated with you and tie it back to the theme of the wedding.

- Keep it short and meaningful. A brief and concise thank-you speech that captures the essence of the speaker's contribution is more impactful than a long-winded one.

- Add a thoughtful gesture. Consider giving a small gift, such as a bottle of wine or a book, to show your gratitude.

- Follow up with a handwritten note. Sending a thank-you note after the wedding is a nice touch and allows you to express your appreciation in a more personal way.

- Highlight the impact of their speech. Mention how their words motivated or inspired you and the guests, and how their contribution added to the joy of the wedding celebration.

- Be attentive and respectful. Ensure that you are fully present during the speeches, maintaining eye contact and avoiding distractions, to show your respect for the speakers and their words.

Thank them in front of the audience

Thanking the speakers in front of the audience is a great way to show your appreciation for their work. Here are some tips on how to do it effectively:

Keep it Short and Meaningful

While it is important to express your gratitude, keep the thank-you speech concise and meaningful. Avoid repeating chunks of their speech, as it can dilute the impact of their presentation. A good rule of thumb is to limit your speech to two to three minutes, focusing on a few key points that stood out to you.

Personalise Your Remarks

Tailor your appreciation to the speaker's unique qualities, both on stage and off. Mention any personal qualities that you admired, such as their charisma, expertise, or ability to engage the audience. This will make the speaker feel truly valued and appreciated.

Be Specific

Instead of using generic phrases like "thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule," tie your appreciation to specific elements of their talk. Mention any essential takeaways, surprises, or special efforts made by the speaker. This will not only make the speaker feel recognised but also reinforce the impact of their message on the audience.

Relate it to the Theme and Benefit for the Audience

When thanking the speaker, link their presentation back to the theme of the event. Highlight how their insights, stories, or strategies relate to the overall purpose of the gathering. Additionally, emphasise the benefit gained by the audience. For example, you could say, "I think everyone has already got their money's worth from the Tips & Tactics you just shared with us."

Include an Interesting Fact or Quote

Browse the speaker's website or have a chat with them beforehand to gather some interesting facts that you can mention during your thank-you speech. For instance, you could share that they have just flown in from an interesting location, are about to publish a new book, or have recently won an award. This adds a nice personal touch to your appreciation.

Handle Gifts with Care

If you plan on presenting the speaker with a gift, handle it with care and respect. Even if it is a small token of appreciation, treat it as if it were a very expensive item. Explain the meaning or history behind the gift, if there is any, to both the speaker and the audience.

Recap Key Points and Facilitate Q&A

After thanking the speaker, summarise the main ideas presented to reinforce the key takeaways for the audience. If appropriate, open the floor for a brief Q&A session to encourage audience engagement and provide clarity on any lingering questions.

Remember, the key to thanking speakers in front of the audience is to be sincere, specific, and concise. Your appreciation will not only make the speaker feel valued but also leave a positive and lasting impression on everyone involved.

Send a handwritten note

Sending a handwritten note is a thoughtful way to express your gratitude and make the speaker feel valued. Here are some tips to make your handwritten note memorable and impactful:

Personalisation

Add a personal touch by addressing the speaker by name and referencing specific aspects of their speech that stood out to you. Did they share any interesting stories or anecdotes? Were there particular moments that resonated with you? Mention these in your note to show that you were listening and that their words made an impact.

Specific Details and Takeaways

In your note, reflect on some of the key takeaways from the speech. What were the main messages that stood out to you? How do you think these insights will benefit the audience? By tying your appreciation to the speaker's specific contributions, your gratitude will be more meaningful and memorable.

Authenticity and Genuineness

Let the speaker know how their words made you feel. Did their speech inspire, motivate, or teach you something new? Be honest and authentic in your praise. Share how their speech has impacted you personally or professionally. This will create a deeper connection and leave a lasting impression.

Appreciation Beyond the Speech

While the speech itself is the main focus, it's also nice to acknowledge the speaker's presence and engagement beyond their time on stage. Thank them for travelling to the event and mention any interactions you had with them. This could be a conversation you had, a dinner you shared, or simply their friendly demeanour throughout the event.

Reinforce the "Why"

Link the speaker's message back to the theme of the event. Reflect on how their insights aligned with the purpose and goals of the gathering. This shows that you've considered the broader impact of their words and how they fit into the context of the event.

A Thoughtful Gesture

If you'd like to include a small gift with your handwritten note, consider something meaningful and relevant to the speaker's interests or area of expertise. It could be something related to their speech topic or a token that symbolises your appreciation. Just ensure that it's not too bulky or cumbersome for them to travel with, especially if they are flying.

Timely Delivery

Try to send your handwritten note promptly after the event. The speaker is more likely to remember your appreciation if they receive it soon after the event. It also reinforces the impact of their contribution while it's still fresh in their memory.

Remember, the key to a meaningful handwritten note is to be sincere, specific, and thoughtful. Show that you genuinely valued the speaker's time and expertise, and your gratitude will be well-received.

Give them a shout-out on social media

As the best man, you can give a shout-out to the other speakers on social media to thank them for their contributions to the wedding. Here are some tips to make your shout-out special:

• Keep it personalised: Make your message personalised by incorporating specific elements of the speaker's talk that resonated with you. This could be a surprising statistic, an easy-to-implement strategy, or a memorable quote. By doing this, you show that you were listening attentively and appreciated their unique perspective.
• Highlight the impact: In your social media post, emphasise the positive impact the speaker had on the wedding attendees. Mention how their words motivated, inspired, or entertained the guests. You can also include a quote or two from the guests themselves, expressing their appreciation for the speaker's contribution.
• Use visuals: If possible, include photographs or videos from the wedding in your social media shout-out. These visuals will not only make your post more engaging but will also serve as a wonderful keepsake for both the speaker and the wedding party. Capture moments of the speaker delivering their speech, interacting with the guests, or enjoying the celebrations.
• Tag the speaker: Make sure to tag the speaker in your social media post so that it appears on their profile as well. This will increase the visibility of your appreciation and allow the speaker's followers to engage with your message. It also ensures that the speaker definitely sees your post and feels the warmth of your gratitude.
• Share their work: If the speaker has a new project, a book, or any other initiative related to their speech, be sure to mention and promote it on your social media platforms. This could be their recent publication, a podcast they host, or an upcoming event they will be speaking at. By doing so, you are not only thanking them but also helping to expand their reach and influence.
• Create dedicated hashtags: Consider creating dedicated hashtags for the wedding or the speakers, which can be used in your social media captions. This will help create a community around the celebration and make it easier for people to find and follow the highlights of the event. It also adds a modern and trendy touch to your expression of gratitude.

Remember, when giving a shout-out on social media, it is important to keep your message genuine and heartfelt. Express your sincere appreciation for the speaker's time, effort, and the unique value they brought to the wedding. Your thoughtful gesture will surely be cherished and remembered by the speakers and the wedding party.

Buy them a gift

As the best man, you can give the other speakers a gift as a token of appreciation for their contribution to the wedding. Here are some ideas on how to go about it:

Be thoughtful and personalised

The gift should be thoughtful and personalised to show that you genuinely appreciate the speaker's efforts and presence at the wedding. Avoid generic gifts and try to choose something that aligns with their interests, hobbies, or area of expertise. For instance, if they are known for their love of fine liquor, you could gift them a bottle of their favourite wine or whiskey. If they are bookworms, consider gifting them a book related to their field of expertise or a signed copy of their favourite author's latest release.

Make it meaningful

The gift should be meaningful and have a lasting impression. For example, you could gift them an elegant pen set or a customised notebook with their initials engraved on it. If they are into technology, you could give them a portable charger or a Bluetooth speaker. These gifts are not only practical but also show that you put thought into choosing something they can use beyond the wedding.

Include a handwritten note

Include a handwritten thank-you note along with the gift to express your gratitude. This adds a personal touch and makes the speaker feel valued. In your note, mention specific aspects of their speech that resonated with you and how it impacted the wedding. You could also share a favourite quote or memory from their speech to make it more heartfelt. This will create a lasting memory for the speaker and strengthen your bond.

Offer an experience

Instead of a material gift, you could also offer an experience as a token of appreciation. For example, you could treat the speaker to a nice dinner or a relaxing spa day. If they are into adventure, you could gift them an experience like skydiving or a hot air balloon ride. These experiences will create lasting memories and give them something to look forward to after the wedding festivities.

Combine it with other gestures

Combine the gift with other gestures of appreciation, such as a public thank-you speech during the wedding or a shout-out on social media. This will make the speaker feel truly valued and appreciated. In your thank-you speech, mention a couple of points raised in their presentation and relate it back to the wedding theme. This will not only show your gratitude but also reinforce the impact of their speech on the audience.

Ask them to submit a video of tips for future events

As the best man, it is important to thank the other speakers at the wedding to show your appreciation for their work and to encourage future collaboration. Here are some ways to thank them:

• This is a great way to show your gratitude and provide valuable content for future events.
• Reach out to the speakers and ask them to record a short video (around 1-2 minutes) sharing tips, advice, or insights related to the event topic.
• These videos can be compiled into a longer video or shared individually on social media platforms or the event website.
• Make sure to express your appreciation for their contribution and let them know that their expertise and insights are valued.
• You can also offer to promote their upcoming projects, books, or other endeavours in the video description or caption.
• This approach not only shows your gratitude but also leverages their expertise to create valuable content that can benefit future events and engage a wider audience.

Other ways to thank the speakers:

• Thank them in front of the audience immediately after their speech. Keep it short, meaningful, and personalised.
• Take them out for dinner or drinks to express your appreciation and get to know them better.
• Send a handwritten thank-you note or a thoughtful gift that aligns with their interests or area of expertise.
• Share their work and projects on social media to help promote their personal brand and expertise.
• Give them a shout-out on social media to increase their visibility and reach a broader audience.
• Provide feedback and let them know the positive impact their speech had on the audience.
• Maintain open communication and express your interest in collaborating with them again in the future.

Remember, showing gratitude to the speakers not only strengthens your relationship with them but also reflects well on you and your ability to foster meaningful connections.

Frequently asked questions