The Art Of Timing: Crafting A Wedding Speech

Wedding speeches can be scary, especially if you're not used to public speaking. The key to a good wedding speech is to start planning early. As soon as you know you've been asked to give a speech, begin jotting down notes and gathering ideas. You'll need time to edit, fine-tune, and make your speech concise. A good rule of thumb is to keep your speech between two to five minutes long.

It's also important to introduce yourself and explain your relationship to the couple. This will help the guests understand the context of your speech. Be sure to thank the hosts, guests, and wedding party, and congratulate the newlyweds.

When choosing stories to include in your speech, opt for original and honest jokes that are relevant and entertaining. Keep in mind that your speech should be free of crudeness and sensitive subjects that may offend certain guests.

Finally, don't be afraid to add a touch of humour to your speech! Everyone likes to be entertained. However, make sure your jokes are not at the expense of the couple and are appropriate for the varied audience.

Start planning early

As soon as you know you'll be giving a speech at the wedding, start jotting down notes and gathering ideas. You'll need time to edit, fine-tune, and make your speech concise, so it's best to begin a couple of weeks to a month before the wedding. You might also want to add entertaining stories from wedding festivities like showers and bachelorette parties. If you want to write your speech all at once, make sure to sleep on it and come back to it with fresh eyes.

Give yourself plenty of time to be creative. Wait for your most creative time of day and turn off any distractions. Spend some unrushed time thinking about your relationship to the couple and what you'd like to say.

As soon as you know you've been asked to give a speech, start writing down notes every time you think of something interesting. Split each area of the speech into sections and brainstorm each part. For example, if you're the father of the bride and want to describe an endearing feature of your daughter, start with that feature and jot down everything you can say about it.

Begin early to give yourself time to practice and rehearse your speech. Read your speech out loud and make sure it stays within the time you've allotted. Read it to someone else and get their feedback. Record it and watch it back. Don't memorise the speech, but do read it out loud and make sure it sounds like your voice.

Introduce yourself

Introducing Yourself

Introducing yourself is an important part of a wedding speech. It is likely that not everyone in the room will know who you are, so a brief introduction is necessary. Start off by saying hello and telling the guests your name and how you know the couple. This will help them understand the context of your speech and will also help it to be better received.

If you are the maid of honour, the best man, father of the bride, or just a friend, you have likely been asked to give a speech because of your close connection with either the bride or the groom (or both). This is your chance to explain that connection.

If you are nervous about giving a speech, it is a good idea to begin jotting down notes as soon as you know you will be giving one. Whenever you are inspired by a thought of the couple or remember an anecdote that might be worth retelling, make a note of it. This will give you a pool of ideas to draw from when you start writing your speech.

Examples

> "Hello, everyone. My name is Luke and I'm the best man. I met Robert eight years ago when I became his neighbour. His reputation preceded him as I had heard about the 'Block Party King' before my closing papers were inked."

> "Hi, I'm Maya, the bride's older sister. With Lucy being three years younger, we fell right into our respective roles as sister-rivals growing up. We constantly fought over stolen clothes, the phone, and what boy band to blare from the car speakers."

> "Good evening, family and friends. I'm Daniel Lee, the father of the bride. I'd like to welcome you to this special occasion where we get to celebrate the love between my daughter Allison and her new wife, Kristin."

Keep it short and sweet

When it comes to writing a wedding speech, keeping it short and sweet is a great approach. Here are some tips to help you craft a concise and impactful speech:

Start Planning Early

Don't procrastinate. Start jotting down notes and ideas as soon as you know you'll be giving a speech. Gather anecdotes and stories you may want to include. Begin writing your speech a few weeks to a month before the wedding, as you'll need time to edit and practise.

Keep it Concise

The ideal length for a wedding speech is between 2 and 5 minutes. This is enough time to share your thoughts and stories without losing the attention of the audience or taking up too much time during the celebrations. Remember, you're not the only one who will be speaking!

Focus on a Few Key Points

Select a few defining traits or qualities of the couple and share stories or examples that illustrate them. This will help structure your speech and keep your message focused and concise.

Structure your Speech

Ensure your speech has a clear beginning, middle, and end. This will help your speech flow and make it easier for the audience to follow. You don't need to write a novel, just give it direction and a clear sentiment or theme.

Be Yourself

You don't need to be a comedian or a professional speaker to deliver a great wedding speech. Be genuine and speak from the heart. If you have a lighthearted side, add some humour, but don't force it if it's not your style. Share personal stories and anecdotes that will entertain and delight the couple and the audience.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Practise your speech ahead of time. Record yourself or practise in front of a mirror to improve your delivery. Practising will help you feel more confident and ensure your speech stays within the desired time frame.

Include original jokes

While it's important to be sincere and heartfelt in your wedding speech, it's also a great opportunity to get creative and have some fun with your jokes. If you've got a lighthearted, creative, joking side, use it and add some humour to your speech!

• Observe and exaggerate: Look at the everyday quirks, habits and behaviours of the couple. Exaggerate these to a humorous degree. For example, if the groom is known for being frugal, you could joke about how he'll be keeping a tight rein on the purse strings during the marriage.
• Roast the groom kindly: You can gently poke fun at the groom, but always do it with kindness. A good rule of thumb is to stick to safe topics and turn them into playful icebreaker jokes. For example, if the groom is obsessed with sports, you could joke about how they always win at every game... except the game of love!
• Self-deprecate: Self-deprecating humour is a great way to get the audience on your side and create a warm atmosphere. You could joke about how you're not used to public speaking, or how you're nervous about giving the speech.
• Use props: Props can be a fun way to enhance your jokes. For example, if the groom is known for being a bit of a joker, you could bring a whoopee cushion and pretend to sit on it, only to reveal that it's a prop and the real joke is on the guests!
• Incorporate your talents: If you have a talent for music or art, why not create a song or poem for the couple? You could even perform it as your speech, adding a touch of creativity and originality.
• Keep it clean: While it's important to be original, avoid crude or offensive jokes. Remember, there will be a wide range of guests present, from children to the elderly, so keep your humour appropriate for all ages.

Remember, the key to a successful wedding speech is to be genuine and speak from the heart. Don't be afraid to infuse your personality and sense of humour into your speech, as long as it's respectful and tasteful. Happy writing!

Be yourself

When it comes to writing your wedding speech, it's important to remember that it's not a performance or a talent show. The best thing you can do is be yourself and let your personality shine through. This is a wedding, so there's no shame in sincerity. Everyone will be so caught up in the sentimentality of the day that if your speech isn't a little sappy, it may come across as cold.

If you're a funny person, pepper your speech with jokes. If you're not comfortable writing jokes, don't force it—it can come across very awkwardly. Instead, focus on being genuine and speaking from the heart. This is a special day for the happy couple, and your speech should be more about them than you.

When writing your speech, consider sharing specific anecdotes and stories that showcase the couple's strengths and the positive qualities you admire in them. For example, if you're talking about the bride, you could say something like, "You are an incredible friend, a devoted sister, and the most generous person I know." But take it a step further and explain *why* she's an incredible friend, a devoted sister, and a generous person. Share a story or two that illustrates these points. This will make your speech much more engaging, heartfelt, and compelling.

Remember, this is your opportunity to showcase your unique relationship with the couple and celebrate their special day. So, be yourself, keep it sincere, and have fun with it!

Frequently asked questions