The Do’s and Dont’s of Writing a Wedding Speech
Even if it’s not something you’ve ever done before, writing a wedding speech can be a daunting task. What should it be about? How long should it be? Are there any rules or dos and don’ts of giving one? How can you make sure the speech comes off as genuine and heartfelt instead of phony and condescending? To answer all these questions and more, read on to find out how to write the perfect wedding speech.
You can use these top do's and dont's of writing a wedding speech to deliver an epic speech in no time, whether you're the groom, best man, father of the bride, or planning the bride's speech.
DO start early
When you are preparing to write a wedding speech, the most important thing you can do is start early. The more time you give yourself to think through what you want to say and how to say it, the better. Taking some time to reflect on the couple and their relationship, as well as researching advice on how to write a great speech, can help ensure that your speech will be memorable and heartfelt. Additionally, starting early gives you plenty of time to practice reading it aloud before the wedding day. This will help you get comfortable with the delivery of your speech and make sure that you don’t miss any key points or forget what you had planned to say.
The day of the wedding is not the time to start writing the speech, no matter what style you use.
DON'T wing it
One of the most important things you can do when writing a wedding speech is to avoid winging it. You may think that it will be easier to just stand up there and say whatever comes to mind, but this will not do your speech justice. Without taking the time to plan out your speech, you may miss out on some of the more meaningful moments and stories. Not only could this leave your speech feeling a bit flat, but it may also leave your audience wanting more.
If you don't know what you're going to say and don't think that the good stuff is going to magically come out of your mouth as soon as you start talking, you're right. You have to plan ahead.
Writing a wedding speech can be daunting, especially when it’s the first time you’ve had to write one. It's important to remember that preparation is key. You don't want to be stuck up in front of everyone, frantically trying to remember what to say. That's why it's important to make sure you put in the time and effort to craft the perfect wedding speech.
It's important to remember that you are writing this speech for the couple getting married, so taking the time to reflect on their relationship and share funny and heartfelt anecdotes is essential. Take the time to sit down and plan out your speech and make sure you have all the points you want to hit. You should also practice saying your speech out loud a few times before delivering it on the big day. This will help ensure that your delivery is natural and confident, leaving the couple with a memorable and meaningful moment.
DO be personal
Writing a wedding speech can be an intimidating task, but it doesn’t have to be. The most important thing to remember is that the speech should be personal and tailored to the couple. Think about the qualities that make them unique and the shared experiences that you’ve had with them. This is your chance to share memories and tell stories that will make them laugh, cry, and be filled with joy. Talk about their journey and what makes them special, and don’t be afraid to get a little bit sappy! Keep in mind that you’re there to honor them, not simply entertain the crowd. Focus on being genuine and heartfelt, as that’s what they’ll appreciate the most.
Anecdotes and stories are essential components of a quality speech – just make sure you string them together with a common theme. You should also be as truthful as possible. Your friends and family members will appreciate the honesty, and it will make for an even more touching moment when you actually deliver your speech! DON'T try to please everyone: Trying to win over every person in the audience can feel like an impossible task, so remember that it’s ok to stick to what you know and what matters most to YOU. DO stick to one subject: Whether it’s your dad or your wife who’s getting married, writing about one topic makes for an easier-to-follow speech.
DON'T make it all about you
As best man, it may be tempting to speak for an excessive amount of time about the intimate relationship that you and the groom share. It's not about telling everybody just how much you're so good friends, it's time to shine the light on the groom. When writing your speech, always keep in mind that this is his big day! The audience should know about his personality; what he does for work; why he loves the bride-to-be; what her personality is like - then try and find something funny from their past or present to use as a joke.
Writing a wedding speech can be a daunting task, but with a few tips, you can make sure your speech stands out and is remembered for years to come. One key thing to remember is to not make the speech all about you.
While it's important to include anecdotes or stories that illustrate the couple’s love and relationship, it's also important to focus on them, not yourself. Keep the focus of your speech on the couple, their relationship and their marriage. Don't use the speech as an opportunity to tell long stories about your own life or experiences.
It’s also important to be mindful of what you say and how you say it. Your speech should be uplifting, funny and sincere, not an opportunity to embarrass or put down the couple in any way. Be respectful and avoid making inappropriate jokes or comments. Keep it tasteful and heartfelt, and you’ll have a memorable speech that will leave the newlyweds with a smile on their faces.
DO use humor sparingly
Don't follow what you think you should do when coming up with jokes. This speech belongs to you. Use humor, phrases, and inflections that you would normally use. This will make your speech much more genuine and relatable.
Generally, best men are advised to tell a lot of jokes about the groom. However, if you are a stern person who does not tell jokes, forcing some out won't look genuine. Be consistent with your character by choosing wholesome jokes rather than frat boy jokes.
Likewise, if you're naturally laid-back, don't try to be overly serious. Speak from the heart.
Don't be afraid to ask a few people for their opinions prior to the wedding on your jokes, so you know if they are appropriate. You don't want to risk upsetting someone at the wedding if someone tells you that a joke is offensive.
Your close friends might share your sense of humor, so you might not receive the best advice from them about the appropriateness of certain jokes.
When writing a wedding speech, humor can be an effective way to break the ice and make a heartfelt tribute even more memorable. However, it’s important to use humor sparingly—you don’t want to overshadow the sentiment of the moment with a joke that falls flat. Even if you feel like you’re funny, it’s better to err on the side of caution; as they say, there are certain times when less is more.
For those who do choose to add humor to their speech, here are a few tips:
- Keep your jokes lighthearted and appropriate for all audiences. Avoid controversial topics and anything that could be seen as offensive.
- Be sure to rehearse your jokes ahead of time. There’s nothing worse than fumbling over your lines during such an important occasion.
- Most importantly, make sure your jokes are genuine and authentic. Wedding speeches should come from the heart—not from a punchline you found on the internet!
DON'T forget the thank yous
Start by introducing yourself and showing your gratitude. Thank the couple's parents for raising such good people, thank your friend for inviting you, thank the guests for attending and laugh with the bartender. It's a calm way to kick off a speech, relieve yourself of any fears, and make sure you express your appreciation for those who deserve it.
When writing your wedding speech, one of the most important things to remember is to thank those who have helped make the day special. From the bridesmaids and groomsmen who have been with you every step of the way, to the family and friends who have given their support and love, to the vendors and professionals who made everything come together – don’t forget to say thank you.
Giving thanks is not only polite and appropriate, but it also shows your appreciation for all that went into the special day. You can make a general thank you to everyone in attendance or you can take the time to individually acknowledge each person who was involved. A few words of gratitude will go a long way, especially when spoken in front of family and friends.
So as you prepare your wedding speech, don’t forget to add a heartfelt thank you to your list of things to say. Doing so will make everyone feel appreciated and ensure that your special day is truly memorable.
DO keep it short
The ideal length for a speech is three to five minutes, with five minutes being the absolute maximum you should speak for. That's it. A great speech doesn't have to be full of perfected, eloquent wording; it can be as simple as this template. Nevertheless, the key is to use it often—the more you practice, the easier it will become. there is plenty to charm about short and sweet wedding toasts, if you wish to convey an emotion and convey a genuine sense of happiness for the couple. Your job as the speaker is not to talk about yourself or your own wedding day - that's what the bride and groom will be doing! Your job is just to tell an engaging story about their relationship that will make people laugh and cry, then invite everyone in attendance to toast their health, happiness and love.
DON'T forget to practice
Practice, Practice, Practice
Barry Maher, an author and professional speaker, says that better prepared speakers are more confident and deliver better speeches. Practice the speech enough that you can remember the points you want to make and the order in which you want to make them. It will allow you to make eye contact occasionally with the crowd. And it will keep you on track if your mind starts wandering. There is nothing worse than seeing a bride look at her watch while listening to someone ramble on about his or her self-importance.
If you've been asked to give a wedding speech, you know that it can be an intimidating task. With so much pressure to deliver the perfect speech, it's essential that you practice beforehand.
The best way to ensure that your speech is well-received is to practice in front of a mirror or have a friend listen to it. Doing so will give you a better understanding of how your words are coming across and how long the speech should be. Additionally, it will help build your confidence so you feel more comfortable when delivering the speech on the big day.
It's also important to keep the audience in mind. A great way to do this is to imagine the people you're speaking to and speak directly to them. This will make your speech seem more natural and personal, which will likely make a better impression than if you read off a script.
When it comes to writing and delivering a wedding speech, practice makes perfect! Don't forget to take some time before the big day to run through your speech so that you can be confident and prepared when it's time to deliver it.
Conclusion
Writing a wedding speech can be an intimidating experience. You want to make sure that you come across as genuine and heartfelt, but also keep your audience engaged and entertained. By following the tips outlined above, you can write a memorable and effective wedding speech that will make the bride and groom proud. Remember to keep it personal, share stories, and practice your delivery to ensure that your words flow smoothly. Above all else, don’t forget to have fun! Your audience will be thankful for your efforts, and so will the bride and groom.Don't forget to thank the bride, groom, and parents for their support.
Don't be too impersonal - try to tell the story from your own point of view.
Don't use any material that is not appropriate for an all-ages audience.
Do have a backup plan in case you don't get through all the material you wanted to cover.
Do thank everyone for coming, but keep it short and sweet!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dean Odell is a professional wedding magician, mind-reader and Your Magical Wedding Toastmaster.
I help wedding couples create unforgettable moments by providing unique entertainment with incredible close up magic & as Your Magical Wedding Toastmaster.
If you’d like to find out more about booking him for your wedding head to: https://www.deanodell.co.uk/weddings