Wedding Speeches - Three Easy Steps To Preparing Your Speech

Feb 1
09:41

2008

Steven Shaw

Steven Shaw

  • Share this article on Facebook
  • Share this article on Twitter
  • Share this article on Linkedin

Lots of people become stressed, panic or suffer a 'writers block' when faced with preparing or giving a wedding speech. Preparing for and giving a wedding speech can be simple and straightforward if approached in the right way. Follow our three easy steps to preparing and presenting a speech at the wedding.

mediaimage

Your wedding speech,Wedding Speeches - Three Easy Steps To Preparing Your Speech Articles like any other presentation or a good story will have a clear beginning, middle and ending.  Depending on your position at the marriage (eg. groom, father of the bride, best man, etc.) your speech will be expected to cover the formalities as well as a few personal words.  The father of the bride will be expected to congratulate the Bride and Groom and formally welcome the groom to the family, the groom will be expected to respond to his father-in-law's good wishes, the best man will thank the groom on behalf of the bridesmaids for his kind comments, etc.

The optimum time for each wedding speech is just seven minutes.  Less time is a little too short, too much more time risks losing the attention of your audience.  Your wedding speech can be planned into three sections:  the introduction (two minutes), main content (four minutes) and conclusion (one minute). 

1.  The Beginning Of The SpeechDon't agonise over how to get started with your speech.  The opening part of your speech will consist of a simple 'hello' and then straight into addressing the obligatory remarks that are formally expected of you.  By the time you have completed this initial task your nerves will have calmed a little and your audience will be paying attention.

If the wedding speeches are being given in the afternoon (most are) then simply "good afternoon ladies and gentlemen" is perfectly acceptable as the opening remark - or "good evening" if it's an evening reception.  Followed by dispersing the more formal duty of your speech, for example:The Father Of The BrideThe bride's father is normally the first speaker, and so it falls to him to formally welcome all of the guests to the wedding and thank them for attending.  He then goes on to thank others who have assisted with the wedding (including, specifically, the groom's parents) and anyone who has contributed to the finance (without including too much detail).  His other responsibility is to compliment his beautiful daughter on her wedding day and to welcome her new husband to the family.The GroomThe beginning of the groom's speech is his thanks, on behalf of his new wife and himself, to the bride's father for his kind remarks and his toast to the bride and groom.  The groom then thanks both sets of parents for their assistance with the wedding and compliments his new wife on her beauty and her wedding dress. The final part of the groom's opening remarks is to thank the guests for attending, their good wishes and their wedding gifts.The Best ManThe opening comment from the best man is in response to the groom's toast to the bridesmaids.  He thanks the groom for his toast, on behalf of the bridesmaids.  The best man may wish to add his own compliments to the bridesmaids at this stage.  He then congratulates the bride and groom on their marriage.  After the opening remarks, the best man then proceeds to read any messages sent from those who were unable to attend the wedding.

2.  The Main Content Of The SpeechThe main content of each speaker's speech should last for about four minutes, much longer speeches will risk you losing your audience's attention.

The main (middle) part of the speech is the speaker's opportunity to insert his own comments and observations.  Items that you may wish to include in your speech are personal experiences relating to the bride or groom, describing their (good) nature and personality, an amusing or interesting story from the past that the guests may enjoy, etc.

3.  Ending The SpeechYou will need to bring your speech to a comfortable conclusion, by using a closing remark followed by making the appropriate toast.  A simple comment directly to the bride and groom, wishing them well in the future, a blessing on the bride and groom or an amusing remark and snippet of advice will conclude your speech.  Finally, address the guests with your proposal of a toast (details below for the correct toast for each speaker to make), turn to the party that you're toasting, raise your glass, repeat their name, take a sip and be seated!

Father Of The BrideThe father of the bride concludes his speech by proposing a toast to the bride and groom.

The GroomThe Groom concludes his speech by proposing a toast to the bridesmaids.

Best ManThe best man concludes his speech by proposing a toast to the bride and groom.

In a little more time than it takes to boil an egg, the speech is delivered, appreciated by the guests and you can relax!  It's not so daunting, is it?