The best or the worst part of a wedding, speeches can be the side-splitting highlight of the night or the cause of many an awkward silence and uncomfortable shuffling.
If you’re struggling to put pen to paper and want some help and inspiration to get you started, as well as some helpful tips on the dos and don’ts of wedding speeches, keep reading!
Why do speeches anyway?
If you’re dreading the thought of standing up and doing a speech on your big day or simply feel pure frustration at not knowing what to say and how to say it, you’ve probably found yourself asking why speeches even exist at weddings.
Traditionally, the father of the bride, the groom and the best man all do speeches at a wedding. The reason behind the speeches is…well there isn’t one, other than to share happy memories, share funny stories and generally share your support for the newly weds.
But just because wedding speeches are a tradition, doesn’t mean they have to be part of your big day. If the thought of standing up in front of your guests and delivering pages of words fills you with dread, you can always give it a miss. Equally, if you’re not a member of the party who would usually give a speech, but you feel like you want to give it a go, that’s fine too!
Brainstorm
If you’re stuck for ideas, writing full-blown sentences right off the bat can be tricky. A slightly less-daunting prospect, brainstorming is a great way to make progress without needing to try too hard right off the bat.
Simply jotting down words to signify possible stories to noting down the things you know you want to include, splurging everything out on a big piece of paper can’t be beaten, and it’s a great way to get the creativity flowing.
Use funny stories
If you’re looking to crack a few smiles during your speech, trying to think of jokes and forced puns won’t get you far. Funny stories—on the other hand—will.
If there’s embarrassing mishaps and secret shenanigans that still leave you chuckling, the chances are relaying then to your guests during your speech will have the same effect.
Keep it short
No one likes a rambler—especially when the speech is the only thing between your reception guests and the food. If in doubt, keep your speech short and sweet. If you’re not going for the comedy angle, a quick sentimental few words is all that’s necessary, and if you’re not a natural speaker, it’s the perfect way to get your speech done and dusted without blunders.
Practise, practice, practice
Whether you’re a born entertainer or not, a speech takes practice. From knowing exactly what you’re going to say inside out to the way you’re going to deliver it, the best way to achieve perfection on the night is to practice over and over.
In front of the mirror, in the shower, in your sleep, to the best man—you name it, the more times you repeat it the better!
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