Brides are traditionally, supposed to be nervous before their weddings. Few of us though give much thought to the groom and the best man who shake at the thought of giving a speech. While a wedding may have been planned and organised over the course of a year or two the speech will often be a hastily written note composed the day before the wedding itself.
That’s a shame because wedding speeches can make or mar a wedding. The flowers will die, the cake will be cut and the photos fade. If the speech is a good one the words used will be remembered and treasured for life. Say the wrong thing, though, and it will also be remembered for all the wrong reasons. So don’t make sarcastic comments about Aunt Flo’s hat or salacious ones about the groom’s ex-girlfriend!
It doesn’t matter who is speaking. The bride may choose to say a few words. A family friend may decide to have his say but whoever it is the content of the speech is critical. It is important that the speaker says what ought to be said on the occasion.
If he is the groom he is expected to say how beautiful his bride is and wonderful his parents were and how he has been welcomed into the bride’s family. He will, of course, toast the bridesmaids. His best man will respond to that toast as well as telling a few, carefully vetted stories about the groom.
The father of the bride and the father of the groom are both expected to say what their children mean to them and welcome the son or daughter-in-law into their families. They will be excused if they tell a few stories about their child’s childhood. The main theme of each speech though should be love, the love of the couple and the love of those present for that couple.
It is said that it takes hours to prepare a good impromptu speech. Certainly it takes hours to write a good speech. So consult the experts or take the time and the trouble to write and rehearse a speech that will linger in the memories of those present. Practise, practise and practise and your speech could be the highlight of the day.
Check out our sample speeches
