When the mother of the bride or indeed the bride herself decides to give a speech, its wonderful. Why not? What a pity then the mother in her beautiful suit, her fanciful hat wanting to say something precious about her daughter, spoke with such a hushed whisper that no one in the back third of the room could hear.

Brides, Mother’s of the Brides and all gentle speaking people of the world, please, please, please realise this wedding speech is one occasion when you must raise your voice.

Check out our sample speeches

I was at a wedding in Drimoleague in the West of Ireland, when the groom stood up to make his wedding speech. He announced that he couldn’t do speeches, but he knew a good joke about a pig.

Personally I don’t care if it was the best pig joke in the world (it wasn’t), but there is a time and a place for jokes in speeches. I might respectfully suggest to all you potential grooms and best men out there, that telling a joke about a pig or anything at all really has no place whatsoever in your wedding speech.

If you really are stuck for inspiration you might start with the beautiful woman you are marrying. If you are still stuck I respectfully suggest you might want to reconsider your position.

Check out our sample speeches