Tips to Deliver the BEST Wedding Speech.
Whether you’re Shakespeare, or a struggling writer, we’ve put together the top tips to writing an epic wedding speech.
- First to speak.
Whoever is first to speak must remember to introduce themselves and their relation to the couple.
- Not first to speak.
If you aren’t the first to speak, be sure to acknowledge the person who spoke before you.
- It’s not a memory game.
You shouldn’t feel the pressure to try and remember every single line of your speech by heart. If you need brief cue cards to remind you of what comes next, go for it! It’s best to be relaxed and let the speech flow.
- Don’t bury your head.
Your guests want to see YOU. If you are reading from cue cards, make sure you remember to keep your eye contact with your guests.
- Don’t Panic.
It’s easy to rush and speed up when you get nervous. This is your day, and everyone is here to love and support you. Take deep breaths and pace yourself.
- Microphones.
If your venue is large, don’t strain your voice or shout over the few people who are still chatting. Use a microphone to ensure even the back row of tables can you hear you perfectly.
- Practice makes perfect.
Practice your speech for timing. You don’t want it to feel too short, but also, it’s best not to ramble on for hours and hours. Find the middle ground which works for you.
- Leave a gap.
It might sound strange, but we recommend leaving a gap in your speech. In this section you can feel free to express how you feel right then and there – emotions that only actually getting married can bring.
- Tell us a story.
Anecdotes are essential parts of a quality speech. As long as they’re connected with a common theme, your guests will love to hear a story.
- Test your jokes.
There’s nothing more awkward than a joke, innuendo or reference that just doesn’t land with your audience. Test them out beforehand and give them the axe if they’re not working.
- Don’t be too serious.
This isn’t a presentation evening; this is your wedding! A day centred around love, happiness and friends and family.
- Finish with a toast.
Make sure you thank the right people and get everyone involved in toasting the momentous occasion.
- Visuals and props.
Entertaining your guests is a great added element to a good wedding speech. If you’re telling a story that has a video or picture to follow, show everyone! Need a prop or some surprise audience participation, go for it! Everyone loves a bit of humour and interactivity during a speech. But make sure you’ve had a trial run in advance!
