How do you feel about delivering your wedding speech? If you’re nervous about it, you’re not alone — speaking in front of dozens (or even hundreds) of people can be tough for anyone.
On the big day, the bride, groom, best man, and maid of honor traditionally perform individual speeches. Whoever you are, it’s crucial that you put time and effort into crafting a strong wedding speech that everyone remembers for the right reasons.
To help make it easier for you, we’ll share fantastic tips on writing a wedding speech for brides, grooms, best men, and maids of honor below.
Wedding Speech Tips for Brides and Grooms
Start with Sincere Thank Yous
One of the simplest and most engaging ways to kick off your speech is to show gratitude. Here are a few thank yous to consider:
• Thanking your best man and maid of honor for their help
• Thanking family members who have helped you prepare and plan the day
• Thanking your partner for being such a loving, caring companion
• Thanking a wedding planner (if you have one) and anyone at the venue who has helped coordinate the day
Even if someone only played a small part in the lead up to your wedding, it’s a nice gesture to show them a little appreciation during your speech. For example, if someone in the wedding party helped you pick out your wedding rings or your outfit, give them a shout-out.
Don’t Just Copy What You’ve Heard in a Movie
Watching wedding-themed movies may be a good way to get into a romantic mood ahead of your special day, and if they include speeches, you might even get a few helpful ideas for writing your own.
But don’t just copy parts of a character’s speech, and especially not the entire thing. You might get away with this if you pick an obscure movie none of your guests have seen. However, even then, people may recognize that your words don’t seem uniquely yours.
Avoid Trying Too Hard to Be Funny
Adding a few tasteful jokes to a wedding speech is a great idea. Your guests will enjoy a laugh, and a good response can feed your confidence — making the whole speech easier to deliver.
But always be yourself when writing your wedding speech, especially when injecting humor into it. If you have a dry, low-key wit, use that to raise a few smiles and chuckles — guests will recognize this as being authentically you.
If you have a funny little anecdote about misplacing the wedding rings or getting stuck in your bridal gown, tell it just like you would naturally to a friend. Avoid making it too wild or exaggerated, though. If you try to be more over the top than you really are, you may feel uncomfortable. And guests who know you well could pick up on that.
Nervous? Focus on How Much Your Guests Support You
Along with choosing wedding rings, writing your own vows, and weighing up honeymoon ideas, preparing a speech is one of the most important aspects of planning your big day.
Your guests will expect you to make a speech in some form, even if it’s just a couple of minutes long. And that expectation can make you feel even more pressured to provide a fantastic wedding than you already do.
If you’re stressing over writing and performing your wedding speech, remember that all of your guests will be on your side. They don’t want to sit through an awkward, uncomfortable performance — they’ll all be willing you on to do a great job.
Keep Stories Concise
Telling a witty anecdote early in your speech can help warm up your guests and get you into the swing of the performance.
How about the story of getting your wedding rings mixed up with another couple’s at the jewelers? Or how about the tale of how you unintentionally proposed at a nudist beach during a vacation?
You might have a pile of great anecdotes like these to choose from, but whichever you pick, keep them short and to the point. Focus on hitting the funny moments, then move onto the next part of the speech. Have a clear beginning, middle, and end — if you meander, guests might wonder what the point is and zone out.
Take Writing Your Speech Seriously
Are you the type of person who prefers to fly by the seat of your pants? You might not relish the idea of planning a speech and writing multiple drafts, yet it’s crucial to go into it prepared.
Improvising a joke or adding a line as it comes to you is fine, but If you try to wing it without a fully written speech or even bullet points, you might lose track of what you’re saying.
Just like picking the perfect wedding rings, preparing a solid speech takes time. Practice it frequently, and ask a trusted friend or family member to listen. If they have helpful advice, take it on board.
End with a Charming Toast
Have you reached the end of your speech? Now’s the time to raise a glass and make a toast. You may want to toast your spouse, both of you, or the celebration of love in general. Proposing a toast is a simple way to signal that you’re closing your speech, and should segue neatly into an applause.
Wedding Speech Tips for Best Men and Maids of Honor
Start Planning Your Speech Early
Your responsibilities as a best man or maid of honor might be time-consuming, especially if the wedding comes together in a brief period. But don’t keep putting it off — if you leave it to the last minute, your speech might be a jumbled mess with no clear point.
Here are a few tips to help you plan your speech:
• Start small: brainstorm a few quick ideas about what the bride means to you, key milestones in your friendship, and why their partner is such a great fit.
• Create a basic outline and gradually fill it in. Don’t think it has to be perfect from the start.
• If you don’t know the groom well, speak to their friends and family for ideas about who they are. This can help take your speech in exciting new directions.
The sooner you start working on your speech, the more time you’ll have to practice and hone it.
Choose Your Jokes and Stories with Care
While a good-natured joke about the happy couple may work when delivered with care, it may be best to focus on sincerity instead of humour. A badly judged gag or anecdote could turn the atmosphere frosty sooner than you expect.
This is one of the most important days in the story of your friends’ relationship, and you owe it to them to be honest about how much they mean to one another (and to you). Be tasteful and try to make them feel good.
If you’re struggling to understand what’s appropriate for the wedding day, consider asking the bride, groom, or both for a little guidance. Even speaking to one of their relatives could help you decide whether a joke is a good fit.
Remember that the Newlyweds are the Main Focus
Feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to write a killer speech? As the best man or maid of honor, you’ll play a prominent part in the wedding day — but you’re not the star. It’s all about the special couple.
If you keep that in mind when preparing your speech, it may take some of the pressure off and help you ease into the process. Remember: you don’t need to deliver the highlight of the reception or even be particularly memorable. Just write a nice, warm speech that celebrates the couple’s commitment to one another.
Make it easy on yourself and try to enjoy it. If you’re having fun with your speech, it’s more likely that everyone else will too.
Toast the Happy Couple
The bride and groom will likely end their speeches with a toast, but it’s traditional for the best man or maid of honor to toast too. This is usually to wish the newlyweds all the best for the future, so it’s best to keep it brief. Thank the guests for listening to your speech, then invite them to raise a glass.
Conclusion
Writing a wedding speech can be complicated and stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. If you fixate on it and let it worry you, the speech could detract from the joy of the rest of the day.
Take time to start planning it as soon as possible, practice regularly, and keep it focused. Seek advice from people who know you well, and remember that all your guests will be supporting you from start to finish.
Like planning your speech, choosing your rings is a crucial part of the preparation process. Madani Rings has a huge collection of wedding rings for brides and grooms, catering to all jewelry tastes.
Whether you want to go for a classically stylish ring or an ultra-modern band, you’ll find the perfect piece for you in our extensive range. Multiple customization options make crafting your ideal ring quick and easy.
