Wedding Speeches: What to Expect

Wedding speeches can be stressful for someone to write, especially if you are not use to writing.  It can also be stressful for people to write wedding speeches because they are writing the speech for someone they care about and they want it to sound good so they are not embarrassing themselves. 

There are three accepted wedding speeches which are usual to a wedding reception, they are:

·         Bride's father's speech

·         Bridegroom's speech

·         Best man's speech

It is not necessary to have additional speeches even though other speeches are acceptable; it is not unusual for instance for the bridegroom's father to give a short speech of thanks to the host and hostess for the wedding, or the bride to have a "best woman" give a speech.

The toastmaster (or the best man) to present a toast of ‘health and happiness to the bride and bridegroom’ should call upon the bride’s father.  Prior to, he would generally welcome the groom’s parents, relatives of both families any other guests, welcome the groom to his family, and say a few words about his daughter.

The bridegroom replies on behalf of himself and his bride, taking a moment to thank his parents for there love and care during his early life, for the start they gave him in life, and for their good wishes for his future and that of his wife. He will also take this opportunity on behalf of his wife and himself to thank all those present for their gifts.

If any close members of the family could not be present at the wedding because of illness, they should be mention and be wished a quick recovery.

The bridegroom will propose the toast of the bridesmaids, and thank them for a job well done; he may also present them with a small gift as a token of their appreciation.

It is the best man's responsibility to respond to this toast on behalf of the bridesmaids, his speech should show a sense of caring and be entertaining. It should be the best part of the reception, it is usually his ability to make this particular speech, with humor, and caring, that is the best type of speech to make because there is less pressure while creating and performing the wedding speech.

When writing a wedding speeches there are a few things to keep in mind.

A well written speech has a good opening and a good closing. Start by introducing yourself. Once you have their attention it would be nice to follow your introduction with something interesting or funny–whatever suits your style. The beginning of your toast is the time that people are focusing on you and really hearing what you say. Often people remember the beginning best because they are well focused on the speaker.

1. You could tell a story about the couple that not many guests have heard. Please remember to keep it short while excluding unnecessary explanations. The best stories are short and straight to the point; this way you keep their attention at all times. It is a good idea to not have it longer than 3 to 4 minutes.
2. Most speeches at a weeding are closed like a normal weeding toast, that is, by wishing the happy couple all the best in the future and by raising your glasses. You can read them a poem, or something in that nature, if you want to be a little different. 
3. It does not matter if you are standing up on a stage or at your table; it is always a good start to look around at all the guests to establish eye contact before you start. This makes you look confident and people admire speakers who show eye contact.  Also, stand straight.

It is very important to practice the wedding speeches at least  a few times before the wedding. You start by writing it down word for word and then you practice in front of a mirror or to a friend.

On the wedding day it should be enough to practice once in the morning and you should be good to go.  And if you make a mistake do not stop, just keep going.

Remember people always remember the begining of the speech and the ending so try to begin and end it with a catchy phase or sentence. Such as:

·         Love is real. Many people experience love in their life.  Love does not only exist in fairy tales with castles and horse carriages. True love has to do with people being honest, open, and loving with each other.  

·         Love is the most desirable yearning in life, but it is the most natural and accessible.  Occasionally people do not recognize when they are in love.  In order to love you must be willing to accept love in your life and appreciate it when it comes to you. 

·        Life without love is not worth living. Loves gives you an inner energy, an inner strength, the will to want to live and look forward to future that lies ahead.  Love gives us motivation and the will to want to strive and become someone and to reach our goal in life.

Courtesy Wedding Speeches & Wedding Toasts Online