Traditionally the 3 speeches that happen in a wedding are the Father of the Bride, Groom and Best Man. However with many brides being independent and quite rightly, having an opinion and voice of their own, they are deciding to join in the fun and say a few words as well.  The bride has the advantage of not needing to follow tradition (compared to the 3 traditional speeches) thus there will be no expectations or assumptions on what you will speak about.

The beauty of the brides speech is she will remember to thank all the special people, I’ve lost count of the number of times Lisa (my assistant) and I are waiting in the wings to hand over the Mothers thank you bouquets only for the groom to get nervous and miss half the thank yous! I can guarantee a bride wont forget 

What order

The bride will usually speak just before or after the groom.

Proper Preparation

Plan what you want to say in advance and rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. Keep it short and to the point, don’t waffle, say what you want to say concisely and clearly.

What to say 

• Give a special thank you to those that have been important and supported you in the planning of the wedding, like your Mum and bridesmaids
• 
• Thank anyone who has not already been thanked by other speakers or may not be mentioned by them (esp. if the groom forgot)
• Keep it personal, everyone wants to know about how you and your groom met, how the relationship developed. Especially any funny encounters when you were dating or perhaps a story of the proposal
• Say something personal to the groom, why is he so important, why do you love him

Calm and collected

Half the reason for practicing your speech is so you can concentrate on the delivery and clarity. Reading notes that are on the table in front of you will make it difficult to project your voice and you will look uncertain of what you want to say. Remember to smile (you’re looking beautiful after all), make eye contact with your guests plus relevant guests as you speak about them, i.e when thanking your Mum turn and look at her.

Remember don’t slouch, stand tall and confident (even if that’s not how you’re feeling)

Photo Credit: Kerry Morgan,  Blue Sky Photography

Now that it is approaching all the summer weddings my male clients are asking for help with their speeches. I therefore thought a quick series on speech guidelines would be helpful to all those grooms, best men and of course fathers who have yet to write theirs out. Of course if you are really struggling you could try a service like ‘Great Speech Writing’ to write it for you!

Best Man

Beginning

Thank the bride and groom for their gifts and compliments to ‘the team’ of bridesmaids & ushers etc.

Read any telegrams and other messages from invited guests unable to attend the wedding.

Make a point of addressing the couple, and especially of talking to and about the bride, mention how lucky groom is to marry her etc.

Say how you were honored to be best men.

Middle

Tell some behind-the-scenes stories about preparing for the wedding – especially any amusing incidents, narrowly averted disasters etc.

Your material should be funny without being nasty, risqué without being offensive. Props are often used with stories – or hints from the stag night.

Tell guests how bride & groom met.

Level the mockery with some sincerity. Talk about how you met the groom, how you came to be best mates, how much you really think of him, your perspective on the relationship between bride & groom, your best wishes for their future together etc.

End

Inform guests of the evening schedule, i.e. music will start at 8p.m buffet will be at 10p.m, if there have been any instructions from the wedding breakfast venue i.e. please vacate room so it can be set up for the evening.

Conclude with a toast to the bride and groom.

Now that it is approaching all the summer weddings my male clients are asking for help with their speeches. I therefore thought a quick series on speech guidelines would be helpful to all those grooms, best men and of course fathers who have yet to write theirs out. Of course if you are really struggling you could try a service like ‘Great Speech Writing’ to write it for you!

Father of the Bride

Beginning

Welcome to grooms parents, relatives of both families and friends

Say how proud you are of your daughter

Tell some stories about events leading up to the wedding

Any childhood stories about bride

Congratulations to groom

Middle

Happiness at daughter marrying into grooms family

Confidence in their future together

A few words of wisdom for a happy future as man and wife

End

Ask all guests to join you in wishing bride & groom much happiness for the future.