DO
-
Focus
attention on the bride and groom.
-
Introduce yourself to the wedding guests so they know who you are
and why you're speaking.
-
Keep it personal - Write and speak from your heart.
-
Try to relax before you get up to speak. It's uncomfortable to see
and hear a nervous speaker. Everyone, including the speaker wants it
to end. If you look like you enjoy being the best man and giving the
toast, then everyone else will be at ease and enjoy listening.
-
Remember to thank the last speaker for their tribute on behalf of
the person they were speaking about.
-
Keep it
short, 3 or 4 minutes is okay.
-
Try to keep your
speech upbeat without mourning the deceased. A wedding is a happy
occasion. If it is important to mention them, try to do so in a
positive light.
-
Look at your audience
while you're making your speech as well as the
bride and groom when you are speaking to them especially when you
make a toast.
-
Rehearse your speech and practice it over
until you can say it naturally without error. Rewrite any long
sentences and make sure the speech flows smoothly.
-
Get together with
anyone else who is making a speech at the wedding so you have an
idea of what you'll each be saying. You don't want to be repeating a
similar story or joke that someone else has prepared. Also, make
sure you are familiar with the order that the speeches will be given
in, so you are prepared when your turn comes.
-
Have a
friend listen to your speech and ask for constructive feedback.
Re-write your speech and recite it aloud again until your friend
thinks you got it right.
DON'T
-
Drink so much that
you can't keep your composure, too much alcohol could make you look
foolish.
-
Read your speech
word for word from index cards. Use cards to highlight a few key
points that you want to
cover so you can speak naturally. For
example, "I remember when John, Stacy and I went on that trip to
Italy and..." then you just put the word Italy on the card.
-
Criticize anyone
during your speech including most importantly the bride and groom
but also including the
vendors and guests. The audience will tune
you out and this will create negative vibes which in turn will make
for a weak party. Also, don't mention arguments you've had with the
newlyweds.
-
Rush your speech. Take
your time and speak slowly and clearly. If you have a joke or funny
story, wait a few seconds after you tell it for people to laugh. If you
are not the comedian type, don't force the jokes. It will make you look
square.
-
Start your speech by
apologizing for how bad of a speaker you are or by telling that you are
nervous.
-
Ramble On - Assume your
audience has a short attention span and will tune you out if you don't
make your point right away. Stick with things that are relevant about
the bride or groom.
-
Talk just for the sake of talking; don't upstage the bride and
groom. Your speech should be less than 5 minutes as a rule of thumb.
-
Be crude or bring up embarrassing situations. Remember that family
is listening!
-
Mention the bride and groom's ex-girlfriend's or boyfriends. I know
it sounds obvious but it happens.
-
Tell Bad Jokes - We expect speeches to have a joke or two, but
everyone has different tastes. Try not to say anything that would
offend the couple or guests. Test your "appropriate" joke
beforehand with a few people. If a joke bombs, it makes you look
bad. If you get laughs, you can use it. If not, DON'T!
-
Forget to end your speech with a toast to the
person(s) you just paid tribute to.
-
If the bride and groom did break up a few times before they actually
got to the point of tying the knot, do not mention this! Remember,
weddings are supposed to be happy occasions. Keep the mood positive.
Traditional Wedding Speech Order
-
The first is the father of the bride. He ends with a toast to the
bride and groom.
-
The second is the groom.
-
The third wedding speech is the best man speech. He ends with a toast to
the parents of the bridal couple.
-
The fourth one is the maid of honour.
-
The father of the groom now speaks
-
Others such as the mother of the bride also can speak at weddings.
Of course bride and groom decide!
|