Thank you to our Guest Contributor Daniela McVicker for this wonderful article…
An amazing wedding speech can be one of the most memorable parts of the wedding. The emotions it evokes, the laugh it provokes, and the stories it revives can make everyone present feel happy and nostalgic. Talking about a great speech is easy, what isn’t easy is writing one.
Every person that attends the wedding will be carefully listening to the speech. That kind of pressure can be truly intimidating. What can help you release any fear or doubt about your speech is preparedness. The following tips will help you write an incredible wedding speech and make you feel more confident about sharing it with your loved ones.
1. Start with Brainstorming
Expecting that you’ll just sit down with pen and paper and the most amazing speech will appear is fiction. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t know how or where to start from. What can help you with rewiring your brain for the speech is brainstorming.
Write down random thoughts about the bride/groom, their characteristics, your memories, whatever comes to you first. Also, write down your feelings throughout their relationship, engagement, and wedding preparations. Having different options and situations laid out in front of you will be inspirational. Brainstorming also helps you start writing. Once you get started with random thoughts, you’ll see how they gradually inspire you to form beautiful sentences.
2. Introduce Yourself
Even if it’s a small wedding party, there will be people who won’t know who you are. That’s why the best way to start is with an introduction. The introduction will help you break the ice and start the speech on a friendly note.
All you need to state is your name, your relation to the bride or groom, and your role in the wedding. The basics will be more than enough. Keep in mind that this speech is about the people getting married so the information about yourself should be minimum.
You can open up with something simple: “For those who don’t know me, I’m Anne. I was lucky enough to be the big sister to this amazing woman next to me and grateful that she picked the most incredible man for her husband that I know call my best friend.”
3. Share Memories
When you’re stepping into a “new life” that marriage brings, hearing about lovely experiences that you had with your loved ones can be really moving. That’s why sharing stories about the bride and groom could be a great way to make the speech interesting and emotional.
Mention how you first met the bride and the groom, what brought you closer, the moment you realized how incredible that person is, or any memory that is close to your heart. Personal stories make speeches more unique and emphasize the importance that the bride and the groom have in your life.
4. Tell a Joke or Humorous Story
No one would mind having a laugh or two during your speech. If you have a funny remark, story, joke, or situation you can share, don’t hesitate to do so. Speeches can be truly emotional and often provoke tears so having something funny provoke laughter can be useful.
However, you should be careful about the stories you share. Even if the bride/groom is your best friend and you had some hilarious times together, remember that their parents, closest relatives, and the new partner is sitting in the same room. Sharing something truly embarrassing can make them feel uncomfortable. As funny as some jokes or stories are, you should think about whether they are appropriate for this occasion.
5. Offer the Couple Well-Wishes
End the speech with your best regards for the lovely couple. Offer them well-wishes or possibly some advice for the future. The best way to finish it off is with the focus on the couple’s future. When doing so make sure that you talk to the couple directly.
This is the time to bring up all the incredible things you wish the couple to experience. Whether that’s endless adventures, a house full of kids, or a lifetime of love and happiness. If you wish you can include a quote that represents your feelings. Just make sure that the quote is short and lovely.
6. Revise It
When the speech is finished it is time for some editing. Don’t revise it the moment you put the pen down but let it rest and then go back to it the next day. In that way, you’ll be able to look more objectively on what you wrote. Take your time to rethink your words and if there is anything you can change or add to make it even better.
In case you get stuck in the process, you can always find a professional writer or editor to help you out. Find a thesis writing company as their prices can be more affordable and their service is at a high level. A writer can spot any inconsistencies and make suggestions that will perfect your speech.
7. Read It to Someone
You’ll feel more confident about your speech if you get a green light from a person or two. After your speech is all good and ready, ask someone to share their opinion. Read the speech as if you would do it at a wedding. This will provide you with feedback on the whole “performance.”
Having someone reassure you that your speech is great will be very helpful. They can also point out if they think you should change something. Knowing that someone likes your speech before you deliver it to the whole wedding party will give you that boost of confidence you need.
Final Thoughts
Delivering a wedding speech is a true honor. However, if you don’t prepare for it can turn into a nightmare. That’s why the above-mentioned tips are your safety net. Writing down a great speech will take all the pressure off. Instead of thinking about what to say next, you can just focus on delivering the speech with emotion and showing the newlyweds how much they mean to you.