You can imagine that being in the profession that I am in, I have listened to many wedding speeches. Most have tugged on the heart strings, brought smiles to the faces of the guests and tears of joy to their eyes. But then there are those that will forever be remember for all the wrong reasons. These are the kind that simply make you want to hide under your chair or take that unnecessary trip to the bathroom. So today I’m going to share 3 keys on how to avoid giving the worst wedding speech ever.

1.  Keep it about the bride and groom. Wedding speeches are supposed to be short. 2 – 3 minutes at the most. Any longer and everyone’s eyes start to glaze over, they start checking their watches or (my pet-peev) destroying the centrepieces. So think carefully about what you are wanting to say. Cull out all the long winded back stories and your unnecessary personal opinions so you have plenty of time to get to the point, which is to honour the bride & groom and their parents. After all if it wasn’t for all of them, you wouldn’t be there.

2.  Humour is tricky. If you are going to tell a funny story about the bride or groom, please, please, please make sure other people will find it funny too. Test it out on some family and friends who are going to be brutally honest with you. It is better you hear it from them, than face an awkward silence from 100 or so guests. If you do tell a story that is proven to be funny I recommend at the end of it, draw it to some conclusion that compliments the bride or groom for their good character. This helps bring the mood back from embarrassing to warm and fuzzy.

3. Write it down. I can not stress this point enough. So many people think, “Nah, it’ll be right” and then they get up to give the speech and they bomb out big time. I can all most guarantee, whether you are an experience speech-maker or not, when you get up there the nerves will get you and your mind will go blank. At least if you write it down (and practice it too before the wedding day) you can read what is on your paper. To be honest I have no problem with people reading their wedding speeches, it is far better than the alternative.

So there you have it 3 things that will keep you from giving the worst wedding speech ever.

 

 

 

 

© 2015 As You Wish Events Ltd.  Want to use this article in your E-newsletter, blog, or website? You can as long as you include this complete statement: Auckland, New Zealand – Event Planner & Designer Nadine Crozier publishes the ‘As You Wish Events’ blog filled with secrets, tips and how-tos for planning your fabulous event. Get your exclusive inspiration, tips and tricks at http://www.asyouwish.co.nz.  As You Wish Events is an event planning and design company based in Auckland, serving the Auckland region and certain areas of Northland.