Guide To Writing A Great Wedding Speech Or Toast

Introduction
Giving public speeches is one of the largest phobias going right now; right behind heights, and tight spaces. Most people fear giving speeches out of a fear of looking or saying something foolish in front of others. The simple fact of it is that we all have to do it eventually. This is never truer than during a wedding.

Weddings are a time when everyone involved seems to be expected to give a speech. Most people do so willingly, but others are more reserved about it because it can be hard to find just the right type of speech that will be welcomed and enjoyed by the bride and groom.

Speeches are very uncomfortable when you have never given one. It can also be difficult to create a speech when you don’t know the fundamentals behind writing one. That is why this guide was written. This will be your comprehensive guide to writing and giving wedding speeches that will be remembered.

You will learn how to write a speech, how to give a speech orally and much more. You will also learn good relaxation techniques that will help take the edge off while you are giving a speech. You will also be given many speech samples that will help you in crafting your own speeches or you can just use those given here. It’s up to you.

Why agonize over the speech that you will give at a wedding? Weddings are meant to be a source of fun and happiness; not anxiety over having to give a speech. The next time that you are at a wedding, you can rest assured that you will be giving a speech that will be simpler than ever because you have chosen to arm yourself with the right tool. So let’s get started.





The History of Wedding Speeches and Toasts
In the past, wedding speeches were generally left to be had with and between the fathers and occasionally the groom. Women did not really play much of a role in giving speeches in public at the wedding. Of course, that did not apply in every culture, but as a whole that was the case.

Some examples of history’s weddings speeches vary a great deal. For example; in ancient Egypt, blessings and offerings to the Gods were given. In Europe, the fathers usually spoke about the unions. It only seemed that in places like Ireland, Scotland, and England did the mothers give wedding day blessings, and toasts.

In the past some traditions didn’t involve the bride and groom at all. Celebrations were still a part of the ‘reception’ phase of the wedding, but over time traditions are changing and many weddings/speakers are getting away from tradition for example maid of honor traditionally didn't deliver a speech, but now it's very common. The onset of the 20th century changed many wedding traditions and added some new ones.

Of course, this book isn’t about the other traditions. Wedding speeches have definitely evolved through time. They used to be nothing more than blessings given by the fathers of both the bride and groom. Modern speeches often include humor as well as well wishing blessings.

Knowing some of the history behind wedding speeches and the fact that now, just about everyone gives speeches at weddings today. If you are asked to give a speech or if you just want to give a speech at a wedding that you are thinking of attending, I will now help you to develop and deliver your speech to perfection.

Speech giving basics
I know that a wedding might be the first time you have given a formal speech in front of such a large crowd. Because of this, chances are that you may be nervous. That's okay because most people giving those special speeches probably feel the same way. A big part of public speaking is those little butterflies that you get in your stomach as you wait for your turn to come up. Weddings are just the most common reason (outside of work) to have to do it.

One thing that makes wedding speeches so scary is because the people that are at a wedding all waiting for that one speech that will leave the couple….speechless. The trick to giving a great speech is learning how to turn that nervous energy into a memorable speech! Here are some things that you will want to remember when it comes to giving a speech.

1. Everyone gets nervous with public speaking it is not just you. It's one of the scariest things in the world for most people. In fact, some people are more scared of public speaking than they are of dying!

2. You are going to be speaking to a very supportive, close, and interested audience when you are at a wedding. They are anxious to hear what you will say. Those who will be listening to you give your speech are there because they love and respect each other and not because they expect you to give a perfect speech. No matter what happens while you're up there, they'll all be proud of you because you tried.

There are a few things that you should really think about when you're writing your speech that can make it a great deal easier to give. And speeches that are easier to give are generally less scary, easier for your audience to listen to, and more effective as well. Here are some quick ideas to making your speech easier to write.

• Start off with a good hook to draw them in. People will be listening to a lot of speeches at a wedding, and you want yours to stand out. The best way to do that is to start by saying something that will catch their attention. This can be in the form of a personal story, or a hypothetical scenario that will make people think, or an anecdote about the couple etc. Anything that shows why you care about the couple or why other people should too will make your audience WANT to listen to what you have to say.

• Once you have made them want to listen, you'll want to make it as easy as possible for them to follow your speech throughout. The most effective way to do this, right after your hook is used, is to map out where your speech will go. For example: If you are planning to make your speech a funny one or sentimental.

• After you've mapped out your speech, all you have to do is follow your speech map. However you are hoping to speak about the couple, be sure not to drift from it. My favorite wedding speeches and toasts are those that offer both humor and sentiment.

Public speaking will probably always be scary to you no matter how many speeches you give or how many techniques that you practice. In a way, that's what makes it so fun, and so important. But with a little bit of practice, anyone can give an effective speech or toast at a wedding that will in time make it a bit easier.

Since so much of what goes into a wedding is revolved around speeches and toasts etc. it helps to know how you plan to go about it. If you are a maid of honor or best man, you could wind up giving a dozen different speeches and toasts. Rehearsal dinners, showers, bachelor parties and of course receptions will have you giving a speech or toast at all of them. That is why you need to be prepared.

There are some more things that you have to consider when you are writing your speech as well. Since all of your speeches are going to be different, you need to know exactly what you are going to say in a general sense so that you can prepare your speech. Here is a short list of the most important questions that you must consider before writing your speech.
• What kind of speech do I plan to make? (humorous, poetic, sentimental)
• How long will my speech be?
• What is my role in this wedding ie. Father of the bride, best man, maid of honor, bridesmaid etc.
• What type of impression am I hoping to give?
• Is this a first wedding or second?
• How well do I know the couple?
• How long have I known the couple?
• How do I want the couple to remember my speech?

Finding the answers to the following questions about the Bride and Groom will also help you find your inspiration, and find out what you really want to include in your speech. Don't hold back in this area, write down everything that comes to mind...you will have plenty of time to edit the content later. Here are some more questions that you should ask.

- How long have you known the Groom? And how or where did you meet?
- How did the Bride and Groom meet? Were you involved in a relationship before?
- How did the Groom ask bride to marry him? And what was her immediate reaction?
- How long has the Bride and Groom been a couple?
- Do they have children already?
- What are the Bride and Groom's mutual interests?
- What 5 words come to mind when you think of the Groom and the bride as well?
- What is the funniest thing that happened to the Groom while Bride was around or missing in action? And vice-versa?
- What is the funniest thing that happened to the Groom (or Bride) while you were around?
- What would you like the future to hold for the Bride and Groom?


The questions above are more important that you might think. When you answer them, you can certainly decrease your options which will make your writing efforts a great deal easier. Naturally the more questions you ask the better your speech will be.

What to Consider When Writing a Wedding Speech
When it comes to writing your speech or toast for a wedding, you will definitely want to know the etiquette basics for giving the speech. Here are 10 tips for giving a great wedding speech:

1. Develop a plan and imagine objectives & potential outcomes.
There is nothing worse than not knowing what you want to get out of giving your speech during a wedding. Do you want to be funny, thank the caterers or touch the emotions of your guests? That is why before you actually say or write anything you have to work out what you want to achieve first. It helps when it comes down to visualizing what you are going to say.

2. Have a formalized structure, such as a beginning, middle and end.
Listeners love to hear a structured speech and the best speeches stick to this rule. You have to have a welcome in a wedding speech; especially acknowledging those who have traveled a long way to be at the wedding. You must also have three personal stories to go with it such as how you met your wife for the middle and an end such as thanking and toasting the bridesmaids.

Here is an example of the speech structure:

• Greeting/Welcome where you acknowledge special guest
• Personal Story #1 – how you met
• Personal Story #2 – most memorable moment together and why it was memorable
• Personal Story #3 – funny habits and why you love him/her
• Something nice about the future of the couple
• Call to action: Toast Bridesmaids etc.

3. Avoid saying too much.
You are going to want to keep your speech simple. Keep your speech short at a wedding, between 5 and 7 minutes. Anything longer and your speech will be too long winded and you will bore your listeners.

4. Keep it Positive.
Keep the content of your speech on a positive note and avoid making any negative comments about previous wives or girlfriends or other ‘black sheep’ family members. Remember it is supposed to be a celebration which is not the right time to air your dirty laundry.

5. Research your speech using personal stories.
Personal stories help you to connect with your audience in a more meaningful way. You are going to want to reflect on three different events that demonstrate how much your care for and love the couple. Such things are always welcome.

6. Keep the personal stories short. It’s not about you!
Keep these personal anecdotes very short and use them to demonstrate a point, but not as the focus of the speech. Try and take people to your special moment in time by describing the place, situation and even what time of day and what the weather was like if you can remember it. This is always good because it lets the audience visualize the moment.

7. Have a strong opening and closing.
People remember the opening in a speech they hear and it is what will decide if you will be heard or ignored. The closing is important because it should reinforce the key message you want the audience to go away with in their head after they have heard the entire speech. Ending with some sort of call to action can be a powerful way to get your audience to act on your message. In the wedding speech the call to action is easy. All that you have to do is ask people to stand, then charge their glasses and toast the bridesmaids.

8. Avoid alcohol until after the speech.
You need to be alert if you are going to make a good and lasting speech. Save the alcoholic celebrations until after your speech so that you don’t say or do anything silly.

9. Keep eye contact and use simple notes for recall.
Use index cards with key points if you are planning to make a longer speech. Avoid reading it directly and keep eye contact with your audience as much as possible because it shows that you are being sincere.

10. Practice and Rehearse.
Practice the speech or at least get some feedback from someone you trust beforehand. Recording and listening back to a presentation is the fastest way to improve your speaking skills, check for inconsistencies and to help you memorize it better.

Getting Started with your Speech
The first step that you need to take when actually writing your speech for a special event or anything is to know your subject first. You should already have this down because you are probably close with either the bride or groom. You should Start your speech with one of your favorite memories of the time spent together. This memory can be sentimental or funny, but nothing too embarrassing for the couple to share in a public space.

Remember you should only share information that is appropriate for all ages. The next step of your speech that you should do is to reflect on the history of the happy couple. Recount a short story of how they met and how the relationship has affected the both of them positively.

One of the best ways to get started on what you plan to include in a wedding speech is to brainstorm your ideas. This is also called mind mapping. Mind mapping is a very useful technique that is used when creating a new presentation idea because it helps you to visualize your speech’s structure. It also makes it easier to develop when it is time to write out your speech in long form.

From the time we are old enough to learn how to write in school, we're taught to organize our thoughts in an organized way which is line by line, left to right, top to bottom on the page. You may have even learned how to prepare speeches that way already; either writing them out word for word or writing outlines with the main points, then sub-points, then sub-sub- points, and so on.

But that's not how our mind actually works. We have to train our minds to think this way. When you are getting a speech ready, you don't think in terms of points and sub-points. We usually think in separate idea links. We will conceptualize a quotation here ... a statistic there or a funny anecdote etc. Mind Mapping is simply a technique that is used for translating these mental ideas to paper. It will help you to:
• put your ideas down on paper quickly so that they are remembered later
• build a speech out of disorganized thoughts, ideas and fragments of ideas
• reduce - and possibly even eliminate the need for structured notes

Creating a Speech with Mind Mapping
The basic idea when you are mind mapping is that instead of writing out your speech in its entirety, you draw it in pictures. This naturally means that a mind map is just a sample of your speech, only in pictures or half sentences.

Here's a quick overview of how to create a Mind Map:

• Start your mind map by using a blank piece of paper and a set of colored pencils or markers.
• Draw your speech topic in the middle of the paper.
• Draw lines like branches coming out of it - one for the introduction, one for the conclusion, and one for each main point in your speech.
• Identify each line with a symbol or other picture that will help you to easily identify the point. If you can't think of a picture, label the line with a word.
• If you have many different sub-points to make, draw other lines branching out from your main points and repeat the process.

Here is a sample mind map that can be used for speeches. You don’t have to understand it to get the idea of what I mean. As the diagram shows, each idea should be placed in a separate bubble all its own. It can be filled with pictures or whatever you need to use that will help you recall it later.

The mind mapping technique is also good to use when you are trying to remember family and friends names etc. This structured format for brainstorming can be used for anything. As long as your speech topic or main theme is in the center, you can’t go wrong with this technique. See how easy it is?

http://www.strategictransitions.com/images/brainspeech.GIF http://www.strategictransitions.com/images/brainspeech.GIF http://www.strategictransitions.com/images/brainspeech.GIF http://www.strategictransitions.com/images/brainspeech.GIF

This brainstorming chart was provided by http://www.strategictransitions.com/literaturepage2.htm#speech

When it comes to the actual structure of your speech, here are some more tips to add that will truly let your speech be your own.

1. Take your time. You don’t have to rush through your speech. Think about what you want people to know about your friend and his new wife, and what you wish for their future.

2. Let your guard down. Don’t be afraid to let your emotions show. This is one of your good friends, if not your best friend, its ok to cry or let out your real feelings. This is one time when it is not only accepted but expected.

3. Be yourself. If you are a reserved person, trying to write a witty speech will not only make reciting it more difficult but it will also sound fake. You can’t be sincere if you are not being yourself.




Getting Help with Toasting
When it comes to making a good toast, there are some simple things about it that are good to learn. I will begin this section by answering some of the most common questions about the toast. It is the best way to go about learning about toasting.

What is the basic rule of toasting?
The best toasts are always very brief. They have to be because so many people give them. They are nothing like giving a speech. Toasts help to add to the celebration mood. Think about it, the wedding is about the bride most of the time. This is not the time for the best man to try out his new stand-up comedy routine. The longer the toast is the less effective it is for the couple and for the guests to hear. Keeping it brief also allows for others to add their toasts.

Who is the Master of Ceremonies for the toasts?
Many people think the bandleader or the disc jockey is in charge of the toasts. This is actually not true! It may be hard to believe, but the best man is generally in charge of toasting. This is the same person who was chosen to be the best man mostly because of his ability to plan the bachelor party so it may sound odd. While best men will spend days, even weeks planning the end of his buddy's bachelorhood, they usually start thinking about their toasts the night before the actual wedding. In this sense, you may want to choose a best man that is able to deliver a good toast.

Who actually does the toasting?
The couple should decide who is likely to want to toast at the wedding and who would have a good impact. This varies widely based upon the formality of the wedding and the feelings of the rest of the family. Nowadays, it is common for the best man to toast the bride, the maid/matron of honor to toast the groom, and the father of the bride to toast the couple in general. It is also common for the bride and grooms to toast their parents and the guests.

More toasts may depend on things such as who is actually hosting the wedding. (For example, if the bride's step-father is paying for the wedding, chances are he will be the one who wants to toast the couple.) Even if the groom's side is not actually paying for the couple’s wedding, they should be offered the opportunity to offer their best wishes as well.

As you can see, the toasting can become pretty complicated and very quickly. It is best to consider the toasts well beforehand if you are going to address any issues that may come from it. Let me tell you, I have seen enough wedding toasts go wrong just because someone was left out of the toasting process. It really is taken seriously as an affront.


What about toasting at the rehearsal dinner?
Often people are so tangled up in thinking about the toasting at the wedding that they completely miss the opportunity for toasts at the rehearsal dinner. The rehearsal dinner provides the right time for anyone who is involved in the wedding to share their thoughts with the bride and groom in more relaxed environment. Also, rehearsal toasts at the rehearsal dinner can be spontaneous and can be longer than wedding-day toasts. Perhaps if you don’t want the pressure of making a wedding a wedding toast you can offer it at the rehearsal dinner because there will be less people there like close friends and relatives.

When are the toasts?
For formal weddings, the toasts are generally given after the meal. If the wedding cake the couple is cutting will also be the desert, the toasts are done following the cutting of the cake. If the cake the couple is cutting is not the cake that is going to be served, the toasts may occur immediately after the meal. For less formal weddings and those that are done on the beach or in the afternoon, toasting is generally done after the couple's first dance as husband and wife. Either way, you should talk to the caterer so that they can plan the timing of the dessert course.

What do the bride and groom do during the toasts?
All that the couple usually does during the toast is sit still and smile. The bride and groom cannot toast to themselves. If you desire to, you should get up and return a toast. Returned toasts, if you can imagine, are even briefer than the original toast to ensure things keep moving along. That is it as far as the wedding couple.

Ten Quick Tips for Toasting at Weddings

1. Make sure that you are prepared. You have to decide who is toasting, in which order they will be toasting and what you will say in advance of the wedding.

2. Be very sincere. You have to use your own words and speak from the heart. This will be easier for you to remember and mean more to the couple than a toast that you borrowed from a book.

3. Again make it brief. You have to keep the toast within a two to three minutes timeframe. Remember your toast is not the only one.

4. Be as tactful as possible. You have to refrain from embarrassing the couple on their special day. The groom's broken heart from an old girlfriend, the bride's boob job, and any previous marriages, and/or what happened during the bachelor/bachelorette party, should all be left out of the toasts.

5. Be as complimentary as possible. After all, the whole purpose of a wedding toast is to say something nice about the couple that is being honored.

6. Practice the toast, in front of a mirror, or to friends and family without using your notes. You have to memorize the toast because you will be holding a microphone in one hand a drink in another. You don’t have enough hands to also hold an index card.

7. Again you must avoid alcohol until you give your toast for the obvious reason.

8. Use your manners. Take small sips of your champagne. Wedding toasts are not a chugging contest. Your glass should not need to be refilled after each toast. Also, clinking should be done with care; especially when you are using crystal stemware. Unlike beer mugs, crystal is quite delicate.

9. You have to try to be connected to the others. Look at the couple and the guests while making sure that you are speaking slowly and clearly.

10. Don’t forget to be charming. You have to remember to raise your glass during the toast and sip from your glass at the end of the toast. It is never good to drink during the toast. This also applies while someone else is giving one.

Knowing the right way to go about writing a wedding toast or speech is the first step to being successful at it. It is also on of the easiest ways to ensure that you will find some comfort in doing it.



Sample Speeches
What good would a guide to wedding speeches be without a few sample wedding speeches? This section will particularly long as there are so many types of speeches to add. I will add a short, and a long speech sample for each category. Let’s get started right now!

Please note that none of these speeches are copyrighted materials, but were postings of actual speeches that were successfully given at weddings by regular people just like you. All resources will be provided at the end of this section. Please note that these speeches were edited to be presented in a more general way so real names were omitted and some items changed around for easier reading.

Best man speeches - Humorous
Before I get to the best man speech sample, let me tell you that the best man speech is often very light and humorous. Men generally like to stay humorous because it is simply easier to communicate and relax that way. The samples that I have put up are meant to be entertaining to the listeners and the bridal couple. I hope that you like them.

Good Afternoon Ladies, Gentlemen, Boys and Girls.
For those of you who don’t know me, my name is ________ and for those of you that do ... well I apologize.

Foolishly, ________ has given me the great honor of being best man for him on this very special day. Let me just say how grateful I was to have been chosen to speak at such a joyous occasion, the wedding of ______and ______.

Unfortunately, those feelings have now gone out the window and I stand here before you ... terrified.

Before I hand you over to ______, I would just like to say a big "Thank you" to the bridesmaids because they have done a marvelous job in helping _____, and look fantastic!!!!

In fact they are only eclipsed by ______ herself, who, I'm sure you'll agree looks absolutely stunning today. The groom however, just looks stunned.
Right now I would like to ask both (the bride and the grooms name here) to take part in my speech. Bride will you please place your left/right hand on the table. Groom will you please place your left/right hand on top of Bride’s

I would like to ask you both to keep your hands in this position until the end of my speech and believe me ‘groom’ you will regret it if you don’t.
I would like to also thank you for finally admitting after all this time that I have known you, that I am the best man!

Instead of telling you a bunch of stories that can drag on forever, you will have to listen to my marital advice instead. I’m not sure I’m the best person to dish out advice! But I do have the following words of wisdom for the happy couple

Groom;
1. First, set the ground rules and establish whose boss - then do everything she says

2. Second, Married Life Can Be Compared To Football ... so, Be Fully Committed Every Week And Make Sure That You Score Every Saturday.

3. Third, remember the 5 ‘ings’; the engagement ring, the wedding ring, the compromising, the children’s swing, and the enduring.

4. Don’t forget, if you buy her flowers, she knows you're feeling guilty, and she will remember, to the second, the last time you bought her some ... AND the reason why!

5. Lastly, there are three words you must never forget, ‘You're right dear’.

For the bride

For you I have the 5 key tips to a successful marriage.

A man who will treat you right and always stand by your side

A man who will shower you with gifts and compliments

A man who will comfort you in times of trouble.

A man who will please you and grant your every request.

Most importantly, make sure Ensure that each man does not know the other ones names.
But really ______. you are one lucky man! You married ______ today.

She’s a beautiful, smart, funny, loving, and caring young woman.
She really deserves a great husband. Thank god she married you before she found one.

Have you still got your hands together? .... Good, good

I Spoke To Both ____ And _____ Before The Wedding And I Asked _____ What He Was Looking For In Marriage - He Said "Love, Happiness And Eventually A Family."

When I Asked _____ The Same Question - She Replied - A Coffee Perculator!
Well, She Actually Said A "Perky Copulator" But I Knew What She Meant...

The final and most important task, of the best man is knowing when enough is enough and I think that that time has arrived as I look down at my girlfriend and see her with her head in her hands, wondering “what have I done”

It has been an honor and a privilege to be best man today. Thanks again for letting me have the job! And I honestly couldn’t wish for a better friend to be best man for.
I think you will all agree that today, _____ truly is the best man and apart from _____ being the most stunning person in the room, she is also the luckiest.

Now, in case any of you are wondering why I asked ______ to place his hand on top of ______, I will tell you now. _____ ... as my final role, it has been with great pleasure that I have been able to give you the last five minutes in which you will ever have the upper hand over ______.
Please stand up and raise your glasses to Mr. & Mrs. ****** !!!


Speech number 2- best man

Ladies and Gentlemen………. every now and then we have the opportunity to talk about a man of the highest integrity and honor - a man of achievement and action, with penetrating intellect and who is obviously destined for better things In life…………………Not today though, because this speech is about ______(grooms name).

On behalf of The Maid of Honor, and the two bridesmaids, I’d like to thank ___ for his kind comments and their gifts. It’s a pleasure to speak on behalf of such nice people, and I’m sure you’ll all agree – they all look fantastic today and have done a great job.

But, Ladies and Gentlemen, I must remember that we’ve been asked to praise groom today, not to bury him…………mind you, I must admit, the decision was close!
You see the thing is, Dan has been a good friend to me now for over twelve years. We’ve both been close friends, and partners in crime on numerous occasions, and in the quieter moments, a trusting friend to whom he tell anything to……….which, fortunately, has provided me with ample material for this speech.

Starting from the very beginning, groom was born in____ on ____1974. We did try to link this will some big world event, but it seems that nothing else happened on this day………….the day the staff at the Maternity Ward refer to as ‘Monkey Birth Tuesday.’
When doing the research for this speech, speaking to his parents, I expected there to be the usual choice of stories about _____ mishaps as a child, but to my shock there were none. When I spoke to his mother about his younger years, she described him as an ‘angel’. Going onto his schooling years, he was said to be a star pupil, with one teacher actually quoting “I wish we could have more like ____”

For a while, I couldn’t believe this was the same person, as in all the time I knew him at college he was certainly no pet of the tutor’s. He got thrown out of Mr Dowsing’s computer class so many times, that the tutor eventually used to take pre-emptive measures by throwing him out before the class even started….on the rare occasions he actually turned up that is!

______ regularly arrived late for lessons, and used to give a variety of excesses, but my all time favorite is when he returned late from lunch having been to the local pub, and claimed he had been held hostage in a Turkish Hairdressers.

After a bit of digging about I managed to find one of his old college reports, I read and was actually quite surprised, it sad “____ is an ideal pupil who excels in most subjects”……………………..oh hang on a minute it said “____ is an idol pupil who’s been expelled in most subjects”

It’s fair to say that at college, ___ wasn’t just falling behind…….he was actually getting lapped.

Here you can share a personal story about the groom and his behavior after meeting the bride. Perhaps share an anecdote about their early relationship days.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I won’t keep you too much longer so we’ll move to some advice for the newly married couple:

Groom, never be complacent, always keep an eye out for those little tell tail signs in your relationship……….like if you see the milkman wearing your socks. Just remember; it only takes a couple of words mumbled in church and you’re married. But it only takes a couple of words mumbled in your SLEEP and you’re divorced!

Ladies and Gentlemen, before we finish, there are obviously two very important people here today, without whom very little of this would have been possible – and the great thing is, as the evening progresses, most of us will get to spend more and more time talking with them. So please join me in a very special toast………….to the bar staff

Thanks for listing to this speech this afternoon….and as I said to the woman I lost my virginity to, thanks for laughing. All joking aside, ____ you’re a great guy and an excellent friend I remember so many laughs and good times we’ve had, I’m sure there will be many more to come. Thanks for giving us the opportunity, privilege, and honor of being you’re Best Man.

_______ you make a beautiful wife and I’m confidant you will make each other very happy. Let me just say from my perspective, ____ couldn’t be marrying a better man, and ____ couldn’t be marrying a better woman. I am extremely happy to have you both as friends.

So may your love be modern enough to survive the times, yet old Fashioned enough to last forever.

All that left then in to say (looking at the couple) _____ and _____, well done, congratulations and we really do wish you all the very best for your future together. To the bride and groom.

Number 3 best man
Ladies and gentlemen, getting married is a big step. You don’t take it lightly.
So I think it’s only fair to ask this question: Is ___ actually ready for marriage?
As it happens, the answer, I think, is “yes” – which is a relief, because I wouldn’t have enjoyed spending the next five minutes telling you that this wedding is all a big mistake.

So, seeing it’s good news, I thought I might tick off some of the reasons I’ve come to that conclusion. I think the best way to judge whether someone is ready for marriage is to run through this checklist:
Is he responsible?
Is he reliable?
And - last but not least – is he relatively sober?
Let's start with the first one: Is Jim responsible?
A responsible person, in my book, is someone who is willing to say “The Buck Stops Here.”
And ____ has been prepared to say that more than once. So I think we can mark him down as marriage material on count number one.
Count number two, of course, is: Is he reliable? I think so.
You couldn't say he has always been 100 percent reliable, I have to admit.
If you weigh it all up, though, I think you'd have to say that ____ has what takes to be a reliable family man.
So that makes two out of three. Responsible and reliable.
Now - what about relatively sober? Well, when he gets to his feet you'll be able to see for yourself.

I suppose I could tell you a story or two about some episodes in his past where he wasn't the most sober guy in the room, but I personally believe that it's a shame to spoil a wedding that way.

You don't really want to upset your family by having the sordid details of one or two of your less dignified moments announced on your big day. So I think we'll just let that one by, ____, and score you, let's say, 2 and a half out of three.

Which is most definitely a passing grade. So congratulations, ____. You qualify as a man ready for marriage, and you couldn't have chosen a better person to share it with. it’s an honor to stand here today as your Best Man.

You and ____ make a terrific couple, and I want to wish you many years of love, laughter, happiness, success, and joy.

And I know that however things change, and whatever fate rolls your way, you’ll make the most of everything you have. God bless you both, and may the life ahead of you be all you have ever dreamed of.

Number 4 Best man
I would like to thank Graham for his kind words on behalf of the bridesmaids who look absolutely wonderful and have done a fantastic job today.

I would like to start by complimenting the bride on how amazing she looks this evening.

As for Graham, well what can I say, we tried our best. It was of course a great honor to be chosen as best man. But from the moment Graham asked me it was clear that the best man speech would be the most challenging part of the day. If only because of having to select, only some, from the wealth of embarrassing stories of which I could choose.

So I had to prepare. I took my standard approach and indeed most men’s approach when faced with a problem they know little of nothing about. I bought a book and surfed on the internet.

Now for those of you who have had the pleasure of being best man will understand, the book found its way to the garbage almost before I got through the door. And, as I’m sure I’m not the only man in the room who has found far more interesting things to look at on the internet. I drew a blank.

The most reliable source of information would clearly come from the friends and family with whom he would share this special day. So buddy, I wrote down a few words with which some of them used to describe you.

A great friend; Thoughtful, caring, trusting and charismatic. In fact I barely found a person who had a bad word to say. Although, I did find some.

When I heard belligerent, ungrateful, lazy, stubborn and obstinate I thought hang on that’s a bit rough (maybe not entirely untrue but certainly a bit unnecessary for a best mans speech) ………….but if his parents don’t know him then who does.

When speaking to everyone I learned a bit about _______ childhood. I met him at university and knew little about how he grew up.

His sisters confirmed, what I had expected myself, that it was indeed from an early age that _____ had realized his appearance would be a fundamental part of his character. However, it appears that he struggled to find a style of his own.

(Embarrassing photo’s scanned onto slides for projector)

The other personality trait which everyone agreed defines Graham is his general obsessive ness. Whether it relates to his passion for his hair, his neatness, his formula 1 addiction or his obsessive talking which coupled with his unhealthy love of technology can form a lethal combination.

I thought it had been just me who had been subjected to marathon conversations about the racing specifications of the latest F1, his most recent upgrade of mobile phone, or the relative merits of all four championship manager football games. But it appears he has inflicted this to some degree upon all of us. But we love him all the same.

Having shared some of your thoughts with me. I will be glad to share with you some of my own experiences with _____. If you had supposed that there was a darker side to ____, you’d be right.

This is the time, where as tradition dictates, I would be failing in my duties as best man if I did not include some stories about masculine behavior and drinking ridiculous amounts of alcohol. However, stories like this can come across so easily as being juvenile and distasteful.

I have three good examples of such stories.

The first, _____, having been apprehensive about being dressed up for his 21st birthday was relieved to find that the costume chosen was that of a racing driver. Only to be horribly disappointed that the nipples and bottom had been cut out as we dressed him up ready for a night on the town.

Another good example would be ¬¬¬¬_____ first and hopefully last attempt at forming international relations with France. For which he supported by myself and many friends found himself on a booze cruise in France. After having been drinking for 24hours he was dressed up as Frenchman complete with a Berret, Stripey T-shirt and a String of onions. I think by the end of the holiday we had even gone as far as developing the stereotypical smell of the Frenchmen. A true ambassador of the country _______.

The final example would have to involve the events of the stag do in Prague of which I will only share only this. When confronted with an angry Czech police officer, who brandishing a baton and gun, has just stopped you for being drunk and disorderly – what do you do? It is braver man than me who when horribly drunk, dressed as a super hero, with an inflatable sex doll in one hand and with a ball and chain in his other answers to the question ‘What is your name’ with ‘I’m Batman’. Adam West would have been appalled.

Okay, none of that actually happened. However, that story certainly caught _____ lovely eye, just as she caught _____ eye. It was almost love at first site for _____

I’m not convinced that love blossomed as quickly on ____ part, as from his speech, it seems too had done with _____. I think the words I heard used were jumped up and overconfident. But I wouldn’t worry about that ____, I’ve heard him described as far worse things before.

And being the dedicated and work-orientated man that he is covered far more ground in the handover that I’m sure is outlined in any corporate handbook. And I for one am glad that he did as it was the start of a beautiful relationship which we are all here to celebrate today.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it has been a fantastic honor doing this job today. You’ve been very kind in listening to me. And, now I have just a few thank you to add.

Firstly, I’d like to join the groom in thanking ________ for being fabulous hosts.
Secondly, I’d like to thank the Zoo for giving ______ day release from the monkey enclosure.

I’d like to thank you all for joining the couple Celebrate this very special day in their lives.

I have one special thank you which I have had to add today. We had a minor disaster last night at ______ house. His trusted Best man, when ironing our shirts for the big day, managed to burn a massive iron mark on the sleeve of, guess who, but the Grooms shirt. Thinking quickly we swapped it with one of the Ushers. Judging by his face he has had no idea but deserves thanks for taking one for the team.

And finally, it gives me the greatest pleasure to invite you all to be upstanding and join me in toasting the bride and groom on what I’m sure will be a very long and happy marriage.


Number 5
Ladies and gentlemen:
If there’s anybody here this evening, who feels slightly nervous and frightened, it’s probably because you just got married to ______!

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is ____ and it has been my job today to ensure that _____ was not himself. Which basically meant, punctual and sober.

I’ve known him for ________ years and I can honestly say that I’ve never seen him happier as when he met _____. She has not only changed his life for the better, but she has brought out the best in him.

I want to thank him for asking me to be his best man, because this is truly an honor. I’d also like to thank the families for helping them both prepare for this beautiful wedding. They are a great couple and I wish them all the happiness in the world. Ladies and gentlemen, would you please raise your glass and join me in a toast to the happy couple:

To the new Mr. & Mrs. XXXXXXX....may you have a lifetime full of health and happiness! Congratulations!


Maid of Honor Speech

Good Evening! For those of you who don’t know me, I’m _________, the very proud big sister of our glamorous Bride. I want to start by congratulating bride and groom, and thanking all of you for coming here today.

When I look at the bride and groom, I feel such a whirlwind of emotions? I know that _____ has found her true match and I know that theirs will be a marriage of long standing. My heart is bursting with love for you two today. I know you have a wonderful adventure ahead of you, and with God’s blessing your marriage will last for decades to come.

I never knew _____ before he dated my sister, so I can’t tell you horrible stories about him, but I can tell you that I think he’s perfect for my sister!? He’s easy going, interesting, easy to talk to, and he has a great sense of humor! We are very happy to welcome _____ into our family. We know he’s made for us, and we hope we’re made for him!

______, I want to note how beautiful you look today, and to tell you that this has truly been a special day for me. Thank you for giving true meaning to the word sister and for sharing the last 28 years with me. My parents and I have just loved this girl from the day she was born. We’ve coddled her, enjoyed her, and laughed with her.? I know how much joy she has brought into our lives, and I know that she’ll bring that joy into ______ life as well.

As children, _____ and I were pretty much inseparable, and we always managed to keep each other laughing. When I think back on our adventures in childhood, I have nothing but fond memories. The fondest memories include the times we spent at the river having picnic lunches.

Add a personal memory here, or two etc. To this day, ____ is the only person I know that can make me laugh so hard it hurts. I have a lot more funny and embarrassing stories about her, but because this is her special day, I will leave her alone now.

I thought about the words of advice that we’d like to give to the newlyweds and came up with this:

The two secrets of a long lasting and happy marriage are a good sense of humor and a short memory!

Always remember to say those three important little words..."You’re right dear."
If you’re clever, you’ll always have the last word. However, if you are very clever, you won’t use it.

Whenever you are wrong, admit it. Whenever you are right, be quiet.
And, _____, always remember...a happy wife, makes for a happy life!

Separately, you are two special, remarkable people, but together you are complete. As you sit side by side through this roller coaster of life, remember to scream from the peaks, hold hands through the dips, laugh through the loop the loops, and enjoy every twist and turn.

For the ride is much better when you share it together. Coming together is the beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.

My wishes for ______and _______ are that they have a continued loving friendship and partnership; that they enjoy success and laughter; that they are blessed with children; and that they always see and talk with their heart.?

My greatest wish for the two of you is that through the years, your love for each other will deepen and grow. Years from now, may you look back on this day, your wedding day, as the day you loved each other the least. I wish you the very best. My love to the both of you.

Please raise your glasses while I toast my sister and her husband:

Take each day and cherish your time together. Love one another and stand together. Take time to talk to one another. Put your love and your family first; your job and your hobbies second. May your love be like the wind, strong enough to move the clouds, soft enough to never hurt, but always never ending? So here’s to love, laughter, and happily ever after. Cheers!

These speeches were found for free at www.wedding-speeches.com

Maid of honor speech

Before I start I would like to say that ____ you look absolutely beautiful. For those of you know don’t know me my name is ____ and for those of you who do, I’ll have the usual, just put the bottle next to my purse.

When ____ first asked me to be her bridesmaid I felt delighted but as the big day approached I was informed that I would be doing a speech and a toast. Being the shy and retiring type I was trying to think of ways of getting out of it, but have any of you tried saying no to ____.

Then I thought what could I talk about, like all self respecting 30 something year old, I did research and came up with some sayings that I would like to share with you,


Some say that marriage begins when you sink into his arms and ends up with your arms in his sink. Others would say that when a man holds a woman’s hand before marriage, its love, after marriage it is self-defense.

They say that before marriage a man will lay awake thinking about something you said, after marriage he’ll fall asleep before you have finished saying it. Now, I’m sure that there are some of you out there that can relate to that.

Before I finish, I would like to offer my own advice for a happy and successful marriage, now just because I’m not married or never have been it doesn’t mean to say I am now not an expert on it.

Groom, Whenever you’re wrong, admit it, whenever you right, shut up.

The best way to remember an anniversary is to forget it just once.

Set the ground rules immediately and then do everything _____ says.

Road maps are always a good thing.

Never forget the two most important saying, you’re right dear and okay buy it.
Never be afraid that _____ will leave you, she has spent years training you and she won’t give that up lightly.

Women really do really need a pair of shoes for every outfit. So on that note before I get into any trouble, I’ll propose the toast. To _____ and _____

A wedding day will be remembered
For all the joy it brings
A day of love and happiness
Of vows and wedding rings
A day of new beginnings
Learning what love truly means
Your wedding day is just the start
Of many hopes and dreams.

To the bride and groom!

Maid of Honor Speech
I’m in favor of plenty of short speeches, because they inevitably lead to plenty of toasts. So I’m on my feet for two reasons: Firstly because my very dear friend has made a beautiful bride, and I want to say so, and secondly because it gives me the chance to add to the toast count.

______has been a great friend in so many ways. We've had a lot of fun together, and she's always been there for me when things were tough. We've come to know one another so well, that we have an understanding that goes beyond words.

We don't judge, and we don't have to explain. So, when it happened, _____didn't really have to say much to make it clear to me that Gilles was The One. All the signs were there... the special looks ... the way her face would light up when he was around.

And in due course there were the bigger changes to their lives as they became a couple. It all felt right as it happened, it all feels right today, and I know that the life they have ahead of them will feel just as right as it does today. All in all, ___ and ____, I can see you both making a success of everything you do together.

With one possible exception: I don't know just how much progress _____ will be able to make in her efforts to teach _____ to cook meals and do housework while she's off to work. It's been a lifetime of him Mom taking real good care of him. ______, help him to grow up..please!.

And I don't know how far ____ will get in persuading his bride ways to spend less time at the mall. The drain on your wallets will be disastrous considering they both like to shop..

Not that it matters.

All we need to know is that these two people have already become comfortable with one another. And that they're excited to be in each other's company.

And that tells me that they have the foundation for a wonderful marriage: not just lovers, but lifelong friends as well.

I am ecstatic for both of you. You truly complement one another. You met as friends and it evolved into a love that so many people rarely find today. Love after all, doesn’t make the world go around…

Love is what makes the ride worthwhile. And it’s a wonderful thing when two people who were made for each other manage to fall in love. So I’d like to make a toast. And I’d like to make it with this thought in mind: If there is such a thing as a good marriage, it is because it resembles friendship rather than love. So this is to you, _____ and _____, and a wonderful life together. Ladies and Gentlemen, to friends, lovers and soul mates.


Maid of Honor Speech
Ladies and Gentlemen, I don't want to say a lot today, but I do want to say one or two very important things. _____ has been a great friend in so many ways.

We've had a lot of fun together, and she's always been there for me when things were tough. We've come to know one another so well, that we have an understanding that goes beyond words.

We don't judge, and we don't have to explain. So, when it happened, _____ didn't really have to say much to make it clear to me that _____was The One. All the signs were there... the special looks ... the way her face would light up when he was around.

And in due course there were the bigger changes to their lives as they became a couple. It all felt right as it happened, it all feels right today, and I know that the life they have ahead of them will feel just as right as it does today.

All in all, ____ and ____, I can see you both making a success of everything you do together. With one possible exception: I don't know just how much progress ____will be able to make in her efforts to teach _____ to make his own food..

And I don't know how far Harold will get in persuading Rebecca ways to spend less time shopping...look out, your credit card is in trouble. Not that it matters. All we need to know is that these two people have already become comfortable with one another.

And that they're excited to be in each other's company. And that tells me that they have the foundation for a wonderful marriage: not just lovers, but lifelong friends as well. Emily Bronte wrote some words that I think are apt here. She said: “Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” _____and _____, your souls ARE the same. You make a perfect couple, you truly deserve each other, and I know You WILL both have a long and happy life together. So ladies and gentlemen, I would like to offer a toast: to my wonderful friend _____, her perfect husband ____, and true love.

Maid of Honor Speech
I’m here because my very dear friend is getting married, and boy does she make a beautiful bride _____ has been a great friend in so many ways.

We've had a lot of fun together, and she's always been there for me when things were tough. Whether it was 3 in the morning or afternoon she remained loyal to me. She was there like no one else has been there for me besides my own mother.

Fun times, yes there were many. Who can forget "midnight apple bobbing?"
We've come to know one another so well, that we have an understanding that goes beyond words. When ____ proposed, ____ didn't really have to say much to make it clear to me that he was The One. All the signs were there... the special looks ... the way her face would light up when he was around. It all felt right as it happened, it all feels right today, and I know that the life they have ahead of them will feel just as right as it does today.

All in all, you two, I can see you both making a success of everything you do together, especially in your marriage. Oh yeah, with a couple exceptions: I don't know just how much progress _____ will be able to make in her efforts to teach _____ to play golf properly but at least there's hope with ___ around.

And I don't know how far _____ will get in persuading Jolene ways to spend less time talking on the phone. I don't know how he even finds the time to talk to her.

However, I know they have the foundation for a wonderful marriage: not just lovers, but lifelong friends as well. _____, I want to say thank you. You make things entertaining and exciting for the rest of us. Every one of us is proud to be your friend, and we’d do anything for you. You’re a giving person, you’re always there if we need you, and we just love you to bits…. …even though you can sometimes drive us crazy.

So I’m just as glad as I can be that you’re married, and I hope that your road goes on forever and your party never ends. Good luck to you and your wonderful man. Thank you for bringing color into our lives, and I hope there’s plenty in yours for many, many years. Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to offer a toast: To _____ and _____, and a wonderful life together



Bride speech number 1
Naturally, the bride and groom have to give their own speech either together or separately as well.

We did it!! I can’t believe we’re here already!! At first it felt like it couldn’t take any longer and the last few weeks just flew! It’s overwhelming, I’m in awe!

Wow, I’m actually Mrs. _______! I can’t believe it! Yeah, I can here my co-workers snickering in the back there, I can only imagine the stories I’ll be returning to!

____ and I have traveled a long road together already and I’m looking forward to our continued journey as husband and wife.

______ and I would like to thank our family and friends for coming tonight and being supportive to us at different stages of our lives. We’d also like to thank those who couldn’t be with us in body and spirit like my papa who isn’t forgotten and is loved and missed very much! We’d also like to thank the people who we don’t know very well for coming and we’d like to take the opportunity tonight to get to know you better. Most of all we’d like to thank our parents for teaching us the 10 important rules to a healthy marriage:

Never both be angry at the same time.
Never Yell at each other unless the house on fire.
If one of us HAS to win an argument, let it be your mate.
If you have to criticize, do it lovingly.
Never bring up mistakes of the past.
Neglect the whole world rather than each other.
Never go to sleep with an argument unsettled.
At least once everyday try to say one nice thing to your mate.
When you have done something wrong, be ready to admit it and ask for forgiveness.
It takes 2 to quarrel and the one in the wrong is the one who does the talking.

I hope we can remember these rules and live by them. Not only do we want to thank our parents for these rules they are only part of what they’ve taught us. We also want to thank-you for building courage when we are scared, for strengthening our hearts when we are weak and when we have self esteem we can conquer anything!

We would like to thank ______ for creating this wonderful meal and
Their lovely staff for their service and kindness and for making this a night to remember.

We would like to thank our beautiful wedding party for their hard work and loyalty & I know they deserve it. Even when things got hectic and I was losing my mind they really pulled through and lifted me up and that is what true friends are made of so let’s lift our glasses and toast to our wonderful entourage. Cheers!

Bride Speech number 2
Well, I guess this is slightly unusual – a brides speech - but those of you who know me will also know that the chance of me being able to keep me mouth shut while everyone else does a speech was pretty slim. So I’m sorry for adding another speech to the list but, if it’s any consolation, I’ll try to keep it short.

Also, there are a few things that I want to say that no-one else will so please bear with me. If this sounds like a bad Oscar acceptance speech, I do apologize!

I’d like to thank _____ for being my bridesmaid today. She’s been helpful, supportive and all the things a bride could ask for. The only problem is, she looks completely stunning in her dress so I’ve had to sit her as far away from me as possible! Rachael, I’ve got a little something for you.

Now, you know someone is a true friend when they re-arrange their holiday so that they can be at your wedding. Acknowledge those who did that or traveled out of city. Over the past months, she’s been there with a cup of tea and a listening ear whenever I’ve needed her, she’s been with me to dress fittings and on numerous shopping expeditions, she helped get everything ready this morning and, she even offered to do my make-up – and if that isn’t a sign of pure bravery, I don’t know what is.

We were actually at school together and suffered numerous French, English and Science classes together so I hope today has been more magical than monstrous. I’ve also got a little gift for you.

By the way, just to warn you all, this could be the start of the emotional bit so if I start blubbering, feel free to throw me a tissue.

Mom and Dad, what can I say? You seen me grow up, you’ve helped me develop and mature into the person that I am today and I hope you think all your hard work has been worth while. I love you both very much and hope you feel happy today rather than sad, for this is only the start of a new chapter, rather than the end of the book. I’ve got a couple of gifts for you – one will help you celebrate you new found freedom and another will, if you look after it like you looked after me, also grow and thrive.

And finally, a word, or maybe more!!, about my husband (wow!!, I can say that now!) _____ came into my life and completely changed it – more grey hairs and worry lines for a start! In all seriousness, I adore this man, and as many of you know how dodgy James’s time keeping can be, the fact he turned up on time today is a pretty hopeful sign that he feels the same about me too. He is my biggest supporter, my best friend and now my husband – how fantastically lucky I am to get all that in one person.

And finally , I’d like to say a huge thank you to each and every one of you for being with us today. A wedding can happen anywhere and at any time but it can only be a true celebration when all the people you love are there to share it with you so you really have made our day.

So, if you’d please raise you glasses for a toast – To Friends & Family

Bride Speech 3
Where do I begin? I guess it’s right here. My love, on this day I vowed to make our relationship a success and use our love as a guide in all that we do. You are multi-dimensional gift that gets better with every layer that gets peeled away….a compassionate friend, a brilliant mind, a strong father and I am so excited to see what the “husband” layer brings.

Thank you for allowing me into you and your family’s life. Your parents have been inspiring role models in marriage and I love becoming part of your family and can’t wait to deepen our relationship. Also, I’d like to thank everyone that came here. I think I speak for both us when I say; you people make life so happy for us, Thank you for being a part in our lives.

Grandparent speech
It has been said that being married is like sitting in the bathtub—after awhile it’s not so hot. This is not true. It is my observation that when you are married you are in hot water all the time.

Marriage has been described in many ways by poets, sages and scribes. Most of these, alas, seem to be critical and satirical, but then, after a picnic you remember the mosquitoes and not the butterflies. It is remembered that Cervantes said “marriage is a noose,” but who is remembered for having said marriage is a delight?

Ambrose Bierce has said, “Women would be more charming if one could fall into her arms without falling into her hands.” There seems to be a tendency to regard marriage as all very well for women but a disaster for men. Disreli said, “I respect the institution of marriage. I have always thought that every woman should marry and no man.” I don’t think he was too good at arithmetic. Shaw described the world as a strewn with snares, traps, gins and pitfalls for the capture of men by women. It has also been said that a man chases a girl until she catches him, and romance has been described as the only sport in which the animal that gets caught has to buy the license.

Are there no favorable comments about marriage? Yes there are! Tennyson said, “Marriages are made in heaven.” Ogden Nash has written, “Marriage is the only known example of the happy meeting of the immovable object and the irresistible force.” I must confess I’m not sure whether that’s favorable or not. There is nothing ambiguous about Thomas Wolfe when he says, “There is no spectacle on Earth more appealing than that of a beautiful woman in the act of cooking dinner for someone she loves.” And then we must come to Burns for the gentlest tribute to a wife:

She is a winsome wee thing,
She is a handsome wee thing,
She is a lo’esome wee thing
This sweet wee wife o’ mine.

So to the happy couple I would say, let your married life together be such as to confound the wits who would make fun of marriage and add support to those poets who sing its praises.

Let us rise now and drink confusion to the wits and joy to the happy couple. The happy couple.

Uncle speech
I want to keep this short, as I realize I wasn’t scheduled to speak today. ____, you have matured to be a man of integrity, strength and character. Our family is made stronger by your presence and finally we are able to show ___ what it’s really about to be a (family name here)…..Congratulations ___ and ____.


Brother of the bride speech
Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I'm ____, the bride's brother. On behalf of my mother, Mrs. ___, I wish to thank you all for coming to celebrate this special occasion with us. We are so happy that so many of our friends and relatives are able to come here to enjoy this splendid occasion with us.

Today seems like a magical dream. This morning, I proudly walked my sister down the aisle to marry ____, the man whom she loves so much. It was so beautiful to watch them exchanging their vows in that beautiful stained glass church. Its marvelous seeing these two good people come together.

The Bride and Groom

____is a gem in our family, a blessing to both her parents and me. She's been a good and faithful daughter to my mom and my dad. We know she will also be a blessing to _____and his family. Dad would be so proud to see you together with this man.

____has been a good sister to me. I will miss her wit and good company, especially when South Park is on. _____, I'm sorry but the "higher authorities" will not allow me to do Cartman's German dance to honor this occasion. _____and I have been so close that we're almost telepathic. We used to simply exchange looks at each other to communicate jokes. But lately she's been a little distant. Her eyes like those of Skywalker look far far away to _____. .

_____, I am so glad that you are marrying my sister. _____ and I have been good friends for a long time. He is a hardworking, talented, and ambitious young man. He not only has a good career path in ____ but also a place in the Guinness World Book of Records as the holder of the biggest CD collection. But, above all these things, he loves my sister first and desires that she have the best. I know that my sister has found in you a partner, a trusted friend, a husband who will love her, honor her, cherish and take good care of her.

(face audience)

I believe this because when he was courting my sister, he honored my family, my sister, and his God by being patient. He waited for the right and appropriate time to ask for my sister's hand in marriage last year. If my father, _____, were alive today he would be proud to give his daughter's hand in marriage to you. Instead, today I have that honor.

The in-laws
Mr and Mrs _____ (grooms’s parents). I am so happy that my sister is marrying into such a good hearted family. I could not have asked for better in-laws; you both are the kindest, warmest, and friendly people I've known. I know you will take only the best care of my sister.

Would all you all please rise join me - in this first of many toasts – to wish the Bride & Groom, _____ and _____, a long and happy married life together. May your lives be entwined like the strong leaves of ivy on a high castle tower. May your joy never end like the circles of your wedding rings.





Father of the bride speeches
I would like to thank you all tonight for being here to support these 2 lovely young adults on their wedding day. I have seen many relationships in my day, and believe me, this is one of the strongest I've come across.

To my baby girl...thank you so much for being a wonderful daughter. Although I know we've had our ups and downs, you have always been so strong, loving and kind. There hasn't been a day in my life where I haven't thanked God for such a great person being in my life. I love you honey.

And to my new son-in-law: TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY BABY!

In all seriousness, I know you have ______ best interest at heart, and to tell you the truth, you have been the only boyfriend she's had that I even remotely liked, so you have to be doing something right. I pray that you will continue to bring out the best in each other and fruitful throughout your lifetime.

Cheers to the new beautiful and blushing bride and her new husband.

Father of the Bride Speech
You two make a wonderful couple. And I am a proud father today. I knew, right from the beginning, that ______ would be special. And she is. She's devoted, she's ambitious and she's determined. And some people would say that in her father's eye, she can do no wrong. So what a tall order this father turns out to be for any prospective boyfriend!

But I want to tell you I'm a contented father in law today. ____ is a perfect match, and I'm proud of my daughter for choosing so well. Actually, I always wanted to choose her husband for her. But, of course, she went ahead and did her own choosing and did a better job than I could have ever done. And it's just wonderful to see their love for each other.

I do have to acknowledge this though, ____- my daughter is perhaps not the easiest person in the world to work with when it comes to animals. She is so scared of them it's unbelievable.

But I can promise you: apart from that, as you probably already know, she's just about perfect! And if she brings even half the joy into your life that she's brought ours, I know you will feel blessed.

We have so many wonderful memories, (daughter)______You really have been a joy in our life.

I want you to know how much it means to us that you've made such a success of your life. You're doing a wonderful job of every part of it. When I see the two of you together laughing and enjoying one another’s company, it warms my heart.

And as I watch you both planning your future life, I know that this father – who, I must admit, is a something of a worrier by nature – has nothing to worry about.

You make a wonderful couple. _____and ____, there is much love in this room today. A wedding is not only about love for each other, but the love you share with all the people in your life. You are among friends who wish you all the happiness and love in the world. Good luck to you and God bless you both.


Father speech
My dear daughter, you have done me proud today, now I can safely sleep at night without wondering what time you are back home and who is keeping you out so late. My dearest daughter, now you have brought me a son, someone to help me with the garden and the lawn. I could not have asked for more.

It takes a whole lifetime to know someone, but as you may well know, your mother and I have been through hell and back together, I am sure you will be able to go through the same.

To my son in law, well there is not much I can say son, except to remind you about the yard that needs cleaning soon after the wedding party. Welcome to the family son, we love you both.

Father Speech
I have to say, this day has come around sooner that I was expecting. I don’t mean that _____ has rushed into this, of course! It’s just that one day you have a brand new daughter, and the next, she’s a young woman starting her own life.


I knew, right from the beginning, that _____ would be special. And she is. She's fun-loving, she's loyal and generous. And some people would say that in her father's eye, she can do no wrong. So what a tall order this father turns out to be for any prospective boyfriend! But I want to tell you I'm a contented father in law today. _____ is a perfect match, and I'm proud of my daughter for choosing so well. Actually, I always wanted to choose her husband for her. But, of course, she went ahead and did her own choosing and did a better job than I could have ever done. And it's just wonderful to see their love for each other.

I do have to acknowledge this though, ______ is perhaps not the easiest person in the world to work with when it comes to helping others. She loves spending time making the world a better place..

But I can promise you: apart from that, as you probably already know, she's just about perfect! And if she brings even half the joy into your life that she's brought ours, I know you will feel blessed.

We have so many wonderful memories,______ You really have been a joy in our life.

I want you to know how much it means to us that you've made such a success of your life. You're doing a wonderful job of every part of it. I really don’t propose to offer any helpful words of advice.

And I say that for the simple reason that You two clearly don’t need any. They’re full of purpose, full of energy, and they know where exactly where their life is taking them. And so, I just want to say this: ______ and _____, thank you for making us such proud and happy parents.

So this is the toast I would like to make to you: ‘May your love be modern enough to survive the times and old-fashioned enough to last forever.’

Mother of Bride speech

I have been waiting to do this for a long time. ____ has always been a person who truly loves life. From the day she saw her first Princess movie, she always wanted to get married.

As a mother, I couldn't have been happier raising someone as sweet as her. When she would try something new, she never quit until she got what she wanted.

Enter ____. I don't know if you know this ____, but the day she met you she said she'd marry you, and here you are.

During the course of their relationship I have seen the two of them flourish so well together that I can hardly believe they're the same two people.

I am so proud of what you've accomplished together. And wish the two of you all the happiness in the world. Cheers.

Mother speech
Today, I can't describe the feelings that are rushing through me. You have always been such a beautiful and passionate girl and today I know I've never seen you more beautiful & passionate, except now you're a woman.

Like most parents out there, your children can be a handful and there are days where you wonder what ever made you get into this "parent trap." But thankfully, especially with ____, their angelic attributes come to the surface and all the other stuff just melts away.

I can say I have never known a child to be as compassionate as ____ was. I'll never forget, her father and I were watching a movie and she was barely 2 years old, there was a part in which a child was crying because of fighting with her mother. I turned to _____ and there were tears streaming down her face. That day I knew that she was extremely empathetic and she'd be able to help many with such a caring attitude towards her fellow human being.

_____, I love you and I couldn't be prouder of the woman you've become. You are an outstanding person at home and within the community and your father and I love deeply.

_____, I'd like to say, I couldn't have picked a better match for my daughter. You too are compassionate, beautiful and a wonderful role model for those around you. Please take care of my daughter, as I pass her on to you. You, have not only won her heart, you've won her mother's.

May God bless you in all your endeavors together. Cheers to the bride and groom.



Mother speech
My dearest daughter, you have taken the path I told you to take, I am proud of you. Marriage is not always rosy my dear, it is hard, your father and I have had to endure times when we really thought we were not going to make it, but he here we are still going strong and I still love him if not more than when I first met him.

I want you to be strong and take good care of your husband. To my son in law, well, some things are better left unsaid, and I guess you already know that mother in laws cause a lot of stress when they do visit. I hope you will be looking forward to our weekly visits. Welcome to the family son.

Grooms parents speech

What does marriage mean?
Being together now and forever
Having the same ways
Giving each other nice nicknames
Going shopping together
Watching the same TV channel
Debating problems maturely
Bringing him slippers when he comes home from work
Thinking of her only
Looking forward to leaving the office
Waiting for him patiently
Having a nice bath together
Well these are the joys of marriage
And we will be there to help you though....Congratulations to both of you

Grooms Parent speech
A good marriage must be created.
In marriage, the little things are the big things:
Never being too old to hold hands.
Remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day.
Never going to sleep angry.
Having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
Standing together facing the world.
Forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.
Speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
Having the capacity to forgive and forget, and then forgetting what you forgave.
Giving each other an atmosphere in which to grow.
Not only MARRYING the right person, but BEING the right partner.
Cheers, to the bride and groom on their special day
Our family is stronger for having _________ (bride) in it
My son is a better man.


Miscellaneous wedding toasts and speeches--
3 minute speech from groom to friends and co-workers

Thanks everyone, they say marriage is an institution and therefore, it
Seems proper that I am about to be married since some of you have been saying I should have been institutionalized for years.

Some of you may be concerned as to whether I am actually prepared marriage, but I want to assure you that I am fully aware of the changes that marriage will bring and to this end I have prepared a small list.

1. I understand that my rights to have a say in matters pertaining to decorating are revoked. Although I am still entitled to an opinion on such matters, my wife has no obligation to reward my ideas with anything other than a pat on the head and a giggle.

2. I am aware that shopping, as a married man will differ somewhat from what I am used to. So picking up a bag of potato chips and a keg of beer before proudly announcing “I’m done” may result in some privileges being withdrawn.

3. Flowers are no longer a currency for buying forgiveness.

4. The frequency of sex will now be directly related to my behavior, thoughtfulness and consideration and will be awarded on a performance basis.

5. Cooking by a male in the kitchen is out of bounds except under strict supervision. However, I must be careful in my wording that “The kitchen belongs to my wife”. N.B. See no.4 for ramifications if the phrase “My wife belongs in the kitchen” is inadvertently used.

6. “I love you” is no longer just an expression of endearment, but also a handy answer to no-win questions such as “Do I look okay”, “Do you think I am getting fat” and “Do you mind if my mother comes to stay for a few days”.

7. It is okay for her to shout “Yeah” at hunks on the television, because it is just meant in “a humorous way”. “I must however refrain from making any such comment when a beautiful girl appears on screen. I understand that although she may not be watching for a reaction, she will be on alert. If in doubt see no.6. Important Note: The words “Rack”, ”Hooters” and “Headlamps” are no longer a useful part of my vocabulary and must be dispensed of immediately”,

So as you can see guys, I am prepared for what is to come. Thank you for the present and I’d like to also thank you for not getting me a stripper. Getting a stripper at this point would be like buying a big cream cake for a fat kid to celebrate him going on a diet.

I look forward to seeing most of you at the wedding and if you see me before the ceremony looking at you with fear in my eyes, its just that my mind has gone blank with nerves. Please just remind me of her name and everything will be fine.

Types of Additions to the speech
*****************
Thank you all for the presents, cards and best wishes. It really does mean a lot to me that I have your support as I begin my journey as a married man.

It is traditional to get some funny gifts and I was apprehensive as to what I would get as I came to work this morning. I tried to think of practical applications for such things as an eight-foot pair of plastic breasts, an elephant’s trunk thong and an inflatable sheep.

It seems ironic that many of the humorous gifts associated with getting married would be hours of fun for a bachelor. Still….(check watch, look at one of the presents if appropriate and then back at your watch)….there is time.

Ahem, I put on my best underwear this morning, just in case you had me tied up and whipped by a stripper, but it looks like so far (SUITABLE PERSON) has managed to keep their clothes on. So, I’m not the only one achieving a first today Eh?


If you did want any extra lines, or specific items mentioning or even a complete rewrite, please let me know in an answer clarification before rating as I would like you to be completely satisfied with the speech.

This speech has been timed at around 3:15 seconds before additions

10 Commandments of marriage Speech
"Thou shalt have no other human being before your husband or your wife."
No other human being should come before your mate - no one, neither father nor mother, son nor daughter, brother nor sister, friend nor acquaintance.

"Thou shalt put no thing before your husband or wife."
You should put no thing between each other. No house should ever come before your spouse. Whether house, car, pleasure, money, or fame - nothing."

"Thou shalt not belittle, criticize or fault find, but rather encourage your spouse in all ways." Since God's Word teaches us to make no idols, it follows that we are to honor each other's name. Honor each other and seek to put each other first above any other person on earth.

"Thou shalt remember her/his day, to keep it special."
Set time aside for the two of you so you may not grow apart but even closer. Your spouse and your children are worthy of your time and your undivided attention.

"Thou shalt give honor not only to your father and mother, but to those who become your father-in-law and mother-in-law."
As you two become one, you marry into another family. Wise is the husband or wife who does not take it upon himself or herself to find fault with those who are related to their spouse.

"Thou shalt not destroy the spirit within your spouse."
Husbands, do not destroy your bride's dreams and hopes for the future which she now places in your hands. Most of man's earthly happiness depends upon his wife. Most assuredly God will bless a man in this life, yet John Wesley discovered that, regardless of a noble cause, a woman can make a man most miserable. Wife, covenant that you will not be such a person. Both of you must honor and build up the personhood of the other.

"Thou shalt give your passions only to each other, not to another."
You should not give away your passions to another in word, in thought, or in deed. This person beside whom you stand on your wedding day is to be your lover as well as your helpmate and your best friend.

"Husband, steal not from your wife that which is her privilege to give. Wife, receive what he gives to you with gratitude".
The spirit of gratitude can greatly can greatly bless a home. If your minds are filled with thoughts of gratitude, and if you look on that which you do have and not that which you do not have, you will be blessed.

"Thou shalt not bear false witness to each other."
Be honest with each other. Dishonesty and an unwillingness to talk through differences build a silent wall which is not easily dismantled. The real self, then, refuses to be disclosed, and a couple may gradually begin to drift apart.

"Thou shalt not seek greener pastures, whether they be those things physical or material." Do no engage in selfish fantasies. Be content with the one whom God has given to you, and God will bless your lives together.

Wedding Toasts
There is nothing nobler or more admirable than when two people who see eye to eye keep house as man and wife, confounding their enemies and delighting their friends.

From Bride to the Groom - Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success. Here’s to you both.

Seek a happy marriage with wholeness of heart, but do not expect to reach the Promised Land without going through some wilderness together.



Maid of Honor Toast
The vows have been read, the cake has been cut, let’s hope (the bride's name) does not grow a big butt.

Toast by Best Man
The two secrets to a long lasting marriage: here is to good sense of humor ...and a short memory. The two secrets to a long lasting marriage: here is to good sense of humor ...and a short memory.


The above speeches are not copyrighted materials as they were posted in public forums. I have edited them to be general in nature; corrected grammar and spelling, and some things that were not necessary were removed.


Do’s & Don’ts of Wedding Speeches
When it comes to giving a speech, there are specific things that you should and shouldn’t do. This section is relatively short and to the point. This is so that it will be easy to read and understand. Here we go with the do’s and don’ts of wedding speeches.

1. If you are the Best man, don’t forget that your speech is not an extension of the stag night. It will be far better received if you don’t use vulgarity, bad language and make references to the Groom’s prior relationships. It is possible to make a speech which will go down a storm by omitting all of these.

2. Do; try to make sincere parts of the speech sound sincere. I know some men are not happy at being thought of as being sincere or corny, but do it anyway. A wedding is a loving occasion and I am sure your reputation will remain just the same no matter how corny you are.

3. Don’t; forget the speech card; If you wear glasses don’t forget them.

4. Do; try to relax and take some long deep breaths beforehand, it helps.

5. Do; try to open the speech with a witty comment or joke. Once you have got a laugh, you will feel much more confident. Make sure that you smile.

6. Do; Hold your head up in the air, look around the room and give everybody a big smile. This makes people think you are relaxed, and it also relaxes them.

7. Don't; mumble. If there is no microphone, please try and speak loud and clear, so that the people at the back can also hear your speech.

8. Do; Wait until everybody has stood up when you are making a toast. Lift your glass positively into the air before making the toast, and wait until everybody has lifted their glasses before giving it.

9. Don’t; pass around any photos or props while you are giving your speech. I don't recommend that you pass pictures around during your speech. This only leads to people talking to each other, thanking each other for passing them and generally not fully listening to the wonderful things that you are saying. It is best to pass them around, when everybody has finished speaking or to use a slide projector instead.

Presenting your Wedding Speech
Now that you know how to write and design your speech, it helps to get some tips on how to effectively present your speech once the time comes. There are many ways and approaches that you can take that will help you but the tips below are; in my opinion, the best route to take.

Get Familiar with your space
Check out the room before you do or say anything. Test the microphone, if you're going to be using one, to make sure that the volume is right. Set up and test your other equipment if any (projectors etc.). Speak to the person who's going to introduce you right away by giving an acknowledgement and a thank you. Greet people in the audience; particularly the wedding party so that you can begin establishing a connection with them.

Mind your attitude.
You can set yourself up for failure by adopting negative thinking such as, "I better not blow this" or "If I make a mistake, I'll just die." Instead, you need to remind yourself that the audience wants you to succeed. After all, it is a wedding. And remind yourself that you want your audience to succeed.

Smile.
Even while you are sitting in your seat, people will be looking you over, and checking you out; especially if you are best man and expected to give a speech. Look confident and excited and not afraid doing this will help you to start on the right foot.

Stand with confidence.
When you're introduced, stand up confidently to the podium and shake the emcee's hand.

Create your space.
If you're speaking from a podium or dinner table, set your notes down. Adjust the microphone so that it points to your mouth. Plant your feet firmly. Take a breath. Look up. Now take another breath. If you're speaking without a podium, walk to where you want to stand. Plant your feet. Take a breath. Look at the bride and groom and the rest of the room. Take another breath.

Try to connect with your audience.
Look at your audience one person at a time. Don't try to address the audience as a whole. Speak to individuals because this really makes it easier for you to give the speech. Look at one person then another and so on. Establish eye contact. And speak to that person for 5 to 7 seconds. Then find someone else to look at and repeat the process.

When you do this each person in the audience will feel personally addressed. And you'll feel much more confident.

Speak from notes or memory if possible.
Don't read your entire speech from cards. And, if you're using PowerPoint slides, don't read them either. Remember that you want to communicate a message to the happy couple, not say each and every word you planned on speaking.

Speak as if you are holding a conversation.
Don't be afraid to say "I" and "you." When giving a wedding speech, you are not trying give a lecture, so speak naturally. Speak in language, images, and terms that the audience readily understands.

Be yourself. If you have a good sense of humor, use it. If you're a wonderful storyteller, by all means tell a story. You should never try to imitate another speaker, even a good one. Don't try to be too unique or interesting. If you make a mistake, apologize and go on. Laugh it off when you can. I guarantee that your audience will love you for it.

Building your Confidence in 12 Steps
I have mentioned a lot about your exuding and feeling confident when you are giving your speech. For some people that may be easier said than done. This section is geared toward helping you to build your confidence up in 12 easy to follow steps. By the way, these tips work in any speaking engagement.

1. Expect to be nervous and accept it.
Even the most experienced speakers get nervous. Instead of trying to completely get rid of your fears, turn them into energy you can use to give your delivery a boost. Most of the people at the wedding will feel the same way about giving their own speeches.

2. Prepare first.
When you know exactly what you are going to say and why you want to say it certainly changes everything. (If you try to give a speech without being prepared, you should be nervous because your mind is likely to go blank. This is when people start a speech by saying something like “Good gentlemen evening”

3. Practice in front of others.
Seek out supportive audiences like family and friends to practice in front. The more you do this the easier it gets

4. Breathe in deep and soothing breaths.
In the moments before you begin speaking, take three slow, deep breaths through your nose, filling your belly. As you breathe out, remind yourself to relax.

5. Give yourself affirmations.
Give yourself a pep talk just before you give a speech at a wedding or anywhere else. Tell yourself things like “I can do this” and “If I make a mistake, it’s okay because it happens all of the time.”

6. Focus on your audience and not yourself.
Most stage fright is rooted in self-preoccupation. Don’t ask yourself questions about your performance while you are giving it. Stop focusing on yourself. Focus, instead, on your audience and on what you want to say to them. If you are really concerned about how you sound during a wedding speech just ask your audience. Believe it or not, it is very welcome.

7. Simplify what you plan to say.
Most beginning speakers try to say far too much in a single speech. Then they worry about leaving something out or losing their train of thought. What you should be doing is saying only what you must say and not everything that you have ever thought.

8. Visualize success.
Practice relaxation techniques in the days before your presentation (I will be showing these in a later section). Lie down or sit comfortably in a quiet place. Breathe slowly. Close your eyes. You want to try to picture what you will be saying and how people will react. Picture yourself speaking with confidence and thoughtfulness. Make the details as sharp as possible.

9. Connect with your audience.
Make the audience your allies. Talk to individuals before your presentation to get to know a few of them. Look them in the eye as you speak to them, one person at a time. If you can get your audience to identify with you, your job as a speaker becomes much easier and you can relax.

10. Learn to fake it.
Most people won't see how nervous you are. If you loose your train of thought, it helps to be able to wing it. If you learn to fake it, no one will know that you messed up. As long as you hold your chin up, Stick your chest out, and Look confident, even you will not feel inclined to focus on your mistake. After awhile you'll begin to feel it too.

11. Learn from your mistakes.
Accept your mistakes during a wedding speech as part of the learning process. Just because you might make a mistake doesn’t mean that you can’t learn from it. When you follow the other steps mentioned in this section, you will deal with it in no time.



12. Research your topic
If you are running low on information about the bride and groom, don’t be afraid to ask around. People are always willing to help out in a wedding speech.


How to Deal with Speech Anxiety
Speech anxiety is not just a fear for most people, it is an actual phobia. The sweaty palms and itchy skin is just the beginning. Each person experiences this type of anxiety regularly however, not everyone knows how to best get it under control. Here are the top 20 tips that I could provide to help you cope with your speech anxiety as well as controlling it. Let’s take a look.

1. Remember that during a wedding you already know the audience and the few that you don’t know, you will only have to see that one time. Why be afraid.

2. Get to know your audience beforehand. The more you know about your audience, the more confidence you have that your speech will be successful. just mingle with those that you don’t know before you give your speech. Get to know them on a personal level.

3. Select the right topic for your speech. The more comfortable you are speaking about a topic and the better you know it, the less anxiety your speech will actually cause you. Choose an aspect of the couple that you know something about to reduce anxiety. Just remember that others will be listening too, so it may be good to have a few copies on hand so that you are not repeating someone else’s speech.

4. If you have successfully given the speech when you practiced it, try to deliver it the same way.

5. Make sure that your notes etc. are organized properly. Having them be in the wrong order is going to make it much harder if you should forget something.

6. You must again, try to imagine yourself giving the speech, and it being wildly successful. It really does renew your confidence when you need it.

7. Be prepared for possible problems and make contingency plans. Before speaking, you have to think about what might go wrong and plan what you’ll do if it does. That way, you’re not surprised by anything that might happen. This is especially important if you are using mechanical devices (e.g., laptop and projector for PowerPoint) Having contingency plans means that you’ll feel good about your preparation no matter what happens, and if that problem occurs, it won’t bother you anyway.

8. Use deep breathing techniques. Learning some relaxation breathing techniques can help you calm your nerves before you stand up to speak.

9. Make sure that you look your best. If you don’t feel like you look well physically, you will not perform as well mentally. You should also make sure that you go to bed at a reasonable hour the night before you speak, and avoid alcohol that evening since drinking too much can also interfere with good sleep. Eating a healthy breakfast or lunch before you go to the wedding will also help your body function at its best when you have to speak.

11. Act calm, even if you don’t feel calm because you will then perceive success which will allow your behavior to follow suit. Basically in acting calm you may soon help you feel calm.

12. Focus on the message, not your speech anxiety -- Speech anxiety is perhaps the only problem in life that will always go away if you can ignore it well enough.

13. Try to see your physical arousal as anticipation rather than anxiety. We often experience the same physical symptoms of arousal (heart rate increase, adrenaline, butterflies etc.) whether you’re excited about something positive that is about to happen or something negative. When your are feeling these types of symptoms, they often assume that must mean they’re scared and fool themselves into making it worse. What you need to do is learn to interpret the arousal you feel as excitement about the great speech you’re about to give.

14. Whenever you can try to use message-related bodily motion to help you to dissipate energy. It’s hard to stand still when you are physically aroused. Using some message-related motions, such as moving around the room or talking with your hand expressions can help release some of that tension. Just try not to be too animated or you will look odd. Wedding speeches is a time when animation actually helps increase the festive mood.

15. Realize that a few errors will not hurt the speech as long as you continue without getting hung up on them an occasional stumble has no impact on the quality of the speech. So, rather than worrying that there might be a small problem at some point, focus your attention on more important matters.

16. Focus on what you do right. Even if you do make a few mistakes, you will also do a lot right so you need to think about them. Dwelling on the mistakes will give you a negative attitude that causes more mistakes and greater anxiety. Think about what went well.

17. Remember that when you re in a relaxed environment like a wedding, the listeners don’t notice as much as you think. Speakers know what they intended to do, and are very much aware of symptoms of anxiety. Audiences can rarely tell if a speaker made a mistake and are much less sensitive to anxiety cues than the speakers. Knowing that you are the only person who knows if you made a mistake should help to ease some of the anxiety.

18. If you do a good job on the introduction or if the first 30-60 seconds of the speech go well, the success will relax you. So, focus on doing your intro really well.

19. Look at friendly faces in the crowd. Look at your friends and family members or the bride and groom who are likely to be enjoying your presentation. Glance their way sometimes when you need a little positive reinforcement while you are talking. Just don’t stare at those people all the time, because that will make them uncomfortable and makes the rest of the audience feel left out.

20. If you want, you can use presentational aids to help you draw attention away from yourself. Just make sure that you don’t draw too much attention to the aids instead of your speech.

21. It is also a good idea to try out a public speaking class which is a great start to learning to speak comfortably in front of an audience. A large reason for speech anxiety is the strangeness of the situation, and this is the best way to reduce that problem.

Wedding Speech Topics
As with writing any other type of speech, you need to develop a speech topic for a wedding speech. Just like weddings, when you give speeches you need to develop it around a particular theme. You can choose from a variety of themes and I will mention them all as well as a few points for each below.

Congratulations Theme
For this type of speech that is centered around pure congratulations, you really need to accentuate the reasons why you are so thrilled with the couple’s marriage and why the event is so joyous. For this theme, it is usually offered by co-workers and casual friends. This type of speech generally lasts for no more than 2-3 minutes and doesn’t require more than those things.

Nostalgic theme
This speech works best for family members and close friends or college buddies. You will often need more than just congratulations for this speech. Here is when you want to develop a speech around some of your personal experiences and remembrances that are more sentimental in nature. This speech can be as long as 5-7 minutes.

Humor Theme
In order for this theme to work, you have to know the bride and groom very well, as well as their sense of humor. You don’t want to go too far, or write a witty speech that goes over their heads. This theme generally offers funny stories about them, funny stories that you were a part of, and can include amusing comments or distorted facts. You have a lot of freedom with this theme.

However, you must use caution for this theme because the style of wedding that is being thrown will play a large role in whether or not this theme is welcome. For example, if the wedding is casual like on the beach, party them, or in your home, this speech will fit in. However, if the wedding is extremely formal, romantic themed or designed around religion, your jokes about marriage and the bachelor party may not be welcome.

Get to know the family on both sides to make sure that you do not offend anyone with your speech. These speeches can also offer funny advice. There are some examples of this kind of speech in a previous section. These speeches are all the more popular today.

Religious Theme
In order to properly give a speech around a religious wedding theme, you need only respect the religion itself. Get to know the correct terms for blessings and words of congratulations. If you can also add a special section from religious texts, that would be great.

Personal Theme
This speech theme is often used by parents and other married couples. It often gives advice to the newly married couple so that they avoid common mistakes. This theme can be funny or sentimental as long as it doesn’t come off preachy. Be sure to compliment the couple a lot when giving advice such as; “be sure to compromise. Since she is so open minded and he is so thoughtful, I know this will be easy” and so on.

Poetic theme
Most people who choose this theme will give their opening and simply read a poem that they feel best applies to the couple’s marriage. This theme works great with romantic themed ceremonies and receptions.

Joke and anecdote advice
When you are telling jokes for a wedding and/or an anecdote during a speech or toast, there are some tips that you can use to make sure that you avoid the mistakes and accomplish what you are trying to accomplish, which is to make people laugh and have fun. Here is some general advice to get you started with jokes etc.

Jokes, funny stories, & anecdotes
Jokes, funny Stories & Anecdotes make a good beginning, middle and ending for a speech. If you are uncomfortable with telling jokes, you can try out each of your jokes with someone that is not going to be at the wedding to see if it sounds funny when you tell it in your own way or possibly make suggestions. Here is what you should do when you are writing any of these funny moments in a speech:

First you have to find or think of a joke
There are many books of quotes and joke books available on the market which provide you with many valuable resources. Humorous books related to your subject can be useful as well.

You can also ask humorous friends, speech writers and speech givers for help. When you are building a funny story you have to remember that one of the things that made the thought so funny for example; if the funny part in the punch line is surprise, going suddenly from the inspiring to the ridiculous, from excitement to despair, from discovery of misfortune to self centered concern about some minor problem.

Using Contradictions
To create an original contradictions or contracting phrases during your speech can add an element of surprise, wonder and humor without much effort on your part. When you do it with well known phrases and sayings can be a contradiction with others that contradict them. If you want to be sure of surprise and originality you can always adapt the joke to a new job or hometown or you can find a hilarious story that is based on a situation from real life.

You Should Avoid:
At a wedding there are some things that you must avoid mentioning at all costs. You should not discuss sex, politics, or religion at any wedding because these things are too debatable. If you do talk of these things, it could wind up being a fight or you can offend someone.

Making any sexual references might also offend people. As a general rule, you should always avoid unintentionally offending friends or potential friends, but instead flatter or compliment them. Since you don't know everybody on both sides of the guest list here are some subjects that must be avoided just to be sure. Try adapting jokes if they have the potential to offend. What not to do and definitely avoid:
Make sure to avoid:

• Being too apologetic: Don’t say things like “I don't know why anyone picked me to give a speech. I've never given a speech in my life before. I hope that my speech is ok.” That kind of whiny attitude rubs off.

• Being too brief: If your speech is too short, you will loose your audience and make things harder for the person after you.

• Being overly depressing: By this I mean talking about people who have passed away or bringing up painful problems from the past.

• Being the complainer: For example if you complain about having to give the speech in the first place
• Being pompous: This is not your day to show off or to point out your wonderful life matters. You do not need to do this right now.

• Being too reluctant: If you speak with a lot of um….er……or pauses etc, you will not do well when trying to give a humorous speech. Remember you are not doing a stand-up routine so ease up a bit and relax.

A Final Word
The wedding speech, is generally no more than a lead into the wedding toast, and is a lovely way to add personal touches to the wedding reception. By following some guidelines that were written in this guide or in preparing a few rules of proper etiquette, your wedding speech can go from an awkward obligation to a delightful honor. You have learned everything there is to know about the wedding speech in this guide. Here we will review quickly the things that you learned.

Speeches can be given at any time during the wedding reception, but they tend to come across best before the food is served, but after people have had some time to mingle and drink; or when desert is beginning or finished. Perhaps this is because much alcohol comes after these things.

You have learned that the speech begins with:

1. Short welcoming comment by the best man or master of ceremonies

2. That it is usually the Master of Ceremonies who introduces either a close friend of the family or of the couple

3. That the speakers generally deliver a speech that leads up to the wedding toast to the bride and groom.

4. The toast is followed by a speech from the groom or bride or both.

5. Replies to speeches generally include "thank yous" to everyone who has helped with the wedding and also ends with a toast to the bridesmaids and other wedding participants.

6. The bridesmaids then have toasts made on their behalf by the best man who also gives a short speech and/or a toast to the wedding hosts such as the mother/father of the bride.

7. This is the traditional sequence of events, but it can be different depending on the couple. Basically anyone can give a speech at a wedding, but the wedding party generally is a must for speech making




When getting ready to give a wedding speech you have learned to:

1. Write what you feel. Use personal memories and details, being sure not to embarrass anyone or get too intimate.

2. Make references to particular people, but identify them, so that the speech will be more meaningful to all of the guests.

3. Quotes, poems and humor are fine, even if the humor is not your own, but short is always sweet; especially for a toast

4. Write the speech by mind mapping, being sure to give giving yourself rewrite and practice time.

5. Try running your speech by a friend or two for practice.

6. Be sincere when delivering your speech. Nothing is worse than sentiments that are not meant.

7. Make sure you sound like your talking not reading your speech.

8. Deliver your speech from memory, or from note cards. The more you prepare, the more confident you'll be.

You have also learned how to keep from being nervous by:

1. Keep the event in perspective. This is only a wedding of close friends and family, not life or death situation.

2. Bear in mind that the more you practice, the more comfortable you'll be.


3. Get in touch with your audience. They just want to have fun, at a happy event, not looking to be judgmental or critical.

4. Relax and remember how much fun it is to tell a story that is interesting and not offensive.

5. Don't use alcohol to make yourself less nervous.

6. When you are delivering your speech, focus on friendly faces in the room and speak directly to them.

Wedding speeches are meant to bring back pleasant memories of the past and create new memories for the future for the bride and groom. When you are approached to give a speech and it is delivered in the right spirit, speeches can be the best part of a wedding.