It is summer. Wedding bells are ringing and men of all shapes and sizes are desperately surfing the internet hoping to find an instant cure for the wedding speech they have been dreading since the date was set.
Here are ten quick tips for a great wedding speech:
- It’s not just you. Many men worry that their speech will ruin their wedding day. And that goes for grooms, best men and fathers of the bride around the country.
- Beating the nerves is all about preparation in two areas: Writing the speech and giving it.
- It’s worth contacting friends and family who have known the bride and groom at different stages of their lives to gather unusual anecdotes and insights.
- What will your audience want to hear? There is nothing worse for Grandma than a best man’s speech focusing exclusively on the Stag’s drinking exploits in Amsterdam dressed as Spiderman. Try to include something for everyone.
- Try to map out a framework for the speech that combines a sensible balance between sincerity and humour. An over-sentimental speech can be dull. But a stand-up comedy routine can miss the point entirely.
- There is no ‘perfect’ shape or style for a speech. You may want to take a thematic or chronological approach. But the key is brevity. Avoid rambling paragraphs in favour of short, punchy, deliverable sentences.
- This punchy style means you’ll be able to give the speech much more confidently. Practise it out loud over and over again, reading very slowly and emphasising key words.
- Get to know your speech so well that you only need to glance at your notes to remember what comes next. The slow pace will make this easy and allow you to make eye contact with your audience.
- Find out where you’ll be standing, whether there will be a microphone, and if there will be somewhere to rest your notes. This will avoid nasty surprises that might keep you awake the night before.
- If you are still worried, please call me. I’d love to help you write something truly original, memorable and easy to deliver.
View Comments (55)
Hi Lawrence
I have read through the list of names that have requested help and was wandering if the cost is right, if you could help me?
My daughter is getting married in May and I would really appreciate a professional to look over my power-point and offer any advise?
Regards
Tony
Lawrence, thanks for all you did in writing my best man's speech. You took all the anxiety away from me!
The speech hit just the right note in terms of humour,sincerity and relevance. They were a tough audience but laughed in all the right places and several people came to the top table to congratulate me. One even asked me to write is father of the bride speech for him!!
Thanks again
Thank you John - you must have nailed the delivery! Many congrats, L
Hi there,
I have written my wedding speech and my big day is in 8days.... just keep reading it and think it could be alot better, is it possible for you to help!! if so could you please email me so i can send you my speech for you to read through!
MAN MANY THANKS!!
Hi Lawrence,
I'm getting married this summer and although we've not planned for me to do a speech, I would really like to do a surprise reading for my groom during the ceremony, perhaps a poem or similar. Is this something you are able to help with and if so at what cost?
Many thanks,
Lisa
Hi Lawrence,
Im the best man and MC for my friends wedding this month. Would really like some help putting a speech together and maybe some tips on the MC part of it. He's a working colleague of mine whom i've known for about 12 years. I've been an MC before but first best man...
Cheers!
Neil
Hi Neil - I have emailed you.
Hi Lawrence,
I have best man speech to write and hoping you can offer some help. I've got a few themes I would like to run past you and also a copy of my draft if you're able to review and provide comments that would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Bayard
Hi Lawrence,
I have been helping my father write his father-of-the-bride speech for my sister's wedding. I'd really love it to be a memorable speech for everyone. At the moment I think it sounds good but not great! If I email what we've got so far, could you please let me know how much it would cost to make it a really great speech?
Many thanks,
Kelly
Hi Kelly - I have emailed you directly.
Hi Lawrence, I reside in Ohio, U.S.A. I am a brother to the bride for a wedding to be held next month (December) and I am not sure how to construct my wedding speech. I was told to give a 5-7 minutes speech but I am not sure how to start. Can you help me?
Hi Lawrence
I'm best man for my friends wedding and I have a speech but it needs a bit of attention. Would you have a look at it and tell me how much it would cost to get it sounding great?
Regards
Ed
I need some help with my speech can you help? My wedding is 1st week in September.
Please get back to me
Thanks