Getting asked to make a wedding speech is an honor and something that is fun, but should be taken seriously. Everyone has been to a wedding where a speech felt unprepared or maybe a little insensitive, making for a cringe-worthy for the couple of minutes. Nobody wants to be that person at a wedding, so here are 5 tips to help you whether you are the maid of honor, best man, or a parent of the bride or groom.
Short and Sweet
One of the worst mistakes individuals make when preparing a speech is making the speech too long. On average, 5 minutes is a
good length for a wedding speech. Anything longer than that will often get the crowd dozing off.
Preparation > Inspiration
When giving a speech, individuals sometimes believe they don’t need to prepare and instead plan on winging it the day of. While it’s good to talk from the heart, it’s also important to take the time to prepare what you’re going to say. Standing in front of a crowd can cause you to freeze up on the stage. Making bullet points can help you keep your speech running smoothly. Also, take time to practice your speech in front of others before the big day.
Know Your Audience
Knowing your audience is very important in a wedding speech. If there are kids in the audience it’s important to keep the speech, kid friendly. Parents in the crowd won’t appreciate swearing or telling inappropriate stories in front of their children. Keep the speech professional and suited towards the audience, and you will not have to worry about dealing with a handful of angry parents afterwards.
Use Humor
The most memorable wedding speeches are the ones that properly use humor. Humor is a great way to keep your audiences attention, get everyone laughing, and having a good time. However, if you add in humor, use it tastefully rather than making your whole speech a joke. After all, a wedding speech should incorporate the couple (which hopefully isn’t a joke). It’s better to tell a funny story that happened, rather than using cheesy jokes. Lastly, make sure to test your jokes in front of others so you’re hearing laughter instead of crickets by the end of your speech.
Be Confident
Lastly, it’s important to be confident. Being confident will create a more comfortable atmosphere. If you make a mistake when you’re up there, don’t worry, take a deep breath and continue. Ultimately try to have fun while giving the speech and remember that they chose you for a reason.
Wedding speeches can be a huge hit at any wedding, but at the end of the day, the day is all about the bride and groom. If you’re looking for the perfect venue for your maid of honor, best man, or a parent of the bride or groom to give the perfect speech, consider The Haley Mansion!