Make your wedding speech unforgettable with advice from wedding experts
Key Findings
- Many people overthink their wedding speeches leading to rambling and inappropriate topics, so experts are here to make it simple by offering insider tips
- The shorter the better when it comes to speeches as you may not be the only person giving one during the wedding reception
- Integrate humor naturally instead of trying to force it with cheesy jokes. You can find humor in anecdotes about the couple
In the long history of wedding speeches, there have been great triumphs and great failures. If you’ve been asked to give a speech at the wedding of someone close to you, you probably feel intense pressure to do the best job possible.
In front of friends and family, you’ll want to be funny without offending, personal without embarrassing, and, hopefully, evoke emotion from the crowd – whether that’s a chorus of ‘aww’s or the much coveted tearful reaction.
Thankfully, experts in the field, who’ve spent countless hours watching wedding speeches – both good and bad – are ready to reveal their insider tips. “The key to wedding speeches is to not stress out too much”, says wedding expert, Chris Bajda, founder of GroomsDay, a premier online store for personalized wedding gifts. “Follow your gut and our easy-to-follow tips I picked up after hearing all kinds of speeches over the years”.
Chris and his team at GroomsDay have compiled a list of things to look out for when drafting and giving your wedding speech that’ll leave the whole room heart-warmed and ready to celebrate.
Structure Your Speech for Impact
Start your speech preparations by organizing your thoughts into a clear structure aimed at keeping the audience engaged. Begin with a warm (or funny, if you can!) introduction, lead into personal anecdotes, and finish with a heartfelt conclusion – it’s that simple. This structure helps the speech flow naturally and keeps the audience’s attention from start to finish.
“Remember to also stay focused on your core message and avoid overusing clichés or generic phrases”, advises Chris.
Keep It Short and Sweet
Timing is everything when delivering a wedding speech, or any speech for that matter. “I suggest aiming for around 5-7 minutes,” says Chris. “That’s long enough to share meaningful moments but short enough to maintain the room’s energy”.
Avoid the temptation to over-extend with unnecessary rambling or personal jokes that only a few other people in the room know, as this can dilute the impact of your message.
Including personal stories about the couple is a great way to make the speech feel special and not generic, while also potentially getting a few laughs out of your audience. The bride and groom chose you for a reason, so they’ll be hoping for a few stories to enlighten the rest of the room.
“Anecdotes provide insight into the couple’s journey, adding a personal touch that both the newlyweds and guests can appreciate,” says Chris. “Just remember to make sure the story is appropriate for all audiences and connects to the larger theme of your speech.”
Add Humor, but Stay Classy
A little humor can lighten the mood and engage your listeners, but it’s important to strike the right balance. Tasteful jokes or light-hearted moments that align with the couple’s personalities hit a sweet spot with most crowds.
“Any jokes you make should be able to be appreciated by most guests, so avoid inside jokes that nobody else will get,” Chris warns. “Avoid humor that might upset or embarrass the couple, offend guests, or lead to repercussions later on in the night.”
Balance Emotions with Celebration
While it’s natural to be emotional during a wedding speech, you ideally want to find the balance between heartfelt sincerity and celebration. If you feel like you can’t figure out how to bring emotion to your speech, ask friends and family for heartfelt stories about the couple that can help give you a throughline in the speech.
“Remember that too much emotion can overwhelm the moment, while too little can make the speech feel detached”, Chris points out, “Create a tone that conveys both love and joy, creating an uplifting experience for everyone”.
Practice Makes Perfect
Rehearsing your speech beforehand is crucial to delivering it confidently. You can even try practicing it out loud a few times to get comfortable with the pacing and content.
“Familiarity with your speech helps you avoid stumbling over words and will make your delivery more natural on the big day,” encourages Chris
Chris Bajda, Founder and Owner of GroomsDay, commented:
“Wedding speeches can be either the highlight or the awkward moment of the wedding reception. To make sure you deliver an amazing wedding speech, remember to tell stories that are relatable and naturally funny while also pulling on the heartstrings. To accomplish this correctly, plan out the structure of the speech and practice beforehand.
“It’s also important to remember that the speech is not about you, but about the couple in front of you. Keeping the speech specific to the couple makes it feel more authentic and special while avoiding any awkward moments and putting people to sleep”.
About GroomsDay
GroomsDay is a one-stop online shop offering a curated selection of unique and personalized gifts tailored for groomsmen and wedding parties. With a focus on quality craftsmanship and thoughtful design, the company provides everything from custom flasks to engraved cufflinks, ensuring each gift adds a personal touch to your special day. GroomsDay prides itself on exceptional customer service and fast shipping, making it easy to find the perfect keepsakes that your groomsmen will cherish for years to come.
