Wedding Speeches – Some Common Questions Answered

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Wedding speeches can cause sheer panic. Many people find that they are not comfortable addressing a large audience filled with unfamiliar people. Even if they know the crowd, sometimes it is easy to get a little tongue-tied. It is, after all, a joyous occasion that is most likely being recorded. Who wouldn’t get a bit nervous at the thought of a slip-up living forever in jokes each time the reception recording is watched?

There are some tricks and tips to make that speech a little easier to give. It is not always about what you say as how you say it.

Who gives the wedding speech?

Tradition, or rather modern tradition, dictates that the maid or matron of honor and the best man give a speech to the new couple. Weddings have changed over the last few hundred years. Once only the father’s would give a blessing or at least a male member of the household or family. In today’s weddings anyone can give a speech. It may be the bride or even the flower girl. Some weddings even offer guests the opportunity to speak a few words to the crowd.

Can anyone give a speech?

As we mentioned before, anyone can give a speech. Should anyone be given the opportunity to address the couple and guests? That depends on how long you want the wedding reception to be. It may take quite a while to get through a reception if fifty people want to give a speech. To be fair, most people do not actually intend to give a speech; their salutations are typically considered a toast to the bride and groom.

How long should my speech be?

Keep the speech no longer than five minutes. Even five minutes is pushing the limits of the crowd. You want your speech to be remembered for its poignancy, not the fact that it put everyone to sleep. Most people have very short attention spans when it comes to long speeches. By keeping to the topics you have in mind and keeping it brief, the crowd and couple will appreciate it.

When should the wedding speech be given?

This depends on how the reception goes. If it is a full sit-down reception, the best time to give the speech is either before or during dinner. That way you have the guests’ full attention. If it is just finger foods, the speech can be given as soon as all the guests arrive from the ceremony or even before the wedding cake is cut.

Are there any websites that have speeches already written?

Please do not use a pre-written speech. It sounds fake because it is. If you cannot adequately express your speech without being flustered, practice it on a friend. Let them give you pointers on where your speech is going wrong. A wedding speech from the heart is far more important than making it sound grandiose and perfect.