Memorable Wedding Speeches

Having recently been Best Man at my best friend’s wedding, I saw close up the stresses and strains all the speakers were going through before delivering their speeches. With that in mind I thought I would share my top tips to help you deliver a relaxed, enjoyable and memorable wedding speech! There are many more – this is just an appetiser.

Everyone is behind you

It’s true. This is a wedding and everyone is on your side, no one wants you to do badly. Visualize the end of the speech, you have nailed it, there is thunderous applause and the audience are smiling.

It’s not a speech

This is not “The King’s Speech”, you are simply having a conversation at a largish dinner party and all you are doing is sharing a few stories to wish some friends well and thanking people on the top table.

Control your emotions by breathing

Take time to pause, take a breath and carry on. Many people believe they need to be speaking constantly. Pause, have a quick drink and allow the audience to catch up, this will also give you time to gather your thoughts and recover should you need to.

Practise to your video camera (in private)

You might hate this idea but believe me, it works. Record yourself delivering your speech 3 times on camera and then watch it back. Initially you will query your voice or how you look. Once you have stopped criticising yourself for being who you are you will notice which stories and anecdotes knit well together and which ones sounded not quite right.

Smile, smile and smile again

Make eye contact with the wedding party while you are speaking; look around to the other guests and talk with a smile. You may not be entirely comfortable delivering your speech but if you smile the audience will love you all the more and give you that standing ovation at the end.

Do you want some help with your wedding speech? Contact me on[email protected] to investigate some personal coaching or a group session for your wedding party.