So, you've been asked to write a wedding speech! You're either the best man, the father of the groom or bride or you've just been asked to say a few words. Either way, the speeches at a wedding are an integral part of the day, and this is your opportunity to inject a little humour into the proceedings, provide some anecdotal stories and give a toast to the newly wedded couple. So, where do you start? While it's true that writing the perfect wedding speech can seem like a daunting task at first, with time, and a little bit of planning and preparation, you can ace it! Here are a few ideas and tips to help you on your way to writing that memorable speech:


  1. Write all of the ideas that you have, along with your thoughts down on a piece of paper, and outline what you want to say and how it is that you want to say it.
  2. Keep it meaningful, personal and most importantly, from the heart. The speech that you write should be about you and your relationship with the couple, and how you feel about their marriage.
  3. It's important to make sure that what you do write in your speech is respectful and appropriate - it's great to include some good jokes and anecdotal stories but try to be mindful of the tone of the event and of the people who are present. Often there will be family members of all ages, including children so if you can, keep it clean or if you can't, then air on the side of caution and insinuate rather than stipulate.
  4. Keep it short and to the point, nobody wants to hear a twenty-minute story - especially if speeches are before the meal. In my opinion, the perfect speech length is around 7 minutes, if your speech is longer than ten minutes, then you probably need to shorten it somewhat.
  5. There's a growing trend of having your speech on your phone. I've lost count of the number of times I've seen a nervous best man lose their place when reading off a screen. Print your speech out onto paper, it will be easier to read and it will look better in photos too.
  6. Practice, practice, practice! It is important to rehearse your speech so that you feel confident and comfortable when it comes time to deliver it. If you are nervous, tell yourself that what you're feeling is excitement, the two feelings are one and the same!
  7. Finally, don't forget to end your speech by raising your glass and offering a toast to the newlyweds.


I hope these tips help you as you prepare to give your wedding speech! Good luck!