The Model Ship Blog

Winning Wedding Speeches

Posted by AJ Handley

Being asked to make a speech at the wedding of a loved one is both flattering and exciting. However as they date draws nearer it can also become a daunting process, and many people worry whether they’ll be interesting enough, funny enough or whether they’ll hold their nerve. But don’t panic just yet; sit down, read this, take a breath and plan your speech.

Probably the first, and maybe most important, element you need to decide is the tone of your speech. Some speakers prefer to go for a sentimental tear jerking speech, whereas others prefer to have the guests rolling in the aisles, however you do need to be careful when using humour as sometimes you can offend and even if it’s all light hearted it’s best to practice your jokes on someone to check they are actually funny. By the same token emotional speeches can also go down not so well, and if it’s too schmaltzy then you’re likely to lose at least some of your audience.

With a sentimental speech it is also important to speak sincerely, so if you’re not usually the mushy type then it might be wise to steer clear, and even if you are the best way to get this across is using the language you would normally use; so if you’re not a flowery language user then don’t pepper your speech with overblown phrases and words you don’t normally use.

Whichever path you choose, one element which is always a winner is the use of anecdotes. A funny tale can have those who were there reminiscing and those who weren’t laughing at their expense, and a tale of how a couple met or the proposal is sure to raise some ‘ahhhhh’s from even the toughest of crowds.

Props are also really useful, and can add variation to a speech as well as upping the audience’s interest in what you are saying. Anything from photos of a childhood pet to a graduation video can be used, and a particularly successful example would be amusing childhood photos, as these tick both the funny and cute boxes.

Once the day has arrived it’s important all your hardwork doesn’t go to waste by getting in the right mindset and delivering your speech well. Speaking from experience a big mistake speakers make is having one too many drinks to ‘settle their nerves’. Having a couple of drinks can often help relax you, but make sure you can actually read your notes by the time the speeches arrive. Then just before you start, take a deep breath, focus on a point in the room and start speaking with confidence.

I hope these tips help, and as long as you stay relaxed and be yourself your speech will be a winner!

Now you’ve got your speech sorted, let Mere, a popular Cheshire wedding venue take care of the rest of your day. Our wedding venue, Cheshire is the ideal place for receptions and civil ceremonies.

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