Wedding speeches – the dreaded phrase for any relative of the happy couple. How do you sum up a lifetime of memories and good times in a 5 minute slot, that is funny enough to make the other guests laugh? It can be a very daunting task to say the least. Here are some ideas for how you can express how much the bride or groom means to you.
Sister act
Being sister of the bride can be a stressful time. With so many memories to call upon, how do you create the perfect speech to have everyone in tears and fits of laughter?
The main thing is to make it personal. Share some of your best memories (be sure to include a few embarrassing ones too), and let your sister know why she is so special to you.
A key point here is to remember to include something about the groom too. After all, it’s his day too. The best way to do this is by focusing on how good they are as a couple, and how he is the right man for your sister.
Bromance
Brothers of the groom often end up being the best man, which brings a whole new level to added pressure! As we mentioned in one of our recent blogs about the do’s and don’ts of a best man speech, the key thing is to keep it short and sweet.
Yes, you probably have a lifetime of memories that you want to share with the wedding party, but be sure to not go off script. After all, you don’t want to accidentally bring up any anecdotes from the stag party that might get you into trouble.
Bestie
As with the Best Man speech, the Maid of Honour Speech is also an important feature of the day. This is your opportunity to thank the bride for giving you this opportunity, as well as mentioning the other bridesmaids and how they have also played a big part in the wedding.
Start the speech with an introduction, just in case the wedding party don’t all know you. Include some funny anecdotes, and again talk about the pair as a couple. It’s a great idea to end with a toast and bring everyone together.
Mother of the bride
It’s customary for the father of the bride to put together a speech, but in the absence of the father the mother of the bride can step in. Involving your mum on your wedding day is an extra special touch, and a great way to do this is by giving her the opportunity to read a speech.
@BrideMag tweeted some great ideas on how to deliver a mother of the bride speech, but the key takeaway here is the ‘opener’. Be confident in what you’re saying, and the rest will flow naturally.
One of the most important things to consider is how long a wedding speech should be. This all depends on whether the speech will be performed before or after the wedding breakfast, and how long each person is allocated.
We recommend around 8 minutes, as you don’t want the guests to become bored. You also need to be mindful of how many other speeches there will be on the day – you don’t want to take centre stage!
