Groom Speech

AndyBSG

With just 9 weeks to go until my big day I thought it was time I wrote my Groom speech.

I've now written a full draft and put it in Excel where I've broken it down into 12 palm sized cue cards but am after some advice.

- I've written it as I would say it, word for word. Is this a good idea or should I just ad lib the exact wording on the day and just use the card for prompts?

- I don't think I've missed anything but obviously I need someone to proof read it. Who should this be? Don't really want to use the Best Man as there are a few jokes about him in it.

- Obviously writing it is different to reading it. Do I need someone to read it to or can I just read it myself in the mirror?

- Should I put something like 'PAUSE' in there as well to show where I need to pause. the end of each card should be where the natural pauses for gift giving, toasts are so not sure if I need that.

Any advice gratefully received!

Stephb1986_2

Video yourself doing it and post it here for us and we will help you

It's nice that you are doing a speech as my H2B is the very quiet and nervous type so he's not sure yet if he is going to do one or not.

What about your mum she would be a good person to help you mums are always honest.

Steph xx

AndyBSG

Good point about my mum.

Not going to use her as there's some comments about her and my father in there I want to be a surprise(I'm determined to make them both cry!) but a family member is a good idea.

My brother isn't an usher so I think i'll use him to try it out on.

my_definition

I wouldnt have exactly what your going to say word for word as then you will end up reading it of and if you loose your place there will be a pause while you try and find it again.

i talk for a living and think it would be better to practise lots and have your main points written down and that way it will be more natural.

gadgeteer_2

I would say don't do it word for word. Or on the day you will be so nervous that you will literally just read it.

What I did was write it down but on the day I just looked at the key words to prompt me.

If you have time video yourself and time it. You'll be amazed at how you look. Also I made a point of pausing after each paragraph to let things sink in. Cos when you're nervous you will talk quickly. Let the audience digest your speech in smaller chunks.

split_second

If you do a vid we can give you feedback

Bricking the thought of doing mine to be honest

Pauses after jokes are good, my best mans speech is on YouTube somewhere apparently

Stephb1986_2

split_second wrote: »

If you do a vid we can give you feedback

Bricking the thought of doing mine to be honest

Pauses after jokes are good, my best mans speech is on YouTube somewhere apparently

You do a vid too I'll give you a honest opinion

AndyBSG

OK, here is the first draft. I have to say that I tend to be a very direct and unemotional person so if any of this sounds a bit cold or business like please me know!

"1
I'll try not to waffle on for too long because I know ray has put a lot of effort into his speech and I don't want to steal his thunder by showing how it should really be done."

"2
This is a special day for me and Laura and what makes it so special is that all of you could share it with us and it's great to see so many of you here and try to work out how much all of this is costing me!"

"3
Joking aside, we have a lot of people to thank for making this so perfect. Laura's parents Mick and Jackie and my parents Alan and Trudy have all helped us throughout the planning. I count myself lucky to have such great new In-laws despite the fact they all support Arsenal and I also want to thank my parents for standing by me through the years even when I didn't deserve it and didn't tell them how truly grateful I am and here a small gift for our mums Jackie and Trudy from Laura and me."

"4
Special thanks also to Laura's Nan Erica and Grandad Duro who have contributed today."

"5
We’ve been lucky enough to have four perfect bridesmaids who've had the thankless task of trying to organise Laura's Hen Do and, more importantly, stop her becoming a nervous wreck this morning. All four look stunning today and we have a little something for all of them."

"6
Apparently this is the part where i'm now meant to thank my Best Man, Ray, and my ushers Steve and Clint. I'm not quite sure why I should be thanking them as anyone who came on my stag do will know how badly the three of them stitched me up. Honestly though, i'm lucky to have three such great friends and I really can't thank them enough not only for today but for generally just being there for me in all the time i've known them."

"7
Unfortunately, there are some people we both would have loved to have here today but they are sadly no longer with us. So I just want to take a moment to say that Laura's nan ???, my nan beryl and my sister Gemma are in both our thoughts today and hope that they are looking down on us."

"8
So, now we get to the whole reason i'm here today, my beautiful wife Laura.
I remember my first date with Laura like it was yesterday and in retrospect I should probably have paid attention to the warning signs because she arrived 20 minutes late and I ended up paying for everything which seems to have been the theme throughout our relationship!"

"9
Whenever I went out on dates I never saw it as a chance to meet someone I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, it was always just something to fill a bit of time and an excuse for a nice restaurant meal and as I walked through the pouring rain at Liverpool Street to meet Laura I never thought this one would be any different."

"10
Fast forward 5 hours later and we had spent the whole evening talking like we'd known each other for ever and a second date was soon arranged. Now, me being me with my complete phobia of commitment and the 'L' word coupled with being a bit dense at times it wasn't until sometime in between our second and third date that it slowly dawned on me that for the first time in my life I was completely besotted and I knew from that moment Laura was the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with no matter what."

"11
Laura really has made me a better person and my life is so much happier with her in it... Today she truly has made me the happiest i've ever been in my 36 years so I'd like everyone to raise their glasses to my beautiful wife."

"12
Now, I’m not going to stand here all afternoon and bore you all with a load of stale old jokes because that’s the Best Man’s job so it's time for me to get a drink down my throat in preparation for the verbal mauling that i'm sure Ray's now going to inflict on me."

jackieblack

Sounds good to me
(not too long either, which is one of my biggest bugbears )

Stephb1986_2

Brilliant, nearly made me cry when you talk about your wife

rosie-lee

Perfect. Wouldn't change a thing.
Have a great day.