Wedding speech (Groom) advice and tips?

robbiecaratiger

samwilzrhcp wrote: »

Getting married in 2 weeks, and i have only just started preparing my speech.
So does anybody have any useful advice or any tips on what to and what not to include in my speech. I'm not one for all the soppy stuff so i have thought about keeping it light hearted and funny. I am not one for being the centre of attention usually, but its a big day and it will be all about me (and my partner obviously) and i will only do it once in my life.

When I did mine, I had a mooch here http://www.hitched.co.uk/wedding-speeches/example_groom_speeches_5/ and worked on my own from there. Enjoy!!

Carl31

ringo_24601 wrote: »

Pro-tip - video yourself practising so you can sort out your timings

Pro tip? Who the hell is a 'pro speech speaker at their own wedding'

You (often) do this once in your life, if it goes wrong, is too fast or too slow, who cares? It adds to the occasion

I think people worry too much about speeches at weddings, most have been there so appreciate it can be hard, the rest are wasted by that point, so won't remember anyway

mummybearx

Your opening line has to be -

On behalf of my wife and I ...... (Cue lots of clapping and cheering from the guests!!) we would like to thank each and every one of you for coming today.

My husband got a huge round of applause for that line :)

Atomix

mummybearx wrote: »

Your opening line has to be -

On behalf of my wife and I ...... (Cue lots of clapping and cheering from the guests!!) we would like to thank each and every one of you for coming today.

My husband got a huge round of applause for that line :)

This ^^ is how I started my speech - it does work...

On behalf of my wife and I ...... (Cue lots of clapping and cheering from the guests!!) we would like to thank each and every one of you for coming today - (then I went on to say) I know a lot of you have travelled far and wide to be here today, and for that we're both grateful... (I then listed the places people had travelled from - (Yeah! from each table) then the last place I mentioned was 5 mins up the road - which was funny!

Bufger

A good speech has to have personal humour and not just the usual one liners (put some in by all means).

An example: My friend is 6'8 and his wife is 5'2. The best man speech opened with 'and then (groom) got down on one knee, revealed a diamond ring then lovingly looked down into his wifes suprised eyes'.

Subtle but really funny.

You dont want to have a funnier grooms speech than the best man. Thats an unwritten rule!!! Its a few little jokes, lots of thanks and praise - people have expectations of the best man speech so dont overshadow it

Solsol

Keep it short, thank people for coming especially those who have travelled a long distance. Raise a glass to absent friends and family, thank the bridesmaids and ushers etc.
Obviously say how beautiful your new wife looks (you'll probably get a cheer for referring to her as your wife for the first time) or call her Mrs xxxx.

Also my husband said he wanted to thank me for marrying him (I laughed at that!) and said he loved me. He also tells me now that he never has to tell me he loves me again because he did it then in front of everyone!
He's also not one for soppy gestures etc.

Have you thought about asking your fianc!e for help? I helped my hubby write his speech - everything apart from the bits he said about me which he managed on his own.

minerva_windsong

Thank the bridesmaids - my OH's brother-in-law forgot to do this in his groom's speech and then only remembered once he'd sat down! So of course the best man started with 'I'd like to thank the bridesmaids' and got a huge laugh...


Other people to thank - your parents, bride's parents (especially if they contributed financially to the wedding or were a big part of organising it), best man/ushers. You might also want to read any cards etc from people who couldn't be there but I'm not sure if that's more for the best man.


Opening with 'My wife and I...' is guaranteed to get you a massive cheer.


Keep it short - ideally five minutes, and certainly no more than ten. Most phones these days have a timer function so use that to keep track.


Practice, practice, practice - on your own and with an audience if possible. It may also be worth getting a trusted friend or relative to look over the speech beforehand in case there's anything that might tread a bit close to the bone.


Don't get drunk! Limit yourself to one drink beforehand, or have the speeches before the meal if possible.


Other than that - best of luck!