Expert Tips for Nailing Your Wedding Speech in 10 Minutes
Planning and writing a groom's speech can seem daunting, especially if you're not used to public speaking or being the centre of attention, Toastmasters is a great place to get advice on overcoming public speaking if you are not used to being that centre of attention.
With a little guidance and some expert advice, you can deliver a memorable and heartfelt speech that will leave your guests cheering for more. In this blog, I'll walk you through the process of planning and writing a 10-minute groom's speech that will impress your bride, thank all the important people in your life, and leave a lasting impression on everyone in the room.
1. Setting the Tone
Start by introducing yourself and thanking everyone for being part of this special day. Keep it light and upbeat to ease any nerves you may have.
Share a brief anecdote or story about how you and your bride met, setting the tone for the rest of your speech.
2. Thanking the Parents
Begin by expressing your gratitude to the bride's parents for welcoming you into their family. Use sincere and heartfelt words to convey your appreciation for their love and support. There are many sites offering etiquette advice, I find that Brides UK is a great place to start.
Don't forget to thank your own parents for everything they've done for you, from childhood to now. A simple "thank you" goes a long way in showing your appreciation.
3. Adding Humour
Inject some light-hearted humour into your speech to keep the mood lively and entertaining. Share a funny story or joke that reflects your personality and relationship with your bride.
Just remember to keep it tasteful and avoid anything that could be potentially offensive or embarrassing.
4. Complimenting the Bride
Take a moment to compliment your bride and express your love and admiration for her. Highlight her beauty, kindness, and all the qualities that make her the perfect partner for you.
This is your chance to make her feel special and loved in front of all your guests, so don't hold back on the compliments!
5. Acknowledging Supportive Individuals
Recognise and thank anyone outside of the immediate family who has played a significant role in your relationship or wedding planning process. This could include friends, mentors, or even vendors who have gone above and beyond to make your day special.
A simple way to thank everyone would be to say:
"This is the best day of my life and it's because of all of you, and especially you (referring to your partner). I cannot thank you all enough for being here."
You may also wish to acknowledge the presence of any deceased family members or friends who are with you in spirit, paying tribute to their memory in a respectful and heartfelt manner.
6. Forget Giving Out Gifts
If you’re planning on giving thank you gifts to bridesmaids, parents or anyone else, either do it earlier on in the day or announce that you’ll be personally thanking them later as to not disrupt the speech.
Gift-giving is basically an excuse for guests to start checking their WhatsApp!
7. Think Carefully About the Structure
Adrian Simpson says, “There are lots of people to talk about and you should deal with them one at a time and avoid repetition.
Resist the urge to launch straight into how amazing your new partner looks and then pepper the speech with references to them. They are the star of the show so save the latter half of the speech to be dedicated to them and what they mean to you.
8. Eight Minutes is the Perfect Length of Time
The length of a groom’s speech can really make or break it: Too short and people are going to be wondering why you bothered. Too long and nobody will be listening. Keep it to a ‘stand up-sit down’ time of 10 minutes – that’s a talking time of around eight minutes and the rest will be made up from laughter, applause and heckles.
Also, many wedding speech writers stress the importance of not boring people with a lengthy speech, but also not coming across like you’re enjoying the attention a little too much.
9. Avoid Too Much Detail
Too much detail can really slow a speech down: A great speech demands the very least from the guests for them to enjoy it, so now is not the time to recount exactly how you know each of the groomsmen individually. A good guide is to aim for a total of 1,200-1,300 words – if you’re edging well over that, then it’s time to strip out some of the content.
10. Think About Your Ending - Close with Gratitude
Wrap up your speech by expressing your gratitude to everyone once again and reiterating how much their presence means to you on you and your bride’s special day. End on a positive and uplifting note, leaving your guests with warm feelings and happy memories.
Remember, your groom's speech reflects your love and commitment to your bride, as well as your appreciation for all the people who have supported you along the way. So, take your time, speak from the heart, and enjoy every moment of this special day. If you really do struggle with planning your speech there are many sites like Hitched UK with resources offering templates which take the stress out of the planning process.
For more expert advice on writing the perfect wedding speech and to learn about my personalised celebrant services. Follow me on Instagram - @denisewhelancelebrant and Facebook - Denise Whelan - Celebrant for inspiration and updates.
