As summer arrives we also enter the most popular wedding season. The Best man's speech is a very important part of a wedding. Many men get really stressed about writing the toast while others simply rely on their instincts and speak off the top of their head on the day of the wedding. Whichever way, best man speeches are often difficult to write which is why many best men find the situation to be so stressful.
So how do you give a memorable toast at a wedding?
1) First of all you need to write your speech a few weeks before the wedding day. This is important because if you wait until the last minute you're only going to put yourself under more stress and may have difficulty writing anything. Planning ahead gives you time to write the speech and rewrite or edit it if you need to.
2) Avoid embarrassing anecdotes. These may be funny while you're in the pub with your mates but aren't going to help at the wedding. Don't include stories of wild debauched nights or transgressions. Inclusion of crude or vulgar references in a wedding speech is in bad taste because it may be offensive to other guests. Weddings are usually attended by older relatives of both the bride and the groom. They aren't likely to appreciate this type of humour.
3) It's best not to include inside jokes which won't be understood by the majority of guests at the wedding. Although these may be quite funny to the couple, yourself and perhaps a few guests, most people present won't understand the joke. This can create an awkward situation because the guests won't have a clue why a few guests are laughing so much.
4) Short and simple is the key. Many best men make the mistake of thinking the speech has to last a while but this isn’t true. Some of the most memorable toasts are short and to the point. It also means that guests won't become confused or lose track of the point you're making.
5) Use common language when giving your speech. If you attempt to use unfamiliar words you're going to be uncomfortable and other guests will spot it a mile off.
6) Try getting some outside help. Have a practice run for an audience before the wedding day to make sure everything comes out the way you want it to. Friends or the parents of the couple make a good audience because they know the couple well and can give you an idea how your speech will be received.
7) Practice reciting the speech a few more times before the wedding. The practice run with others is useful for checking content but if you rehearse in front of a mirror or a camcorder you can determine how well the speech sounds. A Best man's speech should sound natural and not over rehearsed but repeating the words out loud a few times will help you to deliver the toast smoothly on the day of the wedding.
8) Important – On the day it's very wise to lay off the alcohol until after your speech. Alcohol will not get rid of fear and often makes it worse. It will also leave you dehydrated.
Follow these points and people will be talking about your speech in years to come - for all the right reasons!
So how do you give a memorable toast at a wedding?
1) First of all you need to write your speech a few weeks before the wedding day. This is important because if you wait until the last minute you're only going to put yourself under more stress and may have difficulty writing anything. Planning ahead gives you time to write the speech and rewrite or edit it if you need to.
2) Avoid embarrassing anecdotes. These may be funny while you're in the pub with your mates but aren't going to help at the wedding. Don't include stories of wild debauched nights or transgressions. Inclusion of crude or vulgar references in a wedding speech is in bad taste because it may be offensive to other guests. Weddings are usually attended by older relatives of both the bride and the groom. They aren't likely to appreciate this type of humour.
3) It's best not to include inside jokes which won't be understood by the majority of guests at the wedding. Although these may be quite funny to the couple, yourself and perhaps a few guests, most people present won't understand the joke. This can create an awkward situation because the guests won't have a clue why a few guests are laughing so much.
4) Short and simple is the key. Many best men make the mistake of thinking the speech has to last a while but this isn’t true. Some of the most memorable toasts are short and to the point. It also means that guests won't become confused or lose track of the point you're making.
5) Use common language when giving your speech. If you attempt to use unfamiliar words you're going to be uncomfortable and other guests will spot it a mile off.
6) Try getting some outside help. Have a practice run for an audience before the wedding day to make sure everything comes out the way you want it to. Friends or the parents of the couple make a good audience because they know the couple well and can give you an idea how your speech will be received.
7) Practice reciting the speech a few more times before the wedding. The practice run with others is useful for checking content but if you rehearse in front of a mirror or a camcorder you can determine how well the speech sounds. A Best man's speech should sound natural and not over rehearsed but repeating the words out loud a few times will help you to deliver the toast smoothly on the day of the wedding.
8) Important – On the day it's very wise to lay off the alcohol until after your speech. Alcohol will not get rid of fear and often makes it worse. It will also leave you dehydrated.
Follow these points and people will be talking about your speech in years to come - for all the right reasons!
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