Writing the perfect speech

DECIDE ON YOUR TONE
It’s not just the Best Man who’s expected to squeeze in a few gags in his speech. While you shouldn’t treat your address as rehearsal for Live at the Apollo, cracking a few light hearted jokes will get the crowd smiling and help you relax.

SPEAK CLEARLY
Imagine you’re speaking to someone at the back of the room to ensure your voice carries over the crowd. Of course you'll have a mic but mumbling into won't do you any favours. It’s natural to rush through your speech if you’re nervous, so try to speak slightly slower than normal – so guests hang onto every… single… word.

GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK
We are our harshest critics. If you fumble a word or forget a sentence, no one will really notice except you. Remember, it’s not life or death; it’s just a little wedding speech.

PITCH PERFECT
Talking in a low monotone is the quickest route to sending your guests to snoozeville. Give yourself time to practice (in the reception venue with your sound system set up, preferably) with a friend to help you adjust your tone as you talk.

DON'T USE PRIVATE JOKES
While your best friends might instantly fall about laughing if one of you mentions the word ‘postbox’, it’s unlikely anyone else will know what you’re talking about. In-jokes only work between those who know what the joke is; to everyone else, it’s alienating and bewildering. Save them for your thank you notes, rather than your wedding address.

DON'T THANK EVERYBODY
There will be dozens of people involved in the making of your Big Day, and thanking them ALL will take up the bulk of your speech. Of course, you should mention your family, your new in-laws and key members of your wedding party but leave it at that – you don’t need to thank the florist you paid to make the bridal bouquet!

TOAST THE HAPPY COUPLE!
It’s difficult to imagine forgetting to acknowledge the newlyweds during a wedding speech, but it has been known to happen! If you’re the bride or groom, make sure you take a moment at the end of your speech to toast your other half, or if you’re a member of the wedding party, raise your glass to their marriage. You wouldn’t be making the speech if it wasn’t for them!

STAND TALL
Apart from the fact that slouching looks terrible, standing up straight makes you appear confident (and slimmer!) and helps regulate your breathing - ensuring you stay calm. Imagine a thread hanging from the ceiling to the top of your head to keep your posture in check.

MAKE EYE CONTACT
Speaking to a large crowd can be daunting so strategically positioning close friends around the room and addressing them for short portions of your speech will ensure you engage and connect with the entire crowd.

KEEP IT SHORT
Guests – especially the younger ones - can get restless after more than ten minutes of talking, so keep your speech succinct. And remember to keep an eye on the clock if it’s you kicking off the speeches as running late can have a knock-on effect on the rest of your day.

Photography: Zurihsia Studios