Wedding Speeches - A guide for couples

Wedding speeches are often an overlooked topic when planning your special day. Speeches should create moments that are both meaningful and impactful for all of your beloved guests. They allow couples, family members, and friends an opportunity to share cherished memories, personal and humorous anecdotes, and heartfelt messages with others. As a coupie, you should share and communicate expectations with your speakers. Overlooking the importance of planning wedding speeches can be stressful and disappointing if not approached thoughtfully and without preparation......and at times can be disastrous. As a wedding coordinator, I have witnessed first hand the unexpected outcomes that come with not addressing this often forgotten topic with your selected speakers. When it comes to wedding speeches, a little preparation definitely goes a long way in creating moments that are both meaningful and enjoyable for everyone. The following are some helpful tips for couples when planning their wedding speeches:

1. Start early: Don't wait until the week of your wedding to think about speeches. Ideally begin discussions with your wedding party and family members a few months in advance. This allows speakers enough time to brainstorm, write and practice their speeches without feeling rushed. Early preparation also gives you the chance to coordinate timing so that every speech fits seamlessly into the schedule.
2. Set guidelines: To ensure consistency and avoid awkward moments, provide gently guidelines. Suggest speech length of 3-5 minutes and encourage a balance of humor and sentiment. Suggest themes of "how we met the couple", or "favorite qualities of the bride/groom" to help spark ideas and to help set a cohesive tone.
3. Consider the order: Traditionally the father of the bride goes first, followed by the groom, best man and maid of honor. You can mix it up however you seem fit but having a distinct order ensures a smooth transition between speakers.
4. Practice makes perfect: Not everyone is comfortable with public speaking even through friends and family. Encourage to rehearse in front of the mirror to help calm nerves and refine pacing. This will also help the speaker identify areas that may need to be changed or adjusted.
5. Keep it authentic: The wedding speech should reflect genuine feelings rather than overly comedic and elaborate. Combine sincerity, humor and personal anecdotes that resonate with both the couple and guests. Wedding speeches are considered the bridge between the formal wedding ceremony and the onset of the wedding reception. These words will help set the emotional tone of this special event and will also remind everyone why they have gathered and also highlights what makes the couple special.