5 Ways to Nail Your Wedding Speech

Planning & Advice

Grooms, Best Men, Bridesmaids, Brides, Parents of the Bride or Groom… it’s time to make a wedding speech! If you are feeling particularly nervous and freaked out about delivering your speech, we’ve got some expert tips. Here are five really practical things you can do to nail your speech and not let nerves get the better of you.

 

Cue cards

Write out your speech and turn those notes into cue cards. These will help jog your memory, without your head being buried amongst a sea of papers!

 

Grab the mic

Depending on the size of the room and the number of guests you’re speaking in front of, having a microphone can really take off the pressure. The volume at which you speak will no longer need to be a concern of yours. Just make sure you either have a mic stand to hold the mic in place, or somewhere to keep your cue cards, so you aren’t juggling the two. Practice holding the microphone so that it’s close enough to your mouth that it will pick up the sound of your voice, but not so close that you cover your face.

 

Practice practice practice

Write your speech ahead of time (not the night before the wedding or the morning of!) and give yourself enough time to practice. Recite your speech in front of the mirror or better yet, another person. You’ll feel a lot more at ease and relaxed if you know your speech well.

 

End with a toast

“Um… thank you?” is probably not the greatest way to end a speech, so plan on ending with a toast. Saying “To the happy couple” while raising your glass is a strong way to end your speech. While guests are clinking glasses, the MC can get ready to welcome the next person giving a speech or making a toast.

 

Make a video

If public speaking isn’t your thing, consider making a video instead. A memorable wedding speech in the form of a video, edited together with photos and videos, and with music as the backdrop. We really couldn’t think of a better way to say what’s on your heart!