Weddings are occasions where it’s easy to forget what you were going to say. All the people looking at you at the same time, awaiting something interesting to come out of your mouth; drinks being poured all around and the will not to let the wedding couple down making you extra nervous…Sounds familiar?
It doesn’t have to, as long as you know what you want to say and it’s something that comes from inside you, not a book or someone else’s speech.
As times change, different things become standards and all the unconventional habits come into play. If you’re not too sure who should be giving speeches at your wedding, there is one way you can’t go wrong with. You start with the father of the bride, followed by the groom and then the long-awaited best man.
Father of the bride should start with welcoming the guests to the wedding reception, paying special attention to the groom’s parents (the bride’s parents used to traditionally host weddings, some of them still do). He can also welcome the groom into the family and might mention the first time his daughter mentioned him or brought him home for the parents to meet.
After that, the bride’s father can bring up any memories (can be funny) he has with his daughter, perhaps when she was young and how she’s grown to be a wonderful woman, also saying how proud she’s made him. Finally, it’s time to raise glasses for the happy couple.
The groom can start with thanking the bride’s father for his speech and for letting him marry his daughter. He can then show gratitude to his wife’s parents for accepting him into the family as well as express thanks to his own mother and father for bringing him up so well.
The groom’s task is also to thank all the guests for the presents they brought; also on behalf of his newly married wife. Expressing thanks to the bridesmaids should not be forgotten either. Then, it’s the best man’s turn.
The best man’s speech is probably the one everyone’s been waiting for impatiently as it usually contains amusing anecdotes. If you’re related to the groom, go for some funny stories from childhood. If you’re his friend, tell everyone how the two of you met and choose a few humorous stories to accompany your toast. You can also share with the rest of the guests your joy at the groom getting married to such a great woman. Proposing a toast to the married couple should finish off the job nicely.
