If you’re the Bride & Groom you worry what’s going to come out at the Wedding Reception Speeches! If you’re guests or the MC you wonder how long they are going to run (over)!
Recently there has been some great press about wedding speeches, for inspiration here are a couple from George Clooney’s wedding and from Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden’s…
Apparently Nick Clooney, George’s Dad, had the guests in tears with this:
The loveliest, most intriguing city on the planet. CHECK. A glittering assembly of accomplished people. CHECK. A beautiful bride. CHECK. A nervous groom. CHECK.
We are deep in the age of irony. … We cherish our guilty pleasure of skepticism,” he continued. “Then here comes George, the crown prince of irony, getting down on one basketball-battered knee and asking the savvy Amal to marry him. And if you think that’s crazy, Amal said ’YES!’
In their tidal wave of generosity. Amal and George present us with one more gift, Hope. No, it’s more than hope. Hope is too ephemeral. … It is belief that in this place and at this moment, love is alive and well.
(I couldn’t find any wedding photos of these two, but the Kiss Cam (get it) photos are so cute)
Cameron Diaz, the 42 year old Bride herself, delivered a touching speech at her wedding, to her new husband and explained why he was ‘The One’ in front of family and friends at the reception.
I waited because I didn’t want to settle. Now I got the best man ever. My special man. He’s mine.
Cameron wasn’t the only one to speak in front of the star-studded guests. Joel also got some laughs when it was his turn to acknowledge their special day.
I only asked to be in control of two things: The music and the cake.
Great tips to get you started
Toastmasters NZ run some great courses on not only delivering speeches well, but what to talk about.
Set the tone
Giving a wedding toast is a special moment during the wedding reception. Wedding toasts are meant to set the tone for the rest of the reception, allow the guests to learn more about the bride or groom, and to celebrate the couple’s new life together. A toast is also used to wish the couple well and to remind them to remember this wonderful day always and why they decided to marry.
A toast is only part of the reception celebration, but it can be a very special time. In fact a well-prepared toast can be a memorable gift to both the bride and the groom. The best man, a friend or relative usually toasts the bride, or both bride and groom.
Secrets to a Great Wedding Toast
1. Prepare what you are going to say, write it down and practice ahead of time. Find out how much time has been allowed for your toast.
2. Make sure everyone has a filled glass. Traditional toasting drinks are champagne, wine, mixed drinks or even non-alcoholic punch.
3. Stand and face the person/s whom you are toasting.
4. Raise your glass up with your right hand.
5. Use a microphone if necessary. There is nothing worse than losing the audience’s attention because they can’t hear what you have to say.
6. Say your toast mentioning those you are toasting by name, your relationship to them and a thought about their good fortune and their future. Add witty anecdotes wherever possible but don’t recite a joke or story that only means something to a few people. And don’t embarrass the recipient! Use notes if necessary but keep it short and sincere.
7. Wave your glass to all and cap off the toast with a hearty “To the Bride and Groom” or “Cheers!”
8. Take a sip and sit down.
Other Useful Resources
Visit the following websites for information and resources:
http://www.great-wedding-toasts.com/ for Wedding Toasts
http://www.weddings.co.nz/features/toasts-and-speeches.php – New Zealand’s premier online wedding magazine and directory
http://www.weddingspeeches.co.nz/ – for help with preparing and delivering wedding speeches
http://www.hitched.co.uk/speeches/examples/index.asp – for examples of wedding speeches
or search for “wedding speeches”, “wedding toasts” etc on Google
