wedding speech
Discussion
By the power of Google.
www.hitched.co.uk/speeches/examples/index.asp
Some good ones here too - www.thebestmanspeech.com/
www.hitched.co.uk/speeches/examples/index.asp
Some good ones here too - www.thebestmanspeech.com/
You have to strike a balance.
On one level, it has to be entertaining and raise a genuine laugh from those it's relevant to.
On the other hand, it can't be too scathing. To be a best man is an honour, and the fact that you have been chosen proves how important you are to your friends. The jokes have to be knowing and endearing, and you can't end on a low note, it's not humiliation time.
Fill it full of one-liners and you'll end up sounding like Little Britain's Denver Mills character.
On one level, it has to be entertaining and raise a genuine laugh from those it's relevant to.
On the other hand, it can't be too scathing. To be a best man is an honour, and the fact that you have been chosen proves how important you are to your friends. The jokes have to be knowing and endearing, and you can't end on a low note, it's not humiliation time.
Fill it full of one-liners and you'll end up sounding like Little Britain's Denver Mills character.
The best man at my wedding produced two small white rabbits out of his top hat!
(it was relevant to something that had happened a short while before the wedding).
That kept everyone amused, especially as they liked icing.
took some explaining to Moss Bros about the strange smell in his hat!
Elizabeth
(it was relevant to something that had happened a short while before the wedding).
That kept everyone amused, especially as they liked icing.
took some explaining to Moss Bros about the strange smell in his hat!
Elizabeth
All very good, but I think the original poster was asking about the groom's speech. 
When I did mine, I did a google and discovered that the groom's speech must take in several key points like thanking / toasting the bridesmaids and stuff. I'm sure those links will give that information.
So long as you cover all those you generally aren't required to do much else, although for my groom's speech I chose to reminisce about how I met my wife, throw in a few jokes, etc. I figured since I was paying for it I could talk for as long as I wanted.
However, if you don't like public speacking then as the groom you aren't required to say that much other than those key points I mentioned.
When I did mine, I did a google and discovered that the groom's speech must take in several key points like thanking / toasting the bridesmaids and stuff. I'm sure those links will give that information.
So long as you cover all those you generally aren't required to do much else, although for my groom's speech I chose to reminisce about how I met my wife, throw in a few jokes, etc. I figured since I was paying for it I could talk for as long as I wanted.
However, if you don't like public speacking then as the groom you aren't required to say that much other than those key points I mentioned.
It's supposed to be quite short as the father of the bride and best man really have centre stage on speeches.
Stuff you should do in the groom's speech:
Thank just about everyone (bridesmaids, best men, ushers, page boys) etc. etc.
Give pressies to bridesmaids and best man (I gave some to the ushers too) and flowers to your mum and mother in law and something to your dad and father in law.
I did this - made a list and was easy enough. I then started ad libbing, got all overcome and started proclaiming undying love for my wife and told a romantic (and quite funny) anecdote which had most of the guests in floods and the guy videoing had to put the cameras down as he completely crumbled
>> Edited by sj78 on Friday 22 April 16:29
Stuff you should do in the groom's speech:
Thank just about everyone (bridesmaids, best men, ushers, page boys) etc. etc.
Give pressies to bridesmaids and best man (I gave some to the ushers too) and flowers to your mum and mother in law and something to your dad and father in law.
I did this - made a list and was easy enough. I then started ad libbing, got all overcome and started proclaiming undying love for my wife and told a romantic (and quite funny) anecdote which had most of the guests in floods and the guy videoing had to put the cameras down as he completely crumbled
>> Edited by sj78 on Friday 22 April 16:29
When I got married I maintained that I had not written a speech at all. This turned out to be more effective than I initially thought as one table had been betting on the lengths of the speeches. With them firmly believing I had no speech so would only speak for a minute or two the betting ecame interesting when it was clear I had a speech!
The grroms role is to thank as many people as possible, possibly hand out some presents to the parents etc.
I read about it on the internet and spent a long time formulating it in my mind before putting pen to paper. I think its important to have it written down as otherwise you'll only forget to thank someone.
I was lucky as when I first announcement my engagement my brother wasn;t even aware I was seeing anyone, and was therefore able to report on his reaction!
The grroms role is to thank as many people as possible, possibly hand out some presents to the parents etc.
I read about it on the internet and spent a long time formulating it in my mind before putting pen to paper. I think its important to have it written down as otherwise you'll only forget to thank someone.
I was lucky as when I first announcement my engagement my brother wasn;t even aware I was seeing anyone, and was therefore able to report on his reaction!
I've been Best Man a few times - most recently about five years ago. I've 'cut and pasted' a few "snippits" from my speech, which I tried to keep light and slightly amusing:
"On behalf of the Bride and Groom I would like to thank everyone here for sharing their day, particularly those of you who have travelled long distances to be here."
"We have a saying in England: Being the Best Man is like kissing the Queen Mother -it’s a great honour, but it’s hard to find volunteers."
"A number of people have asked me today, do you have any embarrassing stories about Alasdair? Well, I have one or two… (Release ream of paper.)"
"Let me tell you about Alasdair. Unfortunately, I didn't know Alasdair at school so I've had to rely entirely on his own version of events regarding his education. Apparently, Alasdair was an exceptionally gifted student at school, excelling in everything he did -be it sports, academics or the arts. He left school to the great sadness of his headmaster and successfully attended University where, he tells me, he attained a first class honours degree."
"It was shortly after this time that Alasdair and I became good friends. You know, true friendship requires time and communication. When I think about it, Alasdair and I must have spent literally thousands of hours discussing every subject under the sun –separated by a 12 inch wooden chess board. We have talked about ‘Family’, ‘Work’, ‘Cars’, ‘Christianity’, ‘Football’, ‘The Future’, ‘The Past’, ‘Our Aspirations’, ‘Our fears’. And, guess what else? The subject of ‘Marriage’ has come up on more than a few occasions. I’ve been married for some time now (my wife and I celebrated our 15th Wedding Anniversary last week), and he used to say “How do you know when you’ve met the right person?” I’d always reply, “You just know it’s the right one”. He always said “I don’t understand that”. And I would say, “that’s because you haven’t met the right one yet”. Well, imagine my surprise when last year he phoned me up and said: “Hey, I’m married.” After I recovered from absorbing the enormity of this information, I received an even bigger shock when the following three words left his lips: “YOU WERE RIGHT”. He knew immediately that Tamara was going to be the love of his life”.
"With regard to Tamara, Alasdair I can say that you have got a wife who is warm, caring, witty, intelligent and pleasing to the eye. And Tamara, you’ve got…..well, Alasdair."
"Well buddy, Tamara certainly deserves to marry a handsome, rich, intelligent, sensitive man -and I’m delighted she married you before she met such a person!"
"On a serious note, those of us who have known Alasdair for many years will know that he is a man of ‘strong character’ and ‘principle’. One of his characteristics which I most admire is that of ‘loyalty’ –during both good times and bad. Why do I mention it? Because loyalty is a scarce commodity these days, but it is the most important ingredient in a marriage. Tamara, you’ve married a good one."
"Now about these embarrassing stories, unfortunately I don’t have enough time today -believe me I need lots of time to relay them. So, I think I’ll save them for Alasdair and Tamara’s Silver Wedding Anniversary –by which time I’m sure I’ll have even more ammunition."
"In the meantime, Ladies and Gentlemen.....I invite you all to stand and raise your glasses in a toast to Alasdair and Tamara –The Bride & Groom."
"On behalf of the Bride and Groom I would like to thank everyone here for sharing their day, particularly those of you who have travelled long distances to be here."
"We have a saying in England: Being the Best Man is like kissing the Queen Mother -it’s a great honour, but it’s hard to find volunteers."
"A number of people have asked me today, do you have any embarrassing stories about Alasdair? Well, I have one or two… (Release ream of paper.)"
"Let me tell you about Alasdair. Unfortunately, I didn't know Alasdair at school so I've had to rely entirely on his own version of events regarding his education. Apparently, Alasdair was an exceptionally gifted student at school, excelling in everything he did -be it sports, academics or the arts. He left school to the great sadness of his headmaster and successfully attended University where, he tells me, he attained a first class honours degree."
"It was shortly after this time that Alasdair and I became good friends. You know, true friendship requires time and communication. When I think about it, Alasdair and I must have spent literally thousands of hours discussing every subject under the sun –separated by a 12 inch wooden chess board. We have talked about ‘Family’, ‘Work’, ‘Cars’, ‘Christianity’, ‘Football’, ‘The Future’, ‘The Past’, ‘Our Aspirations’, ‘Our fears’. And, guess what else? The subject of ‘Marriage’ has come up on more than a few occasions. I’ve been married for some time now (my wife and I celebrated our 15th Wedding Anniversary last week), and he used to say “How do you know when you’ve met the right person?” I’d always reply, “You just know it’s the right one”. He always said “I don’t understand that”. And I would say, “that’s because you haven’t met the right one yet”. Well, imagine my surprise when last year he phoned me up and said: “Hey, I’m married.” After I recovered from absorbing the enormity of this information, I received an even bigger shock when the following three words left his lips: “YOU WERE RIGHT”. He knew immediately that Tamara was going to be the love of his life”.
"With regard to Tamara, Alasdair I can say that you have got a wife who is warm, caring, witty, intelligent and pleasing to the eye. And Tamara, you’ve got…..well, Alasdair."
"Well buddy, Tamara certainly deserves to marry a handsome, rich, intelligent, sensitive man -and I’m delighted she married you before she met such a person!"
"On a serious note, those of us who have known Alasdair for many years will know that he is a man of ‘strong character’ and ‘principle’. One of his characteristics which I most admire is that of ‘loyalty’ –during both good times and bad. Why do I mention it? Because loyalty is a scarce commodity these days, but it is the most important ingredient in a marriage. Tamara, you’ve married a good one."
"Now about these embarrassing stories, unfortunately I don’t have enough time today -believe me I need lots of time to relay them. So, I think I’ll save them for Alasdair and Tamara’s Silver Wedding Anniversary –by which time I’m sure I’ll have even more ammunition."
"In the meantime, Ladies and Gentlemen.....I invite you all to stand and raise your glasses in a toast to Alasdair and Tamara –The Bride & Groom."
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