The groom’s wedding speech is definitely nerve-wracking for
any groom who dreads public speaking – and that’s basically most guys. In fact,
many grooms are shocked to learn that as part of ‘the whole wedding thing’,
they are required to make a wedding speech.
Many don’t prepare, or don’t really know where to start, and
thus there are plenty of stories of grooms embarrassing themselves in front of
family, friends and fathers-in-law. You know the feeling we’re talking about:
Sweaty palms, turning red in the face because everyone is looking at you, and a
heart that is practically going to jump right out of your chest!
In terms of its
entertainment value, the groom’s speech should fall somewhere between that of
the bride’s father and the best man. In terms of sensitivities, if you are a
regular presenter or speaker as part of your work or perhaps a bit of a natural
show-off, you might want to consider not showing off. Wedding speeches are
supposed to be sincere but entertaining, but not to the extent that it is a
competition to be judged by the guests with a ‘clap-o-meter’.
Tips for Frazzled Grooms
· First,
Practice, Practice. Just five times
before you actually deliver the speech will ensure the actual thing will go much
more smoothly.
· Outline!
A
wedding speech has a beginning, middle and end. And if that sounds a bit like a
secondary school essay, that’s because it is.
· Breathe. As you’re walking up to the podium, take a deep breath. Just before you begin
to speak, take another. It will get your racing heart under control.
· Keep
it short and sweet. You aren’t expected
to be the next Jerry Seinfeld. The
objective of your speech is different from your best man’s speech. Let him get
all the laughs.
· Imagine
that everyone in the audience is naked. Just kidding. We can’t imagine how that would make you more at ease, or where
that ridiculous idea came from. More importantly, look up from your notes.
Don’t look the audience members in the eyes as that will make you nervous. Look through the audience members, not
focusing on any one person.
· End
the speech with a toast to your lovely bride. The
groom’s wedding toast is not as difficult as it might seem. Your wedding speech
is not the time to pull out Shakespeare. With your wedding toast, be – and
sound like – yourself.
Finally,
the biggest suggestion we can make is to either write out your speech in its entirety,
or prepare bullet points. But never, ever, speak impromptu. That’s just asking
for trouble. Congratulations, and good luck!
