Speeches/Music

The Groom's Speech

Making Your Speech

Let's face it, the groom usually gets off pretty lightly when it comes to the organising of the wedding, so there's no excuse for not giving a decent speech. Here we have attempted to give you some top tips

What's even worse than all eyes on you for the first dance? All eyes on you for the speech! Seriously though, your speech needn't be a horrendous experience, even if you don't relish the thought of talking in front of hundreds of people. The best thing about your speech is that everyone who's there on the day will be rooting for you, wanting you to do well. Like all verbal presentations, the success of your speech is directly related to how much time and effort you invest in preparation - so make sure you start writing as early as possible before you get roped in to help with all the final wedding details.

Even if you're not normally fazed by public speaking the speech you'll make at your wedding is so important that it can make you extremely nervous. There are lots of excellent books on the subject and plenty of speeches to be inspired by.

Groom Humour?

The old joke that Groom's once included in their speeches suggested that 'your wedding day is the happiest of your life, so it's all downhill from here!' Then there's the other way of looking at it, expressed by Robert Burns: 'Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be.'

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Top Tips For A Groom's Speech

It's hard to be suitably entertaining, sincere and uphold tradition at the same time during a five-minute speech, but here are some key points to bear in mind when you write your speech...

The groom's speech traditionally comes after the father of the bride's and before the best man's and should be seen as an opportunity to thank everybody who has helped the wedding day happen. You should think of your speech as being made on behalf of you and your new wife, unless she is going to say a few words herself.
To prevent your speech being just a list of thank you's, you might want to add some humour, sentimental stories about how you got together etc. Many grooms enjoy making fun of themselves or attributes of the bride's character. Self-depreciating humor does go down well and can balance the more emotional moments.
You will be guaranteed at least one cheer if you remember to include the phrase 'My wife and I'.
Remember to respond to any nice words the father of the bride had for you in his speech. You can respond by promising to take good care of his daughter or to thank him for welcoming you into his family.
Find a way to include some event from the day into the speech. It will make it feel much less rehearsed
Remember to thank all the obvious people; both sets of parents, bridesmaids, ushers, pageboys and flowergirls, and if relevant the venue and waiting staff. Remember to thank the guests and in particular any who have traveled a long way. Its also important to mention any guests who couldn't attend due to ill health.
Whatever else you forget, don't forget to thank your wife for saying 'yes' and do not forget to compliment her on how good she looks.
If you get the chance try to compare notes with the other speakers (if they let you) just to see if there's no overlap.
When you are letting everyone know how happy you are to be married say it directly to her rather than to the audience.