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15 Tips to Help You Give a Great Wedding Speech

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If your loved ones are getting married, it's an exciting time for everyone. In particular, if you're asked to give a speech, it's an opportunity to show how much you care. Here are 15 tips to help you give a great wedding speech.

Give Yourself Time

Although you're likely to be busy helping out with the wedding preparations, giving yourself ample time to write the speech is important. Don't wait until the last minute, as that can cause a stressful situation, states Town and Country.

Remember the Basics

There are some basics you need to include in specific wedding speeches. You can start with free samples of wedding speeches, which should give you a good idea of how to structure your speech.

Talk to Friends and Family

When getting started with your speech writing, consider having a conversation with other close friends and family of the bride and groom. That'll give you ideas to get you started, claims The Huffington Post.

Pinpoint Stories and Qualities

Figure out stories you want to share about the bride and groom, along with their personal qualities that you want to highlight. That'll be a good jumping off point for the rest of the speech, notes The Huffington Post.

Acknowledge the Audience

At the beginning of the speech, you can acknowledge people who are absent or those who you want to thank for the wedding. This will help make sure everyone feels acknowledged, notes The Huffington Post.

Make It Funny

While adding a joke might seem scary, a good laugh can go a long ways in making for a memorable wedding speech. But be sure it's an acceptable joke for your entire audience, reports Town and Country Magazine.

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Share the Love

One important part of a wedding toast is to make sure the bride and groom know how much you love them. Sharing how the couple has influenced you is a good idea, notes Wedding Wire.

Be Genuine

Dig deep and find some genuine things to say. Your speech will resonate more with everyone if it's heartfelt, says The Huffington Post.

Cater to Your Audience

You'll want to understand your audience before you write your speech. Conservative audiences need a different speech than an easygoing one, notes Town and Country.

Don't Make the Speech Too Long

Some of the best wedding toasts are heartfelt but succinct, says Wedding Wire. For some ideas, check out free samples online of short wedding toasts.

Stay Calm

Although public speaking isn't for everyone, make sure that you stay calm, advises Wedding Wire. There's no need to panic about it, after all, the day is dedicated to a couple that's already having the best day of their lives.

Pay Attention to the Delivery

You can have the best speech ever on paper, but it needs to translate to a good performance. Be sure you are speaking clearly and slowly enough so others can understand you, notes Hello! Magazine.

Make Sure Drinks Are Topped Off

Before giving a wedding toast, make sure that everyone's drinks are topped off, reports Hello Magazine. There's nothing worse than giving a toast with an empty glass or water.

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Practice

Before the wedding, take some time to practice your speech. That'll help quell your nerves during the big day, and ensures you provide the best speech possible, according to the Knot.

Avoid Taboos

Don't mention past boyfriends or girlfriends. Don't make fun of the couple, and don't swear during your speech, reports The Huffington Post.