Tips for Making a Wedding Speech

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Here are some tips for making a wedding day speech from competition entries at weddings.co.nz:

Tim of Auckland: Take a piece of paper and rip it up in front of the crowd - then start with a joke.

Tony of Auckland: Opening line to best man’s speech - "Being best man is a bit like being asked to make love to the Queen, it's a great honour, but you do feel a bit queasy about doing it ..."

Summer of Auckland: "In keeping with tradition I thought it only appropriate to make a speech. If you know (husband) and I well, you will know that we both like to have the last say. Well today it’s me and let that be a good omen for the future."

Rachel of Auckland: Relax, focus and take things slow. Be confident and try not to read everything straight from your paper, have pointers and speak freely from those, this makes your speech seem so much more natural.

Catherine of Auckland: Keep it short and humourless. The stag/hens night is a great opportunity to get the speeches with the embarrassing stories (please not in front of grandma) and the girls soppy "I love you so much I can't believe you're getting married your my best friend" crying speeches out of the way, leaving the big day for a few short, funny meaningful speeches.

Sharleen of Tauranga: Rewrite and rewrite and rewrite even up to the dinner as you get ideas from the day too.

Warwick of Takapuna: ICE BREAKER: School Teacher who has been asked to be the MC!!! "I have known these two for a long time. Infact I could even tell you when was the first time they had slept together.. ( Nervous laughter comes forth at this time)... Yes it was in my history class when they were in the 4th form together".!!!!!!

Heidi of Christchurch: Speech making tip: make sure your guests are looked after and are enjoying yourself and most of all you are enjoying your self to... lots of laughs and STORIES...

Angela of Morrinsville: Nice to personalise speeches rather than generalise.

Judy of Clinton: Remember to be just who you are and not try to be anything else.

Pat of Hamilton: Never say "um".

Rachel of Christchurch: Now that you 2 are married I have 1 piece of advice for you, don't buy a bed from McKenzie and Willis because their sales promise is that they stand behind everything they sell.

Matt of Christchurch: There are two parts:
1) Have a shot of whisky before.
2) If you get stuck during the speech, do a toast to someone. This always kills a bit of time and it takes the spotlight of you.

Kelly of Auckland: When my younger sister got married, my father was somewhat uncomfortable about having to give a speech. He was unprepared on the day as he had kept putting it off. However, when he stood up to give his speech, it turned out to be quite an ice-breaker and the crowd started to relax because after every couple of words my father said, he would take a sip of wine. If his speech had have been a long one, he would have been quite tipsy by the end of it.

Therese of Christchurch: This one’s great for the best man. Give out some old keys to five or six of the ladies ( you might want to include a man) then start off by saying that the groom is a bit of a ladies man so now I'm asking that all of his spare house keys be returned. And one by one the ladies (and men if you want) came up to the head table and give their keys back. All of this is in good taste and the groom has a good laugh.

Merv of Christchurch: Be prepared. Take some notes with you and breathe deeply.

Lorraine of Matamata: I know that everyone in the room is a person who I would confide in. In one way or another.

Alicia of Blenheim: I have heard of this good speech where the mother of the bride incorporated the special moments of the brides "growing" years into her speech. She bought along the brides christening gown, baby booties and teething ring and started with......from baby booties to weeding shoes, from christening gown to wedding gown, from teething ring to wedding ring .....and continued her speech about the growth of her daughter. It was pretty impressive!!!!

Sara of Dunedin: Just remember that at the wedding you are surrounded by people whom you love, and who are there because they love you. There is no need to be nervous in the presence of friends and family, just relax and enjoy the celebration!

Sarah of Auckland: Make sure it is humorous at the Grooms expense (not cruel just funny). This is always an icebreaker and gets people into the speech straight away.

Kirsty of Hamilton: I get really nervous speaking in front of any more than 5 people-especially over 100!! The only tip I have ever used is having some rescue remedy beforehand!

Sara of Christchurch: casual, witty and relaxed, eg: ”Well, well, well hope everyone is having a good time, no doubt you are with such an occasion to celebrate!”

Tim of Auckland: Speech: [reading notes nervously] "Fornication" [look of horror, stare back at notes] "oh, I'm sorry"..."For an occasion".... Speech continues after much laughter.

Angel of Dunedin: Remembering the bride's name and not saying an ex-wife's name!

Leigh of Auckland: Speak very clearly taking extra care to project every vowel clearly forward into the crowd, all the whilst maintaining a confident social dignity thru fleeting eye contact with your audience, ...and dont forget to put on your pants

Matthew of Dunedin: At my sister’s wedding Dad had a funny moment...”Watch what you do in that bed (new bed from sleepyhead) with my daughter, as they stand behind every bed they sell.

Rob of Wellington: Imagine them all naked!!!

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