Wedding Speech Ep #2 - 6 tips for the groom

Alright!!!! It is your big day. The big moment. And now….

Speech Speech Speech!!!!

Amidst the 101 matters to attend to at your wedding, the groom’s speech is something that gets the attention of the crowd. It is a short and seemingly insignificant few minutes, but I’ve seen eyes rolling and ears pointed to grasp every letter the groom has to say.

On a defining day of your life, it is a defining moment. So, I hope these tips help.

Before I start may I give one golden advice. Avoid using a piece of paper. Let the speech come from your heart. Even with the Uhs & Ums. It is fine. But let it be a natural one. That makes it more special. If you can’t remember something, it probably wasn’t that important anyway.

1.     The Start

Like for any speech, how you start this speech matters. Rather than the usual addressing of everyone, try something different. Try something funny. Maybe you could say how nervous you were about the best man’s speech and that now it is over, you feel more relaxed. Or you can say how you have a knack of going to the wrong wedding hall and that you are glad you did not make that mistake today.

2.     Focus on “HER”

It is s special day for the groom and even more special for the bride. It is a day in most cultures where she is leaving her home, trusting another man with whom she will build a life. Your speech is about assuring that she made the right choice. So, some tips include:

-       Commenting on how amazing she looks

-       How she has changed how you see life

-       How you are looking forward to a life with her

Do not forget to express how much you love her (yes, the occasional traditional folk might get offended by it, but this day is about the two of you and not the visitors)

3.     A special moment

Recall a special moment from your journey together. May be the day you realise how much she loves you. Ideally a not significant moment and one she might not even recall, but you found it to be very special and a life changer.

4.     The parents – Don’t forget the parents (Oh NO WAY. Absolute deal killer if you do)

They have brought her up and this is a special day for them too. Thank them for accepting you to the family and you can recall some special moments like the first day you met her dad or the first meal you enjoyed from her mom (Hopefully was a pleasant experience, that one)  

5.     A quick call back to the earlier speeches – Before you there would have been a speech from the groom’s side and from the bride’s side. You can thank them and perhaps make some references to what they said. If the maid of honor said something secretive you can express your surprise at that and if the best man said something scary about you, you could express your horror at that as well. (All in good humor)  

6.     A word to the audience – A word of gratitude to the people who turned (especially these days with high fuel costs and exorbitant cab charges) would go along way and be much appreciated as well. Beyond the usual Thank you, you can go a bit more and invite them to be active participants in the dance floor as well. Be careful of referring to a selected few since some of the others might get offended by that. I once remember a speech in which the groom acknowledged the aunt from New Zealand who had come but not the uncle from USA. That uncle had to have a few more shots to drown his sorrow and embarrassment.

It is a once in a lifetime (May be twice or thrice for some but still very special and rare) moment. So, make it count.

And on that note…. now we invite the groom for his few words

(Go sweep her off her feet with your words. And while you are at it, sweep her entire family and the audience too)

Good Luck !!! And as always keep speaking.

(To learn more on Tharindu and the programs offered relating to Public Speaking / Presentation Skills & Corporate Communication, visit www.danandken.com)