The main speechmaking do’s and don’ts. Please click here for the full speechmaking tips.
Don’t: If you are the Best man, please remember your speech is not an extension of the stag night.
It will be far better received by the typical wedding audience of people of all age groups and walks of life; if you don’t use outright vulgarity, bad language and make references to the Groom’s previous partners or relationships. It is possible to make a speech which will go down a storm by omitting all of these.
Do: Especially if you are the Groom, try to make sincere bits sound sincere. I know some men are not happy at being thought of as being sincere or ‘sloppy’. A wedding is a loving occasion and I am sure your ‘street cred’ will remain just the same, regardless of how nicely you refer to people; In fact it might even improve.
Don’t: Forget the speech or the prompt card; If you wear spectacles, don’t forget them.
Don’t: Drink too much alcohol before your speech. If you do have the odd drink to relax yourself, drink your usual tipple, as you know approximately how much is appropriate.
Do: If you feel extremely nervous as you are about to give the speech, take some long deep breaths. Try and relax, remember everybody is on your side, not one person wants you to fail; and you won’t.
Do: Try to open the speech with a witty comment. Once you have got a laugh, you will feel much more confident. A witty speech needs to be given, in a ‘tongue in cheek’ manner with a smile in your voice. It won’t seem anywhere near as funny, if your voice is flat.
Do: When you stand up you will probably receive applause. Hold your head up in the air, look around the room and give everybody a big smile. This makes people think you are relaxed, and relaxes them.
Don't: Mumble. If there is no microphone, please try and speak loud and clearly, so that the people at the back can also hear.
Do: When making a toast, make your announcement very positive. Wait until everybody has stood up. Lift your glass positively into the air before making the toast, and wait until everybody has lifted their glasses before giving it. A follow up line to a toast, should be given immediately after the people have made their response.
Don’t: Pass around any photographs or props while giving your speech. If you are showing an article or blown up photo which everybody can see, it is ok to do so during the speech. What I don't recommend is passing photographs around during your speech. This only leads to people talking among themselves, thanking each other for passing them and generally not fully listening to the wonderful things that you are saying. It’s best to pass them around, when everybody has finished speaking.
This article may be reproduced without permission, providing a mention or link is given accrediting www.aspeech.co.uk
Don’t: If you are the Best man, please remember your speech is not an extension of the stag night.
It will be far better received by the typical wedding audience of people of all age groups and walks of life; if you don’t use outright vulgarity, bad language and make references to the Groom’s previous partners or relationships. It is possible to make a speech which will go down a storm by omitting all of these.
Do: Especially if you are the Groom, try to make sincere bits sound sincere. I know some men are not happy at being thought of as being sincere or ‘sloppy’. A wedding is a loving occasion and I am sure your ‘street cred’ will remain just the same, regardless of how nicely you refer to people; In fact it might even improve.
Don’t: Forget the speech or the prompt card; If you wear spectacles, don’t forget them.
Don’t: Drink too much alcohol before your speech. If you do have the odd drink to relax yourself, drink your usual tipple, as you know approximately how much is appropriate.
Do: If you feel extremely nervous as you are about to give the speech, take some long deep breaths. Try and relax, remember everybody is on your side, not one person wants you to fail; and you won’t.
Do: Try to open the speech with a witty comment. Once you have got a laugh, you will feel much more confident. A witty speech needs to be given, in a ‘tongue in cheek’ manner with a smile in your voice. It won’t seem anywhere near as funny, if your voice is flat.
Do: When you stand up you will probably receive applause. Hold your head up in the air, look around the room and give everybody a big smile. This makes people think you are relaxed, and relaxes them.
Don't: Mumble. If there is no microphone, please try and speak loud and clearly, so that the people at the back can also hear.
Do: When making a toast, make your announcement very positive. Wait until everybody has stood up. Lift your glass positively into the air before making the toast, and wait until everybody has lifted their glasses before giving it. A follow up line to a toast, should be given immediately after the people have made their response.
Don’t: Pass around any photographs or props while giving your speech. If you are showing an article or blown up photo which everybody can see, it is ok to do so during the speech. What I don't recommend is passing photographs around during your speech. This only leads to people talking among themselves, thanking each other for passing them and generally not fully listening to the wonderful things that you are saying. It’s best to pass them around, when everybody has finished speaking.
This article may be reproduced without permission, providing a mention or link is given accrediting www.aspeech.co.uk
Speech Article 3 A Brief Synopsis of Speechmaking Dos and Don'ts