THE GROOM'S SPEECH

So you’re finally married to the woman of your dreams after all those years (and you thought no-one would put up with you) and what’s the first thing you get to do – consummate your marriage? - fat chance - it’s stand up in front of friends and family and make a speech.

Your speech will typically follow the Father of the Bride’s and precede the Best Man’s, so not only will the words you have to say be going round and round in your mind, but you will also have endure the long-winded words from your now Father in Law and be all concerned at your what your so-called mate is about to say about you!

But just remember – it’s not all bad news – at least you get to get drunk soon!

Joking aside, it’s now time to get serious, so the first point to make is that you do not need to make a speech if you really don’t want to. That said, you should try to make the effort, no matter how hard you may find it.

We have been to Weddings in the past where the Groom has stood up and simply said ‘Thanks’ – literally just the one word and we ain’t kidding. Likewise, other Weddings we’ve been to we’ve had to sit and listen to the Groom wax lyrical for what seemed like hours about how gorgeous his wife was, how he was looking forward to spending the rest of his life with her – blah, blah, blah! There is a happy house in the middle (we advise aiming for a speech 5-10 minutes long) and it is not too difficult to find. All you need to know in advance of the speech is how to deliver it and what points you need to cover. The What to Say article deals with the latter, and for a plethora of information on the former, check out some of the other articles scattered throughout The Speeches section - they are well worth a read.