Finding the words to use in your wedding speech can be difficult, but before you begin you need to know the best things to say and worst things to avoid. Take a few moments to read our wedding speech etiquette guide before you begin penning your masterpiece.
Don’t swear, tell X-rated material or use any language or references that people will take particular offence to. This is the number one wedding speech etiquette rule.
Tailor the speech to your audience and choose words that everyone can relate to, from the youngest to the oldest guest. Tales that involve the words ‘iPod Nano’ or ‘Davy Lamp’ may will probably mean little to the Bride’s ninety year old grandma or the Groom's nine year old niece!
Keep stories short and sweet and avoid long, rambling and preachy tales. The audience want to hear a speech , not a sermon.
Unless a physical impairment prevents you from doing so, stand up to deliver the speech.
Thank the appropriate people during your speech and raise a toast to the necessary parties - a wedding speech etiquette essential.
Never belittle the Bride in any way, shape or form. The odd humerous comment is fine, but avoid humiliating her at all costs.
Raucous tales of the stag or hen night are all well and good, but a wedding speech is not the time to tell them.
Tales of ex-partners or lovers are not recommended if you are following the rules of wedding speech etiquette. This is a day for focussing on the current relationship, not past ones.
Don't mention any family troubles or disagreements - however hard it may be, from a wedding speech etiquette perspective, just pretend they don't exist for the day.
If a Toastmaster, Master or Ceremonies or wedding co-ordinator isn't present to introduce you, make sure you do yourself - there's nothing worse than having everyone wonder just who you are throughout your speech
Be gracious and polite throughout the wedding speech and don't use it as an opportunity to 'have a dig' at someone you don't like.
Jokes and funny stories were made for wedding speeches, but never go 'too far' with them, and, whatever you do, try not to laugh at your own jokes if nobody else is!
As long as you take heed all the above wedding speech etiquette, it's impossible to go far wrong on the day.
Recommended Reading
For those of you wanting to find out more, we've a whole host of other wedding speech articles on the site packed full of expert information and inspirational ideas, not to mention our online wedding directory that's filled with toastmasters, speech writers and more.
For friendly tips and helpful advice take a look at our wedding speech forum, or why not check out the 'related articles' and 'pages & websites you may like' below.
