A memorable wedding speech is short, warm, and about the couple, not about you. Introduce yourself, thank the couple, tell one good story, congratulate them, leave out risky jokes, keep it under five minutes, and practice it out loud.
Being asked to give a speech at your best friend's wedding can feel like a blessing and a curse at the same time. It is a blessing because the couple trusts you with the task. It is a curse because wedding speeches are hard to get right, and one wrong step can spoil the mood.
How to write a memorable wedding speech
Do not worry. Follow these tips and you will be fine.
1. Introduce yourself
Unless everyone in the room is a close friend, introduce yourself. Say your name, how you know the couple, and how long you have known each other.
Keep it to a sentence or two, without details. For example: "My name is Joey, and I am Chandler's roommate. We have known each other for about ten years."
2. Say thank you
Common courtesy says that you thank the couple for the chance to give the speech, even if your nerves are telling you how much you would rather not. Your speech is an important part of the celebration, and you should not take that for granted.
3. Tell a story
Stories and memories of your friendship warm everyone's heart. Share one of your most memorable moments with your friend. Just never share anything embarrassing.
Keep embarrassing stories about the couple and anyone else in the room to yourself. You may think a story is hilarious, but a wedding speech is not the place for it.
4. Congratulate the newlyweds
It is their big day, so shower the newlyweds with heartfelt congratulations. It does not matter if it sounds a little cheesy. Tell the couple how wonderful they are.
5. Skip the jokes
Your sense of humor may not click with the families and friends at the wedding. If a joke falls flat, people cringe and the moment turns awkward. That may sound unlikely, but is it worth the risk?
If you really want to tell a joke, run it past the couple beforehand and make sure they are happy with it.
6. Keep it short
Keep your speech under five minutes. You are probably not the only one who wants to say a few words about the couple, and long speeches get boring.
7. Practice
Delivery decides whether your speech is remembered for the right reasons. If you stumble over every line, even a well-written speech is hard to follow. People will remember it, but not in a good way.
Take time to practice your speech before the big day. It helps your delivery a lot. If you write the speech on a computer, run it through the Spell Checker before you print it: it is not an essay, but a typo in your notes can make you stumble when you read them aloud. For more on the craft, see the best way to write a speech.
Remember who the speech is for
Even if you have never given a wedding speech before, you can write a good one with these tips. Just remember that the speech is not about you: it is about the couple, and everything you say should reflect that.