Thoughts on my groom speech

[wigan rl]

Hi all i'm getting married a week on Saturday and pretty worried about my speech that i will crash and burn plus the fact i hate public speaking.

If anyone has any hints and tips they will be more than welcome

Can I start my speech by welcoming all of our guests.

Today, we are surrounded by most of the friends and family that have been important to us during our lives It makes me the happiest man alive to be able to stand here and say to you all, ladies and gentlemen, friends and family, on behalf of my wife and I................ or as i will now be calling her my most recent ex-girlfriend, welcome to our wedding and thank you sincerely for sharing this special day with us. It really wouldn’t be the same without you all.

My speech today will be like a mini-skirt. Long enough to cover the essentials but short enough to hold your attention!

Before I start, over the next few minutes there will be a couple of toasts so please make sure that all your glasses are charged and try not to drink it all in one go........Howard

I would now like to move onto our wonderful parents and thank you all for your kind generosity not just for today but for all the sacrifices you made for us both whilst growing up as children and young adults
John and Gina I''d like to thank you both personally, for all that you have done for us over the last 10 years, you really have made me feel like one of the family well before today, so Thank you both. And I couldn’t have asked for two better in-laws, apart from the Saints thing!!!.John id like to thank you for giving away Katherine today so willingly, a bit to willingly if you ask me. Gina thanks for doing so much to make today special from the invites all the way to the table decorations it wouldn't look half as good if it wasn't for you

But to both of you you’ve done an excellent job raising such a wonderful caring daughter, provided her with so much and love and support over the years. The only thing you missed was some cooking lessons

Ok now onto Gwen i can't let today go without thanking my mum for her love and support over the years and welcoming Katherine into our family
I know it’s hard to believe, but I haven’t always been this handsome, intelligent, dashing son, who is athletic, wise and a very modest man you see stood before you. Over the years my Mum has helped me more than I deserve she has seen me through thick and thin. Mainly thick if I’m being honest, but she have always been there for me and I hope that I have done her proud. I really couldn’t have asked for a better Mum , I thank you for everything that you have done and I love you dearly. Thank you!!
Without both sets of our parents today really would not of been possible just has a little thank you we have got you all a little something

Katherine - Gives GIFTS/Flowers

Ladies and Gentlemen , please stand and raise your glasses. Toast To the parents....'the parents'

Now there are some people close to our hearts who aren't here today with us Katherine's grandparents,my grandad Eric,my nan Pat and my dad Charlie but more recently my stepdad Jack and my nan May but we know they are here with us in spirit and there not only in our thoughts today but with us in our hearts, so with them in mind i'd like you all to stand and make a toast to 'absent friends and family'

ABSENT FRIENDS AND FAMILY

The bridemaids i think you will all agree they look beatiful and they have both been brilliant today, Girls thank you for not having a tamtrum and being very well behaved for me and your auntie kath have a small gift for you both
Ladies and Gents 'The bridemaids'

Now onto the lady of the hour my wife Katherine now i'm going to tell you a story on how we met, now most of you know we both share a passion rugby league but not the same club i'm a wigan fan and Katherine is a St Helens fan now 10 years ago i was on holiday in Magaluf and St Helens got beat by Leeds 70-0 'there is a rumor going round that John empited the contents his bottle of water over the team bus on the way out but like i said just a rumor' anyway i'm walking down the strip in my Wigan top and this woman comes up to me with this high pitched squeeky voice and said 'what have you got that crap top on for' to which i replied 'why who do you support' and she said 'st helens' well next thing me and the lads started singing 70-0 and cheering but she took it in good humor and we all went into the same place where me and Katherine just sat at the bar talking rugby she was so easy to talk to and we got on so well after that night i couldn't get her out my head and 10 years later here we are

Katherine i know we aren't that lovey dovey couple but i'm going to make an exception today,i think everyone will agree with me you look stunning today and when i saw you today you took my breath away i'd like to thank you for agreeing to marry me and making me the happiest man in the world
Now if i had to single out one thing about why i love Katherine it would be the fact she makes me happier than i ever thought i could be, you wear your heart on your sleeve and your gravy on your blouse, you are beatiful,funny,understanding,caring i could go on and on with the plaudits but i can't read her handwriting. Katherine i love you so much, Ladies and gents i'd like you all to stand and raise a toast to my wife katherine

'KATHERINE'

And last but not least I would like to thank my best man my brother Simon when i came to choosing my best man the was only one person for the job he couldn't make it so i had to choose you, There is an unwritten rule of wedding etiquette that states the best man should not look more handsome than the groom and i'd like to thank you for sticking to that.
Being serious for a moment i couldn't have asked for a better person to grow up with we have had a lot of up's and down's but one thing didn't change is that Simon was there by my side through it all an i wouldn't change you for the world so thank you

I should perhaps just mention at this point that Simon suffers from a rare medical condition which he makes up stories that he sincerely believes to be true. I hope you bear this in mind when he stands up to speak in a few moments


That's enough from me i'd like to hand you over to my best man

 

[Tirilej]

I can't say anything about your speech. I thought it was lovely

I can tell though that you've been working on it a long time, and you're a good writer.
Just try to learn as much of it as you can so you don't end up staring at a paper just mumbling

Gratulations and I hope you will have a great day :notworthy

 

[wigan rl]

Thanks thats my main worry how to put it across and like you say not looking at some paper all the time

I've got quite a good memory but when the pressure is on it can all go wrong haha

 

[Tirilej]

Thanks thats my main worry how to put it across and like you say not looking at some paper all the time

I've got quite a good memory but when the pressure is on it can all go wrong haha

You need to practise. Record it so you hear yourself. You don't want to sound boring on that day
Just never rush through it. They need to hear what you say. Take breaks, make it sound natural.

I know it's tough. I always think I sound silly, and mostly people agree

 

[IanO]

Good advice so far. Remaining calm and not rushing it is the only challenge left, as you've written an excellent speech.

One thing to remember, wedding speeches are not like a stand up gig or debate... from the outset everyone is generally rooting for you and they want you to do well. I have spoken to a surprisingly large number of best men and grooms and the pattern is almost always the same:
Before Speech: what if I forget a bit? What if I dont thank the caterers? What if they dont laugh at my jokes? What if I fart mid way through? etc etc
After speech: Well that could not have gone better!

You'll be grand.

 

[cpdnd31]

Wonderful ! my one piece of advice- If you get lost or forget something just remember you are speaking from your heart. So there is no right or wrong. I hope you have a blessed day. One thing about the wedding remember it's yours.. Don't get caught up in having to feel like you need to do something. Enjoy it, it goes to quickly. Make your memories with your wife that day, she is the most important out of everyone. Our wedding had over 350 people and when ever some one would try to grab my husband to go to bar and talk he would say -do you see that pretty lady in white, she has all my attention today. So enjoy your day !!!!!!!

 

[incrediblestuff]

!

Great speech, i wouldn't change a thing, i think i spotted a few minor grammatical errors, but who gives a damn, you aren't applying for a job but celebrating YOUR big day

Just lay that piece of paper in front of you, no shame in having it there to keep the pace, noone will hold it against you if you are nervous on that specific day, i think it is actually expected from you to be at least a little bit of your rocker

I especially liked the jokes about on with plaudits/ can't read her handwriting, and the best man part
I bet it is going to be a success, unless you pass out, so take it easy on the stag night!

Anyway, congratulations on the great event, and i wish you a wonderful day!

 

[wigan rl]

Tir- I'm with you on hearing own voice i cringe just listening to my own

Ian- thanks i suppose it's natural to be a tad nervous and like you say after it i will be like 'that wasn't to bad'

Cpd- Thanks yeah i'm under very strict instructions not to get very drunk so will be well behaved

Incred- thanks the grammar side i'm dyslexic so whats down there i understand it i know it's strange but works for me, I thought i'd get a couple of jokes in but there is a fine line like whats been said here it's not a stand up gig but to bring everyone up here and there

Thanks for all the feedback everyone

 

[aceking123]

congrats ! wigan good luck for the future . pin point three spots around the tables walls etc etc when making the speech this should help you keep calm & as if your doing a look around so forth that youve moved your head around so your pretending to see the whole room with all the people in it ,helps stopping flustering ) people also see you speaking to all the parties involved by doing this )

 

[chayton]

I think your speech is brilliant - funny and sweet and I think it's going to go great. Just make sure that you speak clearly and loud enough for people to catch your jokes, and always leave a little pause for people to laugh. You might want to break that part about how you met into a few sentences so you don't stumble through it if you're nervous.

Plus you could practice reading it out loud in front of a few friends, or even just to yourself. IMO your best bet is to remember that the people that are there are your friends and family and they wish you well and they're there to celebrate this big day with you - it's not a speech at the UN or anything and nobody is going to be keeping score. Keep relaxed and it will come naturally.

Congratulations on the big day!

 

[dunover]

It's succinct, and not too long with all the appropriate tributes and clearly has been thought-out.

Nothing to add.

BUT:

Don't be tempted to tell corny jokes or ad lib them.
Don't do any jocular insults to any person present like 'I never thought I'd be happy living in a woman's shadow, but she has promised a diet after today' etc...
Don't break wind during the speech, loudly or not.
Don't attempt to intervene in any drunken fights should they occur.
Don't invite any ex-partner(s) even if they are now supposedly 'all cool' with your bride.

And whatever you do, make sure you avoid the final bar-tab.

Good luck!

 

[wigan rl]

Mr J- Will be doing the 3 points thing great advise thanks

Chay- Thanks going to do it in front of the mirror so i can get it right after watching countless vids on youtube most are just stood there reading paper but the best ones have movement and expressions

Dun- I'm in tears at that checklist don't worry father in law will be picking up the bar tab

 

[chayton]

Chay- Thanks going to do it in front of the mirror so i can get it right after watching countless vids on youtube most are just stood there reading paper but the best ones have movement and expressions

If you have someone videotaping you (and you don't faint or throw up ) then please share it with us after!

 

[rayray23]

This is my first post to CasinoMeister, I've been reading every day for a few months but I felt compelled to comment here and tell you what a fantastic speech you have written. Everyone will love it on the day!

The only piece of advise I would give, like everyone else, is to speak so slowly that it almost makes you uncomfortable! It will be easier to remember that way too.

Best of luck & congratulations

 

[wigan rl]

Will do that Chayton

Wow thanks Ray i was the same lurked for months but they are a good bunch here

 

[wigan rl]

Well it went down a treat i added a little extra on the morning but everyone loved it

My brother (best man) was put way off cause he didn't expect it so worked a treat

The wifes uncle videoed it so will get it off him and post it

 

[chayton]

Awesome, and congratulations!

 

[Jasminebed]

Congratulations wigan.

May you have more joy than sorrow, more laughter than tears, and a life more happy than not together.

 

[wigan rl]

Thanks both it's all going on atm i start a new job tomorrow as well so very excited for that

I didn't post anything earlier didn't want to take any views away from my speech but my and the wife are currently going through ivf coming up to the final stages after 2 1/2 years so only 1 thing can beat the way we are both feeling, I have to give up smoking but it's a very small sacrifice for the reward at the end (hopefully)