As a Celebrant of Weddings and Civil Unions in Catania and Sicily, it often happens that the Groom and Bride's Witnesses ask me help when they write their speeches.
Writing your speech is a deeply personal and meaningful experience, but sometimes it is hard to focus your feelings on the paper.
Weddings are all about celebration, and being asked to give a speech means you’re an important part of that celebration.
For this reason I wrote this guide in 5 steps to help you to create a speech that will last a lifetime.
1. START BY INTRODUCING YOURSELF
Start by introducing yourself to the audience.
Even if you've been introduced by the Celebrant, it’s a good idea to make a brief personal introduction.
This sets the tone for your speech and helps the audience connect with you.
It's too a good idea to start talking about your feelings at the wedding day.
Here are some examples:
- Reverant/Heartfelt – On behalf of both [Groom/Bride] and myself, I’d like to thank you all for coming here today to celebrate this momentous occasion. It’s a great pleasure to be with you all tonight. Tonight we celebrate [Bride/Groom]’s big day. I feel really privileged to be part of it.
- Funny – “Hi everyone! I’d like to thank (Groom) for making me his best man. Sit back, relax, I’m now going to share some embarrassing details about them. Is that ok? (Pause) Ok then, let’s get started!”
- Light-Hearted/Casual – “Thank you all for coming out to help celebrate the wedding of X and Y, it’s so great to see you all here dressed so well and in support of them on their special day.”
- Formal – “Ladies and Gentlemen, dearly beloved friends of the wedding couple and family, over the years many of you have been involved in their lives and this most special of occasions is one more chance for us to get together, for them to celebrate their love, and for us to do a bit of reminiscing about old times.”
2. CONTINUE BY SHARING A STORY
People love stories, especially those that are funny, touching, or revealing.
Think about your experiences with the bride and groom. Choose one to three memories that highlight your relationship with them.
Or share a story from literature, mithology, music, theater or movies that reminds you the spouses and explain why.
Keep your stories concise, with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
3. NOW REFLECT ON THE COUPLE’S RELATIONSHIP
This is where you get personal.
Share your thoughts on the couple’s relationship, what makes them special, and why they are perfect for each other.
This part should come naturally since you know them well.
Here are some examples:
- “X and Y, you are a beautiful couple who have been through so much and I am so proud of what you have achieved so far. I wish you both the very best in life together and all the love and happiness this new life and the world has to offer.”
- “I am so proud of you two, in awe of the beauty and strength that you are both. This has been a long road, but your end result is worth it. A beautiful relationship is always built on hard work and perseverance and you both have demonstrated that time and time again.”
- “The words of wisdom I have for you today are simply this: live fully, love completely, and always remember she is right. Every time!”
4. KEEP IT SHORT AND SWEET
Aim to keep your speech under five minutes.
A concise speech is more impactful and keeps the audience engaged.
Avoid dragging it out, as it could disrupt the flow of the evening.
The best speeches normallly are not more longer than a page (or half page) of a word file written with Arial Font at Size 14/16.
5. END WITH A CLEAR CONCLUSION
Finish your speech with a strong ending. Whether it’s a heartfelt toast or a simple “Thank you,” make sure your conclusion is clear and leaves the audience with a warm feeling.
You could go casual and humourous: “Well, there you have it, folks! The hardest part of the speech is now behind me. I was tempted to end with a witty joke or something really funny to get everyone laughing, but then I realized that wasn’t why I was up here in the first place. It’s about X and Y’s love. Congratulations and cheers!
Or perhaps slightly more formally: “Thank you for asking me to be your Witness, I can’t wait to see what the rest of your life together has in store!”
BONUS TIP: PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
Practice your speech multiple times to smooth out any rough edges and build confidence. This will help you deliver it naturally and comfortably on the big day.
By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to delivering a wedding speech that everyone will remember fondly.
Do you need more help?
Then call Giovanni Romolo Flaccomio, GRF Celebrant, Celebrant of Civil Weddings and Symbolic Rites in Catania and Sicily, on +39 346 436 5000 or write an email to grfcelebrant@gmail.com and request a free consultation for your wedding.
Make your dreams come true.