Would You Pay for Speeches?

Shazanne

Hi, I am just wondering if any future brides/grooms, best-men, fathers of the bride etc would pay to have their speeches professionally written in a personalised way that would be unique to them? It would take all the hassle and worry out of speeches for the key-note speakers on the day and ensure that the speech is well written and appropriate. This is a new business idea and I'm just looking for some feedback:)

tinkerbell

Personally, I wouldn't and I don't think many would pay for a speech to be professionally written. Weddings are expensive enough as it is, paying for speeches is just adding to the long list of things onto a wedding budget.

redman

For 15 yrs with speech-writers.com, they used to be the crowes of clontarf apple fame

Beruthiel

Shazanne wrote: »

It would take all the hassle and worry out of speeches for the key-note speakers on the day

Hell would freeze over first before I would pay someone for that service.

NOIMAGINATION

Defintely definitely definitely not....

omahaid

Ya, I would, just another service really, same as picking a hotel

aviendha

I don't think so - the whole point of a wedding speech is to speak personally about the persons involved, and by the time you get across all the little stories and scenarios to the speech writers, the speech is pretty much written.

there are enough general templates out there to follow, to make sure you're getting in all the necessary thank-yous, and to give guidelines as to the order, so wouldn't see the need for them.

amdublin

Shazanne wrote: »

Hi, I am just wondering if any future brides/grooms, best-men, fathers of the bride etc would pay to have their speeches professionally written

No way.

tatli_lokma

Shazanne wrote: »

would pay to have their speeches professionally written in a personalised way that would be unique to them? It would take all the hassle and worry out of speeches

I think that kind of negates the whole point of making a personal speech - otherwise just get up and say thank you to so and so and so, and give a toast and sit down. I know speech making can be nerve wracking for some people, but if that is the case keep it short and sweet and say something nice - if you are not comfortable then saying a speech, regardless of who wrote it will be awkward. In fact a speech you wrote yourself would come accross better and more natural, than one given to you.

How would the speech writer know the tone to give? it would be tricky and I see a lot of people getting the speech and then not using it, or worse refusing to pay for it after you spent the time writing it for them

Just my 2c

Shazanne

Hi. Thanks for the feedback - it is greatly appreciated. I have been writing speeches for people for many years, mainly political and business related, but have also been asked on several occasions to write personal speeches for weddings, retirements and even funerals.
I was just looking into the idea of setting it up as a small business venture, which is why the feedback is so important to me.

Citygirl1

To be honest, I wouldn't encourage someone to avail of such a service. A wedding speech is (or should be) a personal talk about the couple, made by ordinary dads, brothers etc. It is not the same as a high profile business-person or politician standing up in front of a crowd of strangers.

I'd imagine people might pay for a speech to be written, and then not use it. Or, they might go and learn off by heart, some wording that is not natural to them - this would be quite cringeworthy, as it would be quickly apparent to their relatives and friends.

For my brother's wedding, his best man was very nervous. So, he practised his speech in front of his Dad, his brother and a colleague, who advised him what was appropriate to include. What might be appropriate for one person, might not for another, and someone who knows them can advise best.

Heineken Helen

Shazanne wrote: »

Hi. Thanks for the feedback - it is greatly appreciated. I have been writing speeches for people for many years, mainly political and business related, but have also been asked on several occasions to write personal speeches for weddings, retirements and even funerals.
I was just looking into the idea of setting it up as a small business venture, which is why the feedback is so important to me.

If people have already enquired there obviously is a market for it. It's worth a try and I'm sure some people would be willing... although it's not something I personally would do and my other half definitely wouldn't.

00112984

Heineken Helen wrote: »

If people have already enquired there obviously is a market for it. It's worth a try and I'm sure some people would be willing... although it's not something I personally would do and my other half definitely wouldn't.

Completely agree. One of my favourite parts of my wedding was (surprisingly!) the speeches. Loved hearing what my husband made of the whole thing and the effort he put into making it made it so very special to me.

Saying that, if it's something you've been asked to do before and can capitalise on it, you should do it. I don't think I'd hinge an entire business around it but if it's an additional service you can add to your existing business, best of luck to you.

kippy

Got married last year, best man next year at a wedding of a very good friend.
No way in the world I would attempt to fool the guests at either wedding (whom I know really well) that what I was saying was from me when I had spent money on getting someone who knew no one in either wedding to write something that would fool many.
If you have issues with speeches the issues are usually with deliverly and confidence as opposed to the content of the speech.

Rockery Woman

No - I wouldn't pay for wedding speeches.

Been to loads of weddings over the past 10 years, some speeches were good, some bad.

Maybe some people would like lessons in public speaking etc, and take it very seriously. But all the speeches usually amount to is:

Thanks to everyone...

The bridesmaids are beautiful..... mother of the bride is beautiful.....everything is beautiful

Random stories of drunken/crazy youth

When the lovely couple met.... blah blah...

Thanks to the priest, hotel staff, family dog etc.

Cards from people who couldn't attend are read "sorry I couldn't come Im in Australia/hospital/washing my hair.

Anyone want to pay for this service, Ill take cash thanks:D

But seriously - good luck with your venture - good to see people with fresh ideas