Wedding Speeches - Who toasts who ?

radar0976

I am best man for a wedding on Friday. I've just been speaking to the groom and we aren't sure who toasts who. Can anyone clarify ? Thanks in advance.

Ahbegob

There are usually two main toasts. One is to the bridemaids
The second is to the couple

The groom may do the bridemaids (ahm) while the Best Man does the Couple and also the Bridemaids- if the groom does not do it

ballsymchugh

oh well, how did it go?!!

troubledagain

I'm getting married next year and already dreading the speeches as i am not a very good public speaker....any advice?

seamus

troubledagain wrote: »

I'm getting married next year and already dreading the speeches as i am not a very good public speaker....any advice?

Practice practice practice.

Figure out what works best for you. Most people appear to find it easy to write bullet points on cue cards and then fill in the gaps while they're speaking. I find it easier to write the whole thing verbatim, and then I can deviate or return to the speech all I like.

Whichever you try, practice it. Read it aloud a couple of times on your own to get used to hearing the sound of your own voice in this way. Remember to read it slowly - much slower than you would read it in your head and try to pronounce each word clearly.
Then read it to someone - your wife or best man are usually best - leaving out any bits you don't want them to hear, and ask them for honest feedback. Then adjust the speech based on their feedback and practice it again.

By the time the wedding rolls around, you will know the general structure and wording of your speech. You'll still be nervous as hell, but you'll have your cards there and you're less likely to stumble over the words or forget parts. You'll also relax into it much more quickly.
You will never do an easier speech in your life. If you're in doubt about your ability to be funny, then focus more on being sweet and mushy and you can't go wrong.

Also, get the speech done early - a few months before the wedding. It's horrible to have it hanging over your head. Make a conscious effort after you have the speech written to look out for extra notes or anecdotes that you can add in.

00112984

troubledagain wrote: »

I'm getting married next year and already dreading the speeches as i am not a very good public speaker....any advice?

We were in the same boat as my husband is quite shy and my dad is painfully shy and both hated the idea of making a speech. The father-of-the-groom on the other hand was quite used to public speaking so didn't feel nervous and the bestman wasn't shy either so I was worried we'd get to the stage where my father-in-law made a rip-roaring 15 minute speech and then my dad felt bad because he was just comfortable standing up for a couple of minutes to give a few words.

In the end we asked all the speakers to keep to a maximum of about 4 minutes each which they did and none seemed upset that we asked. This definitely took the pressure off the more shy speakers. It also meant that the speech segment was pretty short too which was good and I think our guests were glad

Secondly, we had the speeches before the meal. I knew my dad and husband would not be able to relax and enjoy their dinner knowing the speeches were looming so we got it all over and done with, sat down to our food and enjoyed the rest of the evening.

troubledagain

Thanks for the great advice guys, gonna start working on it this weekend and start to practic practice practice.....thanks again