The Groom speech: 3 things to consider

Are you in the midst of writing your groom speech for your upcoming wedding? Are you confused about how to set the tone? I’ve listed 3 key things to consider to ensure your speech has the desired effect. After writing groom speeches for husbands-to-be all over the country I’ve learnt a trick or two on how to make sure the speech is fit for purpose.

 

  • Understand the order

Traditionally, the father of the bride will speak first at the wedding detailing some warming anecdotes and character traits of the bride. This will set you up for your groom speech which will involve offering gratitude to your guests and a declaration of admiration for your new wife. However, in the modern era, it is becoming increasingly common for the groom to speak first. This means that the structure of your introduction may have to be tailored. Your job is now to transition the guests into the speeches section of the ceremony and engage them from the off. It’s always a good idea to agree on who’s speaking first and who’s speaking after you so you can structure your speech accordingly.

 

  • You don’t have to be a comedian

Fortunately for you, it’s your best man’s job to give the guests a chuckle. The underlying themes of your speech should be those of gratitude and sincerity. Some light hearted and jovial references never go a miss to keep the mood uplifted. A great way of setting the tone is an acknowledgement of the best man speech which will shortly be following, that way the guests can prepare themselves for some stories and a groom who may well be left red in the face!

 

  • You don’t have to cover everything

It’s a common desire for a groom to want to thank absolutely everybody and leave no stone unturned. From the bride’s mother right through to the caterer, everybody should be mentioned in great detail. Not the case, fortunately. There is a point in a groom’s speech when a never ending list of thanks can create boredom and unrest with the guests. One rule of thumb I like to use is to cut out paid parties right away. You don’t need to thank all the suppliers for their efforts, it’s the emotional and loving gratitude towards family and friends that the guests want to hear. Keep it around 7 minutes and you are sure to have covered everything without losing the concentration of the people in the room.