What I Wish More Brides Knew About Wedding Speeches
Hey, friend!
Let’s face it, when it comes to the wedding reception, your wedding party’s speeches can either go one of three ways…
They can be boring and unforgettable.
The highlight of the night.
Or a complete and total nightmare.
Here’s how you can ensure that the wedding reception goes smoothly…
By setting clear and actionable wedding speech expectations for your wedding party.
If I had the chance to redo my wedding, here are the three wedding speech expectations I would set with my wedding party for the reception…
1. Wedding Speech Tip #1: Keep It Short (Under 5 Minutes)
Nobody likes a super long speech.
According to Brides.com, well-structured wedding toasts usually stay between three to five minutes.
This way, speakers will share their best stories and thoughts without losing everyone’s attention.
Pro Tip: Encourage your speakers to practice multiple times.
This will help them stay on track, nail the timing, as well as feel more confident in their delivery.
2. Wedding Speech Tip #2: Keep It Appropriate for All Ages
Weddings are family events, so speeches should be appropriate for all ages.
Ask your speakers to steer clear of any stories or jokes that might embarrass anyone or make people uncomfortable.
Pro Tip: A mix of heartfelt moments and light humor is usually a good way to go!
Remind them to think of the audience!
3. Wedding Speech Tip #3: End on a High Note With Encouragement
Ending each speech with some encouraging words for the newlyweds is a great way to wrap things up!
It leaves everyone feeling positive and hopeful for the couple’s future, which is exactly what you want at a wedding.
Pro Tip: Sharing personal insights about the couple’s journey or giving sage marriage advice can add a special touch to the speech.
Why These Tips Matter
I know imposing guidelines might seem totally awkward, but trust me, you’ll be thankful you did it in the long run.
I love the quote by Brené Brown that goes: “Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.”
You want to be clear about your wedding speech expectations instead of being resentful at someone who gave a terrible speech, but you never gave them any guidelines to work off of.
That is unkind.
I’m certain your wedding party will really appreciate these clear guidelines.
Final Thoughts
You’ve got this, friend!
Setting these simple guidelines for the wedding speeches will help your reception run smoothly and enhance your special day!
I hope you found this helpful!
Need more help writing the perfect wedding speech?
Book a free consultation with me today and let’s make your reception unforgettable!
“After our initial video call, I knew immediately that I wanted to work with Amanda. Her openness to listening to our family’s unique story helped me feel confident that the speech would be personal and not cookie cutter. Amanda made the process easy and fun while helping to calm my nerves. She reassured me that we would keep working until the speech felt right—though it didn’t take long! I went into the wedding reception feeling confident that my words truly reflected what I felt in my heart. Amanda’s personalized approach gave me peace of mind from start to finish.”
