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The groom is expected to deliver a speech at the wedding. Traditionally this entailed toasts to the bride then family and friends who would have been there for the groom since birth up to the big day. But these days the groom’s speech comes in many forms and is slotted in different parts of the ceremony, depending on what a couple chooses.

More and more couples are choosing to have the groom and the bride exchange personal vows above or as alternatives to the traditional ones. The following tips thus have to be adopted and adapted to suit the option taken by a couple.

It’s not a joke
The groom’s speech isn’t an opportunity for a 10-minute comedy stand-up routine, so try to balance your hilarious one liners with a good dollop of sincerity.

What is it about your wife that you love?

How has your life changed (for the better!) since she’s been in it?

Focus on the bride
Although you’ll want to reference the best man and poke a bit of fun at him, remember what your wedding is about – your relationship with your bride, not your best mate, so less of the banter and more of the love, please!

Say “my wife”
Early on, drop in “my wife and I”. It will always receive a warm cheer and will help set your nerves at rest before the speech.

Compliment her
Make sure you tell your wife how beautiful she looks.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tell her in front of a large collection of your friends and family, so make the most of it and make her feel amazing.

Keep it clean
Make sure you don’t use bad language or distasteful content. Anything that could cause offense should be edited out.

Make eye contact

The more sincere elements of your groom’s speech will be more powerful if, when you’re talking about your wife, you actually make eye contact with her.

Avoid lists

Nothing can be more dull or unoriginal than a groom’s speech that resembles a school register.

Thank the in-laws

Your new bride might not get the opportunity to thank them for all they’ve done for her, so it’s up to you to do it on her behalf.

Mention your parents

Thank them for the lifts to school, freezing afternoons on the side of a sports field – anything that shows their support.

Cross reference

Find out who is speaking before you and make sure you’re not repeating what they’re planning to say. —weddingideasmag.com