Groom Speech
If you are like most people, you would rather have root canal therapy, base jump from the Empire State Building or even have a limb amputated than get up and talk in public – and that is just the thought of giving any speech. Now we are talking about giving your groom speech in front of your bride’s family and friends, your own family and friends, and some complete strangers. No wonder the thought of giving a groom speech can cause feelings of panic and near terror. But it does not have to be like that. Here are some tips to make it a success.
1. Start thinking about your speech as soon as you propose. Decide to do the best job you possibly can. Approach the project with confidence and enthusiasm.
2. Decide on a format or plan and build around that. For example, welcome the guests and thank them for coming; thank your parents and your bride’s parents; thank others involved in the wedding; talk about your bride; thank the maid of honor and your best man.
3. Start taking notes about what you want to say. It does not matter how they read at first as you can work on them later. Part of this will be gathering stories you can tell to highlight your remarks. There will be anecdotes, humorous stories and jokes you can tell about the various people. People will expect you to be sincere and serious as you have just taken on a big responsibility, but you can add some humor to lighten it up.
4. Keep it short – 3 to 5 minutes is about right. You can say a lot in that time. In fact, if you are really having trouble giving your groom speech you can get up, thank the various people, say what you have to say and sit down. You can do that in a couple of minutes and do it well. Whatever you do, do not drag it out so that everyone is hoping you will just sit down.
5. Make sure you practice your groom speech until you can say it almost off by heart. Then when you do know it, make some notes to use on the day. This will keep you on track. If you prefer, you can have your whole speech with you but do not read from it all the time, just glance at it from time to time.
6. On the day, be positive and enthusiastic. Calm yourself a few minutes before you get up. When you get up, pause for a few seconds and look around the audience. This will help your composure and will give you an air of confidence.
If you spend time on thorough preparation, practice your speech until you know it and deliver it with enthusiasm your groom speech will be a success. You and your audience will feel good about it and your bride will be proud of you.
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