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If you’re trying to write a groom’s speech that won’t end your marriage before it begins, then you’ve come to the right place; just follow the advice below.
1. Don’t Confuse Your Role
The Father of The Bride warms everybody up with some cheesy jokes and wisdom. The Groom lays on some sentiment and makes everybody bawl. Finally, the best man finishes with an embarrassing tirade of stories about you. Don’t try to be the all-out comedian, and make sure you discuss the contents of your speech with your right-hand man.
2. Don’t Throw Insults
It might seem funny to drop some low-key insults about your new parents in-law or your bride, but this isn’t the time or the place. What might seem hilarious to you will probably ruin her big day, and that’s no way to start a new marriage. Jokes get old fast and you’ll be hearing about that one forever.
3. Don’t Wing It
When the drink is flowing and you’re riding the high of having just got married, the last thing you want to do is improvise the most important speech of your life. Even the best performers can’t pull off a heartfelt and meaningful wedding speech on the spot. Do your homework, discuss the speech with your best man, and practice.
4. Don’t Get Wasted
There’s a fine line between a little Dutch courage and slurring your speech to a room full of horrified onlookers and in-laws, so don’t stumble across said line..
5. Don’t Marry The Best Man
Your wedding isn’t all about you, nor is it all about your Best Man whom you’ve known forever. The subject that takes up the largest chunk of your speech time should be your bride, not that story about the time that you and your Best Man got arrested for running naked through London.
6. Do Compliment, Compliment, Compliment
Your Bride may be the star of the show, but save a little room to compliment her Mother and her Bridesmaids on the effort they’ve gone to for her big day. A few small words now will work wonders in having you accepted as her new husband and a new member of the family.
7. Do Give Thanks Where Due
It’s not unusual to have been given cash towards your nuptials these days, or perhaps a parent covered the cost of the cake or the flowers. Either way, if somebody has made a financial contribution towards the wedding, make sure to give thanks where it’s due, especially if it’s directed towards your new parents in-law.
8. Do Honor The Absentees
Despite wanting everybody to attend, there’s generally at least one person who won’t or who can’t. Should there be anybody important missing from her big day, whether dead or alive, then make sure to include a toast for them.
9. Do Remember Your Roots
It can be all too easy to focus on lavishing praise onto your bride and in-laws, but don’t forget where you came from. You should include thanks to your parents for shaping you into a reasonably well-rounded man that somebody would actually want to marry, after all, without them you wouldn’t be stood at the altar.
10. Do Come Bearing Gifts
Though you’re expected to give thanks, nothing sweetens the deal even further like a bouquet of flowers or magnum of champagne to back it up. Though the wedding has probably given your wallet a good beating, it’s common to shell out a little extra in expenses to accompany the toasts.
You’re All Set
If you’ve followed this advice, then you’ve got a speech that’ll have them eating from the palm of your hand. Don’t get used to it, though; she’s in charge from now on 😉
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Photo: Getty Images
Some great tips. I would also add giving some love to the new in-laws. Not just thanking them for any financial contribution but also for raising a wonderful lady. I also recommend a few words on how much you’re looking forward to becoming part of such a great family as well.