The markers;
- Be aware that most of the audience won't know you so introducing yourself is important.
- Ease into the speech, start by saying what an honour it is to be there. It's also common to thank the bridal party for gracing you with their presence.
- When telling your anecdotes remember to that it is a speech that includes anecdotes not lots of anecdotes that happen to be a speech so tie each point together. For example "John has always been a very caring man with a big heart. In fact this is probably the reason he balled like a baby watching Mrs Congeniality last month".
- Sum your speech up. Save a non-embarrassing story to pull on the heart strings of the audience.
- Finally; raise a toast to the happy couple and really let them know how much you love them.
The first step that any best-man-to-be should take when preparing his speech is research. Whether you believe me or not, it is evident in a best man's speech if he has done his research. Look back through your memories together, the time you first met, the funny moments, moments that sum him up. But don't stop there call up his mum, friends and even his fiance. Find the juiciest funniest stories and make that a good base for your speech.
Be imaginative! We're living in a modern day and age where many best man speeches come in lots of big and beautiful new forms. Some best men have created video's for their speeches or little skits and some even venture into the dangerous zone of dance and song.
Step two; structure your speech. For specific details please take a glance above, make sure you hit those markers. A well structured speech will let the audience know that you do in fact know what your doing (despite the figure of your unit count). A best man's speech is one of the most memorable speeches in the wedding and you only get to do it once.
Often you can get too close to a project so don't feel ashamed to show it to a few people before hand and ask for advise. This can be a very useful method and can give you inspiration and save you from those crash and burns.
And finally the one you all hate; practise. Unfortunately the words will not jump off the paper into your brain and there is only one way to get them there. The last thing you want is to trip up on your words and if you put the hours in when it comes to the actual thing it will seem like a walk in the park.
The Do's and Don'ts of speech writing
Do...
Make it funny, VERY funny, to the point of stand-up comedy funny - the best man's speech has developed the role of 'entertainer' in a wedding. It is expected that your speech should crack some ribs so don't hold up on the laughs or try and make it too serious; that's what the father of the bride's speech is for.
Tell the beautiful (if not then make it beautiful) story of how the pair met - the masses will be waiting for this story and every best man's speech needs a couple of big fat cheezy 'Aaaaawwwwwwww''s.
Relax and remember to breathe - take your time, don't rush and defiantly take your time to breathe. An unconscious best man cannot make a speech although I'm sure a few have tried.
Do not under any circumstances EVER even think about...
Talking about yourself - a few passing stories about you and the groom; great! but a common mistake that often drives many a best man into the ground is talking about himself. As lovely a man as you may be, the audience couldn't give a monkeys. They're here for the bride and groom.
Telling womanising stories about the groom - as funny as these are the Bride will not appreciate hearing these on her big day and the groom does not want a slap on his.
Drinking your body weight before you give your speech - yes a little liquid courage may loosen your collar a bit but there is nothing funny about a best man who can't pronounce his own name. It's their big day, so keep on that unit count, do your mate justice.
Make jokes that are too rude - remember there are a wide rage of ages and tastes at such an event and unless you want all parents in the room to hate you because now their little angel won't stop asking them what SNM stands for, it'd steer clear of those hilarious but unarguably inappropriate stories.
Having a speech that is longer than the Groom's - remember on this day you are his wing man and the last thing you want to do is steal his thunder.
Good luck gentlemen.
MAKE INTO A WEBSITE PAGE ON PREZI
Man's wedding website e.g. http://www.iamstaggered.com/
http://weddings.about.com/od/theweddingparty/a/toastwriting.htm
http://www.bestmanspeechinsight.com/bestmantoasts.html
No comments:
Post a Comment