Speechwriting. It’s an ugly, nerve-wracking thing to do, and that’s not taking into account after you slug yourself through the drafting and editing, you still need to actually read the speech. Here are my tips for making the process as painless as possible.
DON’T FORGET!
- Introduce yourself—explain who are you and what role you are playing on the day.
- Thank those who made the day possible.
- Toast the couple at the end!
BEFORE WRITING
- First, what do we need to do before writing? Easy, create an outline.
- Choose the tone. Are we writing a funny speech, a sweet speech, a tear-jerker?
- Find what angle you want to convey. Are you telling the audience about the bride’s kindness? Or how good a friend the groom is?
- List what stories you want to tell about the couple/groom/bride. Brevity is best, one or two stories at the maximum. Overloading the speech with stories runs the risk of having your speech jump around too much. The stories you pick should serve a PURPOSE and connect to the angle we mentioned. Having your stories relate to a character trait of the bride or groom makes it easier to pick what stories you wish to tell, have the speech be meaningful, and ensure it all flows together.
- I recommend hitting all three divisions of time—tell us about the past, what the present looks like, and hopes for the future of the happy couple.
TIPS WHEN WRITING
Okay, now we are getting down to brass tacks. I’ve collected a few bits of advice for speechwriting:
- A good rule of thumb with any written work is this: short sentences are your friend.
- If you can say something in 5 words or 50 words, always opt for 5.
- Call-backs are the backbone or both comedy and sentimentality.
Repetition isn’t always bad, it drives a point home. If earlier in the speech you may say, “We have always been a duo”, later you might pick up that thread again by saying “Now our duo is a trio, and we are all happier for it”.
- Don’t use a thesaurus.
Though it may be tempting, using a thesaurus can often hinder more than help. Use words that are common in everyday life. For example, I can bet good money that day-to-day, you’re using the word “funny” and never thought to say “chucklesome”. You won’t sound smarter by using more complex words. It will come off as stunted and awkward.
- Avoid possessive language.
Remember: the speech isn’t about you; it’s about the couple. It’s tempting to talk about how the bride/groom has impacted you, but instead of saying “they are MY best friend” say “they are a great friend”.
- Speaking takes longer than you think it will. That’s not an invitation to speak faster. It is a reminder to write less.
- Remember, short sentences! (see, that’s a call-back).
HELPFUL THOUGHTS
- Although it feels like it, you don’t have to impress everyone. The speech isn’t really for yourself, or the audience. The speech is for the happy couple.
- Speeches are nice, but they aren’t the fun part of a wedding. The fun part is the dancing and mingling. Guests will lose interest quick, so don’t bore them with a 10-minute speech.
Happy speechwriting!
