1. It goes without saying that you should mention the bride and groom in the wedding speech. It means doing your homework and finding out something about their foibles or hobbies. So if the bride collects shoes for instance you might wonder how the groom is going to afford to keep her shod. If the groom is a keen sportsman you might say something about that it’s now time he took up Do-it-yourself instead.

2. It’s gracious to thank the hosts for their wonderful hospitality.

3. It’s appropriate to say something witty and wise about marriage itself and what it means. You might use an old saying or a piece from a poem or a piece from the Bible.

4. It’s nice to mention the parents of the wedding couple in some way. So if the groom’s father is an avid golfer, for instance, you might laughingly compliment him on actually taking the day off for his daughter’s wedding. If the bride’s mother is a wonderful cook then you might say how lucky the groom is to be marrying into a family who will feed him well.

5. If you are speaking as a bride or groom it would be nice to mention your parents and how much they have done for you during your growing years. You could say that you hope to build your marriage on their happy relationship.

6. The groom, of course, should mention how much he loves his new wife and how beautiful she is looking on this special day. The bride, if she is speaking, should mention her happiness at being married to such a wonderful man and how much she loves him.

7. The groom should toast the bridesmaids while the best man should respond to the toast saying how lucky he is to be surrounded by such lovely ladies!

8. It’s gracious to say something about the wedding service itself and how much it meant. If there are clergy present it is nice to thank them for the trouble they took to make it meaningful.

9. A wedding day is a day for being upbeat and positive and never mentioning anything that would upset the mood of the day. It’s definitely a day when you say all the right things about people so if a father who has been absent for years turns up you might mention that his son has inherited his lovely singing voice or good looks but never speak about his unfaithfulness.

10. A wedding speech should mention those who cannot be present due to circumstances or ill health. So if gran is too old to come it would be nice to speak kindly of her saying how much she is missed. Above all it should make all those who are there happy that they are sharing in the wonderful occasion.

1. Don’t tell mother-in law jokes. There will usually be one or two mother-in-laws present and you could spoil the day by offending them. You never know what people will consider funny so it’s safer not to tell such jokes.

2. Never tell smutty or rude stories. Take a warning from the photographer who caught on video the father of the bride thumping the best man because he had spoiled his daughter’s wedding by giving a blue speech. The bride was crying in the background. Smutty stories are not suitable for an occasion where there is mixed company particularly on a day when people are particularly sensitive. Besides there may be clergy present or elderly people who would be shocked.

3. Forget the groom’s unsavoury past. Best men are often tempted to tell stories about what the groom has done in his wicked past. It might offend the bride though and it is safer to mention some incident where he lost your luggage on vacation or knocked you out in a friendly football match rather then mentioning his success with other women.

4. Never thank the hotel staff. They are paid to do this job and you don’t thank the florist the chauffeur or the photographer for doing their work. If they do a good job send a letter of thanks or recommend a particularly helpful employee to the management if you wish.

5. Don’t give away family secrets by mentioning a sore subject like alcoholism or gambling. Weddings speeches should be gracious and positive.

6. Never talk about previous marriages. This is a new start for the couple and past marriages should not be mentioned. If the children of a previous marriage will be present check with the couple whether or not they should be mentioned.

7. Forget saying “And now I wish to thank” and then give a long list. If there are people to be mentioned they should be woven into the wedding speech by saying something warm-hearted or witty about them.

8. Never say something that someone else will be saying. The father of the bride traditionally toasts the couple for instance. If you are acting as best man or speaking in another capacity you should check it with the couple as to who is giving the toast to the bride ad groom.

9. Always check before mentioning a deceased family member. Some people might find it too sorrowful for you to do so on what should be a happy day.

10. Don’t go on too long. A good wedding speech is about content not length.

Remember a speech should be short

Leave them longing for more

So cut it short

They’ll be shouting “Encore”.