A wedding is a wedding is a wedding, right? Wrong. Every wedding is special on its own right, and every wedding day is special to the couple getting married. But if all weddings are different does this mean that all wedding speeches are also different? For instance, would Jewish wedding speeches be any different from traditional Christian wedding speeches?
And what about the rest of the world – do speeches given at any of these weddings differ, from the above mentioned Jewish wedding speeches et al? The answer, in many cases would be an unthinking, and emphatic “Yes!” If however, deeper thought is given, you can’t help but notice that although each and every one of these special occasions as well as speeches given, are different, they are also essentially the same.
This means that if you listen very closely to an Irish wedding speech, and compare it with some of the more traditional wedding speeches as well as with Jewish wedding speeches, you will find distinct similarities between them. The core sentiment of the speech remains the same: to wish the bride and groom joy in their life, now and forever more.
The difference then, lies not in the sentiment that is expressed in the wedding speeches, but in the religious, and cultural doctrine that will be an essential part of any wedding. Even in weddings with no particular religious slant whatsoever, you will find that wedding speeches given, reflect this tone of spirit.
So if you have been chosen to honor and celebrate with the happy couple by giving a speech, you have no need to panic, right? After all, at heart all wedding speeches are the same, and you might as well use the same speech you used two years earlier for your sister’s wedding. But wait, this time you are attending a Jewish wedding.
This means that you will in all probability have to bone up on your Jewish wedding speeches instead of using an earlier speech. Since there are some very specific traditions inherent in a Jewish wedding, you will need to make sure that you are familiar with the various ins and outs of it.
This way, if you need to, you can even make changes, off the cuff so to speak, and not have to worry if you have somehow managed to say the wrong thing!
But really, Jewish wedding speeches are more or less a reaffirmation of the love the bride and groom feel for each other, the joy you feel in being a part of this special occasion, and a blessing or a wish for the continued happiness of the bride and the groom. Kind of like any other wedding speech, isn’t it?
Filed under Wedding Speech Tips by on Feb 2nd, 2010. Comment. 
Back in the day, you didn’t see the flurry of wedding speech activity that you do now. You probably heard from the Father of the Bride and the Best Man. And, that was pretty much it. But nowadays, everybody and their brother want to get up and toast the bride and groom. So, with this plethora of people, what is the proper order of wedding speeches in today’s world? Or does it even matter?
The Origin of the Wedding Speech or Toast
Wedding Speeches, or toasts, originated in the days of the ancient Greeks and Romans. The Greeks and Romans would raise their goblets to their Gods hoping to gain favor. The Greeks would also perform toasts to avoid being poisoned. The Greeks were a suspicious bunch. You never knew who your enemies were. So, when the Grecians would gather for celebrations, they would all drink from the same pitcher and spill a little of their wine into the next person’s goblet. This would ensure there was no funny business going on.
The Romans began a practice of dropping a piece of burnt toast into the wine to absorb any impurities. Back in those days, wine would go bad easily. The burnt toast would make it taste better. When the Romans invaded Britain around 55 B.C., they brought the practice with them. The word “toast” comes from the Latin word tostus, meaning roasted or parched. The word stuck and over time, also referred to salute with a drink.
What should the Order of Wedding Speeches Be?
Well, that all depends. Are you a traditionalist, or a non-traditionalist?
If you are a traditionalist, the Best Man gives the first wedding speech. He generally toasts the bride and groom, and also acts as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening.
Following the Best Man’s speech, the groom will rise to respond, toast his bride, thanks the parents and so on.
Others may speak at this point. Finally the Father of the Bride will give his speech and thank everyone for attending.
If you are a non-traditionalist, all the rules fly out the window. The rules are: there are no rules. Spontaneity is the way to go and lots of people get up to toast the bride and groom. But, generally, the order of wedding speeches will go as follows if you are a non-traditionalist:
*Best Man Speech
*Maid (or Matron) of Honor Speech
*Father of the Bride Speech
*Parents of the Groom Speech
*Groom Speech
*Bride Speech
*Any other Guests of Honor Speeches
Who Else Can Give a Wedding Speech
The other Guests of Honor are a long and illustrious list. It basically means anyone the bride and groom deem close enough to them to give a speech. But here are some ideas on who can give Guest of Honor Speeches at a wedding reception:
*The bride’s or groom’s siblings
*The bridesmaids (collectively or individually)
*The groomsmen (collectively or individually)
*Grandparents
*Godparent
*Guardians
*Close Relatives
*Cousins
*Best Friends
*Coworkers
*Bosses
*Children of the Bride or Groom
*The Wedding Officiant
Any of these people can give a speech if prearranged and okay with the bride and groom. After all, there is such a thing as too many wedding speeches. You don’t want the party-goers to be bored to tears.
So does the Order of Wedding Speeches even matter anymore? Not really. The days when wedding etiquette was etched in stone are long gone. More important are the thoughts conveyed during the speeches. As long as the bride and groom feel incredibly special and loved on their big day, the order of the wedding speeches does not matter.
Cherie Stirewalt has been in more weddings than she can count. Learn how to write and deliver and wedding speech that will leave them all speechless. Download your guide to writing wedding speeches today!
Filed under Wedding Speech Tips by on Nov 10th, 2009. Comment.
Have you wondered why speeches at weddings are so important? See, aside from the bride and the groom, if you are the father of the bride or the best man of he bride or groom then it is expected that in such an occasion you give a speech. Now, I know that it is awkward and difficult at times to even think of what you are going to say and what will make the couple happy, but it is a ritual that is necessary and thought polite in society.
Therefore we have to conform. No matter how bad you speak and no matter how boring as a person you are you have this obligation towards your friend or daughter and have to fulfil it. However if you are the bride or the groom then it is a bigger responsibility because it is their wedding and therefore have to be conducted in the best possible way.
Now, everyone gets nervous but that is not to say that you move out of it and when you have your best friend the internet. For whom do you go for help when you cannot find a solution to your very many problems? It is the internet you come to and search for a solution. Therefore when you are facing such a big crisis for a wedding speech then why not go to the internet?
The internet has many speeches for weddings written and stored there and you just have to check and find the exact match as to what you want to say and what you should say. More over there are even ideas given as o how to conduct yourself during the speech.
Now see, if you are the groom or the bride then there is a different set of templates that are available for you to give your speech on while if you are the best man or the father of the bride then there are different ones as well. You do not have to think that every one says the same thing because no one does. Every one has something unique to say. Just as every person is unique so is their speech and so it should not e a problem.
Also speeches at weddings especially for the bride or the groom mean a lot for them. It is the best and the most important day in their lives and therefore they want to give a memorable speech. Moreover, it is the day when the bride can actually thank her parents with her whole heart for everything that they have done for her and every little or big happiness that they have given her and shared with her. It is really amazing how emotional people get during these speeches.
So speeches at weddings are really speeches that bring people closer to each other and move on to make life happier.
Filed under Wedding Speech Tips by on Aug 19th, 2009. Comment.