Giving a speech can be a daunting task for most people. In this video professional speaker John Bell gives 20 tips to the groom, best man, and father of the bride on how to give a successful and polished speech at a wedding.

Video Transcription

Hello! I am John Bell. I would like to offer you some top tips on giving a speech at a wedding reception. Tip number one, the main purpose of the wedding reception is to celebrate the happy event to give the guests from both families the opportunity to meet and get to know one another. You can create the desired atmosphere through the wedding speeches. Tip number two, speeches are primarily a way to congratulate the happy couple on their marriage and to give thanks to those who have taken an active part in the proceedings. They are also an ideal opportunity to add humor and fun to what is otherwise a serious event. Tip number three, find a balance. Speeches should be sincere but also provide an element of entertainment for guests. Delivered correctly they are an important element of successful wedding and for you giving the speech there was an opportunity to express your best wishes for the happy couple. Tip number four, despite having a somber element, marriages are also meant to be happy occasions. So don't get too bogged down in lengthy boring procedures after the official ceremony has passed. Short amusing speeches for the best man, groom and bride's father are more then sufficient for most audiences. If you wish to have more formality the bride, made of honor, etcetera can be added to the list of those speaking. Tip number five, the running order of speeches is not said in stone but here are some of the most popular times I wrote. A, the master of ceremony or best man calls on the father of the bride to propose a toast to the bride and groom. The bride's father then welcomes to the guests before saying a few words about his daughter. B, the groom replies by thanking his parents and normally concludes with a toast to the bridesmaids and the presentation of small gifts to them to show his appreciation. C, their best man then replies on behalf of the bridesmaids and sets the tone for the remain of the day with a short humorous speech. Tip six, the ideal length for the total of all of the speeches is around 20 minutes. For three speakers therefore the duration of each should be around 7 minutes. Experiences show now the guests will have a attention fun of around 7 minutes. One or two main points in the talk are ample materials for each of the speakers. Tip number 7, It follows that if your speeches to be short you don't need piles of notes. Trying to remember where you are up to with lots of sheets of paper will cause you unnecessary stress. That will be increased dramatically if you were to drop the sheets. Tip number 8, a single index card is more than sufficient for a wedding stage. Don't get tend to write down your speech verbatim. Reading a speech's view is amateurish and hand writing easily becomes the illegible when standing in the spotlight in front of an audience. Tip number 9, if absolutely necessary write the odd word or two to aid you. Notes are meant to jog your memory and so you don't believe some important point out, nothing more. Use a large font with different colored inks if possible in separate different sections of your talk. Tip ten, speeches normally come after the meal and before the cutting of the cake. Know the place and approximate time of the proceedings when you will be expected to speak. Remember half of the audience are likely to have no idea who you are. So begin by identifying yourself. Speak clearly and slowly to assist the audience to digest your masterpiece. Remember they have already digested a substantial meal if it is a formal dining reception. Tip number 11, try your utmost not to have more then the old alcoholic drink before giving your speech. One drink may assist you in helping you relax where as two can seriously impair your judgment and overall performance. There is a saying, everyone likes a drink, no one likes to drunk. Tip number 12, avoid making fun of anything associated with religion or politics. Here's a very good chance someone, somewhere in the audience will end up being offended. Tip 13, references that have strong sexual connotations are also to attempt to -- The wedding reception is not the same as might be found at a stag or hen night celebration. Stories or jokes, now the two rule will make the parents of any children at the reception feel somewhat uncomfortable. Your speech material should be fit to be on that firmly television program before 9 PM. Tip number 14, the biggest mistake made by those giving a speech is that they are trying too hard and end up way out of their comfort zone. Be natural, speak as you do with friends and polite company and if possible do it from the heart. Showing you are a caring, emotional person, always goes down well with the ladies in the audience. Tip number 15, providing you done cause any embarrassment, attempt to include story that involves guests at the reception. People like amusing stories in which they are included. It is all about building report your audience. Tip number 16, comment them something that happened at the church or reception and the guests will marvel at your ability I believe and will laugh all the more during your speech. It doesn't need besides something funny, if they feel part of your humorous observation, their laughter will be loud and often becoming contagious. Tip number 17, if possible throw off the constrains off and prepare speech by interrupting with light hearted. That always comes from a happy and perhaps slightly tips the audience. Get the tone and pace up your talk right and you will have the audience eating out of your hand. Tip number 18, if you are speaking but not down to give a toast. I have found that, so here's again to the happy couple, can be useful in letting the guests know that you are finished and gives them excuse to have another quick swag of champagne. Tip number 19, the wedding celebration is for your entertainment too. Prepare your material well in advance, practice and practice again. Get to a point where you feel like you know your material without having to refer to notes. It's not essential to get it word perfect. Relax, be natural, don't try too hard. And there is every possibility your speech will be a fantastic success, admired and enjoyed by all. My final tip is tip number 20. In conclusion a few words of caution. Don't get too carried away when your speech goes down well with the audience and you start believing they want you to go on for a lot, lot longer. You will quickly hope that still your welcomed and a great stage will become a well it was okay, but it went on too long saga. Do your 7 minutes, stop and leave them wanting more. That's it. The end of my top tips. I hope you are wanting more. I wish you a great day and every success with your speech. Bye-bye for now.