Have you recently been asked to give a speech at a same-sex wedding? Public speaking can be intimidating to many. Maybe you want to face your fears to contribute to such an important moment for a dear friend. There are several working parts involved when you’re delivering engaging and encouraging words to a crowd. Use these tips to develop a strategy that will give you the confidence and insight you need to nail your wedding speech.  

Conquer the Beast

Before you start writing down your ideas, you need to focus on any hang-ups you have about public speaking. It won’t matter how brilliant your speech is if you can’t deliver it because of your nerves. Try to identify what makes you afraid of getting in front of a crowd in the first place. For many, it is a fear of making a mistake and sounding foolish in front of so many people. Thankfully, such a concern is addressed through practice.

As you enter the writing phase, get into the habit of reading your words out loud. This allows you the opportunity to hear your speech and identify awkward wording or outright mistakes in advance. When the speech takes its final form, you absolutely need to practice it over and over again. Get the words into your bones and you’ll stand before the guests with a calm confidence in your ability to deliver.

Toss in an Appropriate Quote

Bringing your own words into the speech is vital, but you can also lean on the ideas of more prolific writers and thinkers. Tossing a quote into a speech is a common practice, especially when it comes to weddings. There are endless poems, books, films, and other works that expound upon romance and the trials and triumphs of marriage. If the happy couple has a favorite author or piece, this makes it easier to find a quote that will fit the tone of the evening.

Avoid the Clichés

Though using an online template to feel inspired is a nice start, you shouldn’t rely on what you find on the internet in your final piece. Many examples you will encounter will be packed full of clichés. If you find yourself beginning your speech with “Webster’s Dictionary defines love as…,” you need to scrap the whole thing and start again. When you write from a place of truth about the couple, your feelings about their connection, and the roads taken to reach this moment, you’ll naturally make your words as unique as the people you’re celebrating. 

Make It Modern

Every couple is different. You may be asked to speak for friends who love the limelight and are constantly current with the latest TikTok dances and YouTube trends. If this is the case, try approaching your speech from a modern angle. Years ago, it was popular for wedding parties to surprise couples with “flash mobs”. These included synchronized dances, songs, and all kinds of entertaining elements. Do some research to determine what people are doing these days and see if your speech is the right moment to be a bit “extra.” 

Don’t Ramble

Giving a great speech is all about being succinct. You’ve likely been to a wedding or two where the speech before a toast seems to last so long that you actually feel burdened by the weight of the champagne glass in your hand. Take a lesson from this and keep your message brief. Weddings are celebrations, and guests want to be dancing and drinking. The sooner you finish, the sooner the festivities can continue. 

To nail a perfect wedding speech, take time to address your biggest concerns in advance. Whether you’re afraid of crowds or aren’t sure how long to make a toast, some preliminary work will give you a huge advantage.