This a an excellent way to relax your guests and make them receptive to what you’re going to say. Don’t make personal remarks about the bride and/or groom. The purpose of your speech is to honour the bride and groom – you need to choose your jokes very carefully if they are the subject of the joke!

It’s much better to us a little self-deprecating humour. Mention that you’re nervous and make that work for you.Tell them why you are there. Let your listeners in on your relationship to the bride and groom:-  they may not all know you, and tell them why you’re giving a speech.

Tell a Story

Tell the audience a story that’s meaningful to you, and that illustrates some quality that you admire about the bride or groom, or both. For example, John and I started playing golf together during college. He was always better than me; in fact, he started competing in tournaments. But he still plays with me, and sometimes he even lets me beat him.

Wish Them Happiness

Express your wishes for the couple’s happiness. You can use a short quotation here, if you like. Thank your audience. That’s it! You’ve written a great wedding speech.