What’s the point of giving a Groom’s Speech?
As the wedding day draws nearer, so many aspects of the day must be planned. Food is ordered, flowers arrangements are designed, wedding cakes are built, and decorations are placed. The preparations sometimes seem endless, and the more traditional the wedding the more extensive the preparations may seem. One thing that may become lost in all of the planning, is the writing of speeches. Wedding receptions traditionally include speeches from the father of the bride, the groom, the best man, and the maid of honor in that order. However, other’s may wish to speak as well and the couple and their family and friends can plan this ahead of time. No matter the order of speeches that is finally decided upon, the groom’s speech is an important one.
Getting up in front of family and friends and speaking is not easy for every groom. Many grooms are afraid of public speaking, or feel that they do not want to express their feelings in front of others. Other grooms find it easier and are thrilled to be able share their thoughts on one of the most important days of their lives. Everyone is different, but even shy grooms should think again before they decide to dispense with the tradition of giving a speech.Speeches in some form have probably accompanied weddings for as long as weddings have existed.The formal traditions that we are most familiar with, probably stemmed from the early 15th century when the Western tradition started to include a wedding in a church followed by a reception in a separate location, usually the bride’s home. In those times the bride was not expected to speak, so the groom would express his appreciation and feelings on behalf of himself and his bride. While it is no longer taboo for both men and women to give speeches at a wedding, most guests have the expectation that a groom will speak. It is unique opportunity for him to offer thanks to everyone involved in the wedding and to show his love to his new wife.The pros to giving a groom’s speech are many. In many weddings grooms are not involved in a lot of the wedding planning details and execution, nor are they usually the ones who are paying the wedding bills. While this is certainly not always the case, the groom has a lot of people that he should thank for their hard work and involvement in his day. Skipping his speech may seem like ingratitude to those who have given time and money to the wedding day.
During his speech, the groom also has a chance to express in front of family and friends his feelings for his bride and the characteristics that he most appreciates about her. She will remember his words and be able think back to them throughout the marriage. One con to giving a groom’s speech may be a concern that speeches will take up too much time during the reception and may become boring to guests. The speech need not be long, a groom can keep his speech to a few minutes and still say what is important.
A few basic elements should be included in the speech the groom prepares. He should thank the family that is hosting the wedding. He should thank the guests for attending and giving gifts. He should thank his parents and his bride’s parents for all they have done. He should express appreciation and love for his bride, and he should acknowledge and thank the best man, the maid of honor, and the other wedding attendants. In order make the speech more interesting and to avoid it sounding like only a list of thank yous, he can include a little humor and a few stories. With a little thought and some practice, the groom’s speech will be a special part of the wedding reception and help everyone involved to feel warm and appreciated.
