I could do with a few inspirations for a best man speech i'm supposed to be delivering this Saturday - I could do with some one else writing it for me but i very much doubt thats gonna happen. So does any one have tips for a good best man speech. Thanx in advance. Mike P.S Last time I had to stand up in front of a room full of people. I was found guilty and fined £200...
Did one for my sister bout 25+ tears ago only thing ican say is don't what ever you do DRINK too much first. put in some stories of what you and the groom have got upto nothing too dangerous of course what kind of man he is and whatever else you like.
Whatever you do make sure it's got some funny bits, don't read out all the cards just a few important ones (if any), keep it below 15 mins (unless your gods gift to stand up, which I guess your not), fairly clean, don't um and er and look around the room, don't focus on one spot. There you go, all you've got to do now is write something lol. :wink:
Can you keep a secret? Good! A recently gave my Sister away. I had nothing to say until I found the following website. I changed the names and off I went, reciting word for word a speech from this site. I felt like a fraud but with comments like, 'you clearly write a lot of speeches' and 'that was the best wedding speech I've heard' I've learnt to live with it. lol Best thing is to take your time, wait for the laughter to stop before moving on and enjoy the drink afterwards! http://www.hitched.co.uk/speeches/examples/index.asp
i think if u put in wedding speech on google there is a site dedicated to wedding speeches funny enuf,i think its wedding speeches.com i found a good one on there for a mate a couple of months ago, some are very funny, mite b of use to you atleast for ideas
Don't get too hung up on content - it is much over-looked but the delivery of your speech is as important as what you say. Communication is 55% body language, 38% the way you say things (intonation, tonality) and 7% the words. Some top tips Poise and Gestures Make your gestures slow and deliberate, not fast and jerky Hold your gestures slightly longer than you're inclined to do, especially if you are pausing between sentences or ideas Vary your gestures and make them match your speech Dont be afraid to take up time or space in order to make your pont Use facial expression (smile) Eye Contact Eye contact is associated with confidence and trustworthiness. The ideal is said to be to maintain eye contact about 60% of the time. Do use bullet cards if you can't remember but don't read of a full speech (with head down). Look at everyone in the room. I'd even be tempted to break with convention and move into front of the top table (at one end - so you dont block any one) - so that the table is no longer a barrier to your communication. It will give you the space to look at the newly wedds and the rest of the top table. If you can convey a relaxed, confident B/L then your audience will go with you. Vocal Impact Think about the range of your voice - the tone, tempo, timbre (quality) and volume. Breathing and speed are very important as are pauses and silences. Let them laugh and dont forget to breathe. Vary your range and avoid monotone. Words Find your content from what you know. Avoid Er...um, cliches and jargon. Don't get too hung up on it. Learn it if you can. Practice. Practice and Practice. Eventually the words will be your own and you can relax/enjoy. Use bullet cards if you need so you dont forget any important stuff. Good Luck.
I did my brothers stone cold sober. Not a good idea, was a bit nervous but it worked well. Have 3-4 drinks and it will go smooth as silk! Good luck:)
[QUOTE=Wobbly Dave]Don't get too hung up on content - it is much over-looked but the delivery of your speech is as important as what you say. Communication is 55% body language, 38% the way you say things (intonation, tonality) and 7% the words. Some top tips Poise and Gestures Make your gestures slow and deliberate, not fast and jerky Hold your gestures slightly longer than you're inclined to do, especially if you are pausing between sentences or ideas Vary your gestures and make them match your speech Dont be afraid to take up time or space in order to make your pont Use facial expression (smile) Eye Contact Eye contact is associated with confidence and trustworthiness. The ideal is said to be to maintain eye contact about 60% of the time. Do use bullet cards if you can't remember but don't read of a full speech (with head down). Look at everyone in the room. I'd even be tempted to break with convention and move into front of the top table (at one end - so you dont block any one) - so that the table is no longer a barrier to your communication. It will give you the space to look at the newly wedds and the rest of the top table. If you can convey a relaxed, confident B/L then your audience will go with you. Vocal Impact Think about the range of your voice - the tone, tempo, timbre (quality) and volume. Breathing and speed are very important as are pauses and silences. Let them laugh and dont forget to breathe. Vary your range and avoid monotone. Words Find your content from what you know. Avoid Er...um, cliches and jargon. Don't get too hung up on it. Learn it if you can. Practice. Practice and Practice. Eventually the words will be your own and you can relax/enjoy. Use bullet cards if you need so you dont forget any important stuff. Good Luck.[/QUOTE] Good old google LOL x
No google this time - I learned that little lot on a course a few years back. It's valuable stuff and it works. I am sharing it from the course material I still have. Taught me about pacing/mirroring gaining rapport and loads of other useful techniques. Predominantly aimed at the business use but there are cross-overs.
I also have a couple of samples so give me a shout if you need me to e-mail them to you. Bob
J recieved your email, thanks a bundle lots of good stuff on there (Don't worry im not going to copy it word for word!) Ok panic has just set in to what the wobbler has just pointed out, so much so it's "Brown trouser time, heavy rating!" :rotfl: I don't think theres going to be too many people in the room when the speech's are made and i will (hopefully) know the majority. Would i get away with pre-recording the speech and putting a getto blaster under the day and just lip sync with it.........Hey if top of the flops can get away with it........ Many thanks for the encouraging words of wisdom, but i don't think theres any more point going through other peoples speeches as they are mostly the same. I have the gist of things that need to be said, so i just need to add my own content - i didn't even sleep last night cos the speech was on my mind so much that i don't think i will need a sheet to read off but i will take one so i don't miss anything off.
3 things - breathe, relax and smile. It matters not if you make the odd mistake.
And at the end of my speech I turned to the brides mother and father and said that 24 years ago your lovely daughter was going to bed with a dummy ... how history repeats itself!!!!!
[QUOTE=The Flying Banana]And at the end of my speech I turned to the brides mother and father and said that 24 years ago your lovely daughter was going to bed with a dummy ... how history repeats itself!!!!![/QUOTE] Yep heard that one too, not going to use it tho - theres already to much mick taking out the groom.
could always use this one. See they have invented a food that puts you off sex for life? Its called Wedding cake! I'll get me coat. Ben.
Many thanks to all for the great words of wisdom, i delivered the speech this afternoon which went down a treat and was loved by all!!! i was REALLY nervous, stood up shaking couldnt hold the paper still - but everyone's congratulated me on it. Alot of photo's have been taken this morning by others but i'll try find one of me looking very very afraid and post it for your amusment!. Thanks for all the top tips. Mike