The bride and groom have asked me to say something at their wedding: Help!
You are a friend, best man, maid of honour, or relative of the bride or groom and you have been asked to speak at their wedding. Don’t freak out! It is a great opportunity to give them a truly special gift.
- The best dedication is one you have written yourself.
- You can talk about your relationship with the couple, why you are important to one another, or what you wish for their future.
- You shouldn’t talk for more than three minutes. Short and sweet is always good, but five minutes is already too long. Keep in mind that 130/140 words spoken at a nice slow pace takes about one minute.
- Try to address both spouses. You may have more of a history on one side than on the other but bear in mind that two people are getting married.
- Some couples prefer a surprise, while others will want to know what you will be saying in advance. Either way, never improvise! Contact the celebrant and send what you have written directly to them so that they can include your words in their script.
- One thing you should always avoid is being vulgar. A dedication during a wedding ceremony is not to be confused with a drunken after-dinner speech. The couple wants their ceremony to be special, emotion-packed and unique, and the moment should never be trivialized. Of course, a light tone is always welcome.
- If you really can’t write something yourself, you can always choose a poem or a favourite song and explain why you have chosen it for this amazing couple on their big day.
- If you need advice, the celebrant will always be happy to help you.
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