Who Should Give A Speech At The Wedding?
As a DJ, I often get asked, “Who should give a toast at my wedding?” Typically, that honor goes to the best man, maid of honor and some combination of parents. Here are my best pieces of advice for who should share a few words on your special day:
Less Is More
While everyone at your wedding is special to you in some way, not everyone needs to hear how you are connected and funny throwback stories. Instead of asking all your sorority sisters or having each bridal party member share an anecdote, narrow the list down. In theory, you might enjoy having more speeches but in reality, that also means you have less control. Would you rather have your best friends share stories or rush the rest of your reception items because you had 18 toasts and every single one went over their allotted time? (Yes, this has happened to me before.)
For the love of all that is good in this world, please leave open mics to coffeehouses and comedy clubs.
Abandon Obligation
Weddings are full of time-honored traditions but choosing who will speak at your reception certainly doesn’t have to be one of them! If you know the maid of honor is terrified of public speaking or that the best man may want to enjoy a few beverages before speeches are underway, there’s nothing wrong with picking people who you know will not only enjoy this honor, but be able to eloquently echo your love story.
Pro tip: to avoid offending anyone, you can always ask a few people to speak at your rehearsal dinner. Not only is this much easier on people who fear public speaking, but you might even be able to convince them that this intimate event is MORE important than speaking at the wedding!
Pick The Comedian
Everyone loves a good laugh! There’s a reason that the best hosts of award shows have been comedians. You may not have a professional comedian in the family, but surely you know someone who’s funny, and articulate, and not shy.
Remember, your wedding day is a live show that only happens once. The toasts will set the tone for the rest of the night. You want that tone to be warm, heartfelt, and happy, so pick the people in your life that will set the stage for an unforgettable celebration.