Wedding speeches - Time for brides to have their say

Traditionally wedding speeches have been reserved for male members of the wedding party, but now it seems that an increasing number of brides, and even bridesmaids, are taking the microphones, to have their own say.

Here, Hollins Hall Marriott Hotel & Country Club’s wedding coordinator, Tanya Lattimer, explores this trend and shares her top tips on how to make a successful speech.

Tanya said: “We are seeing more and more female members of the wedding party choosing to make a speech on the big day, probably around one in five. From the bride wanting to thank her friends and family for attending, to bridesmaids who are trying to rival the best man with a funny light hearted speech, it can be a refreshing change for guests to hear from the less traditional people.

“However, this increase in speeches will mean that guests may have to sit through up to an hour’s worth of talking, so it is more important than ever to keep them light, funny (where appropriate) and entertaining. Here are my top tips for making sure the speeches are one of the highlights of the wedding”

1. Practice, practice, practice– the best speeches have always been rehearsed. Getting up and making a public speech is going to be daunting but knowing what you’re going to say and the points you need to cover will help you feel more relaxed, which always makes for a better speech

1. Know your audience– yes that story about the time the bride ended up really drunk on her hen do is funny, but do you think her parents, or even grandparents, will be entertained by it? My advice is always err on the side of caution with embarrassing tales

1. Make it personal – for brides and bridesmaids there are no rules for how a speech should go, so make it personal. The chances are the best man has already had the audience laughing, the father of the bride may have prompted a few tears and the groom traditionally thanks everyone for attending – so figure out exactly what you want your speech to add to the mix and stick to it

1. Keep it short – with now up to five speeches being made on the big day it is more important than ever to keep it short. Aim for no more than eight minutes, which is where practicing in advance really helps. When the nerves take over the concept of time may disappear, but knowing your practice runs hit the eight minute mark will help keep you on track

1. Enjoy it – whether you’re a bridesmaid or the bride the speech will be a memorable part of the big day so make sure you enjoy it! Don’t let the anticipation impact on your enjoyment of the day ahead of the speech and while you’re up there take in every second – if you’re enjoying it, the chances are the crowd is too