Groom Speech
The Groom Speech is an important and traditional part of a wedding reception, and there are certain things which the groom is expected to talk about. It can be helpful to know exactly what these are when composing the speech. Sticking to the traditional etiquette will help to build a well-structured speech, although there is always room for the more creative or adventurous speaker to deviate from the norm particularly is the wedding will be less traditional.
The groom is usually expected to speak both on his own behalf and for his new bride, although it is not now uncommon for the bride to give her own speech. If your partner is intending to speak at the reception then you may want to coordinate your groom speech with hers in order to avoid repeating each other.
The main component of a Groom Speech is usually the expression of thanks to all those who have helped with the wedding. The speech is expected to begin with the groom thanking the bride’s parents. This is perhaps the most traditional aspect of the groom speech since it is associated with the old need for the groom to ask the father of the bride for his daughter’s hand in marriage. Modern speeches are more likely to thank both parents for having raised such a wonderful daughter.
The groom may want to speak briefly about his new wife, perhaps relating an anecdote about her, such as the way they met, or the way he proposed. The father of the bride will usually speak about his daughter too, however, so this is not expected to be a major component of a Groom Speech.
More thanks are then given to other people who have been important in making the day so special. This could include the guests, the bride herself, or anyone who has played an important role in the preparations. Unless the bride will be doing so herself, the groom should thank the bridesmaids, and may propose a toast to them.
The speech usually ends with the groom thanking his best man, and he may wish to say something about him at this point too. He may, for example explain his relationship with the best man, who might be an old friend or a relative. A story which describes how close this relationship is can be a good idea.
The groom usually speaks after the father of the bride and before the best man. If there is a master of ceremonies then they will introduce each speaker, otherwise it will be up to the groom to introduce the best man himself. If the bride is going to make a speech, however, she is likely to speak next, so the groom will introduce her instead.
In order to create a more interesting speech it is important not to simply list all the people who need to be thanked. Short anecdotes or jokes should be incorporated into the speech, and the phrasing of the thanks can be varied. It is also better to highlight those people who have been particularly important or helpful rather than trying to thank everyone.
The groom needs to be comfortable with the speech so it should be tailored to his personality. It can be funny, sentimental or formal according to his character and the style of the wedding. There is less pressure on the groom to tell anecdotes or get everybody laughing than there is on the best man in his speech. The groom is usually expected to give a simpler and more serious speech.
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