The "Do-list"
There are a number of things that are always good to keep in mind when it's your turn to give a speech. We have compiled a list of things to remember.
Practice the speech! You may feel stupid practicing in front of the mirror and in front of your close relatives. The question is: What’s better? Feeling stupid in front of them and yourself, or in front of 100 people, most of whom you don’t even know?
Start drinking after your speech. If you can’t wait, at least keep the alcohol intake to a minimum!
Open with something popular, something funny that will be appreciated by the audience. I only write in verse for a good reason. I know that it’ll be appreciated!
Click here and you’ll find a selection of verses. Each verse can be bought in it's entirety or you can choose to write the ending yourself by using my guide on how to write good verses.
Write down ideas when they come to you! They’re handy to have when you’re finally writing your speech.
Keep it short. Most etiquette guides say that you have to speak for ten minutes if you are a Best Man or a Groom. We say: No way! Ten minutes is a loooong time if you’re not used to speaking to a crowd and it won’t be fun for you or the guests unless you can make it an interesting 10 minutes.
If you feel that you really want to speak for 10 minutes, make the speech more interesting by interspersing with a verse from our verse collection.
Be innovative! Draw pictures, show films, sing a song, read a verse. Or ask somebody to do the speech with you. In our verse collection you can find some excellent verses that are designed to be given by two people arguing about how fantastic the recipient i!
Let the audience remember you for your wit and excellence, not for your mumbling shy self. If other people can do it – you can!