Wedding Speeches 101: Who Says What at Your Wedding in Singapore
One of the key components of any wedding is the speeches, an opportunity for humor, heartfelt emotions, and personal stories to shine. Knowing who typically speaks and what they might say can help in planning your special day.
Here’s a breakdown of "who says what" at your wedding.
1. Welcome Speech
Typically, the welcome speech is delivered by one of the parents or an elder relative of the couple. If you have an emcee, you can also opt for him/her to set the tone for a warm welcome.
The speaker thanks everyone for their presence and may introduce the couple and their bridal party.
2. Couple's Speech
This may happen at the beginning or the end of the ceremony. It's a chance for the bride and groom to express their gratitude to their parents, guests, and anyone who helped make their wedding day special.
This speech is often filled with personal stories, expressions of love, and dreams for the future.
3. Best Man's Speech
In Western-influenced weddings, the best man delivers a speech that is often a mix of humor, teasing, and touching moments about his relationship with the groom. It’s an opportunity to give guests a glimpse into the life and character of the groom, from a close friend’s perspective.
4. Maid of Honour Speech
Similar to the best man's speech, the maid of honour shares anecdotes and insights about the bride. Her speech can include how she met the bride/groom, first impressions, funny stories, kind words about the couple, how they are as a couple, and finally well-wishes for the couple’s future.
5. Parents' Speech
It’s common for either or both sets of parents to speak at the wedding. Their speeches are usually emotional, filled with anecdotes from the bride's or groom's childhood, how they are proud of their child, meeting the son/daughter-in-law for the first time, and advice for their married life. In many Asian cultures, this is also a poignant moment where parents express their feelings about ‘giving away’ their child.
6. Siblings' Speech
Siblings can offer a different perspective, perhaps sharing stories from a different phase of the bride's or groom's life or highlighting their qualities that others might not know.
7. Thank You Speech
Toward the end of the event, a thank you speech by the couple or their families is common. This is to acknowledge the guests' attendance, gifts, and special efforts to join the celebration, possibly from far distances.
BONUS TIPS
- Keep it Short and Sweet: Aim for about 5 minutes per speech to maintain engagement.
- Mix Humor with Heartfelt: Balance jokes with sincere thoughts to capture the audience’s emotions.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Rehearse speeches in advance to boost confidence and smooth out delivery.
- Personalize Your Speech: Include personal stories or shared experiences that resonate with the audience.
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