If the bride has asked you to deliver a speech at her wedding it’s because she feels you are one of the people who know and love her best, and we all know that she is the boss!
The Speechy team have helped numerous uncles around the world deliver amazing speeches, adding humour, love and a wonderful moment to the day. We’re TV comedy scriptwriters by trade (writing for BBC shows like Have I Got News For You, Dead Ringers & The News Quiz) but we’re wedding connoisseurs at heart.
Here are our top speechwriting techniques for you to exploit.
(*Of course, check out our speech edit or bespoke speech writing service if you’re looking for more than simply advice. We’re rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot for a reason).
It may be that you’ve been asked to give the speech because the bride’s father has passed away, your brother maybe. This makes your speech so much more important and meaningful too.
Obviously your speech will be a very emotional moment in the day. All the guests and your niece will expect you to talk about her dad but remember this isn’t the time to do a eulogy.
Your speech should focus on the bride herself (as a traditional father of the bride speech would) and then pay tribute to her dad in as joyful a way as is possible. Even if he is recently deceased, don’t talk about his death, just talk about how much he loved his daughter and how proud he would have been of her on her wedding day.
If your brother has passed away recently you may have to consider keeping any tributes to the end of the speech so you don’t get choked up too soon. (Although obviously everyone will understand if you do). As much as possible, you want to ensure the speech remains a celebration of a marriage.
If you’re struggling with your emotions, look up. It is said to be physically impossible to cry if you look up, but don’t quote us on that one.
Take a look at our Speeches and the Dearly Departed page for more advice on honouring departed family members – but please read on or check out our father of the bride speech advice to understand what else your speech needs to contain.
If the bride has a difficult relationship with her father and he isn’t going to be there, today is not a day to bring up your feelings around that.
Just simply introduce yourself as the bride’s uncle and leave it at that. No more explanation is necessary.
Wedding Speech Expert
Uncle of the Bride Speech Structure
All speeches should be unique, and based on you and the bride’s personal relationship (so no Googling for clichéd one liners), but it’s always useful to have a structure to hand as you write it.
Rule 1- Be different
Yes, every bride is beautiful, yes every bride is intelligent, hard-working and kind – but what makes her unique?
She may be wearing a princess dress for the day but that doesn’t mean that she is one. You love her for who she is and so does everyone in the room. Celebrate that.
Call her out for nacho-munching, overly-competitive, library-loving nerd she is!
Rule 2- Be funny
People expect the best man to be funny, but no one ever left a wedding thinking “I wish the speeches had been a bit less amusing”.
We all know you were very proud of how well she did in her GCSE’s, but unless there is a funny story attached, save that observation for another time.
We suggest a mix of about 70% humour with about 30% heartfelt and sincere. Of course, if her father has recently passed away this may not be possible.
If you’re looking for more ideas on how to create original humour, check out our How To Be Funny blog.
Whatever you do, do NOT resort to wedding gags! They’re either just cringy or been used a thousand times before.
Rule 3- Tell a story
The best speeches take us on a journey. They aren’t just a collection of ‘to dos’ and a list of random anecdotes.
Your speech needs a thread that connects everything you’re saying. It could be what you’ve learnt from the bride over the years (from a secret appreciation of Justin Bieber’s back-catalogue to how to cheat at Scrabble). It could be your guide to the groom re how your niece works.
Rule 4- Less is more
Edit, edit, edit.
You’ve known the bride since she was a baby so there may be many things you want to say. But don’t!
You don’t have to recognise every era of the bride’s life. In fact, some of the best wedding speeches just focus on one really good story.
We suggest you aim for about 7 minutes tops and about 1100-1200 words should be your upper limit. You can tell everyone all the stories you had to cut at the bar later.
Rule 5- Be prepared to deliver
Will there be a mic? How many people will be in the room? Do you want a full script or just some notes?
Remember, the wonderful, heartfelt, funny words you have written will need to be spoken out loud at some point, so practice! What looks good on paper can sometimes come out as a tongue twister.
Speak slowly, and don’t forget to smile. Everyone there wants you to do well, so enjoy the moment. Read our How To Deliver Like A Pro blog for further advice.
Work with us if you want to deliver a speech your niece will be proud of. We really are blooming good at this and rated ‘excellent’ on Trustpilot.
And, of course, in the world of Zoom, Whatsapp and Death Wish Coffee, we work with clients around the world. Timezone no problem.
Give us a call if you want to find out more about how we work, the services we offer and our DELIGHT GUARANTEE.
We’re happy to give you 15 mins of our time with no obligation to work with us.
WhatsApp us, call Heidi on 07971 224 245, email hello@speechy.com or request a callback.
