Need help planning the perfect wedding reception? Here are my tips for wedding reception speeches - but remember, the choice is up to you!

You need to decide

• How many speakers?
• Who you would like to thank and who should do the thanking?
• This may include mother of the bride, mother of the groom, matron of honour, bridesmaid, close family relative, close family friend.
• Do you wish to acknowledge special circumstances such as recent family bereavement or guests who have travelled overseas to attend?
• Who should be the Master or Mistress of Ceremonies? They need to be confident, relaxed and sensitive to proceedings. They need to be themselves and seek to make everyone feel good about themselves and what is happening around them.

Planning the speech

• Speeches should be short. Three minutes is fine.
• Speeches should also make everyone feel good about themselves and what is happening around them.
• A strong opening line can establish your presence and introduce yourself to everyone. Numbered cards with a brief note to guide you are better than a read speech.
• Include an interesting detail especially a funny detail. Think about the couple, how they met, their profession, travel, hobbies. Include anecdotes but be kind and consider feelings.
• Perhaps include a relevant quote. Finish on a positive and sincere note.

Traditionally there are three speeches.

Toasts are usually made as the conclusion of each speech. It engages the guests and ensures their participation in the proceedings.

1. Father of Bride
He talks of his daughter, her achievements, amusing anecdotes. He welcomes groom into their family. He may invite the mother of the bride to say a few words. He toasts the bride and groom.

2. Groom
He replies to father of the bride. Thanks the bride’s parents for the wedding and how memorable it has been. (Bride may also speak) He thanks his own family. He may recount an amusing anecdote about the bride and himself. He thanks the best man and the bridesmaids and proposes a toast to the bridesmaids.

3. Best Man
He replies on behalf of bridesmaids. (One of these may wish to reply themselves) Thanks groom for asking him to be best man. Reads out emails. Concludes formalities and wishes all an enjoyable time.