As with pretty much every aspect of a wedding, the speeches are optional nowadays. Although they may be the traditional route, wedding speech alternatives have become more popular in recent years.
Traditional wedding speeches typically happen during the dinner portion of the reception. Though there is some variation, typically the father of the bride, the mother of the groom, the best man, and the maid of honor all deliver speeches.
While wedding speeches can be a lovely addition to a reception, they also have their drawbacks. Some couples find them boring and some people are uncomfortable with public speaking.
With more and more non-traditional weddings out there, it seems only necessary to reevaluate the wedding speech tradition. If you are foregoing other traditional aspects for a less uptight approach, a wedding speech alternative may be your best bet.
There are of course alternatives that are hybrids between a wedding speech and something else altogether. These can serve as a valuable bridge that will make all guests and participants comfortable.
No matter if you choose to do traditional wedding speeches or to go with a wedding speech alternative, consider the style of your wedding first. Consider some alternatives and you might find your perfect choice!
What is a traditional wedding speech and why to forego: Wedding speech alternatives
As already mentioned, a traditional wedding speech takes place during the dinner section of the reception with usually several people delivering speeches. These speeches serve two purposes: to welcome the guests and to wish the couple well in their marriage.
Parental speeches are often on the sentimental side of the spectrum and are usually tear-jerkers. Maid of honor and best man speeches tend to be on the more lighthearted side of things. Both sets can be impactful in their own right and serve a good end at the reception.
Although wedding speeches can be lovely, alternatives have been on the rise. Since weddings are meant to reflect the personality and style of the bride and groom, the rise of alternative reception activities is not surprising.
Other than the personalities of the bride and groom, there are other great reasons to consider an alternative to the traditional wedding speech. One of the biggest ones is the fear of public speaking.
You will most likely ask your wedding party and family to do many things at your wedding. If you ask them to speak, they will most likely feel obligated to do so. They may, however, be so nervous that they cannot fully enjoy your wedding.
Another reason for seeking out wedding speech alternatives is the tone of your wedding. If you are going for a more casual feel, then wedding speeches may be too stodgy for your taste.
Using an alternative to a wedding speech is also a good way to get the guests more involved in your wedding day. Speeches are more like performances to be watched than participatory activities for your guests.
No matter if you choose to do the traditional wedding speeches or go with an alternative, you will want to weigh your options fully. Who knows, you may even want to do a combination of the two!
Possible alternatives:
Should you decide to go with a wedding speech alternative, there are still many choices out there. If you do choose to go with an alternative, you could also give your wedding party some leeway in choosing what to do. This way their personalities will shine as well!
One great alternative is a video or slideshow. If you are uncomfortable with giving a speech in person, videos allow you to perfect your thoughts beforehand.
Additionally, videos and slideshows can be more visually creative than a simple speech.
Another good alternative is doing some sort of trivia game with the guests. The questions can be about the bride and groom or even their relationships with the wedding party.
Games are a great way to get the guests involved and avoid feeling uptight.
While we are on the subject of getting the guests involved, another great alternative is to have a sort of confessional booth where the guests can record their own well wishes. Rather than having the wedding party and family only share their thoughts, the booth gets everyone involved.
If you are dead set on having speeches, a simple alternative is to move them to the rehearsal dinner. This takes a good deal of the pressure off of your wedding party because it is a smaller crowd. Uncomfortable public speakers will probably appreciate it.
Another semi-alternative to wedding speeches is to have selected readings. If the wedding party or your family are nervous about coming up with a speech of their own, having them select and read poetry takes some of the pressure off.
No matter the alternative you choose, involving your wedding party and family in the decision is a good idea. They are the ones who will execute the plan, so their input is invaluable.
Conclusion and recommendations:
Although there are many alternatives available, wedding speeches are still an expected part of a wedding. If you do choose to have them at either the rehearsal or the wedding in some form, there are many great resources to ease the process.
Wedding Speeches for All offers a number of great packages to help with writing a wedding speech. They not only coach you in writing the speech but also in delivering it.
Included with all their packages, Wedding Speeches for All also offers a number of suggestions for quotes and styles. Their programs take the guesswork out of the equation and make the wedding speech process pain-free.
Even if you do choose a wedding speech alternative, Wedding Speeches for All can still help prepare you for the wedding. Most alternatives do involve some sort of explanation and speaking, so having some guidance is certainly welcome.
If for instance, the wedding party makes a video, they will need to speak in the video. Wedding Speeches for All can prepare them to do so and make the best presentation possible.
At the end of the day, the wedding speeches or alternatives should reflect the personality of the bride and groom. Wedding Speeches for All can help craft an option that is perfect for your situation.
