Wedding Anniversary Speeches

Wedding anniversary speeches, to most people, are as scary as any other speech. Speaking in public strikes terror into the heart of some of the most confident individuals. This is often made worse by the thought of speaking to a room filled with the speaker's friends and loved ones.

You start to worry about all kinds of things that can go wrong. Are you going to say something, in all innocence that hits a raw nerve with one side of the family? Will you make a joke that falls flat, then make things worse by trying to explain it?

True, these things can happen, but put some thought into planning your anniversary speech and you can at least hope to avoid putting your foot in it and even come out of it being hailed as a great orator (maybe). You may, of course be one of the couple whose wedding anniversary is being celebrated. In that case, your worries should be eased because the audience is on your side and willing for you to do well, so the odd faux pas here and there will be forgiven. Remember, this is all about you and a celebration of your marriage.

If you are not one of the couple, then your relationship with the couple is what you must build your speech on. You know them in some unique way that has led to your being invited to speak and so this knowledge must be brought out in your anniversary speech. For instance, if you were the best man at the wedding, perhaps many of today's guests were present at the happy event, so you could remind them of some of the things you said back then and reflect upon how things have changed between then and now.

Keep in mind that wedding anniversary speeches are meant to celebrate a happy occasion, so there is no room in such a speech for too much seriousness. What the gathering wants to hear is how happy the couple has been over the years - how much in love they are. Mention some of the happy occasions and events you know of personally and some of their successes and perhaps unhappy times that they've been through and have come out at the other end even stronger and happier.

Your speech should take the audience through the couple's life together from marriage to the present time. If you have been chosen to present an anniversary gift, then this is what you should build up to as your high point. Make sure your speech is neither too long nor too short. A rambling, long-winded presentation will have guests stifling yawns and looking at watches. On the other hand an exceedingly brief run-down on the couple's life will be seen as disrespectful.

Wedding anniversary speeches, when planned and executed skillfully will leave couples in the audience reflecting on their own lives together and hopefully give them a warm glow. Those whose marriages have not been quite as happy as they might have been could well find food for thought in what you have to say. Bear this in mind and consider that your choice of words could be instrumental in drawing people closer together. What better outcome could you wish for from your speech than bringing happiness to both the invited guests and the happy couple?