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Whether you're organising speeches for a wedding getting the planning right is crucial. It helps keep things running smoothly, engages your audience, and prevents unnecessary stress. Here’s how to effectively plan and organise your speeches to create a polished, professional event that runs on time and avoids awkward moments.
Identify Who Wants to Speak
The first step in speech planning is determining who will actually be delivering a speech. It's important to remember that not everyone has to give a speech — only those who are comfortable and willing. Some people may feel anxious or reluctant, so avoid pressuring anyone into speaking if they don't want to. Instead, focus on those who are enthusiastic or have something meaningful to contribute.
Arrange the Speaking Order
Once you have your speakers, the next step is to organise the order of speeches. The sequence should be logical and flow naturally. There may be information out there that states "this is the order" but you don't have to listen to that. Do it in what ever order you'd like.
- Consider a logical flow: Start with someone who will set the tone, followed by others who build upon that momentum.
- Vary the tone: Avoid scheduling two emotional or two humorous speeches back-to-back, as variety keeps the audience engaged.
Set Clear Time Limits
Time management is crucial for keeping speeches engaging and ensuring your day doesn’t run over schedule. A good rule of thumb is to keep speeches under 10 minutes. In fact, the sweet spot is often 5–7 minutes—enough time to convey your message, share personal stories, and make an impact, without losing the audience’s attention.
- Tip: If you have four speakers, remember that even a 10-minute speech each adds up to 40 minutes. Factor in time for transitions and applause to make sure you stay on track.
Clarify Expectations for the Last Speaker
Make sure the final speaker knows that their speech will be the closing one. To avoid confusion, confirm with the last speaker that they won’t pass the microphone or invite impromptu speeches from the audience. You want to avoid any awkward or unprepared moments that could detract from the event.
Write and Print Speeches
Encourage each speaker to write and print their speeches in advance. While it's tempting to use tablets or phones, especially with so much digital technology at our fingertips, this can be distracting and impractical. Let's face it, the size of the writing on a screen is often tiny which means you have to hold your phone very close to your face to see. No one wants tech malfunctions, and devices often look out of place in photos.
Leave Room for Natural Transitions
Between each speech, there should be a small gap to allow for applause and transition time. This gives the audience time to react and the next speaker time to prepare themselves mentally. However, don’t let these gaps extend too long; otherwise, people may think they're over and start getting out of their seats.
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Planning and organising speeches can make or break the atmosphere of your day. By ensuring that everyone who wants to speak feels prepared, keeping speeches within time limits, and maintaining a structured order, you’ll create an atmosphere that is enjoyable and memorable for everyone.
Send this blog to anyone who may be writing a speech for your wedding day, to help them be prepared.
