5 Tips to Calm Your Nerves Before Making a Wedding Speech

Here at Beziique, we may be a world-class Cyprus and Ibiza wedding photographer, but we're also a husband and wife team. We've stood in your shoes — including giving a wedding speech.

Those heart-skipping moments as you squeeze hands just before walking down the aisle, or have your last pat on the back from your best man. That's why we know the nerves don't stop there. Because once you've tied the knot, kissed and dipped and rocked it under a cascade of confetti, there's one tradition still to come: your wedding speech.

We've seen the good, the bad, and the downright hilarious. Drawing on the hundreds of celebrations we've been part of as a Cyprus and Ibiza wedding photographer, here's what you can do to calm your nerves when the moment comes.

1. Get the Timing Right

Tradition would tell you that every wedding speech comes after dinner, but our couples are fun-loving, adventurous spirits — and we're rooting for you to throw the rule book to the wind.

Get the speeches out the way before the meal begins, perhaps even at a less formal gathering over cocktail hour. With less time to worry, you'll instantly feel calmer, and in no time the weight is off your shoulders.

2. Set Expectations

We're not suggesting sharing your groom wedding speech with your bride ahead of time — some things should be left to the magic moment. But do get everyone's expectations clear, and for no one is this more important than the best man.

What are the couple's senses of humour like? Do they want side-splitting jokes, or are there certain stories that would make them (and their nan) cringe? It's a delicate balance that, done right, will send your speech down in history.

3. Team Effort

You don't have to go it alone when it comes to wedding speeches. Brides and grooms, remember that your favourite person will be right there next to you. You can talk to them during your speech, or simply let their presence calm your nerves.

Best men and maids of honour, if you're feeling anxious, get all the team involved. Flash mob your speech and take the eyes and pressure off you, in a fun-loving moment we'll be poised to capture as your Cyprus and Ibiza wedding photographer. The wilder the better.

4. Practise, Practise, Practise

If you've asked family or friends to give a reading during the ceremony, you can be sure they'll be rehearsing so they're word perfect on the day. Treat your wedding speech in exactly the same way.

With a bit of repetition, the words will flow naturally and you'll slow your breathing (and crucially, the delivery) down. Practising ahead of time won't take away the emotion or make it feel too rehearsed, but it will give you the confidence that you can talk the talk.

5. Have a Plan

We can't stress this enough. No matter how charismatic or confident you are, when you're faced with a sea of a hundred friendly faces, words will desert you. At the very least, hash out the bare bones of what you want to say in advance — who you want to thank, something lovely to say about your party, or those killer stories as the best man.

By all means leave room for something off-the-cuff and in the moment — every wedding speech should have these — but know what you need to get out. You'll feel calmer for it, and your speech will run much more smoothly as a result.

Don't miss our journal too, where you can sneak behind the scenes of hundreds of weddings for the what, when and how. Our Instagram is pretty inspiration-packed too — it's a laid-back experience here at Beziique, all about the laughter and love.