- Brainstorming should be the first thing you do when writing your speech. All it involves in writing down every idea about the couple that pops into your brain. A wedding speech needs an anecdote or story, a joke and a wish for the happy couple. A section of the speech should be devoted to three things that you like about the couple. You can place these in the form of mini-anecdotes or stories. Jot down everything you could think of to include in the speech, remembering to keep things upbeat or positive. The brainstorming process might take some time, so keep your list handy to quickly write down a new idea if needed. Try to leave space or lines on the page between ideas for easy reference later.
- Once your brainstorming is finished, it is time to vet the ideas. The common perception of wedding speeches is the drunken revelation of deeds that the bride and/or groom would soon rather forget. However, a traditional wedding speech is a way for the chosen speaker to share her own feelings on the couple and their union. Focusing on the bride or the groom is fine, but they are the focus and not you, the speaker.
Find a theme in your ideas and gather together the ones that fit the theme. For example, you can give a speech on the couple's unity with anecdotes about how they stand together, a joke about a time this unity might have faced an amusing obstacle, and blessings for the couple to remain together for many years. - Look at the topics you chose to help you find a story about the couple to tell in your speech. Choose a story that is funny, uplifting and/or seems to tell about all the bride, groom or couple's best traits. Tell something that the crowd present might not be privy to, or pick a commonly known story that highlights your chose theme in a surprising way. Stay away from controversial stories and those that could reveal something that will upset the bride or groom.
- Once you know what to write, it is time to assemble the parts. A wedding speech or toast takes up to five minutes to complete on average. That translates into a 600-word written speech. You can give or take 100 words, but no more when writing. The speech must have an introduction in which you tell who you are and how you know the couple. This is sometimes followed by a joke and next by the story you've chosen. After the story, give the reasons that you feel the couple belongs together—their best traits. Try to select three traits to stay within the word count and still have variety. You can illustrate these traits with many anecdotes, but they must be short, perhaps a few sentences each. End the speech with your blessing for the couple or your wishes for their future. Write these sections separately at first, and then merge them together.