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1. It goes without saying that you should mention the bride and groom in the wedding speech. It means doing your homework and finding out something about their foibles or hobbies.

2. So if the bride collects shoes for instance you might wonder how the groom is going to afford to keep her shod. If the groom is a keen sportsman you might say something about that it's now time he took up Do-it-yourself instead.

3. It's gracious to thank the hosts for their wonderful hospitality.

4. It's appropriate to say something witty and wise about marriage itself and what it means. You might use an old saying or a piece from a poem or a bit from the Gospels.

5. It's nice to mention the parents of the wedding couple in some way. So if the groom's father is an avid golfer, for instance, you might laughingly compliment him on actually taking the day off for his daughter's wedding. If the bride's mother is a wonderful cook then you might say how lucky the groom is to be marrying into a family who will feed him well.

6. If you are speaking as a bride or groom it would be nice to mention your parents and how much they have done for you during your growing years. You could say that you hope to build your marriage on their happy relationship.

7. The groom, of course, should mention how much he loves his new wife and how beautiful she is looking on this special day. The bride, if she is speaking, should mention her happiness at being married to such a wonderful man and how much she loves him.

8. The groom should toast the bridesmaids while the best man should respond to the toast saying how lucky he is to be surrounded by such lovely ladies!

9. It's gracious to say something about the wedding service itself and how much it meant. If there are clergy present it is nice to thank them for the trouble they took to make it meaningful.

A wedding day is a day for being upbeat and positive and never mentioning anything that would upset the mood of the day. It's definitely a day when you say all the right things about people so if a father who has been absent for years turns up you might mention that his son has inherited his lovely singing voice or good looks but never speak about his unfaithfulness.

10. A wedding speech should mention those who cannot be present due to circumstances or ill health. So if gran is too old to come it would be nice to speak kindly of her saying how much she is missed. Above all it should make all those who are there happy that they are sharing in the wonderful occasion.