Wedding Speech Ideas | Who Will Speak At Your Wedding Reception?

Couples ask us often during our final planning meetings about when and who speaks at the celebration after the ceremony. In terms of this post, we are a Wisconsin entertainment company, so I am sharing how wedding celebrations are done in the Upper Midwest. Traditionally, during the dinner portion of a wedding celebration, a wedding reception will have a Welcome, a Blessing/Prayer, and some speeches. Now, let's break that down and go into a little more detail.

The Welcome

After guests are seated for dinner and the MC/DJ introduces the wedding party, traditionally the reception dinner starts with a welcome most often done by the newlyweds, but sometimes designated by the newlyweds to another VIP like parents. The Welcome isn't long, typically 2-3 minutes and often sets the tone for the night, with a clearly defined beginning to the fun part of the night. Welcomes aren't required, but in our experience done at more than 90% of celebrations.

The Blessing/Prayer

Following the Welcome, is usually a blessing or prayer. If you aren't religious, you may opt not to have one, and that's fine too. If you opt to have a blessing/prayer, make sure to plan to ask the person you are designating in advance of your celebration, so they can be adequately prepared. No one likes surprises, and they will appreciate that you asked.

Speeches

At some point during dinner, there are several speeches. Usually the best man, maid/matron of honor and sometimes parents. The style of dinner you are planning to have and how many people you are planning to have speak will determine placement of when your speeches occur. During a plated or family style dinner, speeches occur usually after the last entree is served to the guests. This allows the servers to get all of the food our with distraction or interruption. If you have several (more than 3) speeches planned, you might want to stagger them through dinner, and do some between the salads and entrees, and the rest after the entrees have been served. This will help keep the focus, as guests tend to have a short attention span.

If you are having a buffet style dinner, it's recommended to have the speeches after the last table has gotten through the buffet. This allows the head table to eat, and allows your guests to have full attention on the VIPs for the speeches.

Often the best man goes first, followed by the maid/matron of honor, then parents, and then anyone else you have designated. Though it's your day, and you can choose any order or VIPs that you would like. Your DJ/MC should help you put together your outline/timeline for your day including helping you with the flow of people who you have designated to speak on your day.

Check out the "Top 10 Tips for an effective wedding speech"

Sound Sensations Entertainment , based in Oshkosh WI, offers highly engaging, fun wedding entertainment to all points in Wisconsin including Wisconsin Dells, Stevens Point, Green Bay, Oshkosh, Green Bay, Appleton and all other areas of Wisconsin. Sound Sensations Entertainment employees a team of 3 DJ/MCs, DJ Bob V, DJ Devon L, & DJ Ed Eaton each have more than 15-20 years of wedding entertainment experience at more than 1500+ wedding celebration. If you would like to have us at your upcoming Wisconsin wedding reception and/or ceremony, please check your date today.

Sound Sensations Entertainment provides DJ, Photobooth, Uplighting & More is a wedding entertainment company based in Wisconsin servicing weddings throughout the local area, including, Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, Madison, Milwaukee and the surrounding areas.