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Pro Wedding MC Tip: How to Deliver a Heartfelt Thanks in Your Wedding Speech That Truly Hits Home and Engages Everyone
Are you stuck writing a wedding speech and not sure how to thank someone significant in your life? It could be your mum or dad, a close relative, or a best mate. Choosing the right words for a genuine thank-you can be tough for most of us!
But what if I told you there’s a simple framework that can make your thank-you in your wedding speech even more impactful and memorable?
Imagine you overhear someone saying great things about you in a conversation at work. It’s like good gossip. It makes you feel good on the inside, right?
This is where I’m going with this.
The Common Approach of Thanking Somone in Wedding Speeches
Whenever I MC a wedding, I’ll notice it’s common for the speaker to directly speak to the person they’re thanking. For example, a groom might turn to face their dad and say:
“Dad, you have been instrumental to who I am. You were always there for me and sacrificed so much so I could live the life I have now…”
What’s wrong with that? These words are touching, right?
While that may be true, they also create this private moment between the groom and his dad, leaving the rest of the audience out of the loop. When they’re out of the loop, their minds get distracted. Imagine if you were in the audience, you’d feel like you’re on a bus, overhearing the conversation and not being part of it.
I’m going to share with you how you go one further. Here’s a nifty framework for creating a more engaging and impactful thank you in your wedding speech.
The gist is this: Instead of sharing your thank-you directly with the person you’re thanking, flip it to the room and speak about their positive qualities to the whole room. This approach will keep everyone engaged and make your gratitude even more meaningful.
The Framework:
- Introduction to the Person
- Highlight a Core Quality
- Link Quality to Specific Examples
- Reflect on the Broader Impact
- Conclude with a Thank You
Don’t worry! I’ll guide you through this Step-by-Step using this example:
- Introduction to the Person
Introduce the person in a way that’s relatable and engaging for the audience.
Example: “Let me tell you about my dad. Since I was young, I’ve seen him coming home late at night, leaving early in the morning.”
This introduction sets the stage for a story that includes the entire audience rather than just addressing the person directly.
- Highlight a Core Quality
Identify and highlight a key quality of Dad that stood out during their time or relationship with you.
Example: “As far back as I can remember, Dad’s always been incredibly hardworking and dedicated.”
Highlighting a precise quality helps the audience appreciate Dad’s character and the contributions they’ve made.
- Link Quality to Specific Examples
Relate the highlighted quality to some specific story or a stand-out moment.
Example: “I remember watching TV at night, and he’d come through the door all dirty from the building site every day. At that time, I took it for granted, not realising the level of sacrifice he was making for our family.”
Being specific makes the praise more concrete and relatable, allowing the audience to see Dad’s quality in action through their eyes.
- Reflect on the Broader Impact
Include how Dad’s qualities and actions have impacted you and potentially the people around you.
Example: “His dedication didn’t just support our family. It taught me the value of hard work and sacrifice.”
Reflecting on the bigger picture gives your audience a chance to see the actual merits of Dad’s actions and qualities.
- Conclude with a Thank You
Wrap up the speech by directly thanking the person, while still engaging the audience.
Example: “Dad, thank you for all the sacrifices you made. Your hard work and dedication have shaped who I am today.”
The close ties everything together, expressing gratitude while still keeping the entire room involved.
Third party thanks can make a massive difference in how your words are received not only in a wedding speech but in all forms of communication. It honours the person you are praising while also engaging the entire audience, creating a shared experience that is both inclusive and memorable.
So, the next time you prepare a wedding speech, consider this approach and watch how it transforms your audience’s engagement and the emotional impact of your words.
Happy speech writing!
