Greetings,
I'm looking for a list of the best free web resources on creating speeches. 
Specifically, I'm looking for sites that will help with wedding
speeches and toasts.
You can include paid membership sites if they're really good. But I'd
like to have a list of free informational sites that will help me with
making my own using my own words.

I'd also like to have sites included in the list that will have
information on how to deliver a speech effectively. How to prepare for
a speech and how to practice giving speeches.

These resources should include helpful information for everyone
involved in the wedding:
- Bride
- Groom
- Best Man
- Maid of Honor
- Groomsman
- Bridesmaid
- Bride's Parents
- Groom's Parents
- Friends & Other Relatives

I'd like to be able to send them a list of resources to help them
along. Most of them I'm afraid never given a speech in front of a
large audience...

I've looked a various sites on
http://dir.yahoo.com/Society_and_Culture/Weddings/Speeches_and_Toasts/
and http://search.dmoz.org/cgi-bin/search?search=wedding+speech

But it's only got marginally useful info. I'm not looking for speech
generators or canned speeches.
Although, some of those speeches/toasts directories can be useful as a
starting point when trying to write your own.

Something else that would be helpful is a list of "experts" I might
contact about this and consult with over the phone.

With the wedding coming up, I just want to make sure everyone has what
they need so they'll be able to give the best speeches possible. After
all we spend so much money on this very special day. Wouldn't it be a
shame to shadow it with silly preventable flounders -- like a toast
faux pas? And you only get one chance to do it right!

Looking forward to your answer.

---

Clarification of Question by factseeker-ga on 18 Jul 2005 02:24 PDT

One more thing: Could you please explain your search strategy so that
I might try to enhance your search even further after you post your
answer. That would be great. Thanks!

HI! Thanks for the question.

Here are some links to websites that can help you with wedding
speeches. The sites content consists of helpful advice on preparing
speeches.

--------------------------
Groom:

The Groom?s Response
http://www.showworld.com.au/soundteam/weddings/bridegroom_speech.html

What is special about the groom's speech?
http://www.finespeeches.com/groom-speech.html

The groom?s speech
http://www.confetti.co.uk/weddings/advice_ideas/speeches/groom_speech.asp


-------------------------
Bride:

The Bride?s Speech
http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:jf2f7g_xv3MJ:www.finelineprod.com/html/speeches_-_tips_for_the_bride.html+%22bride%27s+speech%22+tips&hl=en&lr=&strip=1


-------------------------
Best Man:

Tips for Best Man Speeches
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A695324 

Tips for the best man on writing a wedding toast
http://weddings.about.com/od/theweddingparty/a/toastwriting.htm 

Best Man Wedding Speech Tips
http://weddingspeeches.wedthemes.com/best-man-wedding-speech.htm

HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT WEDDING TOAST WITHOUT BURNING YOURSELF OR THE WEDDING PARTY
http://www.groomsonline.com/best_man/featurespeeches.html

Preparation is the key to public speaking... 
http://www.showworld.com.au/soundteam/weddings/bestman_speech.html 


------------------------
Bridesmaid

Bridesmaid Guide: 11 Tips for Giving a Terrific Toast
http://love.ivillage.com/lnm/lnmweddings/0,,qj0v,00.html


---------------------------
Groomsman:

How groomsmen can garner toasty-warm receptions
http://www.newarkadvocate.com/news/stories/20050216/localnews/1995854.html 


---------------------------
Groom?s Parents

Groom's Parent's Speech
http://www.showworld.com.au/soundteam/weddings/grooms_parents_speech.html


--------------------------
Bride?s Parents

Brides Parent's Speech:
http://www.showworld.com.au/soundteam/weddings/brides_parents_speech.html 

Father of the Bride Wedding Speech Tips
http://weddingspeeches.wedthemes.com/father-of-the-bride-wedding-speech.htm

The father of the bride?s speech
http://www.confetti.co.uk/weddings/advice_ideas/speeches/father_of_the_bride_speech.asp


----------------------
Bridegroom:

Bride Groom Wedding Speech Tips
http://weddingspeeches.wedthemes.com/bride-groom-wedding-speech.htm


-----------------------
Maid of Honor:

Toasting: Tips & Etiquette for the Maid of Honor
http://www.theknot.com/ch_article.html?Object=A00523170823 

Maid of Honor Speech
http://www.bridesmaid101.com/maid_of_honor_speech.html


--------------------------
General:

Hitched
http://www.hitched.co.uk/speeches/index.asp

Fine Speeches
http://www.finespeeches.com/brunos_column/wedding_speeches_2003_03_creating_original_humour_1.html

California Bride Online
http://california-bride.com/wtspeech-tips.html

TACKY TOASTS
http://www.etiquettehell.com/weddingetiquette/TackyToasts/etoasts.htm 

Reception Toast Guidelines 
http://home.ivillage.com/entertaining/weddings/0,,1kk5,00.html 

?The I Do's And Don'ts To Creating The Perfect Wedding Toasts?
http://www.theperfecttoast.com/toastarticle002.asp 

?10 Tips for Writing a Wedding Speech or a Wedding Toast?
http://uk.topweddingsites.com/wedding_speeches_wedding_toasts.html 



------------------------------
Speech Consultants

The Perfect Toast
http://www.theperfecttoast.com/

Fine Speeches
http://www.finespeeches.com/ 

Speech Writers
http://www.speech-writers.com/weddings.htm 

Poem and Speech Writers Directory (Just Click on a City)
http://www.partypop.com/Categories/Poem_Speech_Writers.html 

Rhyme Shop
http://www.rhymeshop.com/

Instant Wedding Toasts
http://www.weduk.com/www/speech-writers.htm

Sparkling Speeches
http://www.sparklingspeeches.com/

Speech Success
http://www.speechsuccess.com/ 


-------------------------
Search strategy used: 

I first inserted the following types of wedding personalities: 

Bride, Groom, Best Man, Maid of Honor, Groomsman, Bridesmaid Bride's
Parents, Groom's Parents

Then I inserted the words: wedding speeches toast tips

I also searched for the terms: wedding speech writers


-------------------------
I hope these links would help you in your research. Before rating this
answer, please ask for a clarification if you have a question or if
you would need further information.
                 
Thanks for visiting us.                
                 
Regards,                 
Easterangel-ga                 
Google Answers Researcher

---

Request for Answer Clarification by factseeker-ga on 18 Jul 2005 13:08 PDT

That's great, but I was also looking for resources on the following:
"I'd also like to have sites included in the list that will have
information on how to deliver a speech effectively. How to prepare for
a speech and how to practice giving speeches."

Resources to help with the actual mechanics of effective speech
delivery. Not just content tips. For people that have never given
speeches, reading about and writing a wedding speech is one thing. But
actually delivering one is another.
For example, how to practice a speech (is it all about repetition?),
how do you remember what to say?, what to do if you're really
nervous?, etc.
So if you would please include sources that will help with the process
of learning how to give good speeches for novices, that would be
great. Doesn't have to necessarily focus on wedding speeches, just on
the delivery part.
Thanks!

---

Clarification of Answer by easterangel-ga on 18 Jul 2005 13:52 PDT

Hi thanks for coming back quickly.

Here are some resources about delivering speeches.

Delivery Tips for Wedding Speeches
http://www.hitched.co.uk/speeches/delivertips.asp
http://www.hitched.co.uk/speeches/delivertips2.asp

LESSON BLOCK: SPEECH DELIVERY
http://www.usna.edu/EnglishDept/Deliver.htm

The Top Ten Speech Preparation and Delivery Tips from Speechforyou.com
http://www.speechforyou.com/toptenspeechtips.cfm

How to Deliver a Speech 
http://www.ehow.com/how_3476_deliver-speech.html

Speaking Tips 
http://www.whollymatrimony.com/Planning/occasionalwords.html

Speech Anxiety
http://www.uiowa.edu/~c100298/anxiety.html

Delivery Techniques that Bring Your Words to Life
http://www.sheilaallee.com/speechtips/speak011902.htm

I hope these additional links would be of help.

Thanks again!

Thank you for the great resources. I'll have to go through each one
and pull it all together. I think an area I'd like to dig into more is
in ways to help people that are extremely nervous with giving
speeches. You know the kind... prepares a really great speech, then
gets tongue-tied while staring at a sea of eyes staring back at
them... ;-) Guess that all comes with practice. But I'm sure there's
great info on how to overcome that out there as well -- short of
hiring a speech coach that is. Although I also think that toastmasters
are a great way to break out of your shell.
If you come across anything else that might be helpful, please feel
free to post comments.
I asked for great web links and that's exactly what you delivered.
Hope the tip is ok.
Thanks again.

HI, 
This string will give you a very good start:

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=540253

oops. I didn't know the tip was going to show up in my rating. Hope
it's not too embarassing. That was my first question for Google
Answers.
Cheers.

Thanks for a the kind words, the 5 stars and for the generous tip!
Nothing to be ashamed at all, we are very greatful for these kinds of
gestures.

:)

Hi Factseeker,

Nervous and all that:  Practice is indeed the best - only - cure.  The
site for the maid of honor's toast is helpful on this, and not just
for her.

I would suggest that those who have no experience really do practice,
and not just sitting in their bedroom speaking their text but in front
of the family or at least one friend, standing up with a glass in
their hand.  They will be just about as nervous doing that the first
time as they can be, but it is only the first trial run.  For one,
that will convince them that they need to work on it, for another,
they can get feedback.  Some seemingly wonderful turns of phrase just
don't come across; thoughts and sentences to long to be delivered.
AND, having once tried, they will have support and encouragement to keep at it:
"When are you going to let us hear your speech again?"

But I am pretty sure Easterangel's sites will tell you much the same.
I have it behind me.  :-)

Good luck!
Myoarin



Somewhere down among the comments

I must say, looking into this is really fun for me. I'm not much of a
speaker, but reading up on it does help quite a bit. This will help a
lot.
Some of the questions from my friends include:
- how do I keep myself from saying the wrong things???
- how will I remember what to say?
etc. So this is great.
Thanks for all your comments. We're all going to have a good time at the wedding!

Greetings Factseeker,
As an erstwhile father of the bride, I can understand your finding
this exercise now more fun  - seeing solutions where there were just
question marks before.
I hope so.

If your friends' questions are directed here, I would repeat:

Practice with listeners, and ask them about the content.  Maybe "Great
Aunt Alice" would find something "off color" that others would only
smirk at.

And practicing is the only way to assure that you won't forget
something.  But there is nothing wrong with having notes if it is more
a speech than just a short toast.

And if it is really going to be the full battery of speakers, I expect
that there will have to be a planning session to clarify when each one
says their piece.  Despite each one's wanting to have his/her witty
remarks come as a surprise, you might insist that they stand up and
say their bit before the group, a final rehearsal so to speak.  This
will also be a spur to make sure that each is prepared.  It will also
be a chance to avoid more than one person's mentioning the hilarious
incident when the couple both fell in the pool  - or whatever.  ;-)

But be sure, it will be a grand occasion, even if someone completely
flubs his or her bit.

Have a great time, Myoarin