Wedding Speaches - before or after the meal?

[WeddingSpeaches]

Hi all.

My DD is getting married soon, and is deciding whether to have the speaches before or after the meal. There will be 5 speaches in total : Brides Dad, Grooms Dad, Best Man, Groom & Chief Bridesmaid.

Our opinions differ!

Would love to know what you would prefer, if you were a guest, and why?

Thanks!

I also think that if someone is that nervous / anxious about speaking in public, then ask someone else to do the speaking. It's not difficult.

Set a timer on your phone for 30 min (5x5 plus faffing time) and sit quietly on a dining chair with a pleased and respectful expression on your face, in party attire.

Just sit there attentively.

At the end of 30 min, evaluate if that is what you want your guests to endure.

Tbf what are they all going to be saying? 5 speeches of very similar ilk, no best man or dad will stick to 5 mins and it'll end being remembered as boring as fuck.

I went to a wedding where both parents of the groom made a speech, basically similar versions of his life story and how fantastic he is. Both went on for ages. Dreadful.

Exactly.

Everyone either knows the anecdotes they'll relate, or couldn't care less, or both.

"A toast to Irwin and Jenny for all happiness!" Is PLENTY. Please.

One before the starter
One before the main meal
One before dessert
One after dessert
One in the evening
Nothing worse as a guest than having to sit through long speeches.

Before the meal. Those doing them may be nice and it would be nice for them to get it over and done with and then everyone have their meal. Plus guests will be more engaging than after a belly full.

Plus guests will be more engaging than after a belly full.

I have to disagree with that.
Overwhelmingly, guest who have been fed / aren't hungry, and have relaxed, chatting with the others on their table, and who (in many cases) will have had a couple of glasses of wine, will be FAR more Receptive than those who are stone cold sober, and usually hungry.

Depends on the time of the ceremony, order of the day etc. Nothing worse at a wedding then making guests sit through 5 speeches when they are starving.

This. More merciful after the meal. But please only have two. Nobody really cares.

Before Meal. Lots of nibbles and drinks at reception then guests sit down for Speeches. Allows those giving speeches to get it over and done with(sorry) breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy their meal. By the time speeches have finished everyone will be ready for their starters.

Depends on the wedding timings and actual hospitality tbh. I’m sure I’m not the only one to be starving by the time it gets to meal time, sometimes because the wedding has been at lunchtime and then a couple of canapes have been passed round while everyone takes ages with photos.