AIBU to wonder why wedding speeches are still so popular?

[PolkaDotted]

Does anyone actually enjoy them? I guess some do but they're so long and tedious. Also I feel sorry for the poor Best man who has to try and be funny, and often they're awkward, overly crude and embarrassing.

I went to one wedding where the maid of honour gave a 'speech'. II can't describe it too specifically as it's probably outing but basically it involved a large number of guests all contributing and turned the whole room into a raucous display of affection for the bride and groom. It was awesome.

I went to another where the best man rambled on for 40 minutes discussing, in detail, the time he took the groom to hospital for testicular torsion. There weren't even jokes.

I'm in the minority it seems! Bloody hate them and most are dull and clichéd, a few have been downright awful (and a few have been moving or funny tbf!)

I once sat through one where the groom was telling a 'funny' story about how when he first met his wife he thought she was a prostitute. I'm pretty sure it was downloaded from a website but it wasn't really clear that it was made up and when the punchline came it just ended with him insulting her and an awkward silence. Truly cringeworthy.

Even the few funny ones I've heard don't make up for that!

I love wedding speeches. And maybe having a sweepstake on how long they'll last.

isn't it just a tradition? I mean don't have them at your wedding, but perhaps other people might like them at their weddings.

when the punchline came it just ended with him insulting her and an awkward silence

Oh god, did the bride cry? Care? Flounce?

She didn't look best pleased but nothing obvious during the reception, no idea if words were had later on! To be honest it was obviously a misguided attempt to be funny rather than a genuine insult iyswim

If there must be speeches it should be men and women speaking, not just one sex.

Totally agree! My sister and I gave speeches at each other's weddings, and I gave a speech when I was maid of honour for my best friend.

I went to one where the bride’s father had died. Her brother gave a speech but when he mentioned the dad, he started loudly sobbing and couldn’t continue. The room was completely silent, but somebody thought he was joking and laughed really loudly- a proper hoot. Everyone very politely pretended not to hear.

We didn't have them. Its not my thing at all. I wouldn't have wanted to stand up and talk personally, wouldn't have wanted someone talking about me and drawing everyone's full attention to me, and I knew my dad wouldn't really have enjoyed it either.

For others - it depends. Short and sweet, heartfelt but not corny - and for the vast number of people: don't try and be funny throughout, unless your job is an actual comedian as most ordinary people really can't pull it off. Don't refer to in jokes which excludes most of your guests, and dont try and be rude or sexist either. And please keep it short!Few people are actually that great at public speaking - its a lost art for many.

Ours were really good! In fact several people have commented on them since!
We had My DH, Dad, and Me. Strict 5 minute limit each (my dad is a rambler and my mum cut about a third of his speech out of the middle).
I also can't bear the "men-only talking" so was determined to say something even though I'm not much of a speech-maker. I basically thanked everyone for coming, and ILs for being so welcoming, and said how blessed we were to have such lovely friends etc. Congratulated my parents as it was their 30th anniversary the month before. Mine was about 3 minutes total lol.

That said, I've just remembered a really cringe one I went to last year - the FOB's speech started with her conception.. eugh.
The best man was the groom's brother, and he was really funny though, he started with "X's a bit of a dick, when I was a teenager he used to flick teabags at me in my white skinny jeans"... lol

I usually enjoy speeches but at the last wedding I went to, the mother of the groom wouldn't stop complaining about not being mentioned in her son's speech (she'd had quite a bit to drink) and it cringed me out.. hoping to avoid that at our wedding! But I know my Dad will do a great speech.

It's ok if the best man or whoever are confident speakers or naturally funny but I've known some be so nervous that it's ruined the day and they've had to get wasted just to be able to have the courage to stand and speak.
The very worst ones are the ones which are copied from online, usually funny but unoriginal and used over and over again. And as for that 'raise a toast' routine where they hold up a slice of bread...don't.