Sister of the groom wedding speech

[Kata0915]

Hello 👋

So, my brother is getting married this summer and I've been asked to do a speech at his wedding breakfast. I'm quite honoured really as I am the only member of our family doing a speech and he doesn't even have a best man, so no best man speech. Therefore, I feel I need to add a good measure of embarrassment as well as sisterly love. I've got a few good stories from childhood to tell.

I'm wondering if anyone has had to do a similar speech and if you have any pointers for me to make it as epic as possible please 🙏

Thank you in advance 😁

Speak slowly

Leave lots of pauses

That's all I've got!

I'd add 'keep it short'

I'd go easy on the embarrassing stories.

At a wedding recently I cringed at the best man speech which served to humiliate the groom and bride, and was really not appropriate for the mixed age audience at the reception!

My advice would be to keep it lighthearted.

Lots of positives about both of them and their relationship.

Yes short and sweet.

Keep it brief, speak clearly, and really think if embarrassing him is the best course of action. That can backfire spectacularly, and I've witnessed it. This is his wedding. Don't risk marring it with inappropriate, unnecessary stories.

It's actually really nasty to think that you want to embarrass him. I know that you will think it's funny but many people I will think you are a complete bitch if you do that. Just say lovely positive things about both of them and how lucky they are to have met each other and how much you are looking forward to having his new wife as your sister-in-law. Then sit down, and shut up!

Well actually, he fully expects some embarrassing stories and was giving me some examples of things he thinks will be in the speech earlier today! So I will be throwing a a couple in because it's in fitting with our family banter. So it's not nasty, it's quite normal for us. I don't really know the bride so I won't have anything to say about her specifically, my speech will be ended with how proud I am of him and happy I am for him to have finally found his forever family etc.

Thanks sweetie for your feedback, but you don't know our family and he fully expects and wants the funny stories to be shared. It's very in keeping with our family.

He wants the stories to be shared. There will only be 3/4 short ones from young childhood. It's very in keeping with our family banter. Its not going to be overloaded with embarrassment. Just a few funny things about him.

Oh no, definitely talk about the bride too! I’ve never heard a wedding speech that ignored either the bride or groom but would probably assume that there was some bad blood if you left her out…

If you don’t know her well just gush about how happy she makes your brother and what a great couple they make.

I would say you have to say some embarrassing stories - nothing malicious but just something witty!
How lovely he has asked you x

Thank you, yes it'll only be a couple of funny stories from childhood, like when he ran away but no one knew until he reversed charged a phone call home to my mom from the payphone on the next street asking if he could come home 🤣.

I'm so pleased he's asked me.

embarrassment should be based on little personality quirks and silly childhood stories, nothing dodgy or sexual!

Oh yes of course there will be kind mention of her, I meant I don't have any experiences with her. They didn't invite anyone from my brother's side of the family to the hen do, so we have never had chance to meet or get to know each other.

How condescending. How is PP supposed to "know your family"? You asked on a public forum.

As a wedding guest the embarrassing stories are often so uncomfortable to sit through.

You really think I'd have dodgy/sexual stories about my little brother? 😬

Maybe for you! And I appreciate you sharing your opinion and calling me a bitch. Good night sweetie

They're more funny childhood stories than embarrassing stories a best man would tell, I don't have that kind of relationship with my brother to tell cringy stuff.

I think OP sounds like she'll do a great job. My sister spoke at my wedding as my dad couldn't face it and it was great! She told some funny childhood stories with plenty of teasing and wrapped up with a sweet statement about my DH, it was perfect. Honestly, you know your brother best and there is a reason he asked you, so I'm sure it'll be fantastic. Ignore all the weird comments on here, some posters love being killjoys. Enjoy!!! Xx

For the serious bit.
*Thank everyone for coming.
*Say something nice about db.
*Say something nice about dsil.
*Thank the brides parents for welcoming db into their family.
*Say how excited you and your dps are to welcome dsil into your family.
*Thank the groomsmen and bridesmaids
*Special mention for anyone who can't be there eg deceased grandparents if there are any
*End with raising your glass "ladies and gentlemen could you be upstanding for the new Mrs and Mrs x"
Cheers everyone
Stick your embarrassing stories wherever you feel appropriate 😁

I didn't see where I called you a bitch. But if the shoe fits. Enjoy your evening.

Thank you so much! Exactly! I think people seem to think I'm going to give dodgy sexual stories about my brother like some of the wierd best man speeches 🤣. I'm literally telling stories about him running away to the phone box on the next street and his little obsession with fire when he was a kid 🤣. Nothing cringy at all x

Thank you so much for the very kind and helpful reply. It's much appreciated in this forum of crazy 🤣

They never called you a bitch. 🙄

Keep it personal. Not too many longwinded thank yous as its so boring. Keep a cheerful smile and change your tone so its not all one tone. Maybe move a small bit so not stuck in one spot.
And as said already speak slowly. The biggest mistake people make is allowing nerves to make them race through it. I love hearing a few stories about their childhood and hate lots of thanks stuff. If you are speaking on behalf of your parents do mention them too.