S is for Speeches

The denouement of dinner (we’ve always wanted to use that word!), the loveliness of lunch and the overall wonder of the wedding breakfast: the speeches are one of the moments you’ll want to remember forever. The usual order and tradition we’re sure you know: dad, praising daughter; groom giving thanks and best man making fun of said groom in every way imaginable. But tradition is being shaken up pretty regularly these days. It’s now normal for us to ask whether the bride gave her own speech, and often there’s a bridesmaid speech for good measure, or maybe a mum-of-the-bride instead of dad, or a duo of dad and step dad. Whatever the mix, we always make sure they get plenty of attention in any Illustry: one of our aims is to create one place to store all our clients’ memories, so that whenever they open their Illustry, they’re right back in the moment, every time.

We thought we’d share a couple of speech memories that we’ve gathered along the way. We love Kathryn’s tale of anticipating her dad’s lovely words about her only for him to spend twenty minutes telling jokes at her expense – there was a movie theme to her wedding, and dad introduced each story with a movie title for the guests to guess the embarrassing story about the bride coming up next. Or Rebecca, whose dad had to be brought to a halt by serving the hog roast. Natalie and Andrew’s best men did a great double act, but the groom stole the show by becoming rather emotional about them after little to eat and a hastily quaffed glass of champagne. Mel’s dad was unable to give his speech as he was suffering from shingles – no matter, he still managed to walk her down the aisle. And Naomi and Adam’s speeches were introduced by a midget ringmaster. It doesn’t come much more memorable than that!