Instructions for a Wedding Speech

This was supposed to be my entry for the Didcot Writers monthly competition back in June but I forgot to submit it. The theme was ‘toast’

Instructions for a Wedding Speech

Rather than have a best man panicking

About having to make a toast

I thought I’d offer instructions

Speaking in front of a crowd is scary

Even when you do it all the time

You should

Open with a joke

Understand your audience

Regale with tales of years gone by.

Give them a toast to remember

Let the couple know you care

A hope, dream or wish

Should be shared

Speak from the heart

Eloquence is required

Some gentle teasing is allowed

Permit me to offer another tip:

Last of all

End on a high

And remember to

Say the immortal

Ending line

(for further instructions, read down the side)