Colonial and historical instances exist of poems ordered for specific occasions.  Longfellow immortalized the story of Priscilla and John Alden, with his poem, “the courtship of Miles Standish”.  The story goes that Standish was in love with Priscilla Mullins.  Considering himself not good with words, he requested John Alden, his friend to put to paper his feelings towards Priscilla, to win her heart with beautiful prose.  Alas, Alden finally won Priscilla’s hand and heart and Priscilla spoke her famous words, “Speak for yourself John,” thus ending up Alden’s wife instead of Standish’.

The fictitious story of Cyrano de Bergerac is similar. It too tells a story of a person hiring a better skilled communicator to prose and verse the sentiments.  People often use love poems and prose, famous or not so famous, for their own weddings.  This may be a song, story, or movie theme.  Whatever the choice it will most often not be equal to verse or prose written for the occasion for specific people, using specific anecdotes.  Commissioning custom written verse, prose or speech would be perfect for a wedding.  Guests can relate to certain quotes and on the whole it will be personal, anecdotal and full of sentiment to all present.  A freelance poet is the person to find for this job.

A freelance poet should be given everything experienced together and about each other.  This will in turn help the freelance poet to write up an evocative, significant and eloquent speech that those not good with words would be unable to do.  The modest cost is well worth the expense as it will immensely compensate with joy and leave the guests thrilled and hanging onto every word.

Custom Speeches need not only be written for the bride or groom but could be for a friend of either, the best man or father of the bride or groom, an uncle and so many more.  Those adept with words and who have a knack for the use of the language can do marvels with even the simplest of speeches that can leave both the customer and guests with their breaths taken away.  In addition to remembering the speech or poem or prose for years to come at family get togethers and having it inscribed in peoples’ minds for posterity. That moment in time will never be lost but engraved forever in the hearts and minds of everyone at the gathering.

The internet has several sites where one can find those with a knack for poetry or prose can write up specific, custom speeches or poetry for any occasion and for any person.  All great speeches by politicians were written by a great speechwriter.  A custom speech is well worth the while for a wedding too.

As the mother of the bride it is for you to make a speech which will impress the guests attending the ceremony as well as the couple who will be man and wife to start life together. The father of the groom toasts the bride first and then the mother of the bride delivers her speech. There may be a long list of invitees who may be asked to speak at this occasion but it is good for the mother to be ready any time she is asked to be on stage.

To keep the interest of the invitees, the speech must have a lot of humor and wit. You can start by remembering when your daughter first introduced you to her beau or happy incidents at the family outing. Your speech must welcome the groom into your family and make him feel very special. Tell him how happy you are to have him as your son-in-law.

This gesture of warm compliments about the groom’s family will help in bonding between the two families and show that you are happy that your daughter has found such a good husband. It is important to convey your thanks to those who have made a special contribution in the preparations of the wedding or to thank someone who has traveled a long distance to participate in this occasion.
Toast the newly weds as a couple to their health and happiness. Don’t forget to tell your daughter how much she means to you. The punch lines have to be sincere, let the speech be brief, sparkle with humor and love – the secret to making an everlasting impression on all those present at this grand occasion.

·        It is of course common sense that the best man prepares for the occasion from a few weeks before the actual date.  This is vital as otherwise, at the last minute, it can lead to a highly stressful situation making it impossible to put down anything in writing.  Planning ahead and working on a working draft for some time takes away the stress completely.

·        It is your friend’s wedding day. A day he and his bride will want to remember all their lives.  It may indeed be very popular in the television and movies, but to speak about embarrassing anecdotes during the best man’s speech is in very poor taste.  Therefore, do not include stories of sinful behavior of bachelor days.  Weddings are also occasions when older relatives of both sides will be present. It will offend their sense of propriety to listen to such stories, though they may be an attempt at humor.

·        Insider jokes, meaningful only to the bridal couple and perhaps a handful of intimate friends too, are to be avoided.  They may well be a source of great merriment to the couple getting married, but for the rest, it will be over their heads and can cause embarrassment to them when some can appreciate and laugh, and they are unable to join in.

·        A sure to succeed formula is to keep the best man speech short, sweet and to the point. Do not make the mistake of thinking that long speeches are expected from the best man.  They are not.  Long speeches can cause the guests to lose interest and get bored. The most remembered best man speeches have always been brief and well prepared.

·        Bombastic speeches using fancy words are strictly to be avoided when giving best man speeches.  Using unfamiliar and rarely used words can cause discomfort to both the speaker and the listeners.  Use simple every day words and phrases to be effective.

·        Taking some one’s help to prepare the speech and the toast and to rehearse it before some trusted friend/s and family members, will be a good way to prepare for the final day. Such an audience will not only help in rehearsing, they can also add insights to be added to the speech.  This will ensure that the speech is delivered effectively, in full, and in the way intended.

·        Apart from rehearsing before a live audience, it will be good idea to do so a number of times before a mirror, or by taking a movie in a camcorder, replaying it, and editing it a few times etc, so that enough confidence is built up before the event.  This will enable the best man to actually hear how he sounds and appears beforehand so that he can correct himself if he feels the need.  If done properly, he will sound natural and effective when the actual speech is delivered.