Wedding speeches

[MoOaNdLiTtLePoPpEt]

:wave: i have been asked to do a small speech at my brothers wedding. At the ceremony...

i am thinking of reading a poem...one that suits them as a couple and their 3 children (they are a blended family).

Any ideas as how i could start the speech off?
i hate public speaking, but this is an honor...and i want it to be as beautiful as can be :)

and do i have to say where i got the poem from? recognize the writer?

any help appreciated
thanks

[rainbow road]

I wouldn't have a clue how to start it off as all the wedding speeches I have done have been songs or Shakespeare parodies with my aunt or mum or uncle (crazy family but oh so much fun!) so we just launch right into it...[We welcome you here from the park, to hear the tale of Jane and Mark whose love was sparked and thus they met with filthy jokes on work internet] etc etc

If you're going to acknowledge the poet I would do it like..."I think so and so best describes this couple in front of us...he wrote {and then say the poem} " or something like that.

I'm sure whatever you do will be loved and appreciated because it's clear you love the couple and will make a huge effort .

Good luck. Public speaking can be really daunting.

[MoOaNdLiTtLePoPpEt]

I have found a lovely poem...which really suits them to a tee...

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.
A good marriage must be created.
In marriage the little things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is at no time taking the other for granted;
the courtship should not end
with the honeymoon, it should continue through the years.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is standing together facing the world.
It is forming a circle of love that gathers the whole family.
It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice,
but in the spirit of joy. It is speaking words of appreciation
and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not looking for perfection in each other.
It is cultivating flexibility, patience,
understanding and a sense of humor.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow old.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal,
dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.
It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.

but i need to personalize the start and end....

[quaver]

my bil did a really lovely speech at our wedding. He started off just by thanking us and how proud he was for the oppotunity to speak at our wedding. He researched our surnames and found that on my family crest was a picture of an object that is my dh's last name (sorry trying to explain without saying my name!) He also had some examples of interesting people throughout history with our family names. and then said that there is nothing more special than when two families are joined together in marriage.

main thing is keep it short, look up, speak slower than you normally do. another tip is not to read the whole thing. there is always something that you can say that is from the heart that you dont have to write down even if it is short.
and you will be great! good luck!

[MoOaNdLiTtLePoPpEt]

thanks for the tips quaver!!!