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“Jealous Witch”: Bride’s Sister Steals The Spotlight By Reading Groom’s Love Letter To Her
“Jealous Witch”: Bride’s Sister Steals The Spotlight By Reading Groom’s Love Letter To Her
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“Jealous Witch”: Bride’s Sister Steals The Spotlight By Reading Groom’s Love Letter To Her

Interview With Expert

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Wedding speeches are a common tradition and an essential part of the reception. They’re a great way for the couple and the guests to express love and gratitude for each other and can set the tone for a wholesome, fun, and memorable evening.

However, this bride’s sister used such a precious moment to make it all about herself. During her speech, she unexpectedly took out a love letter that the groom wrote to her when they were in the 8th grade.

Read further to find the full story and a conversation with Richard Ford, a wedding speech writer and coach from Life is a Speech, who kindly agreed to tell us what speakers should avoid, saving everyone some unnecessary awkwardness.

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    A wedding speech is a great way to express love and gratitude

    Image credits: Arjun adinata / pexels (not the actual photo)

    However, this bride’s sister used it to make it all about herself

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    Image credits: Pixabay / pexels (not the actual photo)

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    Image credits: Stephanie Lima / pexels (not the actual photo)

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    Image credits: anon

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    The author provided more information in the comments

    While including a few jokes in a wedding speech is fine, you don’t want to cross any lines

    Usually, wedding speeches should be short and sweet. While including a few jokes in it is totally fine, you don’t want to cross any lines and make everyone uncomfortable.

    Bored Panda contacted a wedding speech writer and coach from Life is a Speech, Richard Ford, who kindly agreed to share some things to avoid while planning to make a toast on such an occasion.

    Ford says that common mistakes people make are speaking for longer than 10 minutes and including inside jokes that might not resonate with every guest. “You may gain a few chuckles from the back, but newsflash: Aunt Jane wasn’t there, and she’s confused. If you talk about it, always give a short backstory to any tale you tell. ”

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    Some other pitfalls he recommends steering clear of are being too sentimental and including too many jokes, as they can distract from the purpose of the speech too much.

    One doesn’t have to be proficient in writing or public speaking, but whatever they say has to be sincere and somewhat appropriate. For this, Ford recommends keeping the speech PG-13.

    “Rule of thumb: if it would make your grandmother blush, it’s out! So that means no mention of past loves, single shenanigans, or that crazy holiday where the groom woke up in Mexico wearing nothing but a sombrero. Think of it like a dinner party, so no sex, religion, or politics either!”

    He adds, “Know your audience, as some are more of a grown-up affair, but sometimes it’s best to stay on the side of caution. Think of wedding speeches as a family film rather than ‘The Hangover’.  It’s fine to pepper it with a few cheeky/adult comments, but nothing that is going to give you a hard stare!”

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    If  a guest delivers a souring monologue, it’s time for the couple and guests to save the day

    Image credits: Mario Schafer / pexels (not the actual photo)

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    General topics to keep away from in a wedding speech are ex-relationships, as it can create discomfort and is generally considered as having poor taste. If you still go along and mention it, be sure to imply that their new partner has always been the one for them. Sensitive family matters should also be a no-go because it’s not the appropriate time to air grievances or touch on delicate issues.

    The final piece of advice from Ford for speakers would be to not get too drunk. “Nobody likes a sloshed speaker who ends up embarrassing the happy couple and yourself,” he says.

    When asked what the couple should do when a guest has delivered a souring monologue, Ford told us that they can definitely try to save the day. “If it was a cringe, toe-curling speech, then stepping up with the mic and saying “Well, that was certainly memorable” can diffuse any tension. If it was just poor, then words of encouragement go down well, and the speaker will probably be feeling bad themselves.  Any serious talking is best saved till afterward, and preferably another day; you don’t want it to become the focus of the wedding!”

    Ford also suggests offering support. “A reassuring smile or a gentle clap can go a long way. Show your support for the speaker; it’s about the effort, not the execution. Speak to whoever may have been upset or offended. Comfort them and remind them that the speaker never set out to hurt or upset them, and they were probably nervous.”

    He further mentions that it’s a good idea to ask what the speaker is going to say in advance. “You might be able to cut them off in their tracks before they get going. Also, be very clear with them what are 100% no-goes!”

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    Commenters expressed their surprise and even called her a jealous witch

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    Austeja Zokaitė

    Austeja Zokaitė

    Writer, Community member

    Read more »

    Hi, glad you swung by! My name is Austėja, and in the past, I was a writer at Bored Panda. In my time here, I’ve covered some fun topics such as scrungy cats and pareidolia, as well as more serious ones about mental health and relationship hiccups. You can check them out below! I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them:)

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    Austeja Zokaitė

    Austeja Zokaitė

    Writer, Community member

    Hi, glad you swung by! My name is Austėja, and in the past, I was a writer at Bored Panda. In my time here, I’ve covered some fun topics such as scrungy cats and pareidolia, as well as more serious ones about mental health and relationship hiccups. You can check them out below! I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them:)

    Gabija Saveiskyte

    Gabija Saveiskyte

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Hi there! I am a Visual Editor at Bored Panda. My job is to ensure that all the articles are aesthetically pleasing. I get to work with a variety of topics ranging from all the relationship drama to lots and lots of memes and, my personal favorites, funny cute cats. When I am not perfecting the images, you can find me reading with a cup of matcha latte and a cat in my lap, taking photos (of my cat), getting lost in the forest, or simply cuddling with my cat... Did I mention that I love cats?

    Read less »

    Gabija Saveiskyte

    Gabija Saveiskyte

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Hi there! I am a Visual Editor at Bored Panda. My job is to ensure that all the articles are aesthetically pleasing. I get to work with a variety of topics ranging from all the relationship drama to lots and lots of memes and, my personal favorites, funny cute cats. When I am not perfecting the images, you can find me reading with a cup of matcha latte and a cat in my lap, taking photos (of my cat), getting lost in the forest, or simply cuddling with my cat... Did I mention that I love cats?

    What do you think ?
    Libstak
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She humiliated herself and showed everybody how lucky the groom was to end up with the sister.

    varwenea
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Movie: Indiana Jones 3, Scene: The old crusader guarding the cups. The crusader turns to the groom, "you have chosen wisely".

    Cooking Panda
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Groom should've stood up and said "I'm glad my standard has gotten higher later on"

    Load More Comments
    Libstak
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She humiliated herself and showed everybody how lucky the groom was to end up with the sister.

    varwenea
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Movie: Indiana Jones 3, Scene: The old crusader guarding the cups. The crusader turns to the groom, "you have chosen wisely".

    Cooking Panda
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Groom should've stood up and said "I'm glad my standard has gotten higher later on"

    Load More Comments
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