Would you use AI to write a wedding speech?
“My dear friend, you have always been a beacon of light in my life. From the moment we first met, I knew our friendship was something special. We have shared countless laughs, tears, and unforgettable moments together, and today, I couldn’t be happier to witness you embark on this beautiful journey of marriage.”
Pretty sweet speech, right? We thought so too - especially since we got ChatGPT to write it for us.
And we’re hardly the only ones. Reports suggest that a surprisingly high number of spouses-to-be, maids of honour and best men are turning to unconventional, potentially expensive and arguably dystopian means to get their speeches in shape for the big day.
New solutions for writers’ block
For clichés like “I love you more than words can say” and “no doubt that your bond will only grow stronger with each passing day”, then ChatGPT’s AI-generated vows and toasts might be a safe bet. This method is not only free to use but the bot can be fed personal information to generate seemingly heartfelt speeches - granted that the delivery is pitch-perfect.
But for those looking for something slightly more personal (without the time or desire to put pen to paper themselves), then hiring a wedding speech ghostwriter is another option.
Described by journalist Katie Rosseinsky as “the rising wedding trend so secret most guests won’t notice it”, increasing numbers of spouses and guests have been employing this rather old-school method in recent years. “[Working with an expert] took a weight off my mind… it meant that on the day of the wedding, I was completely relaxed about it”, one father-of-the-bride told Rosseinsky for a piece in The Independent.
Let’s be real: there’s no shame in resorting to ChatGPT or hiring a wedding speech ghostwriter ahead of a wedding, particularly if it makes you feel better ahead of what’s often a pretty stressful day. But what if you don’t have the resources - or, indeed, the inclination?
How to write an almost-perfect speech
Firstly, remember that people have been writing toasts for *decades* - and your friends, family and even colleagues likely have some nuggets of wisdom to share. Ask them for details about memorable speeches they’ve heard and what they liked (or didn’t) about them. Take notes, compare answers and see what sticks out which you may be able to recycle for yourself.
If that fails, the internet is awash with step-by-step guides on how to write the ideal speech (the gist is: make sure to introduce yourself, share a few anecdotes and definitely remember to end it by raising a glass!).
While the sheer volume of information out there can be pretty overwhelming, we reckon there are a couple of key things worth doing when pulling a speech together:
First things first, plan ahead! This definitely doesn’t mean that you have to spend hours writing and rewriting your toast as you would a uni essay, but giving yourself plenty of time to crowdsource anecdotes about the happy couple or ask for your friends’ opinions is bound to make the whole process less stressful.
If you’re feeling uncertain about what to include, you can never go wrong with keeping it short and sweet.
And consider your audience! We couldn’t resist checking out this Buzzfeed piece on absolutely horrible wedding speeches - and while they might be on the most extreme end of the spectrum, it’s always worth considering whether the anecdotes you’re sharing will make anyone uncomfortable!
A lot of online advice warns against using clichés (see Metro’s list of no-nos when discussing newlyweds), but at The Know we take a slightly different approach. We think it’s okay to be simple, meaningful and kind of cliché - as long as you’re being yourself.
If you’ve been asked to give a speech, it’s likely because you know the couple well and care about them, and they care about you in return. No one’s expecting you to turn into the next Shakespeare or a stand-up comedian as soon as you step up on the stage.
A wedding toast doesn’t have to be earth-shatteringly great, or even particularly memorable. Just a sweet, sincere expression of love for a couple who are close to your heart. Really, what more could they ask for?