5 Informal Wedding Invitation Wording Examples

Many people choose a very formal presentation style for their wedding invitations. They will use phrases like:

‘We request your presence at…’

‘We would be honored if…’

‘Would would like the pleasure of your company at…’

‘You are cordially invited…’

These sorts of phrases can be perfect for some weddings, but they will be out of place at others, and people don’t always want to strike a chord like that. Other people are holding relaxed and friendly weddings, and they should try to send out relaxed and friendly invitations to match:

‘Come join the fun at…’

‘Help us celebrate our special day on…’

‘We can’t wait to see you at…’

‘We invite you to help us create the happiest day of our lives on…’

‘Help us be a prince and princess for a day on…’

Many wedding invitations make use of very old-fashioned phrasing. Even people that aren’t normally traditionalists will make use of traditionalism when they get married. Marriage is an old and vaunted institution, and it tends to attract traditionalist sentiments. It isn’t surprising that many people have been using the same phrasings for wedding invitations for decades or centuries, which is why old-fashioned phrasings tend to show up in wedding invitations a lot.

Removing archaic phrasings from wedding invitations automatically makes them seem more casual. Using more commonplace language helps lighten things up a little. Adding jokes can also lighten them, unsurprisingly. Saying things like ‘if all goes according to plan, we’ll be married,’ or ‘join us on the first day of the rest of our lives’ can create some levity. Using casual language on a wedding invitation doesn’t mean that the people involved aren’t taking their weddings seriously. They’re just trying to create a friendly atmosphere, signalling that their wedding parties are going to be fun for everyone involved.

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April 9, 2015

2 Wedding Theme Ideas

Planning a wedding or participating in one? Yeah! I’m jealous. Let me help you pick a theme….

Tropical Beach

Invitations simple, very simple as the first thing you want them to see and have them immediately be put on the beach is the tropical tree stamp that you’ll place right on the center of the flap. Boom! They’re excited and the rest of it just needs to be informational.
The trick to this is the flowers. If you can find the big pink lotus flower or some other large flower that catches your eye, have the Bridesmaids wear them in their hair and carry just one.
Dress style is a sarong wrap of the most beautiful, bright colors you can find. These are so easy to make and a lot of fun. Simple pattern, material is inexpensive and everyone is relaxed but gorgeous.
Groomsmen your choice, beach shorts or nice black blacks, tropical shirt with a lei.
Everyone in sandals or barefoot, your choice.
The cake is of your choice…just top it with a tropical tree and a bride & groom miniature standing under it. I’ve seen them, check you craft stores.
Have the large flowers you chose for the Bridesmaids in large bunches around the reception room. Because they are large flowers, you will only need four or five bunches, depending on the size of the room.
If there’s a steel drum band in the area, you might be able to book them for just a short time as everyone is arriving at the reception.
You will simply be amazed at how relaxed the entire event will be! So relax, get married!

Alice in Wonderland

The Bridesmaids dresses will be knee length, spaghetti straps or strapless in a very soft blue satin. One inch pink satin band along the bottom of the dress and around the waist. Choose a simple pattern or patterns and give yourself plenty of time to make the dresses. The styles don’t have to match, just the colors.
Bouquets are the color pink and flower of your choice.
The groom and groomsmen are looking sharp in top-hats, long tails with the boutineer, bowtie and cummerbund light blue satin to match dresses.
The cake is a 3-tier in white with bright red frosting/flowers and a top-hat tilted as the topper. Have the icing be very fluffy. It can be made by someone who has some experience in cake decorating so a professional would not need to be hired. Super easy! You can buy the tier utensils at any craft shop, make the cake of your choice, white icing, and arrange red flowers between each tier. Fill it very full so that the flowers are flowing with the white icing as background. Crown the cake with a Top Hat!
Arrange bunches of flowers, the same as you used in the cake, on tables or just on the wedding party’s table to accent the theme.
You truly don’t have to spend a lot of money on your wedding. It’s a happy occasion, not a stressful one.

March 27, 2015

Los Angeles Wedding Locations

It is definitely not a secret that Los Angeles offers a wide range of unique and exotic places for weddings. From typical to unexpected, there are many unconventional ideas of places where couples can unite in marriage in Los Angeles, but some of them stand out more than others due to their one-of-a-kind atmosphere that is able to transmit an unforgettable vibe. The following are the top locations for weddings that will take place in Los Angeles. All these locations have been able to attain numerous of positive reviews on countless of reputable online sites where people are allowed to express their thoughts on services that they have used. They are definitely worth the time of day for anybody who is thinking about getting married (read below).

Santa Monica Pier

There is just something romantic about a couple exchanging vows on the beach with bare feet touching the water while waves are becoming visible. The beach in Santa Monica is one of the most picturesque places in the city where you are able to attain that feeling. For the reception, high rollers can go to a higher level and celebrate at the Santa Monica Pier, near the beach. This iconic site has 12 amusement park attractions, including the first Ferris wheel in the world to be powered by solar energy. In the present amusement parks, guests can eat typical dishes such as hot dogs and Churros. Of course, you can attain personalized meals if you prefer.

The Castle Green

Located just east of Los Angeles, Pasadena, The Castle Green is one the most recognizable and unique monuments of the area: a house of seven stories that blends Arab, Spanish and Victorian influences. It is a building that is used in many films and television series, but people use it to get married. The lush and meticulously designed gardens of this place are the ideal to take wedding photos.

Red Horse Barn

The experience of a rustic wedding can be obtained at Red Horse Barn, privately owned ranch in Huntington Beach: a place that exudes the natural beauty of Southern California. This area is in an enclosed courtyard that contains a large amount of white roses, a picturesque gazebo, and a stone fountain. The outdoor lawn can accommodate up to 400 guests, who can also access a beautifully designed interior that has comfortable sofas and bathrooms. However, the most popular feature is that the Red Horse Barn offers horseback riding for wedding guests. That definitely adds an equestrian detail to any wedding celebration.

Hollywood Forever

Getting married in a cemetery has some obvious pretty creepy connotations. Hollywood Forever Cemetery is not typical. It is the final resting place of some of the brightest stars of Hollywood. The remains of movie legends as Rudolph Valentino and Jayne Mansfield rest in the picturesque tranquility of this iconic cemetery. Hollywood Forever, a popular venue that can be rented for parties and events (including weddings), cannot meet the tastes of all couples, but certainly guarantees that wedding guests will have a night that they will never forget.

March 19, 2015

Engagement Photo Locations In Los Angeles

What better way to announce your engagement than through amazing and unique engagement photos? If you live in the Los Angeles area, you are in luck because there are a number of spectacular venues to choose from, ranging from super romantic to quirky and fun. Let’s look at just a few of our favorite spots to head to for incredible photos that you will love to show off.

Palos Verdes

There is no shortage of picturesque spots that are prefect for engagement photos in Palos Verde. With a tiered landscape, bluff tops, coves, and wide open spaces of lush landscaping, you could spend all day taking one great photo after another. However, one of the best spots is under a gorgeous tree that overlooks the coast line.

Manhattan Beach

Even on the coldest, most dreary day of the year, Manhattan Beach is a great place for engagement photos. With one of the best looking piers in Los Angeles County, it also offers protection from the rain, which is awesome if you do not want to have to come back out another day. Adventurous couples may even enjoy heading out to the shore while it is raining for photos that are almost guaranteed to be romantic and mesmerizing.

Los Angeles Art District

Known for showcasing some truly astonishing graffiti masterpieces, the Art District. The large, colorful murals provide a one of a kind backdrop that will set your photos apart from other engagement photos. This is perfect for unique couples who want something totally different.

Los Angeles Zoo

Who would have thought that the L.A. Zoo would be a great place for an awesome engagement photo opportunity? For fun shots, couples may like to pose alongside the vintage photo booths, in front of the animals, or in one of the cute couple photo cutouts that are located around the zoo. Don’t worry; there are a ton of chances for romantic photos thanks to all the splendid landscaping.

Walt Disney Concert Hall

Downtown Los Angeles

A popular spot for engagement, wedding, and fashion photography, the Walt Disney Concert Hall provides a beautiful location for truly gorgeous photos. The stunning architecture, great lighting, and natural beauty of the area offer a ton of visual inspiration that will head to spectacular moments caught on film.

Venice Canals

Carroll Ct & Eastern Canal Ct

If you want a backdrop that is filled with ritzy homes complete with grand architecture and vintage bridges, Venice Canals is a great spot. For photos that are even more perfect, take a bottle of champagne and send the couple out on a short boat ride. (What better way to show how great a team they are going to make?)

Venice Beach

With a wide array of outstanding murals featuring bold colors and various textures, as well as amazing architecture and of course, the beach, Venice Beach offers plenty of great spots for a truly magical engagement photo shoot. For quirky shots, head over to one of the street performers and ask if the couple can pose along with them.

Griffiths Park Observatory

If you like the idea of having your engagement photos taken under the cover of darkness, Griffiths Park Observatory is a great option. The Los Angeles night skyline acts as a great backdrop. Of course, you can also head to Observatory during the day. The views of the valley below look just as great in the daylight, plus there are several short trails that provide great spots among nature.

Los Angeles really is a wonderful city for engagement photos. From the gorgeous beaches to various areas full of lush landscaping and even a number of urban options, there is no limit to the number of places to head for a great photo shoot.

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March 13, 2015

Wedding Photography Tips

When shooting a wedding for the first time, it is important that you understand the various techniques so that you can showcase the couple’s special day and make the photos look good. With wedding photography, there are many dos and don’ts, and you need to familiarize yourself with these things well in advance. If you want to discover these things quickly, then take the following tips into consideration when planning the photography session:

Get a “Must Have” List of Shots from the Couple

Almost every couple that you photograph weddings for will have a list of specific shots that they want you to capture. Most of these shots include their kiss after they are officially married, a shot of them cutting the cake, and even images of them with their bridal/groom parties and special family members. Make sure that you talk with the engaged couple well before the wedding so that you know exactly what they want so you don’t disappoint them.

You May Need to Over-Expose Some Photos

Depending on the lighting that you are working with, you may need to over-expose some photos to make sure that the bride’s wedding dress actually shows up as white (not gray, and assuming her dress is actually white and not some other color). Now, it should be noted that you do not want to over-expose so that people look washed out or so that the dress looks bright, but you do need to adjust the exposure settings a bit so that everything looks natural and exactly the way it is supposed to.

Don’t Make it Obvious You’re Taking Pictures

While you will definitely need to get close to the bride and groom to take pictures of them, they don’t want you to invade their personal space or to make your presence openly known. This day is about them, so they should be the focus, not you. Therefore, stand at a reasonable distance from them but in a place where you can still get a good shot, and take all of the pictures in each room at that distance, if possible. Don’t make yourself look intrusive, or else you’ll be seen as annoying–by the guests, the wedding party, and even the couple.

Don’t Be Afraid to Catch Candids

Even though the bride and groom have already given you a list of shots that they will want you to capture, that doesn’t mean you have to rigidly stick to only those shots. If you see a cute or candid moment occurring during the wedding ceremony or reception, then by all means, shoot that photo. When the bride and groom see it, they will be pleasantly surprised and will most likely appreciate the fact that you took that shot.

Get a Shot of the Dress

Most brides don’t keep their wedding dresses forever. Often, they sell or give away the dress after the ceremony, and as a result, they need photos that they can remember the dress by. Therefore, it is imperative that you take one or two pictures of the dress itself before the bride puts it on, as this will help her remember it in all its beauty.

Shooting a wedding photo session doesn’t have to be difficult, as long as you have all the proper knowledge and equipment. Now that you’ve read the tips mentioned above, hopefully your first wedding photography session goes well, and the following sessions will follow along just as smoothly.

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March 4, 2015

Los Angeles Bar Mitzvah Locations

Los Angeles has plenty of excellent venues for holding a bar or bat mitzvah party. Los Angeles is a very diverse area, even by the standards of most other big cities. Families will have different ideas when it comes to choosing the best venue for a bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah celebration, but there have been plenty of areas within Los Angeles for them to consider.

Taglyan Cultural Complex

The Taglyan Cultural Complex is a fantastic upscale choice for holding a bar or bat mitzvah, especially for people that are planning on inviting a lot of guests. The dance floor is extremely spacious, and it has a gorgeous and expansive ceiling overhead. There’s a beautiful garden outside, so guests are already going to be impressed before they even walk inside and join the party. Many reviews of the Taglyan Cultural Complex have indicated that the staff is very helpful and pleasant as well, which should make the stress of organizing a bar or bat mitzvah party that much easier to handle.

SmogShoppe

The SmogShoppe is another very popular venue for celebrations in Los Angeles, and it is also one of the perfect places to hold a bar or bat mitzvah celebration. Many people have specifically praised this venue for its unique and artistic character. It doesn’t look like the generic party venue, which is going to make any party held there all the more memorable. The glowing reviews of the SmogShoppe point to a place that somehow manages to be stylish, rustic, and vintage all at the same time.

Mark For Events

Plenty of people choose the Mark for Events as a venue for their bar and bat mitzvah celebrations, and they couldn’t be more satisfied with the results. The Mark for Events can accommodate hundreds of guests, but a small party of under fifty guests still isn’t going to feel out of place. The guests should definitely be satisfied with the setup of the place. The Mark of Events even has valet parking available, which has a way of brightening almost any event. People that want a very luxurious bar or bat mitzvah party will get it when they hold their celebration at the Mark of Events in Los Angeles.

Skirball Cultural Center

The Skirball Cultural Center initially seems like a somewhat unconventional choice for a party venue of any kind, since it’s also a museum. However, there are plenty of people that actively like the idea of staging an event at a museum, and the Skirball Cultural Center is a popular events venue in Los Angeles. People that want a different spin for their bat or bar mitzvah celebrations could consider the Skirball Cultural Center, which has attracted some positive reception as both a museum and a celebration venue.

loftSEVEN

The loftSEVEN Penthouse is another picturesque choice for a bat or bar mitzvah celebration. It’s an excellent events venue that has a very modern and stylish atmosphere indoors. Going there almost feels like being at a fancy nightclub. The loftSEVEN Penthouse may be the ideal choice for a lot of people planning their bar or bat mitzvah celebrations.

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February 25, 2015

Bar / Bat Mitzvah Photographer In Los Angeles

A Bar or Bat Mitzvah is a momentous occasion in the life of someone raised within the Jewish culture. Families will often go out of their way in order to commemorate the occasion and truly bring it to life. Naturally, they’re also going to want to keep detailed records of the day so everyone will be able to remember it properly. It’s not any different in Los Angeles CA.

Bar and Bat Mitzvah Preparation

Planning a Bar or Bat Mitzvah can be somewhat more complicated than planning other important events. The Bar or Bat Mitzvah is a celebration that is specific to people within the Jewish community, so these sorts of celebrations are going to be more niche than others by definition. Finding photographers that specialize in both weddings and anniversaries is easy, but finding photographers that also photograph Bar and Bat Mitzvahs demands more effort.

Many people choose to hold the party at their local synagogue. If they live in area where that’s common, they’ll have to try to reserve a date in advance, since there’s going to be a lot of competition for it. Other people will rent out party venues. Banquet halls, hotels, and even some university buildings are popular locations for these sorts of celebrations. It’s even more important to start planning far in advance when it comes to venues like these, which are going to be booked up even earlier.

Planning a party like this is very complicated, and some people may choose to hire planners that are similar to wedding planners. Some party planners will also specialize in Bar or Bat Mitzvah planning. It’s often a good idea to search specifically for these people rather than contact well-known party planners to ask them if they will also plan Bar or Bat Mitzvahs. Some planners simply wouldn’t know what they were doing. However, there are a number of individuals, especially in the Los Angeles area, that more or less do this for a living.

Bar and Bat Mitzvah Photography

Some families should ask around when they’re planning the celebrations for their children. They won’t be the first people to have been in this situation before that point, and there’s a very good chance that someone within their community will be familiar with a photographer that specializes in Bar or Bat Mitzvahs. Word-of-mouth inquiries are still valuable, even in the Information Age, specifically because it’s easier to get reliable information about the quality of a given photographer. However, plenty of photographers that specialize in Bar or Bat Mitzvahs do advertise their services.

In the Los Angeles area, for instance, Sterling Tyler is a photographer that specializes in photography for the Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration. He has his own website, complete with examples of his work, so people can have some idea of the product in question. Curtis Dahl is an even more famous and well-regarded photographer that works within the same general area. He specializes in other types of photography as well, giving him a diverse professional background. Los Angeles is a large and famous city, so it is going to attract plenty of talented individuals.

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February 13, 2015

10 Los Angeles Wedding Ideas On A Budget

Let’s face it. In this day and age, everything is expensive. The cost of everything seems to keep going up while the amount of pay stays the same or does not go up to match the growing cost of living. Weddings are no different when it comes to being expensive. A movie called Father of the Bride focused on the costs of his daughter’s wedding, and the dad’s reaction to it. I am sure in Los Angeles weddings are expensive as well, but I am going to help you brides out that are in need of finding a place to be married that will not break the bank. The Angelus is one of these places.

1

The Angelus is at the very top of Pasadena. It has a beautiful view of downtown Los Angeles, plus way beyond on a day when the weather is good. It is in a foresty area, and it is a joyful fun time in a forest. The price for renting the whole place is very economical. The low for renting the mess hall with a beautiful only and the three cabins that are available for only $2500. That is a great deal! Wanting an outdoorsy option that will help the environment? Nature Friends is the choice for you.

2

Economical and environmental are two words to describe Nature Friends. You can have your wedding with up to seventy guests for only $1500. It is a dream for someone who loves the outdoors, with a gorgeous and a majestic view, along with a fantastic and marvelously homey cabin as the focus of your wedding. The low price for weddings is only $1500 and they are an environmental organization that helps the environment. You get an lower-priced wedding and help the environment, which is wonderful for everyone involved. If you are a believer in the rights of women, then the Thursday Club is the place for your wedding.

3

The Thursday Club is an La Canada-Flintridge building with a lot of history behind it. It was built in the 1900’s about the time women were trying to obtain suffrage. Since they are interested in helping women, they only charge $1500 per wedding also. For this low price, you get a beautiful kitchen, a lovely courtyard, a gorgeous garden, and a grand hall with a Spanish theme (including chandeliers) makes planning a wedding or any event very easy. You can also bring your own bottle, have easy-to-access and free parking, very inexpensive table rentals, and a wonderful stage are just additional benefits. If you like old-time places, then the Oviatt Penthouse would be the perfect place for you to get married.

4

The Oviatt Penthouse was built in 1928. It only recently opened to the public and for events. For the standard price of $2700-$4000, this five-room penthouse has a lot of Lalique crystal, glass, and marble that all came from France. The outdoor patio is magnificent, especially at nighttime when the buildings around it and the clock tower shine around you. There is also a “powder room”, velvet carpets, many bars, tables, chairs, your choice of linens are part of the package of being married there, along with many places to take pictures, tasty food that is designed around what you want, what you dream about, and any ethnic food that you may need. Another low-cost wedding location in Los Angeles is the Albertson Wedding Chapel.

5

The wedding chapel at Albertsons is very sought after. The wedding packages start at $249, and it includes fresh flowers at the alter. For the additional fee of $99, can get a DVD of your wedding, $225 will get you a cellist to play during your ceremony, $85 for your bouquet and the boutonnieres, and $150 for the basic picture package.

6

Philippes, another wonderful location, is owned by the person who invented the french dip sandwich. At this affordable Los Angeles restaurant, a private lunch in their banquet hall starts at $12.50 per person. It has a lot of history in Los Angeles and is a well-sought after place to eat and would be perfect for your wedding and reception. As I mentioned, Philippe Mathieu, who invented the french dip owns this place and he opened it in 1908.

7

If you are looking for an historical location to get married, then Traxx is the place for you. Traxx is a historic and affordable wedding locale in Los Angeles. Their design combines Spanish colonial, art deco, and modern architecture. Lunch and dinner prices start at fifty dollars per person. You can get appetizers for an additional fifteen dollars per person. Union Station is an art based place to have a wedding.

8

Union Station has a variety of Mission Revival, Southwestern, Spanish, Moorish, and Art Deco on the inside and outside of the station. The Main Station is an economical place to get married because they can host up to five-hundred people and can be rented for $5,350, which does not include fees and services. The restaurant can host 150 people is for rent for $3,950, plus fees and services. If you want an outdoor reception, the South Patio can host up to five hundred people and rents for $2,350. If you are wanting a wedding with a ethnic twist, then the Empress Pavilion is just the place for you.

9

The Empress Pavilion has a very low-cost banquet hall wedding in Los Angeles. The meal is only $318 for ten people. If you want a Moroccan style wedding, then the Hotel Figueoroa may be a great place for you to look into.

10

The Hotel Figueoroa is decorated with a lot of glamour with a Moroccan theme. If you have your ceremony there, you will feel very special and will not have to spend much on decorations.

I hope as you plan your wedding that these low-cost wedding locales have helped made planning your wedding a little easier. I know that where you get married is very important, and I hope the information I provided you has made your decision easier.

January 30, 2015

Popping The Question To Her Father

Asking your girlfriends father for her hand in marriage is an act which means different things to different people. If you think it is tradition, a trend or it might please your sweetheart, there are something that you need to know before mentioning the subject with her dad.

Take into account that your words hold a lot of power. There is a big difference between asking for permission and asking for his blessing. You need to practice the right words with a family member or your friend in advance so that you will be ready to express your feelings and wishes without stumbling over them. It is however essential to be true to yourself in whatever you are going to say.

The first important thing is to find out what she thinks and if this is something that she really wants you to do. If you are not going to ask her directly since you want the proposal to be a surprise, you can ask her friends or siblings. One woman might not be happy with the idea of asking for her fathers permission while the other might be impressed.

If possible, you should meet her parents a few times before you decide that you want to marry her. You have to know them well. When you decide to then ask for his blessings, it will be easier since you will have already established a relationship with him.

Choose the right moment to ask the question. Timing is absolutely everything. Try and talk to her dad when he is in a good mood and at ease. Although this might be out of your control, think of a time when he is not busy. Taking to him after he has had a tiresome day at work is not the right approach.

Sit down with him man to man and then express your feelings for his daughter. The best way to start the conversation is by telling him how much you love and admire the daughter. Let him know how much she means to you and then mention some specific traits that you love about her. Since he is the one that raised her, you will be complimenting him at the same time.

Explain your wish to marry her daughter. Inform him that you understand the seriousness of the commitment and that being able to spend the rest of your life with her will make you the happiest man in the world.

Assure him that you will take good care of his daughter. His father has been the man in her life and taken care of her since she was a baby and only wants the best for her. He needs to know that he is giving away his daughter to someone that will love and take care of her as he has. Ask for his blessing and support in you asking for his daughters hand in marriage.

If you say the right words and prove your worth to her father, she will be happy to give you his blessings.

January 27, 2015

Five Steps to Creating a Great Wedding Speech

So, a wedding that you have been invited to is approaching, and you have been asked to give a speech or are thinking about giving one. This can be a bit intimidating for those individuals who don’t have a lot of experience when it comes to constructing a speech. You don’t want to be given the microphone, only to end-up hearing crickets in the background because your mind went blank due to not planning anything ahead of time.

Last minute freestyle speeches are not the way to go, especially in weddings. People will be staring at you; therefore, you don’t want to sound like a confused individual. When you are given the opportunity to express yourself, you always have to make sure to go the extra mile in order to sound put together.

Brainstorm

First things first, don’t leave the planning of your speech till the last minute. A speech requires planning just like anything else in this life. Make sure to garner 20-30 minutes of your schedule to brainstorming. Do this at least a week in advance before the big day. Lay back with a pen and paper in hand and begin to think about what those two people who are getting married mean to you. When did you first meet them? What is the best memory that you have about them? What is the funniest moment that you can remember of them two? What do you want for their future? This moment is to brainstorm, only. Write down anything that comes to mind.

Analyze Videos

The next step will be for you to get on your computer and begin searching for YouTube videos that relate to wedding speeches. Analyze the speeches and the way the audience responded to the speech. Not only that, but also make sure to read the comments that can be found below the video. Find out what strangers have said about the video. YouTube is always a great way to get ideas.

Read Short Poems

The third step is to read poems about love and friendship. This is another way one can get ideas. If you like one and want to read it at the wedding, make sure that it is a short one. People, in general, tend to dislike long speeches at weddings.

Write Down Your Speech

The fourth step is to write down your speech. You have brainstormed, seen videos, and read poems, so it shouldn’t be that difficult for you to write one down, as you should already have an idea about how a speech should be like. Once you are finished writing it down, set it aside for as many days as you can, but a couple of days before the wedding, make sure to read it out-loud. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself editing it.

Let Somebody Have a Peek

The fifth step is to read your speech to somebody who you believe is going to provide you with constructive criticism. That’s all! After doing this, you should be all set to read your speech in the wedding.