A 50th wedding anniversary is a milestone that most couples will never reach. A party celebrating such an event is a very big deal. If you have been asked to deliver a 50th wedding anniversary speech, you should take the time to properly prepare.
There are, in general, two types of 50th wedding anniversary speeches. The first is one delivered by one of the spouses to the other. The other type of speech is one delivered to the couple and the guests by someone who is very close to the couple. Since the latter is more common, the tips in this article will focus that type of wedding anniversary speech.
Let’s start with a very basic outline.
- Thank everyone for coming
- Introduce yourself and explain your relationship to the couple
- Throw in a touch of humor
- Speak about the couple. Include anecdotes, fun little facts, how they met and other such details
- Talk about how not many couples make it this far. Congratulate them for doing so and for being an example to others.
- Thank everyone for allowing you the chance to speak
- Offer a toast to the couple
The above outline is just a starting point. You certainly do not have to follow that exactly, but you should include most of the elements listed. Take heart if you are nervous or uncertain about having the ability to write the speech. The majority of the population would feel the same way. Below are some tips to help you get started. You should also refer to the article titled “How to Write and Deliver a Great Wedding Anniversary Speech.”
- Use your knowledge of the couple. Nothing is going to add more to the speech than stories about the couple from throughout their years together.
- You should keep the speech to between 3 and 5 minutes in length.
- Just make notes. When you first start writing the point is just to get your ideas down on paper. You can then go back and organize your thoughts into a speech.
- Do not include anything that could potentially embarrass the couple or other guests.
Below is a short sample of a 50th wedding anniversary speech.
Thank you all so much for coming to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of Mary and John. My name is Mark, and I have known this wonderful couple for more than 30 years. I have watched them grow – Mary in wisdom and John in circumference – and been privileged to witness a marriage handled in the way that marriage was intended.
Mary and John met as teenagers and, to hear John tell it, he always knew that he would marry Mary one day. Like most young men of the time, John went off to war. When he came home, Mary was waiting, and they were married.
They have had their share of heartache and, I’m sure, have been disappointed at times throughout the years. Still, they are together. Nothing was important enough to either of them to let it come between them or the vows that they made to each other 50 years ago today.
Yes, the fact that they are still married is, in some ways, a testament of their love. But it is even more a testament of their commitment. Mary and John, I am so honored to have had the chance to learn from you, to laugh with you and to watch your love grow throughout the years.
Thank you so much for the chance to share with all of you how much this couple means to me and how I feel they are an inspiration to all who know them.
For pre-written wedding speeches and toasts visit IDoWeddingToasts.com.
As I site owner I feel the articles here is rattling superb , thanks for your efforts.