WED Talks
{{first_name}}, I've got some exciting news to share!
I've been bitten by the entrepreneurial bug so I've been looking into various business ideas. I was really disappointed to see my main money making idea come to fruition without my involvement. The idea revolved around alternate commentary for sporting events and Peyton Manning and Donald Trump beat me to the punch. That's why I'm shifting gears to my new great idea. Wedding speech writing.
I've only ever written one wedding speech and it was a resounding success. I'm actually in the process of writing a second wedding speech - wish me luck - and while I was doing it and watching the Kevin Hart movie "The Wedding Ringer" I wondered if I could begin this as a part-time endeavor. As someone who's prepared and delivered standup comedy material, the similarities between wedding speeches and standup are clear for all to see, and there are a few recurring components of every great wedding speech.
A light-heartened opening with some ice breaker joke to loosen up the crowd
A story about how you met the bride, how long you've known the bride and one comedic story that's either hilarious or hilariously embarrassing
A story about how you met the groom, how long you've known the groom and one comedic story that's either hilarious or hilariously embarrassing
Something heartwarming about how they're awesome and in love and how you couldn't be happier that they found each other
A toast or cheers where you wish them nothing but the best in their new married lives together
The wedding speeches that fall flat are usually missing one of these components. They either start out cold with nothing to warm up the crowd, or they miss the part that the stories are supposed to either be hilarious or embarrassing and tell stories that are borderline insulting or crude. And never, under any circumstance, make the wedding speech about you, the speech deliverer, because nothing about this day is about you. The entire wedding ceremony is about the bride, and never forget that, but I've digressed.
I've always felt that TED Talks were awful imitations of standup routines. I also feel that way about most church sermons and most political rallies, but TED Talks especially seem to be deeply rooted in a comedic template. Well, since I will probably never do a TED Talk I figured I'd do the next best thing. WED Talks!
So, for a special limited time only, please submit your requests for wedding speeches that you've been asked to give if you're unsure you're going to be able to pull it off. I'll need the info listed above and I may need to do a small requirements session to make sure I know who all of the key stakeholders will be. I'll need your help to identify any risk, issues or assumptions that I need to be aware of for the speech because I don't want to lead you to failure. I want my ghostwriting to be the wind beneath your wings. Let me be the Quentin Miller to your Drake.
And, if you're reading this it's too late.
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