Does the thought of writing a speech for your husband-to-be make you panic? Why not hire someone else to write it? I read an interesting article in Maclean’s about the growing number of wedding speech writers. Brides use ‘em. Grooms use ‘em. So do the moms, dads and wedding parties.
Another article in the Globe and Mail discusses the growing demand for wedding speech writers. Judging by the readers’ comments it looks like some people have a problem with it. They think it takes away from the sincerity of the speech. I think they have a point, however speechwriting can be a serious source of distress for some people. Not everyone is a wordsmith. Just like not everyone can bake and decorate a wedding cake. Or take dazzling wedding photos. That’s why we hire professionals.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with enlisting a professional to help you organize your thoughts and present them in an articulate and entertaining fashion. My only advice would be to make sure you find a writer whose style you enjoy. Read previous speeches and ask for references.
If I had the time I could really dig being a speechwriter. Now, if only one could hire someone to GIVE the speech.
Photo: Ralph Heinze Photography
I don’t think you can equate hiring a speechwriter to hiring a photographer in this sense. A wedding photographer is meant to capture a more objective, birds-eye-view of the day rather than portray one person’s view of it all. Being subjective and deeply personal, a wedding day speech should not be hired out. If I found out my husband or anyone else had asked someone else to write the words they said to me on my wedding day …boy, would I have been hurt.
Point taken on the photographer. And honestly, I’d be miffed too if my husband did this without being open about it. If he came to me pre-wedding and said: “Honey, I’m having a difficult time putting my feelings into words and I’m thinking of having a writer go over this”, I’d feel better about it than if he did not tell me. (I’d probably tell him to just write the damn thing from his heart and not worry about impressing anyone.)The best man, and maid of honour is another story. I would not be bothered at all if they enlisted a writer to help organize and articulate their thoughts. A good writer does just that. S/he helps her client give voice to what’s already there and stays true to her client’s personality. Just think of all the memoirists out there. They write memoirs for clients and many of these writers(if not most) write in ‘first person’ format. Clients love it because they sound like an articulate, intelligent version of themelves.
Sorry but, boo to wedding speech writers!