I am not really one for preparing in advance when it comes to giving any kind of speech that has meaning to me. I procrastinate and I just can’t think of what I really want to say until the day of the event.
Even if I do prepare, I have a tendency to throw away everything that I’ve written on the day of the speech in favour of something off the cuff and more relevant to things that happen on the day in question.
That’s exactly what happened on my wedding day. The upside is that you get a very authentic and honest speech. The downside is that you can overemphasize some things and forget to include some key points that you intended to make.
I have never gone back and listened to my speech, even though I have it on video. But, even without having seen it, I know that I skipped the section of my planned speech where I acknowledge my in-laws. I actually had a great bit about how much I appreciated their hospitality and support.
How could I miss such an important part of my speech, you ask?
I blame my bride. She, for weeks, reminded me constantly how important it was for me to say something about her in my speech. I was planning on saving what I had to say to her for my closer.
I got into my speech and I know that I rambled a little, then I looked to the crowd to see my blushing bride, who was pointing to herself with both thumbs and mouthing to me from across the room: “Me … Don’t forget to talk about me!”
Immediately, I jumped ahead to talk about her and I lost my train of thought, hence the missing in-law acknowledgements.
In retrospect, I am very much appreciative for the love, respect, and support that my in-laws and their respective partners have had for me before, and since the wedding and I am glad to be able to acknowledge that in a public forum, even if it is a bit late.
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