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This week's topics: wedding vow tips, how to write a great wedding speech, custom ceremony scripts, wedding toast etiquette, maid of honor speech advice, father of the bride toast tips, rehearsal dinner speech ideas, public speaking at weddings, vow writing help, avoiding speech disasters at weddings
In this episode of the Wedding Day Podcast, hosts Sonja Babich and Amanda Holder, Publisher of California Wedding Day, sit down with Brian Franklin, founder of Vows & Speeches. Based in California, Brian is redefining how couples approach vows, speeches and ceremony scripts by offering writing and coaching services that elevate the emotional heart of the wedding day.
Brian shares how he transitioned from a career in political speechwriting to launching his company during the pandemic. He discusses the need he saw in the wedding industry for more thoughtful, structured and engaging spoken content. From custom-crafted vows to compelling toasts and heartfelt officiant scripts, Vows & Speeches helps couples and their loved ones find the right words—and the confidence to deliver them.
Throughout the episode, Brian emphasizes how many people, even great writers, struggle to articulate their emotions under pressure. His process avoids impersonal questionnaires and instead relies on detailed, one-on-one interviews to uncover each couple's unique story. Whether it’s the quirky details of their first date or the habits they’ve learned to live with, Brian believes it’s those personal touches that make ceremonies and speeches deeply memorable.
The conversation also covers tips for speech delivery: from how to rehearse properly and time your remarks to the importance of staying sober enough to avoid a trainwreck toast. Brian walks listeners through the realities of managing multiple speakers, preventing energy dips, and keeping the reception timeline intact. He offers insight on how to navigate delicate family dynamics, support nervous speakers and make sure the speech content aligns with the tone and aesthetic of the event.
From sentimental father-of-the-bride toasts to high-pressure best man speeches, Brian shares advice for when and how to slot speakers into the timeline—including creative ideas like pre-dinner speeches or breaking them up by course. He also touches on the value of having a couple’s thank-you toast as a capstone to the night, and how thoughtful speech planning can enhance both the guest experience and the wedding film.
As the episode wraps, Brian dispels the myth that outside help makes vows or speeches less authentic. Instead, he explains, it allows couples to express their true emotions in a clearer, more memorable way. With Vows & Speeches, couples gain a valuable storytelling partner who ensures the most meaningful words of the day are just as unforgettable as the décor or the dress.
This episode is powered by Vows & Speeches and 440 Elm. Special thanks to members Linen Effects, Continental Diamond, Warpaint International.
Photo by Dennis Kwan
Photo by Mike Garnica
Photo by Jenny Quicksall Photography
