This happens all the time. The father of the groom or the best man or anyone delivering a wedding speech says an earlier speech maker “stole my thunder”.
Here’s a simple tip. When you know in advance who will be giving a speech, have them all talk to each other in the weeks ahead of the wedding. If it turns out any of them were planning to tell the same story, they have time to prepare.
As a wedding guest, there’s nothing wrong with hearing the same story, especially when a little planning has gone into the story ahead of time. Three different people will tell the same story in three different ways, each adding their own unique perspective.
Worst case scenario: A best man at a wedding many years ago based most of his speech around one great story that happened involving him, the bride, groom the groom’s dad. Yet the father of the groom got up and told that story minutes earlier. The best man felt like he had nothing left to share. ALL his preparation hinged on that story – he was visibly disappointed and a little flustered. It was obvious in the tone of his voice. Plus he said it – something like “Joe stole my thunder with that story, so all I really have left to say is all the best to the bride and groom”. Yep, he was so out of sorts some might think he forgot the couple’s names. With a little planning ahead, he would have known the father was going to share HIS perspective and the best man could have given his version of events and why that situation was so important, etc.
This CAN be avoided. Get your speakers to chat to each other ahead of time, let them cover off the items they want to speak about in their speech or toast and they can plan for any clash or crossover. It’s possible to do this without spoiling any surprises, you don’t need to be involved.
I hope this helps!
Nick Logan
Auckland Wedding DJ
