Interview with: Carole Spiers
Company Name: The Wedding Speech Expert
Location: North London
What does The Wedding Speech Expert do?
We write memorable, sensitive wedding speeches that the celebrants will listen to again, in future years, with pride and a smile. A speech that engages audiences and brings applause from, and pleasure to, all family and friends.
How did the business start and how long has it been going?
Being a professional writer, I was often asked by brides, grooms, best men, and maids of honour whether I could help write their wedding speeches as they ‘didn’t know where to start’. I thought to myself: ‘Now, that sounds like an opportunity to fill a niche!’
Who works at The Wedding Speech Expert?
I head up a team of professional writers and presentation coaches.
What is your background and how are you qualified to create speeches for others?
Being an established author, an international motivational speaker and speaker coach, for over 20 years, I believe I have the relevant experience to help write speeches and show people how to deliver them.
What services can you provide for weddings?
We provide a speech writing service and, if required, a speaker coaching service via Skype so that the person who is delivering the speech can be confident on the day!
So, not only can you create the whole speech, you provide an advisory service too?
Yes we do. People can be very nervous about the wedding day and we are here to provide support and give confidence.
What are the costs involved for you to create a wedding speech for a groom / best man / father of the bride / bride?
Our fees range from £120 — £395 plus VAT. The fee depends on whether you have a speech already written that needs editing, or you just have a blank sheet of paper — or you might want support on delivering your speech confidently.
Why should someone use your services for their wedding speech?
Getting married is a special time of our life yet can also be very stressful. Writing a speech is not easy and many people unfortunately leave it to the last moment for inspiration. Sometimes that fails to arrive and they start to panic, and that is where we come in. We send out a confidential questionnaire and then we craft a speech out of the details provided — ready for delivery!
What is the most bizarre thing you have been asked to include in a speech?
I was requested to insert the phrase ‘Hakuna Matata’ both at the beginning and end of the speech, for a Swahili-speaking, Kikuyu bride from East Africa.
How does your service work? Do you have to meet with the client? What is the process involved?
A client will write to us and we will then send them a questionnaire, following which a speech will be written and sent back to the client. If the client wants some speaker training, this would be carried out via Skype.
What sets The Wedding Speech Expert apart from other companies that provide wedding speeches?
In three words: ‘Personalised, Friendly, Intuitive’. We pride ourselves on being able to write a wedding speech — very quickly!
Random question… If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I would probably like to live on the 165th floor of the Burj Kalifa, the tallest building in the world.
Where can I find out more about The Wedding Speech Expert?
Check out our website www.theweddingspeechexpert.co.uk