The Wedding Edition sits down with Charlie Child, a celebrated wedding poet known for his classical style and personalised approach, to discuss wedding speeches. Charlie specialises in creating timeless wedding poetry, working closely with couples to capture their unique love story through words. His poems are often read aloud during ceremonies and are cherished keepsakes, with couples choosing to have them beautifully printed or framed for their home. Through his work with skilled calligraphers and framers, Charlie ensures that every piece feels as personal and meaningful as the day itself. Here, he shares his thoughts on crafting perfect wedding speeches or toasts, and how poetry can make a wedding truly unforgettable.
What inspired you to specialise in writing wedding poetry, and how do you ensure each poem feels personal to the couple?
My best friend was getting married, and his fiancé asked me to write a poem for the ceremony. They couldn’t find anything that felt personal. After that, I received many more requests. But, the truth is, I simply love being able to sit down with a couple, hear their story, and create something that they will love, and hang in their home forever. It’s a wonderful thing to be a part of.
In terms of personalisation, I take time to understand what makes the couple unique. Every couple has their own story. They have their own personality and values. My job is simply to put what is already unique about them into memorable words.
In your experience, what makes a great wedding toast or speech truly memorable?
Authenticity. Beyond that, finding the balance between tenderness and humour. Everyone is here to celebrate love. The bad wedding toasts focus too much on humour. Humour is hard; even a professional stand-up comedian can hear crickets. I think about 80% authentic and tender, 20% humour is the right balance.
That leads to the final point. It’s not about the speaker. The spotlight may be on them, but only so they can hold up a mirror to reflect the light back onto the couple. If the speaker remembers that, they stand a good chance of making a great toast.
How do you find the balance between a classical theme and the couple’s modern love story in your poetry?
I tend to use a classical style with modern language. So, it feels recognisably elevated and appropriate for a luxury wedding, but not outdated or obscure.
Ultimately, love stories, modern or old, are timeless. I work to find those timeless qualities in the couple, alongside what makes them unique in the modern world.
Do you have any advice for couples who want to include poetry or personal readings in their ceremony?
Be authentic to your values as a couple, not what you think people want to hear. The irony is: if you’re authentic, it’s more likely to resonate with people anyway. If you want something funny, go for it. If you want something tender, go for it. There are no wrong choices if it feels like you.
What role does emotion play in the wedding speeches and toasts you’ve helped craft?
I don’t shy away from emotion; weddings are emotional. I think the best poems I’ve written touch the deepest and most true feelings, without being overly sentimental.
In day-to-day life, people are often nervous about emotions. But the reason, I believe, that people love weddings is because they are elevated. They remind us of what really matters.
Could you share a standout moment or story from a wedding where your poetry made a lasting impact?
I actually have two in mind. The first was read in the ceremony, and the many of the guests were wiping tears out of their eyes. That was a moment where I really stopped and reflected on the importance of what I was doing.
The other was in Portofino. The couple printed off the poem for tables and people took them home. The couple also sent me a photo of the poem sitting, framed, on a shelf by the dining table. It’s touching to have been able to give them something that means that much to them.
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