Your South Wales Wedding - September/October 2026 (Issue 111)

Images courtesy of unsplash.com too heavily on AI risks losing the emotional authenticity that makes vows memorable. “We’re seeing more couples turning to AI for emotional tasks like vow writing, not because they lack sincerity but because the pressure to deliver a perfect moment has never been greater,” says Laura. “With so many weddings being filmed, shared or even livestreamed on social media, people feel their words need to live up to the moment, which can be daunting. Some couples also feel too time-poor to sit down and write something meaningful from scratch.” She adds that while AI can be a helpful starting point, couples should avoid letting technology take over entirely. “AI can help overcome writer’s block, but if your vows sound like they could belong to anyone, they lose the meaning that makes them special. Your partner wants to hear your words, not something an algorithm generated.” HOW TO AVOID A CRINGE-WORTHY SPEECH Laura shares her top seven tips for writing a speech that feels genuine, confident and heartfelt: 1. Start with structure: Give your speech a beginning, middle and end. A clear structure will help keep you focused to then guide the tone of what you want to say. 2. Keep it concise and heartfelt: Aim for around five minutes. A sincere, well-paced speech will always have more impact than one that tries to say too much. 3. Make it inclusive: Keep your speech appropriate for a diverse audience from grandparents to close friends. Avoid in-jokes or overly personal anecdotes that risks isolating listeners. 4. Use AI to inspire, not replace: AI can help get you started if you’re stuck but it shouldn’t write your entire speech. Add your own voice and personal touches as it will mean a lot more to your partner and your audience. 5. Read it out loud: Practise, edit and practise again. Reading your speech out loud can help with pacing, confidence and spotting any weird phrasing. 6. Speak genuinely, not generically: The most memorable speeches are rooted in real stories and authentic emotion. Focus on your connection, not perfection. 7. Get a second opinion: Before the big day, ask someone you trust to listen. A fresh perspective can help ensure your tone is right and your message resonates. As AI continues to play a bigger role in modern weddings, it’s clear that couples are looking for ways to balance ease with emotion, tradition with technology. To explore how AI is shaping the modern wedding you can read the full survey findings here: queensmith.co.uk/journal/ai-in-wedding-planning AI AND VOWS 51

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=