I went to my friends wedding in Dublin last week and she had a fantastic idea that got everyone talking. Each person on the table popped their loose change into a large wine glass. We all had to decide on a speech that was going to be used (our table decided on the best mans speech). We each then had to put a time down for how long it would take. One person was picked to time the speech and the one with the closest time won the kitty :)
There was a list of rules which were quite funny. As the table was mixed with a few of brides friends and a few of grooms friends it was it was certainly an ice breaker. In the end the money ended up going to charity.
If anyone wants the list of rules let me know and I can send them to you when I'm back on line later x

I love the sound of that...please could you send me the rules :)

At my cousins wedding they did that, was a fab idea, my only thought about it is that it means every1 is looking at their watches and no always listening to what is being said :-/ xx

I love that idea!
Please could you send me the details.
Thanks
xx

I was having problems trying to post (think it's me rather than the site and my laptop is playing up) so have written them out below :)
Princessnat, I know what you mean, we were worried about this. We set the timer going and to be honest forgot about it as the speech was so funny. was only when another table mentioned time that we stopped the clock lol.


Instructions.
1. Nominate a time keeper. It must be a trustworthy person, or at least the most trustworthy one on your table.
2. Decide on the stake. Or just throw in your loose change.
3. Decide what the bet is. See the betting card for options.
Rules.
It’s said that all’s fair in love and war. So to avoid all out war on a day about love, here’s the rules.
1. The time keeper holds the money. Not in a pocket, in plain view please.
2. The timekeepers decision is final. Unless they’re taking part too, in which case keep a very close eye on them.
3. The person on the time keepers left goes first.
4. No colluding with the best man. Every other table has already tried this.
5. The winner is announced. The timekeeper reveals whose time was the closest.
6. If you win, don’t celebrate too much. It’s their big day, not yours.
7. If you loose, do’t cry too much. There’s been enough tears already.
8. No pressure should be put on the winner to buy a round. Though if they choose not to, it is acceptable to make smart comments about them when they go to the loo.
Forfeits.
For those who got it soooo wrong, you didn’t think you’d get away with it that lightly now did you? The person furthest from the actual speech time must choose from one or more of the following forfeits:
1. Dance with granny/granddad.
2. Start a conga line#
3. Sing along by yourself to ‘Sweet Caroline’.
4. Shake hands with as many distant relatives as you can.
5. Put a tie around your head and play air guitar on the dance floor – on your own.

The Betting Card.
Bet 1: Duration of the Best Man’s speech.
Bet 2: Duration of the Father of the Bride speech.
Bet 3: Duration of the Grooms speech.
Bet 4: duration of the entire speeches from first word of first speaker to last word of the last speaker.

Have put link on my wall for you xxx

This is a great idea. I went to a wedding last year that had a little box on the table with questions or cards or something like that but anyway it didnt work also we knew each other at the table anyway so thats prob why it didnt work but i'm def gonna mention this to matthew to see what he thinks

yeah thats seems like a lovely idea need to look at the rules tomorrow might print them off as well :)