Free 50th anniversary speeches are all over the web promising such spectacular audience responses you almost wonder if you would be able to win the next presidential election. The one main drawback is that they are not personal to you and your guests, you will want to be adding little bits of shared history to make this speech yours.

To make your speech worth the occasion you need to gather as much information about your anniversary couple as you can. Where and when they met are always great starters to any speech, was there a great chat up line or funny story, what was the headline in the local or national paper? Paint a picture of the young people they were to interest your younger guests and a chance for your older guests to reminisce. If you have the opportunity to have a slide show to accompany your speech or after you will be able to show some great photographs to add to your story, because that is what your speech should be, the telling of their romantic story, their lives together and the fun they have had. This is a celebration and fun is what it is about.

Talk about the fun and love they share, their hobbies that they enjoy together and the support they have for each other. Ask family and friends for stories that you can share during your speech.

Talk about how they have shown you what a successful marriage is; falling in love with the same person many times, enjoying each other and growing as a couple, truly celebrating every day of their wonderful journey.

If their journey has meant that they have overcome the odds and it is appropriate to mention it then this is an important part of their lives together and shows how strong they are as a couple and the commitment they have for each other and their family.

You couldn't have a 50th anniversary speech without mentioning the family and friends that have been part of their journey and hopefully most of them will be with you to help celebrate, having seen lots of anniversary speeches don't list every single detail and dates of when they moved to a particular house, or when they changed jobs - these just are seen as a bit boring and you don't want to be losing your audience. Your speech should be a glimpse at their lives and the successes that they have had, don't try to be clever, keep your speech interesting and not more than 10 minutes. You need to allow time for everyone to chat and enjoy the celebrations!

Speeches start with words of pride and pleasure at being asked to toast the anniversary couple and always end with lets raise our glasses and congratulate Mr and Mrs for 50 great years so far and the many more to come.