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Wedding speeches and toasts are, of course, an integral part of any relatively formal wedding ceremony and should not be taken lightly. Indeed, as much preparation should be afforded this aspect of the great day as, for example, deciding on flowers for the church. One of the potential problems, however, is that, very often the people who are expected to stand up and speak to the assembled company at the wedding reception have little or, in some cases, absolutely no experience in standing up and, so to speak, talking in public.
The answer to this dilemma is, firstly, to recognise and remember that this should be a memorable experience: one that you can enjoy and look back on with pride. One that people will want to experience again when the wedding video is played back for the umpteenth time.
Make sure that you are well prepared and do not leave everything until the last minute. Just think how long the typical bride agonises over her dress and how much time it can take to draw up a guest list, let alone creating a table plan!
Just remember that practice makes perfect. Practice speaking into a microphone and holding your glass. The closer you can get to the situation you’ll be speaking in, the better prepared and less nervous you’ll be.
Speaking in public and preparing at the last minute can be a nerve-wracking experience for most of us. Speak clearly and loudly. Give time for guests to refill their glasses and raise their toast (if that is one of your duties). Speak loud and clearly and keep your head up. When you’re addressing individual people like the bridesmaids, groom or bride, talk directly to them in the first person.
Ideally, you should start thinking about your speech six months before the date of the wedding. This allows you plenty of time to write down any little ideas you may have. For many people, the whole experience can be very daunting but, with the right approach, you might well surprise yourself and even enjoy the day!
