You're all decked out in fancy dresses and tuxes. The
audience's expectations are high! Now, you have to deliver.
It doesn't matter whether you're the bridesmaid, best man
or father of the bride. Giving a speech or a toast at a
wedding can be nerve racking. But, it doesn't have to be if
you follow some basic rules.
- Give Thanks - Thank the necessary people. This takes
homework. Did Aunt Barbara create the lavish wedding cake?
Did the new mother-in-law sew the bride's elaborate wedding
gown by hand? Did groom's brother have his catering company
cater the food?
- Funny Wedding Toasts - Add in humor and make it funny!
The best speech is one that blends humor with sentimental
moments. If it's too sentimental, you'll have guests crying
in their beer - that's when lighthearted humor can balance
it out. But the same goes with having too many jokes...if
your speech is composed entirely of jokes - stop - and add
in a few serious and sentimental parts.
Best Man Speech: example of humorous speech or toast mixed
with sentiment:
"Since meeting Sara, it's been a pleasant sight to watch
Marshall actually in the kitchen getting his hands dirty!
That's not the only thing... Marshall started doing dishes
and doing his own laundry (instead of paying someone).
Sara, thank you for helping him out!
Marshall, I'm blessed to be your younger brother. You have
been a friend, a mentor and role model for me. I am so
happy that you have found this woman filled with perfection
to spend the rest of your life with!"
- Toast the Couple - If you're toasting the groom, still
make note of the bride. Does she look stunning in her
dress? Has she brought out new and admirable qualities in
the groom? Did she earn your respect while whitewater
rafting with the groom? Likewise, if you're toasting the
bride, still make note of the groom.
- Speak from the Heart - If it means something to you, it
will mean something to the audience. Don't be afraid to get
a little mushy. Draw the audience in.
Maid of Honor Speech: example speaking from the heart
"I've known Ami for quite some time, since high school, in
fact. Ami and I were chemistry lab partners our sophomore
year in high school. We had fun in that class and some of
it actually involved learning chemistry! One concept that
we studied was molecules and how "A molecule is the
smallest particle of a substance that still retains its
physical and chemical properties."
Ami and Stuart, special moments are the molecules of life.
I hope that you can cherish the sweet moments and use them
to bind your lives together. But I know you will because I
have seen you two together and you truly take the time to
enjoy each other."
* reprinted with permission from InstantWeddingToasts.com
- Get personal. Were you involved when the bride and groom
met? Do they have children? What was the bride's reaction
when the groom proposed? Do they have nicknames for each
other?
- Open and Close with a Bang! - Keep your best stuff at the
beginning and end. You want - and need - a strong opener
and a strong closer. Want examples of a great closer? Use a
short Irish Wedding Toast, one that conveys your best
wishes for their future or sums up their relationship
perfectly.
- "Watch" the Clock - Don't waste the audience's time.
Let's face it; there are a lot of speeches and toasts at a
wedding. If it's not about the bride or groom, or doesn't
relate to love and marriage - cut it. Save the long or
potentially embarrassing stories for the bachelor or
bachelorette party. And speaking about time - be brief, not
boring. And likewise, don't be so short it's not memorable.
You can still have a short speech, but you must speak
slower. A perfect short speech can be ruined by rushing.
- Practice makes Perfect - Look at the audience. This takes
practice, usually in front of a mirror with a spoon in one
hand and a toasting glass in the other. Practice until you
look good, until you can watch yourself in the mirror - and
ultimately look at the audience - while speaking. Drop all
the "ums" and "uhs". It means you have to practice out
loud, and when you think you've got it, get an audience of
a brother/sister/friend and practice one more time.
Remember, when you open your mouth, you want to sound just
as good as you look! Ready? Set. Deliver!
----------------------------------------------------
> Learn to deliver flawless wedding speeches and toasts at
http://www.topweddingsites.com/wedding-speeches-wedding-toas
ts.html
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