Presenting Your Wedding Speech
Now that you know how to write and design your speech, it helps to get some tips on how to effectively present your speech once the time comes. There are many ways and approaches that you can take that will help you but the tips below are; in my opinion, the best route to take.
Get Familiar with your space
Check out the room before you do or say anything. Test the microphone, if you're going to be using one, to make sure that the volume is right. Set up and test your other equipment if any (projectors etc.). Speak to the person who's going to introduce you right away by giving an acknowledgement and a thank you. Greet people in the audience; particularly the wedding party so that you can begin establishing a connection with them.
Mind your attitude.
You can set yourself up for failure by adopting negative thinking such as, "I better not blow this" or "If I make a mistake, I'll just die." Instead, you need to remind yourself that the audience wants you to succeed. After all, it is a wedding. And remind yourself that you want your audience to succeed.
Smile.
Even while you are sitting in your seat, people will be looking you over, and checking you out; especially if you are best man and expected to give a speech. Look confident and excited and not afraid doing this will help you to start on the right foot.
Stand with confidence.
When you're introduced, stand up confidently to the podium and shake the emcee's hand.
Create your space.
If you're speaking from a podium or dinner table, set your notes down. Adjust the microphone so that it points to your mouth. Plant your feet firmly. Take a breath. Look up. Now take another breath. If you're speaking without a podium, walk to where you want to stand. Plant your feet. Take a breath. Look at the bride and groom and the rest of the room. Take another breath.
Try to connect with your audience.
Look at your audience one person at a time. Don't try to address the audience as a whole. Speak to individuals because this really makes it easier for you to give the speech. Look at one person then another and so on. Establish eye contact. And speak to that person for 5 to 7 seconds. Then find someone else to look at and repeat the process.
When you do this each person in the audience will feel personally addressed. And you'll feel much more confident.
Speak from notes or memory if possible.
Don't read your entire speech from cards. And, if you're using PowerPoint slides, don't read them either. Remember that you want to communicate a message to the happy couple, not say each and every word you planned on speaking.
Speak as if you are holding a conversation.
Don't be afraid to say "I" and "you." When giving a wedding speech, you are not trying give a lecture, so speak naturally. Speak in language, images, and terms that the audience readily understands.
Be yourself. If you have a good sense of humor, use it. If you're a wonderful storyteller, by all means tell a story. You should never try to imitate another speaker, even a good one. Don't try to be too unique or interesting. If you make a mistake, apologize and go on. Laugh it off when you can. I guarantee that your audience will love you for it.
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