Have you ever had to give a wedding speech? As the groom or best man?
Do you remember that feeling? A knot in the stomach, sweaty palms and a panic attack!
Not a very pleasant experience. And yet, I'm sure your wedding speech has the potential to be a great success because 90 % of a typical audience want the speaker to succeed.
Yet according to the Book of Lists, speaking in public is one of our greatest fears.
Much of this anxiety is due to a lack of confidence in writing and preparing a speech rather than in the delivery.
What are the secrets of giving a great wedding speech?
Here are 10 tips for giving a great wedding speech:
1. Have a plan and set some objectives & outcomes. There is nothing worse than not knowing what you want to achieve. Do you want to be funny, thank the caterers or touch the emotions of your guests? Before anything work out what you want to achieve.
2. Have a formal structure - beginning, middle and end. Audiences love structure and the best speeches stick to this tried and true rule. Have a welcome (especially acknowledging those who have travelled a long way to be at the wedding), have three personal stories (eg how you met your wife) in the middle and an end (eg thanking and toasting the bridesmaids).
For Example:
? Greeting/Welcome (acknowledge special guests)
? Personal Story #1 ? how we met
? Personal Story #2 ? most memorable moment together and why
? Personal Story #3 ? funny habits and why I love her
? Something nice about the future
? Call to action: Toast Bridesmaids
3. Avoid having too much to say. Hands up those that are guilty of this sin. I know I am. Keep your speech short at a wedding, between 5 and 7 minutes.
4. Keep it Positive. Keep the content of your speech positive, avoid negative comments about previous wives or girlfriends or other 'black sheep' family members. Remember it is a celebration.
5. Research your speech using personal stories. Personal stories help connect with an audience. From your deep well of life reflect on three events that demonstrate how much your care for and love your wife.
6. Keep the personal stories short. Keep these very short and use them to demonstrate a point. Try and take people to that moment in time by describing the place, situation and even what time of day and what the weather was like. Paint the picture and take people back to that moment.
7. Have a strong opening and closing. People remember the opening - first impressions count! The closing is important as it should reinforce the key message you want the audience to go away with in their head after they have heard the presentation. Ending with a 'call to action' can be a powerful way to get your audience to act on your message. In the wedding speech the call to action is easy, ask people to stand, then charge their glasses and toast the bridesmaids.
8. Avoid alcohol until after the speech. You need to be on the ball. Save the celebrations until after your speech.
9. Keep eye contact and use simple notes. Use hand cards with key points. Avoid reading a speech and keep eye contact with your audience.
10.Practice and Rehearse. Practice the speech or at least get some feedback from someone you trust. Recording and listening back to a presentation is the fastest way to improve your skills.
Thomas Murrell MBA CSP is an international business speaker, consultant and award-winning broadcaster. Media Motivators is his regular electronic magazine read by 7,000 professionals in 15 different countries.
You can subscribe by visiting http://www.8mmedia.com. Thomas can be contacted directly at +6189388 6888 and is available to speak to your conference, seminar or event. Visit Tom's blog at http://www.8mmedia.com.
after renovation cleaning Northbrook ..My husband had two affairs last year. I am pretty... Read More
Have you heard of destination wedding favors? I haven't either,... Read More
If you've always dreamed of flying in a helicopter, Las... Read More
Reading this article does not necessarily mean that if you... Read More
When it comes to choosing a honeymoon destination it's usually... Read More
Planning a wedding should be fun and exciting. However, if... Read More
No one has as much fun as the bride to... Read More
Of course, times have changed and there are occasions where... Read More
Honeymoon is the most wonderful time of every couple's life.... Read More
If you are actually planning your Las Vegas wedding reception,... Read More
Wedding photography is an evolving field that requires artistic talent,... Read More
If the fires of passion in your marriage have been... Read More
My husband and I have a perfect marriage.There. I said... Read More
Ever since Queen Victoria wed in 1840, however, white has... Read More
He's proposed, and most likely you're flashing your new engagement... Read More
As a Personal Trainer for brides-to-be, I often get asked... Read More
When it comes to your decorating budget it really depends... Read More
Since Maui and Hawaii in general have been blessed with... Read More
Symbols! Weddings are full of them. Exchanging rings. Exchanging roses.... Read More
Your wedding is supposed to be the most important day... Read More
Most visitors to Hawaii would agree that Maui is the... Read More
The look of the wedding invitations you send will not... Read More
Selecting a wedding photographer can be a daunting task. Not... Read More
You have purchased the latest bridal magazines from your local... Read More
We've all been through times in our lives when it... Read More
bathroom cleaning service Lake Forest ..Have you ever wondered why your marriage isn't happier? If... Read More
Planning as early as possible for your wedding is the... Read More
Of all the things you need to do, buy and... Read More
In a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony, Jewish wedding rings play... Read More
In the next six months, my... Read More
Remember the frenzy of the paparazzi when they caught Sarah... Read More
What should you "walk down the aisle" to? Should you... Read More
Buying engagement rings online doesn't have to be confusing or... Read More
A wedding planned in the spirit of nature provides the... Read More
Your wedding vows are the words that will forever remain... Read More
Your wedding flowers cover all button holes, all the bouquets,... Read More
Providing chocolate as a wedding favor has been a time... Read More
How much should you spend on a diamond engagement ring?$100?$1000?How... Read More
1) Write a mission statement:Most brides spend more time planning... Read More
Wedding shower invitations should lay out all of the necessary... Read More
One of my favorite memories from last year was not... Read More
When your marriage is in trouble and you're fighting to... Read More
Dear Friends of Marriage,There is a lot of talk on... Read More
Wedding flowers make up a large part of the wedding... Read More
Details, details, details. Paying attention to details, that's what makes... Read More
Nobody, I repeat nobody likes a bridezilla bride. If you... Read More
Wedding Invitations should be ordered when you have all the... Read More
One of the most beautiful of the bride's adornments at... Read More
On Friday, 1st May 1835, Mr Charles Dickens, the creator... Read More
Perhaps the single most important thing that must be accomplished... Read More
Marriage & Wedding |