You may be one of those people that find public speaking easy & can reel off a speech with style, wit & timing. Personally I am not one of those people. I get incredibly nervous, go bright red & tend to mumble! If you are the type of person who crumbles at the sight of a microphone or an audience of more than 2 then my best advice is to make sure you pass by the bar first on your way to the stage! It is a natural reaction to reach for the bottle when faced with such a nerve racking task.
So if you are one of the unlucky ones who will have to make such a presentation at a friend’s wedding or it is your wedding & you who has to make the toast, then here are a few more tips to help make the whole experience a little less nerve racking.
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Who: Aside from the traditional wedding toasts of the best man, groom, bride’s father & groom’s father, anyone can make a toast to the happy couple. Some couples will also make a toast to each other & close family & friends. It is also the case that as the day wears on & the drink stocks begin to empty, more & more of your guests will suddenly feel the urge to raise a glass to you. Now depending on how much they have had to drink & how well they know you, you may wish to convince them not to go through with it, but if you want some memorable moments on your wedding video, let them have their fifteen minutes of fame!
What: The best toasts are brief & sincere. You don’t need to be in the spotlight for longer than a minute, but if you want to stay longer it is worth making a note of a few key things you wish to say, just in case your nerves get the better of you! Always start by introducing yourself & your relationship to the bride &/or groom, but keep it brief - you don’t need to tell them your life story. Perhaps you will have a short story to tell or a personal sentiment you wish to share. At the end share your wish for the couple’s future & pass the spotlight over to the next person. Be humorous but not embarrassing & make sure anything you say will not cause offense. Don’t try to put on an Oscar winning performance, just be yourself; you will come across much better. Avoid any stories which will cause embarrassment, outrage or which could cause conflict between bride & groom! Those stories about past romances are not for wedding toasts!
When: It’s up to the bride & groom to decide at which point in the proceedings the toasts should take place. Some couples choose to toast their close family & friends at the rehearsal dinner on the night before the wedding, whilst all other toasts will happen during the reception. If you anticipate a lot of toasts it may be better to split them between the rehearsal dinner & the wedding reception to save time. Traditionally, the toasts will happen after the wedding breakfast & before the cutting of the cake. Whatever time you choose make sure everyone has a full glass of champagne ready to make each toast.
Where: If you are having a large wedding with a lot of guests I would recommend setting up a microphone for the toasts so that everyone can hear. A stage area, central to the room is another good idea so that everyone can see who is speaking although a stage can be intimidating for some people who may be put off making a toast if you use one. Alternatively, set your tables out in way that will facilitate the person making the toast to be seen by everyone & ask them to stand to make it.
Author Resource:-
Georgina Clatworthy is a dedicated full time writer who composes informative articles related to wedding favors and wedding. She is connected with 1WeddingSource, today’s leading wedding social networking planning site.
