More on Toasting
Avoid anything that might be considered in bad taste, not only by the bride and groom, but any member of the audience. Imagine if someone had said the questionable item in a speech at your wedding and decide whether you still want to keep it in your speech.
Don't be repetitive in your choice of words. The thesaurus can save a speech. Try to put a twist on quotes and sayings by paraphrasing. Remove "inside" jokes or references that are too personal and might leave the majority of the audience confused.
Read the speech aloud to yourself. The sentences should not sound too long and rambling, nor should they be abrupt. Omit or change words and phrases that sound awkward. The speechshould sound as if you were speaking naturally. Once you are comfortable with the speech, you might want to read it in front of one or two other people for their opinions.
If you are the type of person who is witty enough and confident enough to ad-lib a speech in a matter of seconds, you may skip to the next section. For the other 99.999 percent of us, this section will provide tips on developing the content of your speech/toast, so you will have something to say.
The first question to consider is "Why". Why have you been chosen to speak at this wedding? Is it because you are a close friend of the bride/groom? Is it because you are wise and can give sage advice on life? Is it because you are a humorous, outgoing person? Or is it as simple as that you are an important figure in this wedding such as the father/mother of the bride/groom, the maid of honor/best man or even the bride herself or the groom himself and is expected to speak! Knowing this can give you an idea about what to say in your speech.
Choose subjects for your speech that are easily relatable by everyone. Recanting various(unembarrassing!) events from the bride and groom's past is a good idea. Talking about the groom's lifelong hobby of creating paperclip sculptures probably isn't, unless most of the audience are paperclip sculptors.
The duration of your speech will also affect the content. Interesting, involved subjects might require more attention and time. You should decide on the duration before you research for topics. Bear in mind that short speeches might appear abrupt and rude, while long speeches might cause the audience to lose interest. If you can't decide on a duration, five minutes is usually a good length.
While researching for topics for your speech, choose topics that are easily expanded. Bevaried in your sources. The bride might not want to talk much about her life, but her parents or siblings might. The best way to get people to talk freely about a subject is at meal times or when they are relaxed. Be gently persistent. Asking once does not always produce results.
Do not go wild over notes. Remember, some people are uncomfortable if you take notes in front of them. A tape recorder is a great tool for keeping track of all the conversations that you hold for creating the speech, however, reactions to recorders differ and it might be more hindrance than handy.
Anecdotes and jokes are great additions to wedding speeches. The problem with a lot of the better jokes is that, chances are, many of the audience members have already heard them. Try to give the jokes a personal spin by adapting them to the occasion. Quotes can also enliven a speech as well as fill in those gaps.
Don't be repetitive in your choice of words. The thesaurus can save a speech. Try to put a twist on quotes and sayings by paraphrasing. Remove "inside" jokes or references that are too personal and might leave the majority of the audience confused.
Read the speech aloud to yourself. The sentences should not sound too long and rambling, nor should they be abrupt. Omit or change words and phrases that sound awkward. The speechshould sound as if you were speaking naturally. Once you are comfortable with the speech, you might want to read it in front of one or two other people for their opinions.
If you are the type of person who is witty enough and confident enough to ad-lib a speech in a matter of seconds, you may skip to the next section. For the other 99.999 percent of us, this section will provide tips on developing the content of your speech/toast, so you will have something to say.
The first question to consider is "Why". Why have you been chosen to speak at this wedding? Is it because you are a close friend of the bride/groom? Is it because you are wise and can give sage advice on life? Is it because you are a humorous, outgoing person? Or is it as simple as that you are an important figure in this wedding such as the father/mother of the bride/groom, the maid of honor/best man or even the bride herself or the groom himself and is expected to speak! Knowing this can give you an idea about what to say in your speech.
Choose subjects for your speech that are easily relatable by everyone. Recanting various(unembarrassing!) events from the bride and groom's past is a good idea. Talking about the groom's lifelong hobby of creating paperclip sculptures probably isn't, unless most of the audience are paperclip sculptors.
The duration of your speech will also affect the content. Interesting, involved subjects might require more attention and time. You should decide on the duration before you research for topics. Bear in mind that short speeches might appear abrupt and rude, while long speeches might cause the audience to lose interest. If you can't decide on a duration, five minutes is usually a good length.
While researching for topics for your speech, choose topics that are easily expanded. Bevaried in your sources. The bride might not want to talk much about her life, but her parents or siblings might. The best way to get people to talk freely about a subject is at meal times or when they are relaxed. Be gently persistent. Asking once does not always produce results.
Do not go wild over notes. Remember, some people are uncomfortable if you take notes in front of them. A tape recorder is a great tool for keeping track of all the conversations that you hold for creating the speech, however, reactions to recorders differ and it might be more hindrance than handy.
Anecdotes and jokes are great additions to wedding speeches. The problem with a lot of the better jokes is that, chances are, many of the audience members have already heard them. Try to give the jokes a personal spin by adapting them to the occasion. Quotes can also enliven a speech as well as fill in those gaps.
posted by wedding advise coordinator at
7:53 AM
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