10 Tips For an Effective Wedding Toast

Did you know that the number one fear of most people is the fear of public speaking? It's true 77% of the population fears speaking in front of a large group. Chances are you will have several people designated to speak at your wedding celebration. We have some tips that will ease the stress and help calm some of this fear as your best man, maid of honor, and other VIPs prepare for their speeches.

Some simple public speaking tips will help you deliver a memorable wedding speech or wedding toast. The following are 9 tips for effectively presenting a wedding toast:

1. Have a printed copy & NOT your smartphone- While it's easy to save your speech to your smartphone or tablet device, print a hard copy. Remember that screen is small, and in front of a large group, you don't want to lose your place, or scroll to find your spot. In addition, if there is no internet connection or spotty coverage, you don't want to have trouble if you can't access your speech. A printed hard copy will allow you to focus on the couple and your speech without worrying if your technology will work.

2. Be familiar with your space- Upon arriving at the event, check the room prior to your speech. If you are planning on using a microphone, be sure to test it to make sure the volume is right. Test any other equipment, such as a projector.

3. Stand with confidence- After you’re introduced, approach the audience confidently.

4. Create your space- Plant your feet firmly, take a breath and look up. Hold the microphone a couple of inches below the mouth, not 2 feet away where no one can hear, walk to where you want to stand, and take a breath. Look at the bride and groom and the rest of the room, take another breath then begin your speech. Proper placement of the microphone should be approximately 1-2 inches off of your mouth. Too low and your voice will not be picked up, too close and your voice will be muffled.

5. Connect with your audience- Select guests to focus on. Instead of attempting to address the audience as a whole, selectively speak to various individuals. Establish eye contact for 5 to 7 seconds then focus on someone else and repeat the process.

6. Hold a conversation- Speak as though you are holding a conversation. Remember that it’s a wedding speech and not a lecture, so speak naturally. Use images and terms that the guests understand.

7. Be yourself- If you have a good sense of humor, use it. If you’re a wonderful storyteller, tell a story. Never try to imitate another speaker, be too unique or interesting. If you make a mistake, then apologize, laugh it off and move on. The wedding guests will appreciate your humility.

8. Avoid inside jokes- If no one understands the joke except the newlyweds, you will lose the rest of the room and all of the guests. No one wants to feel ackward. It's always best to avoid inside jokes that only a select group will understand.

9. Be Succinct, Short & Sweet- Remember, you are not the only one speaking. People's attention spans is short these days. Being short and sweet and to the point works best, 3-5 minutes is ideal. You can say a lot in a short amount of time. There is no need to go on a rant, and drag on and on. Guests will appreciate it, and so will the newlyweds.

10. Be Prepared- Make sure the people you have designated to speak, have something prepared. Winging it can often ends in a train wreck that can create an unpleasant ackward experience amongst your guests. A little advance planning can go a long way.

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Sound Sensations Entertainment , based in Oshkosh WI, offers highly engaging, fun wedding entertainment to all points in Wisconsin including Wisconsin Dells, Stevens Point, Green Bay, Oshkosh, Green Bay, Appleton and all other areas of Wisconsin. Sound Sensations Entertainment employees a team of 3 DJ/MCs, DJ Bob V, DJ Devon L, & DJ Ed Eaton each have more than 15-20 years of wedding entertainment experience at more than 1500+ wedding celebration. If you would like to have us at your upcoming Wisconsin wedding reception and/or ceremony, please check your date today.

Sound Sensations Entertainment provides DJ, Photobooth, Uplighting & More is a wedding entertainment company based in Wisconsin servicing weddings throughout the local area, including, Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, Madison, Milwaukee and the surrounding areas.