Preparing and Delivering Your Speech
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| It is said
that the human brain springs into action as
soon as we are born and continues to function
satisfactorily until such times as we stand
to make our first speech in public ! |
One
Liners for Weddings
Mitch Murray |
Wedding
Speeches
and Toasts
Angela Lansbury |
The
Best Man's Duties
Vernon Heaton |
To most of
us the thought of having to stand up and make
a speech has never even crossed our minds. However,
sometimes circumstances require that we do just
that - and with a little thought, practice and
patience things may not turn out to be as daunting
as at first they seemed Here are a few tips
and observations which may help you in the planning
and presentation of your speech and, who knows,
when it is all over, hopefully you will probably
readily admit that you quite enjoyed it ! Thoughts
are often far worse than reality. |
Whether you be Father of the Bride, the Bride,
the Bridegroom, the Best Man or whoever, there
is absolutely no reason for you to feel apprehensive
or nervous - you are amongst invited relatives
and friends - you will not be making a public
speech. Your audience are all "on your
side" and they understand that you are
not a professional after dinner speaker - nevertheless
they are all anxious to hear what you have to
say. However, nothing should prevent you from
being as professional in your content and delivery
as you can - for the better your speech, the
more your audience will enjoy it - and the more
attentive will they be. |
Making
the Best Man's Speech
John Bowden |
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Eye contact is very
important. - hold your head up high and look
towards your audience whenever you speak. How
can you expect them to pay attention and look
at you - if you do not look at them ?
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It is almost impossible
to commit a speech entirely to memory and it
is equally difficult to read it. I suggest that
you make yourself some cue cards - about postcard
size - and on them write clearly in large easily
readable letters (felt tip pen recommended)
the Main Headings about which you are to speak.
Suggestion: as a short pause now and then is
often beneficial, and, lest you forget, consider
introducing a blank card once or twice into
the "pack" to remind you to give yourself,
and your audience, a few seconds break from
speaking. Never under estimate the power of
silence !
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The
Best Man's Organiser
Christopher Hobson
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A Bouquet
of Wedding Jokes
Stott |
Always remember you
are talking to an audience - not yourself.
The surest way to be a success with your audience
and keep their quiet attention is to speak to
them (not the floor !) slowly, clearly,
distinctly and to the point. Don`t begin your
speech until your audience is quiet and you
are clear in your mind what your first words
will be. Tip: if, when you stand to make your
speech, people are still talking - don`t panic
- don`t try to quieten them by shouting or talking
loudly over them and certainly not by "Sussssssh-ing".
Just stand up - face them with a fixed look
and say absolutely . . . nothing .
Wait patiently and eventually you will
find that gradually a hush will descend - believe
me it works !
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| But let`s assume
that you have a Toastmaster with you - surely
a must to ensure the smooth running of the entire
Reception - he will introduce you after having
made sure that your audience is quiet and attentive
- once you begin though its down to you to hold
their attention! |
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Tip: If, as is usual, there are gifts to be
distributed at "speech time", it is
suggested that this takes place after
the last speech - rather than during
any of them, thereby allowing uninterrupted
speech continuity from first to last. The "giving
and receiving" of gifts between, or during,
speeches necessitates personnel movement which
often has a distracting and unsettling effect
on your audience.
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Don`t
be in a hurry to start your speech. A slow
and dignified rise to your feet inspires confidence.
Take time to look at you audience, establish
that important eye contact by looking cheerful
and keep them waiting for just a few moments
- say 4 or 5 seconds at most. They are all
anxious to hear what you have to say and a
few seconds "hesitation" often sharpens
"anticipation"! A short pause before
you speak will also give you time to settle
down, collect your thoughts, size up those
who face you, and help you to speak slowly
and clearly and ... most important ...smile
- which in itself will help both you
and your audience to relax. |
The
Best Best Man
Jacqueline Eames |
Above
all your speech should never contain any doubrful
material - nor anything that is likely to
cause embarrassment to anyone present - everyone
in your listening audience is entitled to
your respect. Unless you are absolutely certain
that a specific remark addressed to a specific
person in your audience will be acceptable
to them - don`t even consider saying it. What
may seem funny to you at the time may not
seem funny to the person concerned nor to
the remainder of your audience.
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| I say again - speak slowly.
Even a little nervousness on your part - which
is entirely natural - will mean that unconsciously
you will be speaking much quicker than you think
- to your audience your speech will appear to
be almost unintelligible - so, slow down and
give yourself time - there`s really no need
to hurry ! Your audience will only be interested
and attentive if they can hear and understand
you ! |
Wedding
Toasts and Speeches
Jo Packham |
Even if you feel entirely confident that you
have successfully committed your entire speech
to memory, always remember that a sudden attack
of nerves can immediately distract your attention
at any time. Always have your notes in front
of you and don`t be afraid to let your audience
see them. If you do lose your place, just stand
there and remain silent until you have found
where you left off. Keep them waiting a few
seconds and then - calmly carry on as if nothing
had happened. Just because you had lost you
place - there`s no need to tell the world about
it !
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Wedding
Speeches
Lee Jarvis |
Plan and rehearse
your speech at an early stage - you may at first
feel that "it`s going to be easy "
and that you can do it in " five minutes".-
but things are seldom like that. First impressions
are often misleading - so don`t leave it to
the night before or even later ! I would suggest
that at first you write out fully what you have
in mind to say.. Then read what you have written,
re-read it and then read it again. By this time
hopefully you will clearly see the need for
some alterations, additions or subtractions.
When you are completely satisfied with the content
of your speech now is the time to make up your
Cue Cards.... and
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| It is also time for rehearsal.
You can`t really rehearse your speech on you
own - if you do, you are asking yourself to
do two things at the same time - (a) concentrate
on what you are wishing to say and (b) listen
to your own delivery. |
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Wedding Speeches
Gordon Stretch |
It is sometimes
quite off putting to listen intently to your
own voice - far better to let someone else do
that. So ask a relation or friend(s) to be your
audience - preferably someone who will not be
at the Reception and will therefore feel far
more able to give an honestly impartial opinion
of your performance - and that`s just want you
want them to do - you are not fishing for compliments
- you are asking for honest opinions and suggestions
for improvement.
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Most important, I often hear said "Oh I`ll
be OK when I`ve had a few drinks ! Rubbish!
- you won`t . Alcohol will dehydrate you further
and that`s the last thing you want. Granted
you may need a sip or two of liquid refreshment
during the course of your speech - but the most
refreshing is yes - water. Believe me
- it`s the truth - so do make very sure you
have a glassful (or better still a jugful) handy
before the speeches start - and more especially
if you are last in the line of speakers.
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Try also:
The
Best Man's Handbook - James Grace
Making
a Successful Best Man's Speech - Steve Owen
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And finally,
being a Toastmaster myself, I have heard many
speeches - some good and some not so good -
but the one thing that they have all had in
common is that, on the day, they have
all come from the heart - and surely that`s
how it should be ! Good luck and above all -
enjoy it! |
Speeches can be likened
to a Lady`s Dress -
long enough to cover the essentials but short
enough to be interesting.
(Yes - you can use that !)
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