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Keys To Successful Speaking Are
It's easy to see why most guides recommend
that three minutes is quite long enough for a wedding speech!
Keyed up by wedding jitters, buoyed up by champagne, often
unaccustomed to facing an audience of people, every speaker
longs to do well, yet dreads putting both feet in their mouth.
And if you've never (or hardly ever) had to make a speech
before, it's easy to panic. The most common traps are speaking
faster than normal, stumbling and adlibbing to cover up, and
speaking well over the three minute time limited.
There Are Just Four Keys To Successful
Speech Making
1. Keep it short, keep it clean, and learn it by heart. Remember
to bring your notes and don't be afraid to use them.
2. Use numbered postcard size notes with
one sentence or short paragraph printed in bold clear writing on
each. They don't get lost, they don't rustle and they fit
comfortably into a suit pocket.
3. Rehearsal is a must. Persuade a friend
to listen and watch, or use a tape recorder and talk to the
bathroom mirror.
4. Light humor and gentle jokes are warmly
received in any wedding speech, but be aware of clumsy phrasing
or risqué jokes which might embarrass or offend any member of
the wedding party or guests. Clichés about the Bride in her
Nappies (or the Groom without his), innuendo about previous
relationships and mother-in-law jokes are definitely OFF the
wedding speaker's list (but you have the choice).
Finally, remember you have lots of friends
among the guests, all of whom want your speech to go over well
just as much as you do! |
