Article Advise

submitted: Aug 26th 2008 | by: JayelleFinch | Total views: 1 | Word Count: 549 | |

Sooner or later it had to happen, right? Your best bud would get married leaving you cruising in the single lane on your own. You played that scenario in your mind a few times before.

What did catch you by surprise when he told you about his wedding plans was that he wants you to make a wedding toast at the reception, one of your duties as his best man.

So after you get that cold sweat under control, where do you start when writing and delivering a wedding toast? How do you harness the jitters and use them to your advantage. What on earth do you say, you who are known as the strong, silent type?

Here are some pointers on making a superb wedding toast.

* It's important to get started early when planning, writing, practicing delivery and everything else involved in making a wedding speech. Don't be tempted to "play it by ear". Trust me, the results wouldn't be pretty. Hit the books for research and the web for tips too.

* Harness those jitters. The noise of knocking knees is only slightly different from the sound of applause, after all. Work with your fear to help it make your wedding speech the best ever.

* Write, edit, relax and don't look at the wedding toast for a few days. Then repeat the process as often as necessary until you just know you have done the best job you can. Look at this as a journey and try to enjoy the whole thing, otherwise it will just seem like a chore that you want to get out of the way.

* A touch of humor is great in a wedding toast but it only works if it is gentle humor. There is no room in a wedding speech for sarcasm, spicy tidbits, gross jokes, too-personal stories, in-jokes or bad language.

* Talk about your relationship with the groom, a youthful adventure or two, about how you just knew he had met his intended when you were first introduced. In your wedding toast, say what a wonderful guy he is, how you think his bride is a great match and how great a future you believe they have together. Speak from your heart.

* Short and sweet. Don't be tempted to go longer than five minutes max for your wedding toast.

* Face time! Practice delivering your wedding toast in front of a full-length mirror, complete with props and features. Time it too.

* Testing, one, two. If at all possible, find a few minutes before the reception starts to stand at the mike where you will be giving your wedding speech. Get a feel for the room from this point of view. Practice delivering to the audience, using eye contact with a few friendly faces or if looking directly at people makes you nervous, aim slightly over their heads.

* Extend arm. No, you are not shaking hands; you are preparing to give the actual wedding toast. Use a full glass, raise your arm from the shoulder, and look directly at the bride and groom when you toast them. This is the last part of the wedding speech.

* Walk to the bride and groom. Embrace the groom and the bride and go back to your seat. You're finished with the wedding toast. Wasn't that a great experience?

About the Author

Start your writing now, with some tips here. For additional help writing your wedding toast, click www.weddingtoasttips.com.

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