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Weddings are a special occasion for everyone, but it's particularly important for the bride and groom. If you've been asked to give a wedding speech, you might feel overwhelmed, particularly if you don't have a lot of experience with public speaking. However, don't worry, because we've got your back. In this article, we'll be sharing tips and advice from experts on how to give a killer wedding speech.
The first thing to consider
The first thing to consider is the structure of your speech. Every killer wedding speech has one thing in common: the right flow. You should begin your speech with a statement or question rather than leading with a joke or reference to how nervous you are. As motivational speaker Jaime Pfeffer advises,
"The goal is to engage your audience, not make it a boring one-way message. You'll lose them if you do this."
Focus on your audience
You should also focus on your audience rather than on yourself. "Instead, concentrate on your audience and how you want them to feel. This will help you to speak from the heart, allowing your speech to do what it's supposed to do: Make the couple feel special while also engaging the audience," suggests speaker and life strategy coach Mark Black.
To help keep your message focused, seasoned speaker Susan Bender Phelps recommends zeroing in on one to three aspects of the newlyweds that you love and appreciate, along with no more than three short stories to illustrate each of these points (or that one point).
When it comes to acing the delivery, rehearsal is key. The better prepared you are, the more confident you'll be, and the better your speech will be. A good rule of thumb is to practice the speech enough that you can remember the points you want to make and the order in which you want to make them. That way, you can look out to the crowd and make eye contact every so often.
Record yourself practicing
It's also a good idea to record yourself practicing, says speaker and sex educator Kate Kenfield.
"It can be a little uncomfortable to watch yourself, but you'll be able to identify distracting mannerisms, such as the verbal pauses 'um,' 'uh,' and 'like'."
You should also practice your speech in front of someone else. "A second opinion can help you craft your piece and make it that much stronger," she says.
Although it may be tempting to look for some liquid courage, alcohol definitely won't do you any favors, warns keynote speaker Amy Morin. "It may cause you to slur your speech and forget your lines, so wait until after your toast to celebrate," she advises. If you need a drink to loosen up the nerves or can't refrain from participating in a toast without being rude, stick to one glass of Champagne before you address the crowd.
Remember that a little nervousness can actually liven up your speech. "I get worried if I'm not a little nervous," says author and professional speaker Barry Maher.
"I'll actually try to make myself a little tense to get my energy level up."
The key is to harness that energy and communicate it in a positive, genuine way. Trying too hard to force the funny can yield the opposite of the desired effect.
Practice, practice, practice!
Finally, don't forget to practice, practice, practice! The more comfortable you are with your speech, the more confident you'll feel when it comes time to deliver it. And remember, even if you stumble over a word or two, the most important thing is that you speak from the heart and share your love and support for the newlyweds.
In conclusion, giving a wedding speech can be nerve-wracking, but with these expert tips and examples, you can deliver a killer wedding speech that will leave the happy couple and their guests feeling touched and inspired. Remember to focus on the couple, keep it short and sweet, and practice your delivery to ensure that your words come across as heartfelt and sincere. With a little preparation and a lot of love, you've got this!
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