Public speaking is one of the top five most common fears. Not surprising, then, that proposing a toast is a common cause of wedding anxiety. If you are one of those who are expected to propose a toast, though, you'll know in advance and have time to practice.Here are some pointers to help you present a polished toast:
1. PREPARE. Know what you want to say, and practice.
2. Call people's attention to yourself by standing up. Do not ring your spoon against your wine glass: expensive crystal has come to a dramatic end when a nervous toaster whacks it just a little too hard. Stand tall, with your glass held at chest height ,and glance around the room; wait a moment for people to look your way.
3. Make eye contact. If it makes you too nervous to look out at the guests, do at least make smiling eye contact with the person you're toasting. Look at them, and you encourage others to look at them (and not you!).
4. Talk about the person you're toasting, not yourself. Avoid inside jokes, and be careful with humor: the idea is to honor the toast-ee, not humiliate them.
5. Speak slowly. Listen to the news announcers on the radio: they don't sound weird at all, but if you pay attention, you'll note they probably speak more slowly than normal speech. That's so everyone can hear and understand.
6. Go easy on the alcohol. One drink may calm those jitters. Too many, and you lose the ability to judge your audience. You'll be boring them, and, when you see the video later, embarrassing yourself.
7. Keep it short. Three minutes at the outside. Any more than that, you'll become the wedding horror story everyone talks about afterward -- the person who just didn't know when to shut up and sit DOWN!
8. Announce the recipient. When you've finished speaking, lift your glass, and state the person's name or role: "Ladies and gentlemen, to the Bride."
6. Go easy on the alcohol. One drink may calm those jitters. Too many, and you lose the ability to judge your audience. You'll be boring them, and, when you see the video later, embarrassing yourself.
7. Keep it short. Three minutes at the outside. Any more than that, you'll become the wedding horror story everyone talks about afterward -- the person who just didn't know when to shut up and sit DOWN!
8. Announce the recipient. When you've finished speaking, lift your glass, and state the person's name or role: "Ladies and gentlemen, to the Bride."
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