By Debra Fine
Have you been invited to toast the happy couple at an upcoming wedding or rehearsal dinner? That’s a great honor, but since public speaking makes most people nervous, you might want to learn the fine art of making toasts before you step up to the microphone. Here are 8 wedding toast tips that you can start to work on immediately.
#1: Do your homework
Know your audience. Who are they? What will they find touching, funny? Determine the duration of time allotted for your toast. Generally 2 minutes is an appropriate length of time. If a microphone is in the plan do sound checks before attendees arrive at the venue.
#2: Craft a fitting toast
Match the tone to the event, and then determine your message or theme. Jokes may be well-received at a bachelor party or bridal shower but not at the rehearsal or wedding dinner. Always keep your goal in mind and how you would like your words to be remembered. Use your own words and speak from the heart. It will be more meaningful. Remember that the focus is on the bride and groom, not you. Be complimentary, the point of a toast is to say something nice.
#3: Practice, practice, practice
Practice your toast several times. Aim to repeat your toast without notes. If you can, go to the event site and practice your toast.
#4: Get audience attention
Either click glasses (being careful not to cause breakage) or even more effective: stand up and use eye contact to quiet your audience and get their attention.
#5: Hold yourself confidently
Stand up, put a smile on your face, maintain excellent posture and keep your body open (i.e. no crossed arms; feet just less than shoulder width apart) and hold a glass containing appropriate beverage in one hand.
#6: Connect with your audience
As you begin to deliver your toast look at the honoree(s) and then look across the audience, making eye contact with a few people throughout the crowd. This gives the appearance of addressing the entire crowd.
#7: Be clear as crystal
Speak slowly and deliberately so that you are sure to be understood. Use short silences to calm your nerves in the middle of your toast.
#8: Closing with class
Lift your glass and ask everyone to join you in toasting the honoree(s), at the end of your toast. Sip, not chug, from your glass.
Apply these 8 tips, and your toast will be a memorable part of the occasion. And who knows? You might even get part of the credit for the marriage’s success.
About the Author
Debra Fine, a former engineer, is now nationally recognized as a speaker, conversation expert and author of the just released "The Fine Art of the Big Talk" and the bestselling book "The Fine Art of Small Talk." She regularly delivers presentations for organizations such as Cisco Systems, Credit Suisse, National Environmental Health Association, Lockheed Martin, and hundreds of other associations and corporations. She has appeared on the Today show six times, in addition to the Early Show, CNN and Fox Business News and she’s based in Denver, Colorado.
