In the film “Wedding Crashers” Owen Wilson tells Rachel McAdams to just say something “from the heart”. For those of us who don’t have the luxury of Owen Wilson’s assistance, here are some practical tips to get ready for raising the glasses.
- Tell a Story
All communication is telling a story. Many people take the opportunity to tell an amusing tale about the Bride or Groom (just keep it clean). If you’re not one for breaking the tension with laughter, regale the audience with a time you noticed how happy their partner made them. It could have been a simple gift, or a moment where they genuinely smiled, or even the time they confided to you that their partner was “The One”. This shows that you’ve been paying attention and you care. Applause every time.
- It’s Okay to Not be Perfect
You finish your toast, everyone raises their glasses, the guests wipe a tear from their eye and your speech is topped off by several white doves flying off into the sunset. That may happen. You also may be psyching yourself up. A large part of the fear of public speaking is the cultural stigma that we must morph into Franklin D. Roosevelt when we have the floor. Let that go. The vast majority of people get anxiety over public speaking. They empathize. They know what you’re going through, calm and eloquence go hand-in-hand.
- Recite a Quote
T.S. Eliot once said, “Good Writer’s borrow. Great Writer’s steal.” If all else fails, quote. Not because it’s easy, but because creativity begets creativity. Find a quote that matches what you are trying to say and tie it in with your own experiences. When you read inspirational speeches, your mind follows suit. You’ll find your own words soon after.
The post Three Tips for Composing The Toast appeared first on Naninas In The Park.
