The Wedding Speech - 10 Tips For Gaining Confidence
By: Sheilah Marshall | Posted: 20th December 2006
Do you have an upcoming wedding speech that you are required to give and the mere thought of it makes you weak in the knees? Well, you're not alone. Many people have a fear of standing in front of an audience and delivering a speech. Giving a wedding speech is no exception.
This fear or phobia ranks right up there with the fear of heights and small, tight spaces. Even giving a brief wedding speech, can be terrifying. It's the fear of saying something foolish and making yourself look inept in front of others. I'll bet anyone reading this article can relate to that. But we all have to do it eventually. So, if you have a wedding speech to deliver for a friend or family member I have some tips to help you through it.
10 Tips to Building your Confidence
1. Prepare First
Know exactly what you are going to say in your speech and how you want to say it. If you lack enough information about the bride and groom, do not be afraid to ask around. People enjoy helping out with a wedding speech.
2. Be Brief
Most amateur speakers try to say too much in a single speech. To quote Shakespeare, "since brevity is the soul of wit," say only what you must say in your speech and not everything that pops into your head.
3. Accept the Fact That You Will Be Nervous
Even the most experienced speakers get nervous. Use that energy to give the delivery of your speech a boost. Walk around a little, if there is sufficient room, and use some hand gestures. Just don't over do it.
4. Focus on Your Audience and Not Yourself
Most stage fright is rooted in preoccupation with yourself.(ie. How do I look, how do I sound, Will I mess up) Don't focus on yourself. Instead, focus on your audience and on what you want to say to them in your wedding speech. Think of the audience as friends who want you to succeed. Talk to individuals before your speech to get to know a few of them. Locate them in the room and make eye contact as you speak to them, one person at a time.
5. Practice in Front of Others
Practice your wedding speech in front of supportive audiences like family and friends. It may be uncomfortable at first, but the more times you do it the easier it will become.
6. Visualize Yourself as a Success
Practice relaxation techniques in the days before you present your speech. Find a quiet place where you can sit or lie comfortably. Close your eyes, breathe slowly and try to picture yourself presenting your wedding speech with confidence. See yourself clearly as you receive compliments on your speech.
7. Breathe deeply
While you are waiting to begin speaking, take three slow, deep breaths through your nose, filling your abdomen. Breathe out through your mouth and think “relax.”
8. Give Yourself Affirmations
Just before you give a speech at a wedding or anywhere else try giving yourself a pep talk. Tell yourself things like “I can do this” and “If I make a mistake, it’s okay, everybody makes mistakes.” Accept your mistakes as part of life's learning process.
9. Act Confidently
Hold your head up high, and stand up straight with your shoulders back (not as if you are an army private standing at attention, but as someone who exudes confidence.) It is a fact that if you act in a confident manner you will be perceived that way by others. Therefore, you will feel more confident as you deliver your wedding speech. Do not underestimate the effectiveness of this simple action.
10. Do Not Take Yourself Too Seriously
If you've made an obvious mistake in your wedding speech, for instance you get the bride or groom's name wrong, acknowledge it with some humor aimed at yourself. People tend to empathize with you and feel embarrassed for you when you've made an obvious error. It will not only ease your tension, but their's as well.
In conclusion, try to remember how good you are going to feel after your speech is done when you know you have done your best. Be proud of your effort and enjoy the rest of the wedding celebration.
Sheilah is a wedding planner/decorator and webmaster. Please visit us for more helpful information on wedding planning as well as wedding attire items such as beautiful discount bridal gowns and striking bridal headpieces at www.allthatsclassy.com
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Tags: audience, confidence, speakers, eye contact, bride and groom, preoccupation, hand gestures, family member, fear of heights, shakespeare, phobia, tight spaces, stage fright, wedding speech