HOW TO MAKE A SPEECH/TOAST AT A WEDDING
You have been asked to make a speech/toast at an upcoming wedding of a friend or family member. Words of congratulations or welcome can be tricky. Below you will find some tips and guidelines that can be followed when preparing and presenting your speech.
1) HOW LONG SHOULD MY SPEECH BE?
Ideally your speech should be no longer than approximately 5 minutes or so. You want to say the important things but not make it into a long drawn out life story. If a longer time frame for presenting your speech is needed, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss modifying the reception agenda to include that (with the approval of the couple of course).
2) WHAT SHOULD IT LOOK LIKE?
Ease of use while presenting is the name of the game here. You want paper that is easy to flip from page to page. We suggest printing to card stock paper in 8-1/2 x 11 letter size. Font size should be bigger and easy to read. Small font sizes are difficult to read in spaces that are not brightly lit, as most wedding receptions are not. We recommend using a 15 point Arial or 15 point Times New Roman font. These are generally a nice and easy to read size and font style for anyone public speaking.
3) HOW DO I SPEAK INTO A MICROPHONE PROPERLY?
This part is crucial if you want the microphone to pick up everything you are saying. Most people don’t have much experience speaking into microphones. The best way to use a microphone if you’re unsure about where it should be held, is to simply hold it gently with one hand and let it rest against your chin. This way, no matter which way you move the microphone will follow your head movements and what you’re saying will be perfectly clear for everyone. A wireless handheld microphone will be provided to you ahead of your speech. Following your speech, please pass it to the next individual speaking (I will provide you guidance on this at the reception).
4) WHAT IF I WANT TO INCLUDE A VIDEO/PHOTO PRESENTATION?
Photographs, video and audio clips are a great way to add depth to your speech. Some of the most memorable presentations are done this way. If this is something you may be interested in including, please let me know so arrangements can be made.
5) WHERE DO I STAND?
To be seen by everyone in the room, standing in the right place is very important. Depending on your seating placement at the reception there are a few different options. On occasion, the room layout changes things, but unless otherwise instructed, this is what to expect. Wedding party members will stand up from your seat at the head table and deliver your speech from there. If you are sitting at a family/guest table (parents, other family members, friends, etc.), you will come up to the head table and stand behind either the Best Man/Woman/Person or the Maid/Matron/Man/Person of Honour. This way, the Wedding Couple can simply slide their chairs back a little bit, angle them, and have the perfect view of you.
If you are presenting a toast (as opposed to a “welcome”), always have your glass with you and to complete the toast by asking everyone to stand and join you in raising your glass to the person(s) being toasted (use their real names though, don’t actually say bride/groom/couple). If you’re presenting a welcome to the family, you may bring your glass up with you and, in combination with your welcome, propose a toast “to the couple”, but this is not necessary.
6) HOW DO I AVOID PITFALLS?
Always keep in mind that when giving toasts/speeches that this is a family event and content should remain PG for the audience. Also it is best to keep this complimentary and not have it turn into a roast. Jokes and stories in good taste are fun but can sometimes get out of hand. Speeches/toasts should always be presented with a clear head. Alcohol consumption can greatly affect the outcome of your speech. Practice, practice, practice. Public speaking always goes much smoother if some of the content is memorized. It should help you feel more confident as well.
7) I NEED MORE HELP!
Here are a few REALLY GOOD YouTube videos to watch. Even if you only watch one or two of them (they are 3 - 4 minutes each), they are well worth your time and a lot of fun to watch!
https://youtu.be/4deue0KdMXM (How to toast)
https://youtu.be/jHmq2pe4gK8 (Toasting dos and don’ts)
https://youtu.be/6CWUprczAqw (How to talk to a crowd)
If any of the information contained within this document requires additional explanation, please call or email me at your earliest convenience. I welcome all questions and of course want nothing but the absolute best experience for the
special couple that we hold in common for this celebration.
1) HOW LONG SHOULD MY SPEECH BE?
Ideally your speech should be no longer than approximately 5 minutes or so. You want to say the important things but not make it into a long drawn out life story. If a longer time frame for presenting your speech is needed, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss modifying the reception agenda to include that (with the approval of the couple of course).
2) WHAT SHOULD IT LOOK LIKE?
Ease of use while presenting is the name of the game here. You want paper that is easy to flip from page to page. We suggest printing to card stock paper in 8-1/2 x 11 letter size. Font size should be bigger and easy to read. Small font sizes are difficult to read in spaces that are not brightly lit, as most wedding receptions are not. We recommend using a 15 point Arial or 15 point Times New Roman font. These are generally a nice and easy to read size and font style for anyone public speaking.
3) HOW DO I SPEAK INTO A MICROPHONE PROPERLY?
This part is crucial if you want the microphone to pick up everything you are saying. Most people don’t have much experience speaking into microphones. The best way to use a microphone if you’re unsure about where it should be held, is to simply hold it gently with one hand and let it rest against your chin. This way, no matter which way you move the microphone will follow your head movements and what you’re saying will be perfectly clear for everyone. A wireless handheld microphone will be provided to you ahead of your speech. Following your speech, please pass it to the next individual speaking (I will provide you guidance on this at the reception).
4) WHAT IF I WANT TO INCLUDE A VIDEO/PHOTO PRESENTATION?
Photographs, video and audio clips are a great way to add depth to your speech. Some of the most memorable presentations are done this way. If this is something you may be interested in including, please let me know so arrangements can be made.
5) WHERE DO I STAND?
To be seen by everyone in the room, standing in the right place is very important. Depending on your seating placement at the reception there are a few different options. On occasion, the room layout changes things, but unless otherwise instructed, this is what to expect. Wedding party members will stand up from your seat at the head table and deliver your speech from there. If you are sitting at a family/guest table (parents, other family members, friends, etc.), you will come up to the head table and stand behind either the Best Man/Woman/Person or the Maid/Matron/Man/Person of Honour. This way, the Wedding Couple can simply slide their chairs back a little bit, angle them, and have the perfect view of you.
If you are presenting a toast (as opposed to a “welcome”), always have your glass with you and to complete the toast by asking everyone to stand and join you in raising your glass to the person(s) being toasted (use their real names though, don’t actually say bride/groom/couple). If you’re presenting a welcome to the family, you may bring your glass up with you and, in combination with your welcome, propose a toast “to the couple”, but this is not necessary.
6) HOW DO I AVOID PITFALLS?
Always keep in mind that when giving toasts/speeches that this is a family event and content should remain PG for the audience. Also it is best to keep this complimentary and not have it turn into a roast. Jokes and stories in good taste are fun but can sometimes get out of hand. Speeches/toasts should always be presented with a clear head. Alcohol consumption can greatly affect the outcome of your speech. Practice, practice, practice. Public speaking always goes much smoother if some of the content is memorized. It should help you feel more confident as well.
7) I NEED MORE HELP!
Here are a few REALLY GOOD YouTube videos to watch. Even if you only watch one or two of them (they are 3 - 4 minutes each), they are well worth your time and a lot of fun to watch!
https://youtu.be/4deue0KdMXM (How to toast)
https://youtu.be/jHmq2pe4gK8 (Toasting dos and don’ts)
https://youtu.be/6CWUprczAqw (How to talk to a crowd)
If any of the information contained within this document requires additional explanation, please call or email me at your earliest convenience. I welcome all questions and of course want nothing but the absolute best experience for the
special couple that we hold in common for this celebration.
