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Brentwood Press - Index

Brentwood Press - WeddingPlanner_6.27.08 - Index

JUNE 27, 2008 WEDDING PLANNER THEPRESS.NET | 9B
Make your speech the
Toast of the Town
Have you been invited to toast the
happy couple at an upcoming wedding
or rehearsal dinner? It’s a great honor, but
you might want to learn the fi ne art of
making toasts before you step up to the
microphone. Here are eight wedding-toast
tips you can work on right now.
1. Do your homework
Know your audience. What will they
fi nd touching or funny? Determine the
time allotted for your toast. Two minutes is
a typically appropriate length. If a microphone
is in the plan, make a sound check
before the room starts fi lling up.
2. Craft a fi tting toast
Match the tone to the event and
then determine your message or theme.
Certain jokes will be better-received at a
bachelor party or bridal shower than the
rehearsal or wedding dinner. Always keep
your goal in mind and how you’d like your
words to be remembered. Your toast will
be more meaningful if you use your own
words and speak from the heart. Remember
that the focus is on the bride and
groom, not you. The point of a toast is to
say something nice, so be complimentary.
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.
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4. Get the audience’s attention
Either click glasses (being careful not
to break anything) or even more effective:
stand up and use eye contact to quiet your
audience.
5. Hold yourself confi dently
Stand up, put a smile on your face,
maintain excellent posture and keep your
body open (e.g., no crossed arms; feet just
less than shoulder width apart) and hold a
glass containing the appropriate beverage.
6. Connect with your audience
As you begin to deliver your toast,
look at the honorees 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 crystal clear
Speak slowly and deliberately. Use
short silences to allow the audience to
absorb your thoughts – and to calm your
nerves.
8. Close with class
At the conclusion of your toast, lift
your glass and ask everyone to join you
in toasting the honorees. Sip, don’t chug,
from your glass.
Apply these eight 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.
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