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Top Tips for your big Wedding Speech

KEEP IT BRIEF – If your speeches are before the reception most people will be thinking of their tummies rather than your speech.  A short, concise and humorous speech will often win the day.

KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE - Make a point of mingling with other guests, it's easier to speak to a group of friends than to a group of strangers.  Try not to embarrass or insult anyone, your life will be much less complicated if you don’t.  Trust me.

KNOW YOUR MATERIAL - If you're not familiar with your material or are uncomfortable with it, your nervousness will increase. Practice your speech and revise it if necessary.  Do not rely on a page of notes, if you get nervous it will look like a foreign language.

RELAX – Don’t constantly think about your speech on the big day, relax and enjoy yourself with friends.

VISUALISE YOURSELF GIVING YOUR SPEECH - Imagine yourself speaking, your voice loud, clear, and assured. When you visualise yourself as successful you will be successful.

REALISE THAT PEOPLE WANT YOU TO SUCCEED - Audiences want you to be interesting, stimulating, informative, and entertaining. They don't want you to fail.  (There is the odd exception but no-one likes him anyway).

DON'T APOLOGISE - If you mention your nervousness or apologise for any problems you think you have with your speech, you may be calling the audience's attention to something they hadn't noticed. Keep silent.

TURN NERVOUSNESS INTO POSITIVE ENERGY - Harness your nervousness energy and transform it into enthusiasm.

GAIN EXPERIENCE - Practice speaking in front of a mirror, into a tape recorder or in front of friends.

MAKE SURE EVERYONE CAN HEAR YOU – The last thing you want is the farthest tables away discussing the football because they can’t hear you.

ENJOY YOURSELF – If your audience see you enjoying yourself they will most likely enjoy it too, remember it should be a fun day for all!