Does the thought of giving a wedding toast terrify you? Do you lie awake nights dreading the upcoming event? Here are some helpful tips that will make you a champ.
JOT DOWN YOUR THOUGHTS Keep a notepad and pen with you at all times.
Every time you think of something about the couple you are toasting, write it down.
Don't rely on your memory.
Thoughts are fleeting and you might forget a juicy tidbit that would add flavor to the event.
Once you have all your thoughts written down, go over your notes.
You're bound to think of a few more to add to your list.
TIME TO ORGANIZE Sit down with a clean piece of paper and put the thoughts you wrote down in the order in which they happened.
Maybe you've been friends since you were kids.
That should come first.
Get the adventures in the order in which they happened.
Maybe you went to camp together when you were older.
So that would come next.
You may have a juicy tidbit that happened when you were in high school.
That would come next.
Then college, then going out in the world.
It's like cutting and pasting.
Now your Your wedding toast is beginning to take shape.
GET OUT THE RED PEN Once you've let it sit for a while go back to it with a red pen.
You'll probably want to add something and make a few changes.
Get rid of what's not funny or sentimental.
No boring stuff allowed.
Every word should add something.
Remember, a toast is short and should be to the point.
No one wants to hear you up there rambling and saying "uhm, uh," or "you know" over and over again.
That's why you're doing this preparation.
You want to shine.
Let's face it.
Very few of us can just get up in front of a crowd to give a good toast without having done some work beforehand.
MEMORIZE When you're finally happy with what you've written you've got to memorize it.
One very effective way is to record what you've written.
When you have the recording just the way you want it, play it over and over again.
Suddenly you'll realize you know it by heart, which is what you want.
You'll be nervous enough when the time comes, but if you really know your stuff you'll end talking with confidence.
Giving a good wedding toast is the highest tribute you can pay the couple and you'll make their day even more memorable.
JOT DOWN YOUR THOUGHTS Keep a notepad and pen with you at all times.
Every time you think of something about the couple you are toasting, write it down.
Don't rely on your memory.
Thoughts are fleeting and you might forget a juicy tidbit that would add flavor to the event.
Once you have all your thoughts written down, go over your notes.
You're bound to think of a few more to add to your list.
TIME TO ORGANIZE Sit down with a clean piece of paper and put the thoughts you wrote down in the order in which they happened.
Maybe you've been friends since you were kids.
That should come first.
Get the adventures in the order in which they happened.
Maybe you went to camp together when you were older.
So that would come next.
You may have a juicy tidbit that happened when you were in high school.
That would come next.
Then college, then going out in the world.
It's like cutting and pasting.
Now your Your wedding toast is beginning to take shape.
GET OUT THE RED PEN Once you've let it sit for a while go back to it with a red pen.
You'll probably want to add something and make a few changes.
Get rid of what's not funny or sentimental.
No boring stuff allowed.
Every word should add something.
Remember, a toast is short and should be to the point.
No one wants to hear you up there rambling and saying "uhm, uh," or "you know" over and over again.
That's why you're doing this preparation.
You want to shine.
Let's face it.
Very few of us can just get up in front of a crowd to give a good toast without having done some work beforehand.
MEMORIZE When you're finally happy with what you've written you've got to memorize it.
One very effective way is to record what you've written.
When you have the recording just the way you want it, play it over and over again.
Suddenly you'll realize you know it by heart, which is what you want.
You'll be nervous enough when the time comes, but if you really know your stuff you'll end talking with confidence.
Giving a good wedding toast is the highest tribute you can pay the couple and you'll make their day even more memorable.
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