EAST PROVIDENCE, RI, August 8, 2012 — When preparing your words, keep in mind that a good wedding toast inspires laughter or tears, but a great toast evokes both. So start by thinking of some stories about the couple that are tender and lovely, such as recounting the time the vegetarian groom made the bride a pot of homemade chicken soup when she had the flu or the way they volunteer together in a nursing home.
Funny stories about the couple. Consider some funny moments related to their being together. For example, the time they tried camping and spent the night in a tree because they thought they heard a bear prowling around the tent. Perhaps mention how after that, they knew they could survive anything together.
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Concise anecdotes. Think of how your own life is in some way richer because of your connection to the wedding couple. Maybe they helped you through a difficult time and you will be forever grateful for their support. Perhaps when they walk down the street with fingers entwined, they make you believe in true love. There must be something that links you to them that the rest of the guests will nod at with appreciation and understanding.
Brief personal reflection. This is often a good way to conclude your speech before lifting a glass “to Jane and John” or “My sister and the only man we would want her to marry” or “My two luckiest friends in the world.” Again, don’t stray from the personal. That’s why you’re speaking and the person next to you isn’t.
Practice speech. Once you’ve written your toast, practice in front of a friend who can tell you what needs tweaking. The best writers will assure you there’s a reason for the rough in rough draft and it can take several tries to get it right. When you’re comfortable with your words, memorizing them might make you feel more confident in your delivery, but be sure to have discreet note cards as a back-up.
Finally, when your moment arrives, take a deep breath, stand up and try to speak slowly and honestly from that place of love you feel for your friend, who in getting married just did something more frightening than what you’re doing.
The East Bay Toastmasters club meets the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m. at Linn Health Care, 30 Alexander Ave, East Providence. For more information about the club, please visit http://9556.toastmastersclubs.org
About Toastmasters International
Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. Founded in October 1924, the organization currently has more than 270,000 members in 13,000 clubs in 116 countries. Each week, Toastmasters helps more than a quarter million people of every ethnicity, education and profession build their competence in communication so they can gain the confidence to lead others. For information about local Toastmasters clubs, please visit www.toastmasters.org.
