Event, Wedding & Party Planning for UK Planners & Organisers

Keep to the point – 5 to 10 minutes at most.Look up, smile and look around the guests. If you look happy and confident, you’ll sound it too.If you’re not naturally witty, don’t try too hard. Be sincere and speak from the heart.Prepare well in advance – not the night before.Practise your speech out loud a few times and time it to make sure it doesn’t overrun. If possible, read it to someone who’s opinion you trust.If you’re an inexperienced speaker, write the speech out in full rather than in note form.Be funny if you can but avoid sexual innuendos or anything risqué. Elderly relatives will be listening as well as your friends, so it must be suitable for all.Keep your sentences short and you language conversational and informal.If you’re not used to speaking in public, use a microphone if there is one. If not, lift your head and project your voice – don’t talk into your notes. You’ll need to speak up to be heard at the back of the room. Don’t rush or you’ll fall over your words. Take a deep breath and take your time.