Make Your Wedding Reception's Talks and Toasts Sparkle
Mike Moore
You might be asking yourself what motivated a professional speaker to write an article on speaking tips and toasts at wedding receptions. I guess it is the result of attending receptions that I felt could use a bit of help in this department.
Wedding receptions are a wonderful part of our lives. They allow us to come together to meet friends and celebrate new beginnings with their families. When I was younger it was the weddings of close friends that we attended. Now we are going to the weddings of our friends' children. The great circle of life continues. For the most part they are enjoyable experiences, but the receptions are frequently experiences of frustration and tension.
I am sure that you, like me, have sat through receptions that made you say, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!! The speeches went on forever and were often painful to listen to.
I, like you, have had to sit and listen to " Uncle Joe" who was half in the bag stand at the microphone going on and on and on for what seemed like an eternity. I have heard jock friends of the groom speak for 10 minutes using sports metaphors about their relationship to the groom. Usually their speech included how much they could drink and how many times they watched one another throw up after a night of partying.
Other observations included listening to the emcee of the evening deliver a stand-up comedy routine; a brother of the bride insult his Mother in front of the entire reception all the time thinking it was all in fun. The Mother didn't think so.
Things to do to make sure your reception is both fun and a bit classy
* The bride and groom must put more thought into who they ask to be the Master of Ceremonies at their reception and you they want to speak.
* Clearly outline the duties of your M.C. so they have parameters within which to work.
* Establish the order you want the speakers to appear and the length of time you want each to speak. Go over this with them prior to the reception.
* How many toasts do you want to have and who do you want proposing them. Select someone who is, at least, semi articulate.
* Are you going to invite other members of the reception to come up and say a few words? I suggest you don't do this. This can stretch out an already long dinner and it is also risky. The people attending have had drinks before the meal and wine with the meal and for some this turns them into a Robin Williams in their own mind. Remember: The mind can absorb what the rump can endure" Usually our rumps have endured a lot by the time the speeches and toasts are over.
Just paying attention to these few details can do a great deal to ensure that your reception speeches and toasts go over well.
This is an excerpt from Speaker Mike Moore's latest e-book " Tips for Wedding Talks and Toasts" http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?wedding
About the author: Mike Moore is an international speaker/humorist who presents on, Humor in the Workplace and Humor and Stress Management. http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?wedding
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