Make a speech. I'd rather face a hoard of drugged up drunk phychotic Hells angles than stand up in front of people and speak alone. Now I cant get out of this one. It's my daughters wedding. Can anyone offer some advise. Serious advise would be the most welcome.
2006-09-25 10:40:15 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Don't look at any one specific face in the crowd. Look just above their foreheads.. just a general view .. then you won't see the faces looking back at you ... but to them , it looks as though you are looking at all of them right in their eyes. Do this .. with each part of the crowd .. turn your body slightly so it looks as though you are including everyone as you speak .. just look above their faces .. it helps. Good Luck ! :)
2006-09-25 10:43:49 · answer #1 · answered by tysavage2001 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know exactly how you feel! I was best man at a friends wedding and was terrified at the prospect of making a speech! It doesn't help that I have a mild stammer anyway, which gets considerably worse when I'm nervous.
All I can recommend is practise, practise, practise! Have notes to hand because you'll be amazed at how easy it is to forget what you're going to say even after weeks of learning the thing by heart! And remember, no one is going to judge you, it's a happy day, a bad speech has never ruined a wedding! (Unless you mention something about the groom sleeping with somebody else, that doesn't go down too well!)
Others have mentioned not to have a drink, but maybe one or two for Dutch courage might help. Remember that the speech is a small part of the day, and will be over before you know it. I've heard some people say to imagine the audience all sitting in there underwear, but this only works if there aren't any good looking guests, as imagining them in only their underwear can be a slight distraction!
Above all, don't let your fear of the speech cloud the rest of the day!
Good luck!
2006-09-25 21:05:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
make some notes ahead of time. Just bullet point some items. Look at someone in the audience that you trust and pretend you are speaking one on one with them. You will relax pretty quickly. Also know that you will know your material better than everyone else, and also know that most of those in audience will be amazed that you could get up in front of a crowd like that, because they wouldn't have the courage to do it themselves. Keep it short sweet and to the point. They came to celebrate a wedding and not hear a speech.
2006-09-25 10:45:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are definately not going to have anything to drink (difficult at your daughters wedding) then you could try getting a couple of beta blockers from your gp. You do a dry run before hand in case they make you fall asleep. Theres a couple of medical conditions that would prevent you from doing this.
The only other thing I know that really works is a good hypnotherapist but get a referral from someone who's been, don't just get one out the phone book!
2006-09-25 10:46:26 · answer #4 · answered by sarah c 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aren't you just a beautiful dad, you must love your daughter so very much to be so nervous about making a speech in front of all her and her hubby's guests, a few of her naughty girl stories from when she was very young would go down well and make everyone laugh, nothing too embarrassing though, just telling her and everyone how much you love and adore her, how proud you and your wife are of her and tell her how much she means to you both and that you hope their future will be filled with love and happiness, then sit down and have a huge drink as you deserve it.
2006-09-25 11:14:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had to do the same thing. I thought it helped if I spoke directly to close friends or family. Make sure you know where they're sitting before you talk, and speak directly to one and then to another. That worked until my son, the groom, started tearing up. Then all bets are off!
Talk about wonderful things you've observed about the couple and things you've always wanted to tell them. Have you noticed little things they do for each other that shows their love? Don't be afraid to express your love for them. Now's the time!
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2006-09-25 10:47:23 · answer #6 · answered by Hatikvah 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An interesting tidbit. More people fear public speaking more than they fear death. That means that at a funeral most people would prefer to be the corpse than deliver the eulogy.
Wish I could be of more help. Just keep in mind that it's your daughter and it's her wedding. You'll be fine.
2006-09-25 10:44:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations! Make it casual and sincere, so if you slip somewhere you can get back on track easily. In my speech class we were only allowed outlines which was great, because then you just elaborate on the topics you have planned out. Good luck!
2006-09-25 10:44:28 · answer #8 · answered by M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, you say it's your daughter's wedding. So, that actually shouldn't scare you too much because it's friends and family that are listening to you. If I were you, I wouldn't type up some huge speach, but make an outline or guideline about what you might say.
2006-09-25 10:49:39 · answer #9 · answered by Abby 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
learn your speech by absolute heart. If you're too nervous you might not be able to read it. Keep it short. Look at someone who understands your nerves and don't drink too much beforehand. You'll do fine!
2006-09-25 11:05:16 · answer #10 · answered by gillybean 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋