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anyone else afraid of public speaking?Submitted by mommymash on Fri, 05/09/2008 - 2:41pm.
so my best friend jill (i've known her for 16 years!!) is getting married two weeks from today; i'm her maid of honor and monkeygirl is her flowergirl, and i know it's going to be a great day. i am totally freaked out, though, because i know i'm expected to give a toast in front of all 150 people during dinner. i'm sweating a little right now even thinking about it.... what if i lose it and just start sputtering in front of everyone?? what if i'm trying really hard to be funny and nobody even cracks a smile? i definitely want to write something great, but i might need to borrow one of monkeygirl's diapers when the moment comes. People like to be entertained. Generally, when you are speaking in front of people, they want you to do well, because if yuo do well, they have a good time. So, bask in the fact that the people listening to you are sending you good vibes, because they are. And think about how much you love your friends who are getting married, and how excited you are to tell everyone that they are great people! If you know your lines cold, it is easier to be natural about it. Just relax! Put it all into perspective..you are a mother, you have handled harder situations then just talking in front of people! If you need to, keep it short sweet and poignant. Weddings are full of happiness and emotion, it isn't like you are at a comedy club or a medical conference. Just pretend you are talking to her, wishing her well in her new marriage and forget about the other people. "So what makes a good toast? Remember the essential elements: brevity, a little humor, personalization, and, above all, sincerity."
Just do whatever you can to be comfortable. Imagine you're just talking to her or to a room full of friends. And if you're really nervous about it and you tend to do or say the wrong thing when you are nervous, then this is not a time for experimenting and going out of your comfort zone. |
last wedding I went to the maid of honor gave the longest most boring speech ever ..."I first met so-an-so when we were 12. When we were 13 we went to camp together. When we were 13 & 1/2...." BOOOOOORING! Don't do that.
But then the bride's mom did "the wedding rap" which was fucking hysterical but since I'm imagining you're not a 60 year old home shopping-a-holic with a North Jersey accent I don't know if it'd have the same appeal.
Good luck!!