Wedding Toasts Don't Have to Be Scary: Overcoming Wedding Toast Jitters

Feeling nervous about delivering a toast at an upcoming wedding? Well, you're certainly not alone. Wedding toasts can seem pretty intimidating. Most people who don't have to do public speaking as part of their professional responsibilities are terrified at the prospect of having to stand up in front of a large crowd. And, as we all know, the wedding toast is one of the most important events at the reception. That's a lot of pressure.

Fortunately, wedding toast jitters can be conquered if you follow a few simple steps. Some techniques work better for certain people, so experiment until you find the one's that help you the most.

The first thing you should do is be sure you are prepared. Practice makes perfect and the more comfortable you are with your speech, the less anxiety you will feel when your moment in the spotlight arrives. It may sound cliché, but practicing in front of a mirror really can help. The more comfortable you are with your toast, the easier it will be for you to make eye contact with the audience during your speech. And the more eye contact you make, the greater the connection you will make with the audience.

Just prior to giving your toast, try to relax as best you can. Alcohol is not recommended for this purpose. While you might relax after a few stiff drinks, you also run the risk of losing your concentration, which could lead to disaster. By the same token, don't consume any caffeine, as this will only increase your heart rate and make you feel more nervous. Think positively. Imagine yourself standing up and giving the best speech of your life. Visualization is remarkably effective and the more positive you are about your own ability to give the wedding toast, the more likely you will exceed your own expectations.

Taking a few slow, deep breaths is also an effective way to drain off nervous tension. Yawing and stretching is another way to relieve stress. Just remember to do this discreetly, so it doesn't look like you're bored or fidgety. Some people recommend picturing the audience in their underwear to help them cope with the anxiety. If this works for you, by all means do it. And if looking into people's eyes makes you more nervous, try looking just above the furthest person away. To the audience, it will appear you are looking at them, while in fact you aren't making eye contact with anyone.

It's important to remember that while you may feel nervous on the inside, the audience most likely won't know it. Plus, they're all rooting for you and your speech, so just try your best to enjoy the moment. The truth is that fear of public speaking is really all in your mind, so once you conquer it, you just might be a great orator!