Sticks and stones may break your bones - but whoever said words could never harm you lied! It`s every groom`s worst nightmare - standing dumbstruck before a sea of expectant faces - heart pounding, lips frozen and a throat as dry as the midday Kalahari sand....

Of all the stressful things a person has to encounter in a lifetime - speeches are among the most dreaded. Grooms have been known to avoid popping the question for this very reason... However, with our collection of helpful tips, you have no excuse!

Look who`s talking!
There are really no hard and fast rules about who should speak at a wedding, but if you`re a sucker for tradition - this is how it should go:

• The Master of Ceremony, who may or may not be the best man, welcomes the guests and invites them to partake in as much eating, drinking and merry-making as possible.
• Then, after the wedding meal, he stands up and introduces the father of the bride, who toasts the couple and offers some anecdotes about her childhood.
• Then, the Master of Ceremony ushers in the best man, who presents the audience with some (usually humorous) anecdotes about the groom. The best man also leads the audience into a toast to the future of the happy couple.
• Finally, the groom responds, thanking the father of the bride, the best man and the entire retinue on behalf of himself and his new bride. He toasts the bride and compliments her on her radiant beauty as well as the qualities he most loves about her. He also toasts the bridesmaids, groomsmen and anyone else who has contributed to making the wedding day a success. Following which, the couple rise and cut the cake.

Bowl them over!
Most of the time it`s not what you say, it`s how you say it! Remember, a speech is not a sales pitch or a corporate presentation given to an unreceptive panel - it`s an opportunity to express your emotions in the presence of close family and friends. Never again will you have such a captive audience - who share in your joy, support your motives and are generally very forgiving if a mistake should occur.
The first rule is well known, yet extremely relevant: KISS - Keep It Short and Simple. Long, arduous speeches are painful for all involved, so try not to exceed five minutes!

Don`t pretend to be someone you are not. If humour is not your forte, try sincerity - if you keep it short and sweet, it will work just as well.
Take some short notes to refer to as you speak rather than write down the entire speech, as this allows it to appear less rehearsed and more `off-the-cuff.`

Practice the speech a few times before taking centre stage. Time the speech and decide exactly where the `pauses for effect` should go. Feeling prepared also will make a colossal difference to the state of your nerves on the day.
Don`t divulge anything that could get you sued for defamation, or divorced - for that matter! If it`s a shaky, embarrassing moment you want to relate to your guests, perhaps you should consult with those involved first!

Do Not be sexist!
Not a word about cooking, ironing, washing dishes and nappy changes...or else!! (Don`t say we didn`t warn you!)

Finally, make a list of all those people you need to thank - as leaving somebody out could be hazardous to your future well-being! The list should traditionally include: Your family; the bride`s family; the best man; the bridesmaids; the master of ceremonies and all those who have travelled from afar to share the special day with you.

Article source: LifeWorld