Don't worry if you don't feel you're a "natural" to take on the role of master of ceremonies. Very few people can just "wing
it" when speaking to a crowd. In fact, even professional speakers are likely to prepare a script or outline in advance and
rehearse its delivery.
Ironically, the secret behind many of the most natural-sounding presentations is preparation time. Use these tips as
a guide to hone the delivery of what you plan to say, and get more comfortable addressing the wedding guests:
- Practice telling your stories until you feel comfortable and confident. Aim for a conversational tone, as if
you were chatting to a good friend, not a roomful of people.
- Be conscious of spots where you tend to waver and insert "ums" and "ers" and calmly replace them with pauses.
Doing this can actually add dramatic impact or signal a change to a new point. A pause can also allow you to take a deep
breath and gather your thoughts. Don't feel that you must commit everything to memory: If you've got a hard copy of your
speech, use a red marker to remind you where you want to pause for effect or even take a breath.
- Be prepared for when you take over the microphone, and have to grab people's attention. Before you can plunge
into your speech, you must politely interrupt the guests' conversations and get them ready to listen. Pausing after you step
up to the podium is a good way to fix their attention on you. If that doesn't work, try clearing your throat or tapping your
finger on the microphone.
- Be personal. Your speech should sound like a relaxed conversation between friends (at a dinner party, not in the
locker room!). Pitch, rate, and volume are the tools that will make your speech come alive. Your voice should rise with
questions or bubble with laughter when you tell a funny story. Speed up your delivery to show excitement; slow down when you
want to make a more serious point. Speak quietly sometimes to make the audience listen more intently. Whatever you do, look
as though you're enjoying yourself!
- Always remember that you'll have the kindest and most forgiving audience any emcee could ever have-good friends and family members gathered for a happy occasion. They want you to succeed in your role as much as you do. Even if you trip over a line or two, they'll be supporting you with applause and smiles.
