Remember you are surrounded by loved ones when you give your speech.
Preparation is the key to success
You’ve been understandably anxious with ‘best man speech nerves’ and as the day closes in, the fears start to compound. What if no one can hear you? What if they laugh at you? What if they hate you? The pressures are real but there are some simple things you can do to calm yourself down and be prepared. You don’t need to enroll in an emergency Toastmasters class, or down more than a few shots of vodka before show time to calm your nerves. All you need to do is understand that you are surrounded by friends and loved ones and everyone wants to hear your speech and for you to do your best.
Best Man Speech Advice
Your speech is coming from the heart, and as the best man, you are the resident expert on the subject at hand – the groom and his new bride. Remembering this brings confidence to your voice and overall performance. Before it’s your time in the spotlight, take a few moments and remember the events that led you here. You were chosen by your best friend and his new wife to stand beside them and to share a speech that will entertain the attendees. This is your calling, and understanding this will help calm your nerves to a great degree.
Combating Best Man Speech Fear
Best man speech fear occurs when you begin to stress over your performance. There are many specific causes, but most times it is simply a fear of judgment. A fear that you will stall and be facing the silence of a silent room. To overcome this issue, write your speech down on a series of note cards. Once you get going, you will be able to remember most of it and speak without looking, but having them handy will add to your confidence. Once you get stuck, simply read from what you have prepared.
Another great way to calm your best man speech nerves is to visualize the room before you stand up to speak. Know where the people who care about you are sitting, and use them as anchor points for your eyes while speaking. No one expects you to be an expert at public speeches, so by looking out to a crowd and your friends in particular, you will have greater confidence and give your speech an air that sounds as if you are talking to an old friend.
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