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The Perfect Speech A good wedding speech is all about the delivery, so how can you ensure success?
Having written your speech, you are about halfway to becoming a successful speechmaker. You still have some work to do on your presentation through. Compare your situation, if you like, with that of an actor. An actor may know his lines perfectly, but he needs direction, rehearsal and self-discipline to make a success of the part he is to play.
HOW WILL YOU KNOW YOUR LINES?
You could read from your script. This is certainly the easiest way for you to present your speech, but it is not good from the viewpoint of the guests at the wedding. They will expect to be spoken to, not read to. It will also sound unnatural and lack liveliness and spontaneity, and leave little or no opportunity for mentioning unexpected events of the day. It is these last-minute additions that can really bring a speech to life. Reading an entire speech from a sheet of paper will also stop you from making eye contact with the audience.
You could do as an actor does, that is, learn your speech by heart and then recite it. But are you a good enough actor to sound natural? Are you sure you won't forget your lines? And, if you have to make any last-minute changes to your speech, will you get confused?
 Most public speakers find that the best way of presenting a fairly short speech is to compromise between reading it and reciting it. This involves getting thoroughly familiar with the content, but learning by heart only the vital facts, such as names and how to pronounce them. To cut down on the amount of text you use, first write the speech out, then make very brief notes that remind you of each part of it. Gradually cut back on your text, so the notes say as much as you need to jog your memory.
When you are speaking, use prompts to remind you of what to say, such as a set of cue cards. These are small index cards with key phrases that remind you of different parts of your speech. Even if you feel you need to put your whole speech on the cards, they are still preferable to a piece of paper, because you will need to pause and look up as you turn them.
Now, read through your speech several times, first in your head, then out loud. Remember to pause at the places you have marked. After a while, you will find that you are familiar with the speech that you can look up from your script from time to time, and then refer to it again to bring you back on course.
Before long, you will need to refer to your script only occasionally. You will be sufficiently familiar with it.
PERFORMANCE
By now, you should have a clear idea of the size of your audience and the size of the room in which the reception will be held. With a small number of guests in a small room, you'll be able to be heard speaking in your normal voice - unless you normally speak very quietly. If it is to be a large hall, with many guests, microphones may well be provided, so again, your normal voice will be fine. If there are no microphones, you will need to work on your volume, so that you reach those at the back, but without shouting.
Try a non-dress rehearsal, one day when you are alone. Stand behind a table with a chair behind you. Have a tumbler of water and a glass of wine in front of you. Prop a large mirror at the far side of the table. This will represent your audience, and will also show you what they will see.
 Stand upright but relaxed. Nervous speakers often unconsciously clink loose change or keys in pockets, shuffle from one foot to the other, rock backwards and forwards, or fiddle with their hair or clothes.
Perform your speech. Speak more slowly than you do normally, but not too slowly. Remember, the guests will be seated and you will be standing, so look out, as if over them with your head inclined slightly downwards. Smile now and then as you speak and let your gaze wander over the guests.
When you are referring to a particular person, turn your body - without shuffling your feet - so that you will be looking in the direction of that person. When you get to the toast, pick up your glass and drink the toast.
Now, be really critical of your performance, and see where it can be improved.
Did you wobble about - or, even worse, sway to and fro? Most inexperienced speechmakers do!
Were you able to hold your script easily? A piece of cardboard at the back would stop it flapping about. Or, you might prefer to write it out on a series of cards that you can hold in the palm of your hand. If you choose this method, make sure each card finishes at the end of a paragraph and do number the cards clearly, so that they cannot get out of order. A loose tag through the cards would make sure they stayed in order and that one was not dropped at a crucial time.
Did you wave your free arm about? An occasional gesture is fine; it prevents you from appearing wooden, but too much arm-waving will make you look more like a signalman than a speech-giver.
DELIVERY
The way a speech is delivered is very important. It is easy to sound pompous, but too much informality should also be avoided out of consideration for the importance of the occasion.
 You should by now know your speech quite well and you'll be aware of how you will look to your audience. You've got your voice level right for the room you'll be speaking in, so now you should check that your rate of speaking and your voice quality are satisfactory.
Practice your speech with the aid of the microphone supplied with most tape recorders and cassette players, setting the microphone well away from you if your voice will have to carry, without amplification, to the back of a large hall. Listen to your recorded speech and, again, be critical of yourself.
Better still, video your practice runs. Watch them critically and learn from them.
Perhaps you need to speak more slowly or more distinctly. Perhaps you should try to lower the pitch of your voice a little. Are you breathing properly? Take in a good breath at the beginning of each sentence and let it out easily as you speak. Never empty your lungs completely before taking another breath.
Are you concerned that you have an accent - local or foreign? Don't be! And don't try to ‘talk posh' when it's not natural to you. However, don't be sloppy about pronunciation - especially of people's names, and do take a little care over your aitches and over words ending in d, t and -ing. You will then not only sound more professional, but also you'll be understood.
SUMMARY OF POINTS TO REMEMBER
Keep reminding yourself of these important points as you work through your planning and practice. Plus, there's one other important rule if you feel things are not working as well as they should: it's the KISS principle, meaning ‘keep it simple, stupid'.
DO...
• Plan your speech thoroughly
• Write bold headlines on small cards organised in sections, and number the pages
• Rehearse your speech until you are comfortable with the words and your delivery
• Dress unobtrusively, and avoid anything that jangles or will be distracting
• Stand still, comfortably relaxed and upright, with feet slightly apart
• Speak clearly but not so loudly that you could shatter a pane of glass
• Hold your cards in your hand or hold your hands behind your back
• Take a deep relaxing breath before beginning, and remember to breathe
throughout the speech
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Planning 
I posted 4 photos on Facebook in the album "Bridal inspiration from Cannes...." 
