Brad Montgomery, Motivational Speaker

A Great Start for Your Speech

Doing the right things to give your speech a great start.

There are things you can do to help make your humor connect right from the beginning of your talk.

-Arrive early and meet people in the audience. This builds a rapport that will increase the receptiveness of the audience to your opening lines.

-Be physically and vocally warmed up. Sometimes I step outside for some fresh air or take a brisk walk in the hallway. Actors warm up before performing. Successful speaking and humor delivery requires the same. You either warm up before you speak, or you warm up in front of the audience.

-Know your opening. This will allow you to be more relaxed at the start of your talk and it will enable you to be more observant while you are waiting for your moment on the platform. The time you spend observing, rather than mentally rehearsing your talk, will be time you may connect with some fresh and spontaneous humor to spice up your opening.

-Smile as you approach the speaking platform.

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Sample Maid of Honor speech

FRIEND OF THE BRIDE

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me first to thank you all for being here and sharing this wonderful occasion with us. I can't tell you how honored I am to be standing here to toast my best friend Sue and her husband Bob.

Sue and I like so many of us, met our first year in college and have been inseparable ever since. It's amazing how relieved I was when she and Bob finally got together. They'd been tap dancing around the idea of going out for almost six months before he finally found the, well, courage to make it happen. Asking her out may have been the roughest part of the journey, because ever since it's been nothing but sunny skies and smooth sailing for those two. I have never before watched two people fall so madly in love with each other, and I am so happy that I can share the celebration of their wedding with them.

Bob, it's been such a pleasure getting to know you the past couple of years. I know that you love Sue with all of your heart and will cherish her for the rest of your life. Of (Continue Reading…)

By Brad Montgomery

Toasts have long been the centerfold of any wedding reception. Aside from the outfits, decor, and food, what’s said by the couple’s friends and family is often most talked about by guests, and certainly most remembered by the the newlyweds years later. It is any best man’s duty not only to acknowledge various important people at the ceremony, but also share insightful and often entertaining words about the bride and groom.

Think before you speak
Whether you plan to ‘wing it’ or read it, you should always give your toast a minimum amount of thought beforehand. Consider your relationship with the groom (and/or bride, as it may be), and try to identify one or two shared experiences that could liven up your toast. Humor is always a plus when speaking before a large audience, but keep in mind the spirit of the day and the fact that you are speaking to honor, not embarrass (at least too severely) the newlyweds. Poking fun at the couple is perfectly acceptable if it contributes to your message, but never stray within sight of that line between fun and insult.

First off the block
Traditionally, the best man gets the honor of toasting first. Usually the (Continue Reading…)

1. Best Man is brother of the Groom
Welcome everyone, and thank you all for coming! I’m standing up here tonight to honor my brother Mark and his beautiful bride Laura. I have come to praise them both, and if I happen to embarrass either one of them, well, so be it!

It is a true testament to Mark and Laura that you have taken time from your busy schedule to come and share this momentous occasion with them.

Mark and Laura do not come lightly into this marriage. They have each put their ambition to good use and led extremely successful lives on their own. However, nothing can compare to the energy and love they’ve invested in becoming the perfect couple. Mark, characterized by a fast-paced, busy life, has learned to love life for its own sake, and we have Laura to thank for that. I never truly thought I’d see him settle down for the married life, but after observing how his relationship with Laura has strengthened his ties with his own family, and I extremely happy that he has.

Laura is a fabulous woman. She never fails to brighten everyone’s day with her warm smile and limitless compassion. Thank god Mark (Continue Reading…)

By Brad Montgomery

Toasts have long been the centerfold of any wedding reception. Aside from the outfits, decor, and food, what’s said by the couple’s friends and family is often most talked about by guests, and certainly most remembered by the the newlyweds years later. It is any best man’s duty not only to acknowledge various important people at the ceremony, but also share insightful and often entertaining words about the bride and groom.

Think before you speak
Whether you plan to ‘wing it’ or read it, you should always give your toast a minimum amount of thought beforehand. Consider your relationship with the groom (and/or bride, as it may be), and try to identify one or two shared experiences that could liven up your toast. Humor is always a plus when speaking before a large audience, but keep in mind the spirit of the day and the fact that you are speaking to honor, not embarrass (at least too severely) the newlyweds. Poking fun at the couple is perfectly acceptable if it contributes to your message, but never stray within sight of that line between fun and insult.

First off the block
Traditionally, the best man gets the honor of toasting first. Usually the (Continue Reading…)