These tips make me think about -- and question -- why it is so challenging to be vulnerable and/or forthcoming with our emotions in front of the people we love. Sam and I stood up at our rehearsal dinner to thank everyone for coming into town, and I'll never forget, I practically froze. Even in front of "your" people, it's intimidating! (And thus why I've avoided toasts.)
Nov 30, 2023·edited Nov 30, 2023Liked by Aja Frost, Aliza Sir
Because I'm Old, when I went to a wedding a few years ago and it was time for the speeches, when the first young person pulled out their phone I honestly thought "why are they going on their phone right now?" because I didn't understand they were going to be reading from their Notes app. Lol.
I agree that printing it out on paper looks more polished, but then again not everyone has a printer these days!
My sister told the story of the night we met my husband at karaoke night during her MOH speech. She talked about him telling us we should sing Celine Dion. 5 years later the 3 of us flew to Vegas to see Celine Dion in concert! And she did print it.
I am saving this for the next time I have to give a speech. Like you, speeches and toasts are my favorite part of events - but sadly, I'm an awkward and appalling speech maker. I wrote and recited a truly embarrassing "love" poem at my own wedding and still cringe when I think about it. 😅
These tips make me think about -- and question -- why it is so challenging to be vulnerable and/or forthcoming with our emotions in front of the people we love. Sam and I stood up at our rehearsal dinner to thank everyone for coming into town, and I'll never forget, I practically froze. Even in front of "your" people, it's intimidating! (And thus why I've avoided toasts.)
Because I'm Old, when I went to a wedding a few years ago and it was time for the speeches, when the first young person pulled out their phone I honestly thought "why are they going on their phone right now?" because I didn't understand they were going to be reading from their Notes app. Lol.
I agree that printing it out on paper looks more polished, but then again not everyone has a printer these days!
HA! And yes, I'm in the "no printer" camp — handwritten is definitely the way to go if you have the time.
My sister told the story of the night we met my husband at karaoke night during her MOH speech. She talked about him telling us we should sing Celine Dion. 5 years later the 3 of us flew to Vegas to see Celine Dion in concert! And she did print it.
Ahhh, it's the stuff of movies! Love that story. And I just thought of a bonus to having a physical bonus of the speech — you can frame it!
I am saving this for the next time I have to give a speech. Like you, speeches and toasts are my favorite part of events - but sadly, I'm an awkward and appalling speech maker. I wrote and recited a truly embarrassing "love" poem at my own wedding and still cringe when I think about it. 😅
It's hard to imagine someone as gifted a writer as you being a bad speech-writer. OMG at the "love" poem — it sounds very earnest and sweet!
that's the nicest thing I've heard today! The love poem was poop, but the marriage is working out (so far!)
So much great advice--thank you!
Thanks, Holloway! (You are an excellent speaker & one of the people I was thinking of as I wrote this!)
Love these tips! Thanks for sharing. This one "Close by coming back to the story you started with," is the symmetrical ending strategy we teach when writing novels, too. https://todayyouwillwrite.substack.com/p/a-symmetrical-ending
I wish #2 was mandatory for photo purposes alone!