Humorous wedding toasts can transform a speech from awkward silence to a room full of laughter and set the tone for a joyous celebration. But, not everyone is born to be a stand up comedian. So what do you do if you are now in a position where you will be the one making the speech?

Are you terrified of the thought?

If you are like most, the image of standing up in front of a crowd has you wishing you could run the other way. Jerry Seinfeld said it the best when he stated, “According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right? This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.”

So how do you get over the fear so you can enjoy the festivities leading up to the speech?

There are a three key factors to remember to help you overcome your fear so that you can deliver perfect humorous wedding toasts.

1. Public Speaking Isn’t Supposed to be Stressful!

Fear of public speaking is quite common that some people think it is extremely stressful. Just remember, communicating with others is an activity you do every day. The only difference with public speaking is that you are addressing more people than you normally would.

Acquiring this new perspective is not something that you can achieve overnight but if you just focus on what you are sharing during your toast and less on the actual delivery process, it will help to lift off the burden.

2. Give Up The Idea of Delivering a Perfect Speech!

This is another major culprit as to why people fear the idea of speaking in public. Indeed, the idea of embarrassing yourself in front of family and friends is frightening. But the content of your speech is what these people will remember, not how you flawlessly delivered the speech. Once you are able to get rid of this anxiety, then you will find that you become less frightened with the idea of making a speech and talking in front of large groups.

3. Focus on the Purpose of the Speech!

One of the most common “hidden” causes of stress associated with public speaking is related to the cause above, which is trying to impress the audience with your delivery. Focus on what value the audience can get from your speech delivery instead of trying to make an impression on them. Although delivery will boost your success during humorous wedding toasts, the most important thing is to communicate effectively with them.

Preparation is key when giving a speech and finding resources to help write perfect humorous wedding toasts can alleviate your anxiety and give you the confidence you need.