The last word
Ask any public speaker what their biggest fear is, and they’ll pretty much always say it’s forgetting where they are in their speech.
Fumbling over your words and getting a bit lost is nothing to be ashamed of, provided you can make a quick recovery and get back on track OK.
Take your speech on cue cards with bullet pointed reminders of what you want to talk about, rather than printing it all out in full. This will give you a more natural delivery, and will save you having to read through several paragraphs to find your place after getting lost.
If you do get stuck, use the moment to clear your throat, take a drink of water or give your daughter a kiss. These moments might seem like a lifetime to you, but will only feel like a natural pause to your audience, and will give you the breathing space you need to get things back on track.
Take your time, don’t panic and try to enjoy your moment of fame.
Rachel Sprules is the Wedding Co-ordinator for Longleat House, Safari and Adventure Park. She has worked in the wedding and event planning industry for the last few years and delights in being part of a couples’ special day, ensuring everything runs like clockwork!