b'PREPARE AND DO NOT PROCRASTINOCRASTINATEThis is no time to wing-it. Start a month or so in advance month or so in advance to assemble your thoughts about special memories, qualities ecial memories, qualities you love about the bride and groom individually and as a m individually and as a couple. You may want to ask others to contribute memoriesto contribute memories or anecdotes to incorporate. You may want to research may want to research and consider poems, quotes or song lyrics to include. If ng lyrics to include. If more than one person is speaking, compare notes to avoid compare notes to avoid duplicating each other.PRACTICEWrite down your remarks or make a bullet-list on a e a bullet-list on a notecard. Practice in front of your spouse, friends or co-pouse, friends or co-workersany willing audience you can nd. Record your can nd. Record yourpractice and review for improvements. Are you shufing nts. Are you shufing your feet, staring down or talking too quietly? To quietly? Time your ime your practice to make sure you are keeping it short and sweet.ng it short and sweet.Dont drink too much before your speech! Bring your notes or put them on your phone soyou wont leave them at home.Everyone loves humor and a fun joke can lighten up any crowd, but remember someones grandmother is probably attending and choose your jokes with care. Relatedly, people will be expecting some funny stories about the wedding couple, but dont let any secrets out or humiliate either person with a story not intended for primetime. Make sure everyone can hear and thatany audio equipment is working.Be who you are. You were chosen for a reason. Dont try to force a style that isnt natural to who you are, whether that is a comedy routine or a deeply serious introspection.Photo Courtesy of Austin Photo Studio'