I coached a client who was giving the wedding toast for his
daughter’s wedding. We worked on his content and delivery so the wedding toast
would be both touching and amusing. Afterwards I asked him, “What was the best
part?”
He replied, “The funniest part of the toast was never
expected. My toast was after dinner before the cutting of the cake. The
toast was going great between laughter and a few tears. I got to the part, “My
wish to both of you is to have a love story like my Mother and Father in
law. Amanda’s Grandparents tonight are celebrating their 56th wedding anniversary! How exciting to share the same wedding date!"
My father in-law stood up slowly on one side of the room and then my mother
in-law stood up on the opposite side of the room and the crowd just
laughed. The expression on my mother in-law was priceless.
I just
thought of the power of the pause for humor and gave a long pause.
Everyone kept laughing.
Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.
