You look across the room at the sea of smiling expectant faces, you turn to your new bride, she is glowing, the gathered guests are tapping their wine glasses, the ringing noise gets louder and louder, your knees feel weak as you start to stand, you assume a confident look on your face, a look that belies your nerves underneath "I hope this goes well" you think to yourself as you prepare to deliver the Grooms speech.

Making any speech, let alone the Grooms speech on a wedding day is always a nerve wracking experience. As the groom it is your duty to provide the show stopping speech of the evening. The Grooms speech is without doubt the most important of the wedding day. There are people to thank, absent friends and family to include, a thank you to the caterers and above all a thank you to your bride for saying yes!.

The Grooms speech is never easy, you want to convey just how much you love your new wife and how happy you are to be a part of her new family, you want to add a dash of humor and give an image of confidence and strength. Here are a few quick tips to help you deliver your Grooms speech -

• Don't drink excessively before the speech, the last thing you want is to slur your way through your Grooms speech in front of your new in laws.
• Take your time, rushing a speech just makes it hard to hear what you are saying and actually keeps you in a nervous tempo, as much as you want to get it over with, slowing down your speech will help you relax and convey confidence.
• Don't over do the nudge, nudge, wink, wink stuff, plenty of time for that later!
• Write your speech out on place cards and number them, this makes it much easier to avoid loosing your place.
• If you cant think of what to write get a professional wedding speech writing guide, there are many available on the internet

Above all enjoy your day, this is your day to, don't be consumed with thoughts and rehearsing in the hours leading up to your Grooms speech.

By Gloria Bond