Wedding season is in full swing. This Friday, one of my dearest friends will be walking down the aisle and I’ll be right next to her as her Maid of Honor. Aside from planning her shower and bachelorette party, I was tasked with preparing a speech for the reception. This is nothing unfamiliar to me – I’m an old pro at being a bridesmaid. And writing a speech? Piece of cake. I banged it out in ten minutes. But public speaking? That’s a little bit more intimidating. 
Here are six tricks that I’ve learned to calm (or at least hide) nerves when speaking to an audience:
1. Be prepared!
Easily the most important tip. Even the most seasoned public speakers have some sort of plan. Start planning the speech, or at least an outline, well in advance. Certainly do not leave it for the last minute. Feeling rushed will only add to any anxiety over speaking. Allowing ample time to prepare allows the opportunity to fine tune all points in the speech, practice over and over again and time to “study” past presentations by highly regarded speakers.
2. Dress the part
You’re excused if you HAVE to dress a certain way as a member of the bridal party. Otherwise, make sure to clean up nicely. While looks aren’t everything, looking polished and put together should be a priority. But dress for the audience – if speaking to a bunch of artists, no need to go all out with a suit and tie. But if speaking to lawyers, then definitely go for that suit and tie. Skip the flashy jewelry, funky shirts and anything that may serve as a distraction. Not to mention, dressing nice can boost confidence!
3. No ifs, ands or buts (or ums, uhs or likes)
This should be a no brainer, but cut out the filler words. Saying “um” before every other sentence is the easiest way to lose the attention (and respect) of the audience. The easiest way to avoid it? Talk slower. More often than not, filler words are used when the brain needs to catch up with the mouth. Slow and steady wins the race.
4. It’s all in the eyes…
Another no brainer, but be sure to make eye contact with the audience. This ties into the first tip about being prepared. Having the speech written word for word makes it too easy to look down at the paper throughout the delivery. Studying the material repeatedly should mean that reading the speech verbatim isn’t necessary. If a crutch is needed, index cards or an outline can be useful.
5. … And the rest of the face
Smile! Also, a well-timed dose of humor never hurts. The audience probably likes to smile, too.
6. Relax!
Deep breath in… now let it out. Do that five times before picking up the microphone. Relaxing before speaking is easier said than done, but it’s best to walk in with a clear head. We’re our own worst critics, after all. If a word is skipped, it’s unlikely that anyone will notice. Giving a speech is almost never a life or death situation – life will resume as normal regardless of the outcome.
Now knock ‘em dead!