Wedding Congratulations
Having a small book of wedding congratulations close by can prove sometimes to be a life saver. Think back to all the times you stood up to say Congratulations to the happy couple, and you stammered, giggled nervously, turned red, wished you were dead........all in that order, without saying a coherent word. Many people have the same experience when it comes to standing up in front of a wedding crowd to extend wedding congratulations and found their minds have gone blank and they can't even remember their own names nevermind the names of the bride and groom.
There are certain times and gatherings and situations that wreak havoc with your brain out of sheer nervousness or in extreme cases, terror. Standing up in a well wishing crowd of people , many of whom know you well.........good points and bad.........to give wedding congratulations can be just one of those times. That is why a small book of well worn but well loved wedding congratulations is worth its weight in gold.
The most difficult part of giving wedding congratulations is keeping something relevant or pertinent to the situation in mind and then add your personal touches to the toast. That was the original snafu anyway, wasn't it, the fact that you could not only keep anything pertinent in your mind to say, you couldn't keep anything in your mind to say.
You are trying to rise above the norm of just mumbling anything generic that passes for wedding congratulations, like many people do to get out of having to think; and if you can't come up with anything that sounds like a touch of genius, then reach for your little book of wedding congratulations and get it over with.
Really, only a few people will know if you don't do a smashing job of delivering your wedding congratulations, (unless you fall on the floor in a dead faint.....some would notice that); and most people are willing to overlook a lot and give you the benefit of the doubt. So afterwards, you can check with your little book of wedding congratulations and see what you should have said and wished you had said, instead of what you did say. Just be more prepared the next time......check with your little wedding congratulations book before the reception, not after.
You will find, though, as you are invited to more weddings and get to do this more often; giving wedding congratulations gets to be less and less traumatic the more you do it. Pretty soon you are toasting wedding congratulations with the best of them, raising your glass high and delivering your good wishes and congratulations with a cool demeanor and strong, clear, steady voice.
Sometimes the trick to becoming more sure of yourself while giving wedding congratulations, is to practice in front of a mirror. When you start being impressed with your mirror image, then you know you have turned the corner to a new level of composure and self confidence. Keep using the tried and true verses until you have found one that suits you and you can tweak it to make it personal, or make versions of it if you want to when needed.
But there are so many people out there that have the same problems with public speaking and who are struck dumb when they are pushed out of their comfort zone, that a book of wedding congratulations can be so welcome.
If there is not a book of wedding congratulations in a store nearby, then check out the internet.......you will be sure to find something to help you there.