As a filmmaker, the toasts and speeches that happen during your wedding reception are key audio elements for your film. They set the tone and dialogue to help tell your story. Sometimes people are uneducated on how to speak into a microphone, so their guests won’t be able to hear any of the sweet words they have to say. To prevent this from happening at your wedding, here are 5 important tips for anyone giving a toast at your reception!

1. Keep The Microphone Close To Your Mouth

This may sound obvious, but when in the moment and nerves are running through your body, it’s easy to forget that you’re speaking into a microphone. For everyone to be able to hear you loud and clear, it’s important to make sure you’re holding the microphone close to your mouth. Usually, a hand or fist distance away is ideal. You don’t want guests screaming at you to hold the mic up, or that they can’t hear you, and if that’s the case, It’s easy for your audience to lose interest.

2. Keep A Steady Hand

Be sure to hold the microphone steady at that hand or fist distance away from your mouth. If you have to gesture, be sure to use your other hand. If not, this will cause dropouts in volume which you might not notice in the moment, but everyone else will. Your wedding toast should be loud and clear!

3. Stay Put

Be sure to stay in one spot while giving your toast. Sometimes a DJ or Band will have the mic on a stand and there are reasons for that. If you wander around, you could walk close to speakers which will cause feedback. As a videographer, I also want to make sure you’re in one spot so we can keep you in frame where our cameras are set up. If you’re running laps around the dance floor while giving your speech, half the shots will be the back of your head instead of your pretty face.

Sometimes I will personally put an X on the floor with tape so you know where to be. This spot is thought out and collaborated on between myself, the photographer, and the DJ/ Band so that you look and sound the best!

4. Hold The Microphone Correctly

This is an aspect that is often overlooked. Make sure you hold the microphone in the middle of the handle. If you hold the top like you’re about to drop the hottest freestyle of 2024, you’ll muffle the sound of your voice. We want you to sound as good as possible, so try to avoid this.

You’ll likely be given a wireless microphone, and it’s important to not hold it at the very bottom. Usually, the antenna for the wireless signal comes from the bottom and if you’re holding it, you’ll disrupt the feed which will lead to a poor connection to the sound system. Dropouts in audio will lead to the guests not being able to hear what you’re saying and will frustrate you from having to constantly repeat yourself.

5. Be Confident

One of the most important tips for giving a toast at a reception is to go in with confidence! Public speaking is most people’s number one fear in life, but after reading this article, you’ll be prepared. So just relax, loosen up, practice your wedding toast, and you’ll do great!

– Austin

---

Hi, I’m Austin, a wedding videographer based out of NYC.

Want to learn more? Feel free to check out some of my wedding films here: https://cinemarollfilms.com/

Check me out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cinemarollfilms/

Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cinemarollfilms

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@cinemarollfilms