Nothing makes a public speaker feel worse than the thought that their audience will become bored, or lose interest during their presentation. You don’t want your guests nodding off during your groom speech, so it’s important that you take the proper steps to keep them intrigued and entertained. Coming to a wedding is about more than just showing one’s respects to the bride and groom.

Coming to a wedding is about more than just showing one’s respects to the bride and groom. Many people attend a wedding for the experience that it entails. The ceremony, the reception, the speeches and even the food are all part of the experience of a wedding. You can help enhance that experience by giving a great groom’s speech during which no one’s eyes will close, nor will heads nod.

Here are 7 easy steps to take that will help keep your audience attentive and entertained during the groom’s speech:

Keep the speech poignant

During your preparation, consider what moments you have shared with your new bride, or other members of the audience that will meaningful. Your speech does not have to be too short, but you need to be sure you don’t ramble. Each sentence or story should have an intended purpose, a point you want to drive home. If possible, tie things together into one or two themes that people can relate to.

Include members of your audience

When you talk about people in the audience, this will keep them alert. Those who are close to them will also be attentive, and want to listen to what you are saying. This technique will come naturally in some parts of the groom’s speech, such as when you are saying thank you to members of the wedding party and family.

Keep movement and gestures natural

Speak and move in a way you would do so naturally in a conversation. This might include arm movements, facial and head movements and hand gestures. You can turn your body and torso from one direction to another to address different sides of the room. Be aware of both the front and back of the room. Standing stiff or speaking in a monotone voice will make your audience “tune out” or become bored. A lively speaker will keep everyone’s attention during the entire speech.

Tell a story

There are many opportunities in your groom speech to tell a story. You may talk about how you met your wife, what happened on your first date, what it was like when you met her parents for the first time, or how your best man has helped you through the engagement and wedding process. Stories share something important about your life and they are of interest to the listeners.

Consider photos or a presentation

One possibility you might consider is to use audio and visual aides. These can make it easier for your audience to follow your speech, and stay interested. It can be great fun for everyone to look at photos or visual presentations about the couple through a slide show or movie projection.

Include humor

Well-timed humor can keep the audience focused on what you have to say. Humor is entertaining and causes the heart to beat faster, and the blood to flow. This encourages them to keep listening. No one will fall asleep if they’re laughing or waiting to hear another funny thing you might say. Just be sure to avoid humor at the expense of anyone present who might be offended.

Make eye contact and be conversational

Your audience shouldn’t feel like you are talking at them but rather that you are sharing part of yourself with them. They have come to share one of the most important days of your life with you. Make them feel like they are really a part of things. Making eye contact can be difficult when all eyes are on you at the front of the room. You may want to practice this, before the wedding day, by addressing three or four friends who are seated at a table while you stand and tell them a story.

By practicing these suggested tips, you will have a better chance of making your guests feel more comfortable and attentive. This will also make it easier for you to deliver your speech. There’s nothing worse for a speaker than to get the impression your audience isn’t interested in what you have to say. After you have finished your groom speech, everyone will come away from the event feeling closer to you. They will feel like they have truly shared something special with you on your wedding day.

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