One thing I have been having a problem with is breaking in to make announcements......as in when it is time to perform the cake cutting etc.....It always seems awkward to me. Altnough we have had no complaints. Any suggestions on how to get the guests attention besides the normal "ladies and gentlemen...at this time we will be.............bla bla bla......"?
Weddings Making announcements
- Thread starter chrism1
- Start date
I fade the music down, then cut it hard, wait a second, then speak. While it may be cool to talk over a music bed, it's hard enough to get people to stop talking and be heard over the chatter. The ear hears voices easier when there is nothing else in the same frequency range. If you do run a bed, cut the midrange on the music and keep it low.
As for words to say, I've never thought about it, I just do it. I typically introduce myself at the first announcement and ask people not to be shy about requests. After that it might be an "excuse me, it's time for..." or something similar.
As for words to say, I've never thought about it, I just do it. I typically introduce myself at the first announcement and ask people not to be shy about requests. After that it might be an "excuse me, it's time for..." or something similar.
DjDennis
RIP- My Dad (2011), Sister (2013) and Mum (2017)
If you have the ability to record your annoncements (maybe using a Sansa clip at $20 that has a voice recorder), that will be an eye opener.
Once I did that, I found that I needed to slow down...it will sound in your head like you are talking too slowly, but you really are not.
Or , at home, just record yourself reading a list of BP intros from a prior wedding like you would at an event with all the inflections that you normally use.
Listen to that and be bluntly honest with yourself. Do it again correcting the mistakes you made the 1st time. Do that over and over.
Oh, and don't use the phrase "At this time...". I've heard it said over a dozen times at events I've attended from various DJ's and it sounds (IMHO) so boring and without thought.
Try using other phrases only once...keep it varied and unique to that event.
Oh, and it's ladies and gentleman, not "gennelman" as I've always heard. Make it a point to enunciate, speak slowly and with a little lower register as that will carry farther.
Once I did that, I found that I needed to slow down...it will sound in your head like you are talking too slowly, but you really are not.
Or , at home, just record yourself reading a list of BP intros from a prior wedding like you would at an event with all the inflections that you normally use.
Listen to that and be bluntly honest with yourself. Do it again correcting the mistakes you made the 1st time. Do that over and over.
Oh, and don't use the phrase "At this time...". I've heard it said over a dozen times at events I've attended from various DJ's and it sounds (IMHO) so boring and without thought.
Try using other phrases only once...keep it varied and unique to that event.
Oh, and it's ladies and gentleman, not "gennelman" as I've always heard. Make it a point to enunciate, speak slowly and with a little lower register as that will carry farther.
You could train the audience to the THX sound effect or a sound effect you are comfortable with for getting their attention for a announcement.
DjDennis
RIP- My Dad (2011), Sister (2013) and Mum (2017)
The goal is to sound natural.
The easiest way (for me) to be "natural"....is to NOT plan it too much.
(I don't write it down and I don't say it exactly the same way every time)
Don't try to think of brilliant new ways to say it...
if it means talking in a way you don't normally talk, or using words you don't normally use.
stop thinking of it as an "announcement", and say it as if you were saying it to a close friend
The easiest way (for me) to be "natural"....is to NOT plan it too much.
(I don't write it down and I don't say it exactly the same way every time)
Don't try to think of brilliant new ways to say it...
if it means talking in a way you don't normally talk, or using words you don't normally use.
stop thinking of it as an "announcement", and say it as if you were saying it to a close friend
That's one of the first things my first PM in radio taught me.
But even in radio, you always plan and practice what you're about to say. Your next song may have only six seconds of intro and you gotta get in in within that time frame.
So in that case, practice it, sound natural AND pretend you're having coffee at your kitchen table with a close friend.
That's recommended in radio and with any MC duties.
Going to have to disagree with the............... saying it as if you were saying it to a close friend
I would think you would want to sound more elegant when doing a Grand Intro for a Wedding Reception. I would script it and practice it over and over again so that when you utter those words it will sound natural.
I would think you would want to sound more elegant when doing a Grand Intro for a Wedding Reception. I would script it and practice it over and over again so that when you utter those words it will sound natural.
"saying it like you're talking to a friend" has nothing to do with the actual words you use...
you can use elegant words and still SPEAK those words badly.
It simply means that your should relax and talk in your normal voice (or delivery).
It's a way to avoid sounding nervous or sounding like a robot.
And true, practice makes perfect. But if you depend on a script too much, you can lose it enthusiasm (after using the same script over and over again)
Also, writing down EVERYTHING you want to say can become a crutch,
and you can lose your ability to think on your feet and speak "off the cuff".
You're contradicting yourself. Speaking like a close friend simply means make them feel comfortable with you. You can still be elegant, but if you practice too much, it may sound scripted.
Speaking clearly and professionally "off the cuff" is a practiced gift....thank you Toastmasters!
It's a fine and dangerous line 'cause if you're not careful, you will utter words you can't take back once they're out.
Are you really elegant when talking to your friends?
Would you talk to your friends the same way you would address a audience at a Wedding reception, I don't think so, so i'm standing by what advice i posted.
Would you talk to your friends the same way you would address a audience at a Wedding reception, I don't think so, so i'm standing by what advice i posted.
Working on a Music Video with a new up and coming talent here in Toronto Sunday it was like pulling teeth trying to get the lead singer to lip[ psync and hold that fake look once her singing part ended. She was plastic and practiced and then it shut off each time she completed the Sync yet still on Camera and went totally blank cause she was practicing only her vocal portion and not after her completion of those lyrics. Camera needs a few more seconds to allow the cut and edit.
ive got the same problem, im a very nice guy to be around and am not shy what so ever, until i got a mic! I could talk to anyone about anything face to face but i freeze with a mic, i am taking that advice about public speaking class tho im looking tonight for classes!
I am actually more comfortable talking in front of a crowd, than I am on the radio.
I use their energy to feed off of, and their reactions give me extra confidence.
You gotta stop worrying about screwing it up, cause that's the best way to ensue that you WILL screw it up.
I can't say whether classes will help as much as experience. You just have to keep trying.
Classes are a great idea. Toastmasters is also something I'd look into.
with the "ice breakers"...Ladies and gentleman.....at this time.....those things......the most important thing is to not keep repeating the same ones. It really doesn't matter which ones you use, but if you say the same one over and over, it will grind in people's ears.
with the "ice breakers"...Ladies and gentleman.....at this time.....those things......the most important thing is to not keep repeating the same ones. It really doesn't matter which ones you use, but if you say the same one over and over, it will grind in people's ears.