How to up your game with the dreaded wedding small-talk!
We know, we all have to engage with the brides second cousin twice removed at some point. Some of us are luckier than others, the lucky ones being those who were taught the flawless art of small talk and it truly is an art- being able to chat to complete strangers without fumbling over our words.
Endless chatter about the wonderful weather and how long it's been since you've been in the company of the bride and groom can get a bit boring though, so we've come up with a few tips on ‘how to do small talk’ at your next wedding.
So how can you go about charming everyone with your conversational skills? The best place to start would be finding some common ground. The thing about weddings- is that everyone who is attending is there for the bride and groom and with that in mind, there's no better starting point than to ask them how they are connected to the wedding party.
Body language is a huge asset. It is said that if you carry your drink in your left hand, it gives people the go-ahead to introduce themselves. It means you are ready to say 'hello' and to shake hands. Another important thing is eye contact...looking someone in the eye while you are chatting shows that you're interested in what they're saying and it comes across as more genuine.
If you are single and ready to mingle, be brave and approach other people. Target those friendly groups of three or four, this gives you the opportunity to meet more people quickly. A simple fact about larger groups of people is that they are far for willing to accepting 'newbies' into conversation, so take advantage! Avoid the pretty singletons in the corner - you might find yourself stuck with them for the night . Also avoid the obviously private chat between two people, as this runs the risk of interrupting them or causing embarrassment.
The best tip we can give you when meeting someone new is to ask them questions, don't be shy! It's really important, if not more important, to be interested in someone else rather than to have to be interesting yourself.
We all avoid that one guy at weddings who constantly talks over everyone else. He's only interested in himself and speaks far too loudly - to the point where everyone around has no choice but to listen to him/her. This is definitely a big wedding table 'no-no'. Chat to those seated around you and include as many people into the conversation as is possible.
If you happen to be the shy guest, your best bet is to redirect your focus. Don't worry about what the others around you are thinking of you - it's never as bad as you think. The best possible advice we can give is- once you're in a conversation, try to whole-heartedly concentrate on the person you are chatting to. Listen intently and keep those questions flowing so other guests at the table have a chance to jump in and answer too.
Just remember that all this small talk will get easier – you know what they say, practice makes perfect. And if you follow these tips, you'll be ready to charm the socks off everyone at your next wedding.
