Practise your speech enough in front of a mirror and then u wont have to read it. Practise it on your wife, your neighbors etc etc. Cue cards if necessary as a back up. If you have time go to your local Toastmasters and u can get speaking in front of a group for a couple of sessions before they ask u for the dues. Public speaking can be fun if you do enough of it. I used to write a speech out on paper as it helped me memorize it. Definitely do not read your speech as u need to make eye contact with your audience. Eventually if you are well prepared you will enjoy it.
