Wedding Speeches and Toasts
Online wedding planner for over 10 years. My goal has been to show everyone the best way to plan their wedding without breaking the bank !
Tips and Ideas For Wedding Speeches and Toasts
Wedding toasts and speeches are one of the time honored traditions of weddings. They can express thanks to many people who were involved in the event. They also share the joy of the day. They celebrate the joining of two into one.The difference between a wedding toast and a speech it the length. A toast is considered only one or two lines, where a wedding speech can be between 2 and 5 minutes.
The most important things to remember as the toaster is to face those you are toasting and direct your comments directly to them. It is also important to speak clearly and slowly so that others can hear you.Remember, you job is to honor the bride and groom. Your toast will be an important part of the memory of their special day !
Every wedding toast or speech should have the same parts:
1.Giving Thanks to the hosts of the wedding or the previous speaker
2. A short explanation how you know the bride and groom
3. A quick heartfelt story about the couple
4.The toast itself
Who Gives The Toast
Traditionally, the best man is the master of ceremony at the wedding reception. That is why it is important who you chose as your best man. He will be the person who moves things along at the reception, so you will want to chose someone who is comfortable with the task.
An easy order of the toasts to be offered could run like this:
- The best man toasts the bride
- The maid/matron of honor toasts the groom
- The wedding host/ father toasts the couple
- The couple toasts their family and guests
You can change the order or number of toasts. It is strictly the preference of the bride and groom.
When To Give The Toast
Toasts generally are given after the meal and before cutting the cake. It can also be given after the first dance and before the first course is served.
Length of Speech Or Toast
No toast or speech should ever go beyond 2-3 minutes
Wedding Toast NoNos
What never should be included in a wedding speech or toast
Never drink too much before speaking. Although you might feel it will calm your nerves, too much alcohol will prevent you from speaking and thinking clearly. Never use humor in poor taste.Humor is good, humiliation is notAvoid stories about exes and keep your stories suitable for the children and grandmothers who may be in the audience Don'T be crude or bring up extremely embarrassing situations.
The Best Man's Toast
The best man's speech can be a little creative to include anecdotes about the bride and groom's first meeting or any other amusing tales.
Briefly, introduce yourselves. Explain your relationship to the couple. Remember it's about them, not you.
First thank the groom for asking you to be the best man
Present good wishes to the bride and groom and wish them a happy future together.
Relate a funny or touching story about the bride and groom togetherThank the hosts of the wedding. This may be the bride's parents or it may be shared between the 2 families Read any telegrams, faxes and cards from family and close friends that couldn't attend the wedding.
Here"s one of my favorite wedding quotes for best men. It was said by Ronald Regan,"There is no greater happiness for a man than approaching a door at the end of a day, knowing someone on the other side of that door is waiting for the sound of his footsteps"
Give the end of the toast by raising your glass and say, "Cheers", "Salut", L'chaim!, or any other toast ending
Father Of The Bride Toast
It is written, when children find true love, parents find true joy. Here's to your joy and ours from this day forward.
— UNknown
Maid Or Matron's Of Honor's Toast
This toast can be a sentimental toast celebrating her friendship with the bride and groom.Your toast should thank the couple for inviting everyone, have encouraging advice, offer congratulations and include a personal touch. The personal touch can be a memory, joke or secret but it should have application to the entire audience.
The Father Of The Bride
The traditional order of wedding speech or toasts starts with the father of the bride. He usually talks about the wedding ceremony and finishes with a toast. Here are some examples
Let us raise our glasses and toast the happy couple. The bride has been like a ray of warm sun light on my soul from the day she was born. Now, she begins a new life and there will be another man to whom she will turn for love and protection. But I want her to know her father will always be there for her. Cheers to the bride and groom.
A toast to my daughter. She was a gift from God and I will always be grateful to have been given the honor of being her father. May God continue to bless her and her new husband and grant them safety, love, and happiness all the days of their live
The Groom Responds
The groom replies to the first speech, thanking both sets of parents for the wedding and the guests for coming to celebrate and closes with a toast to the bridesmaids.
Thank everyone who has helped with the planning and preparations of the wedding ceremony and reception. You can give a general "thank you to everyone who has helped us in planning this wedding. Your hard work and friendship are truly apprecitated." In turn, you may also want to specifically thank one or two people who provided exceptional help
Turn to your bride and say some nice things about herThank the best man (and perhaps relate a humorous memory that you've both shared). Thank the groomsmen/ushers.
Finally, finish with some kind words to the maid of honor and the bridesmaids and thank them for all the help they've given the bride throughout the day. End with a toast to the bridesmaids.
What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined... to strengthen each other... to be at one with each other in silent unspeakable memories." --
— George Eliot
Toasting and Speech Tips
- Keep eye contact with the person or persons that you are toasting
- Gain everyone' attention by standing up and tap your glass with silverware to make a noise that will attract people's attention.Or you could have the DJ introduce you. Wait till you have everyone's attention before you begin.
- Introduce yourself and your relationship to the bride and groom.
- Keep your glass in your hand to indicate that you are about to offer a toast
- Encourage everyone to toast the newlyweds with you by asking them to "raise their glasses."
- Write your speech on index cards. They are less distracting than paper, but be sure to number the cards in case they get shuffled around.
- Speak slowly so that everyone can hear what you are saying
- Do rehearse your speech. Practice it over and over
- Stay sober until your speech is completed. This is a memorable moment for the couple
- No jokes about marriage. This is a hopeful day and a new start for this couple
- If you are the one receiving the toast, stay seated
- Say less is better than saying too much ! Never go over 5 minutes
- Give a copy of your toast to the groom.
- Always end your toast by looking at the bride and groom. "Ladies and Gentlemen , to the couple"
Marriage is like a golden ring in a chain, whose beginning is a glance and whose ending is eternity.
— -- Kahlil Gibran
Wedding Toasts Don'ts
We have all been at a wedding where someone gets up to speak or give a toast and it turns into a groaner. Something we would all like to forget. Remember, no matter who is giving the toast, there are a few things that should not be included
- Tell ex-girlfriend-of-the-groom stories. Leave the ex's back in Texas.
- Make fun of the bride.
- Tell risqué jokes or discuss anything about sex—someone's grandmother will probably be there.
- Tell inside jokes most guests won't understand.
- Ramble on about how you'll miss the good old days.
- Make the groom look like a slacker, loser or a drunk.
- Don't tell stories that predate the couple. Stick with their relationship. After all that's what the day is about.
Have You Ever Given A Wedding Toast?
Quotes For Wedding Toasts - Free Wedding Toast Quotes
Before the toast itself, a nicely worded quote is always appropriate. Here are some great examples for you to use
- Tips for a Wedding Toast: 30 Inspiring Quotes
Need inspiration when writing your wedding speech? Check out these 30 inspirational quotes to help get you going when writing your wedding toast. - Timeless Wedding Toast Speeches
Looking for wedding toast inspiration? This gallery of short and sweet well wishes is perfect for wedding speeches to celebrate newlyweds. - Wedding Toasts: From the Maid of Honor
- Wedding Toasts for the Father of the Bride
Here are some memorable outlines for wedding toasts for the father of the bride as you send your daughter off into the adventure of marriage. - Best Man Wedding Quotes
Nicely organized list
A Few Simple Toasts
- May you have love, health & wealth; but most importantly, may you have the time to enjoy them all.
- May your heart be light and happy,
May your smile be big and wide,
And may your pockets always have
a coin or two inside
- May your troubles be less and your blessings be more.
And nothing but happiness come through your door.
Cultural Wedding Toasts
- Chinese Wedding Toasts
A small sample of nice chinese toasts
More Wedding Toast Inspiration
- 70 Wedding Toast Examples: Funny, Sweet, Religious Wedding Speeches
Check out our huge list of wedding toast examples. Here we have listed thoughtful, funny, religious and parent wedding toasts.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
Here's A Toast To You ! - Tell Us How Your Wedding Toast Went !
JimmyStewart1959 on September 15, 2016:
Good stuff - I also wrote an article on here specifically about best man speeches - you can check it out at:
