A Guide To Crafting The Perfect Wedding Toast Speech

Wedding toasts can be nerve-wracking, but they're also an honour. Whether you're the best man, mother of the groom, daughter of the bride, or the newlywed, a few simple tips can help you deliver a great wedding toast. Here's a quick guide to help you prepare and feel more confident.

First, know who usually gives a wedding toast. Traditionally, it's the newlyweds' parents, honour attendants, and the couple themselves. But there's no hard and fast rule, and you can include other loved ones who are comfortable with public speaking.

Next, plan the order of the toasts to keep things organised and smooth. Typically, the parents of the newlyweds go first, followed by the parents of the groom, the maid of honour, and the best man.

When writing your toast, start by explaining who you are and your relationship with the couple. This helps everyone understand why you were chosen to speak. Thank your hosts if you're part of the wedding party, or thank your guests if you're one of the hosts. Share anecdotes and sing the praises of the newlyweds and their partner. You can also offer advice or wishes for their future together.

Keep your toast concise, sincere, and humorous. Aim for a length of 3 to 5 minutes to hold the audience's attention. Practise your speech and bring a written copy with you—it's okay to read your toast if needed.

Finally, when delivering your toast, ensure everyone can hear you by asking, Can everybody hear me? Avoid inside jokes that may exclude guests, and focus on creating a positive and light-hearted atmosphere.

How to start a wedding toast

Giving a wedding toast can be nerve-wracking, but with a few simple tips, it can be a breeze. Here's how to start a wedding toast that will captivate your audience and honour the happy couple:

Brief Introduction

Start by briefly introducing yourself and explaining your relationship with the couple. This will help the audience understand your connection and why you were chosen to speak. For example, "Hi everyone! I'm Adam Johnson, the man of honour. I've been best friends with the lovely bride since high school." It's also a good idea to thank the hosts or guests for their love, support, and attendance.

Congratulate the Couple

Begin your toast by congratulating the newlyweds and expressing your happiness for them. You can say something like, "Tonight, we are all here to honour [Couple's names]. I feel honoured to be standing here today and am so happy for them." This sets a positive and celebratory tone for the rest of your speech.

Share a Meaningful Story

Share a meaningful, heartfelt story or anecdote about the couple. Talk about your relationship with them and why they are special to you. You can include one to three short stories that illustrate their unique qualities and what they mean to you. For example, you could say, "I remember when we first met... " or "One of my favourite memories with the couple is..."

Directly Address Both Partners

Be sure to address both partners individually, regardless of who you are closest with. This shows that you are cheering on both parties as they embark on this new phase of their lives together. You can say something like, "To [Couple's names], I wish you both all the best as you start this new chapter."

Raise Your Glass and Toast

Finally, it's time to raise your glass and make a toast to the happy couple! You can keep it simple and say, "Join me in raising a glass to the newlyweds. To a lifetime of love and happiness!" or add a meaningful quote or wish.

Remember to keep your wedding toast sincere, concise, and focused on the couple. Practise your speech beforehand, and don't be afraid to include a bit of humour to lighten the mood. Most importantly, speak from the heart, and your wedding toast is sure to be a memorable one!

How to structure a wedding toast

Structuring a wedding toast can be a nerve-wracking experience, but it can be a breeze if you follow a few simple tips. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to structure a wedding toast:

Introduction and Self-Introduction:

Start by introducing yourself and explaining your relationship with the couple. This is especially important if you are not a close family member or part of the wedding party. A simple statement or question can be a great way to begin, and humour can help break the ice. For example:

• "Hi everyone! I'm Adam Johnson, the man of honour. I've been best friends with the lovely bride since high school."
• "Tonight, we get to eat cake! But first, I have a few things to say about two very special people."

Congratulate the Couple:

Be sure to offer sincere congratulations to the newlyweds. You can also include a wish for their future or a meaningful quote about love and marriage. For instance:

• "May your love always be added. May it never be subtracted. May your household multiply, and may your hearts never be divided!"
• "A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person." - Mignon McLaughlin

Share a Meaningful Story or Anecdote:

This is your chance to make the toast personal and heartfelt. Share a story or two that illustrates your relationship with the couple and why you think they are a perfect match. It can be light-hearted or emotional, but keep it positive and avoid any negative details or inside jokes that others may not understand. For example:

• "I have to admit, I never thought I'd see Name happier than the year his football team won the Super Bowl, but Name, you have made him the happiest I've ever seen him."
• "Your love is obvious to anyone who looks at you. We all have faith renewed in love as we gazed upon you two tonight."

Directly Address Both Partners:

It is important to address both partners, regardless of how close you are to each one. This shows that you are cheering on their union and stepping into this new phase of life together. You can talk about how you knew they were just right for each other and wish them well. For instance:

• "Groom, you have such a love of life, and I am so happy that you have found a wife to share that love with for the rest of your days."
• "Your love is obvious to anyone who looks at you. We all have faith renewed in love as we gazed upon you two tonight."

Raise a Glass and Conclude:

Finally, it's time to raise your glass and offer your parting well-wishes for the couple. You can keep it short and sweet, such as:

• "Join me in raising a glass to the happy couple. To a lifetime of shared experiences and love!"
• "Cheers to the newlyweds. I hope your passion for one another deepens with each passing day."

Remember, the key to a great wedding toast is sincerity, brevity, and a focus on the couple's journey. Keep it light, positive, and well-structured, and you'll deliver a toast that is both memorable and meaningful.

How to make a wedding toast humorous

Wedding toasts are an honour, but they can also be nerve-wracking. Whether you're the best man, mother of the groom, daughter of the bride, or one half of the happy couple, you can make your wedding toast humorous by following a few simple tips.

Start with a one-liner

Kick things off with a short wedding toast or a one-liner to help you transition into giving the toast. Try something like:

> "I'm here to talk to you for the next 45 minutes. No, actually, I'm going to keep this short."

Be self-deprecating

If you're worried about your public speaking skills, try being upfront about it. Something like:

> "So if I pass out, all I ask is that someone drags me back to my table in time for cake."

Include a funny story or anecdote

Share a humorous but kind story about the couple, especially if you're the best man or maid of honour. Think about a time you got into an embarrassing situation together or managed to get out of trouble.

Use a funny quote

Include a humorous quote to help sum up your wedding speech. Here are some examples:

> "Love is friendship that has caught fire. It is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing, and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times." – Ann Landers

> "How wonderful life is while you're in the world." – Elton John

> "Look, in my opinion, the best thing you can do is find a person who loves you for exactly what you are. Good mood, bad mood, ugly, pretty, handsome, what have you. The right person is still going to think the sun shines out of your ass." – Juno

Keep it light

Your job when delivering a wedding speech is to keep things light. Tell an anecdote, make an emotional connection, and then wish the couple well. Anything that doesn't feel definitively positive should be avoided.

Make it personal

Add in details and names to make your wedding toast feel personal. You can also share a short story about yourself and the person you're toasting.

Be prepared

Get inspired with examples, spend some time practising in front of the mirror, and then get up there and wish the couple well.

How to deliver a wedding toast

Giving a wedding toast is an honour, but it can be a nerve-wracking experience. Whether you're the best man, mother of the groom, daughter of the bride, or one of the newlyweds, there are a few simple tips to follow to ensure your toast is a success.

Who Gives a Wedding Toast?

Traditionally, the newlyweds' parents, the honour attendants, and the couple make wedding toasts. However, other loved ones may also speak. It is best to ask someone who is comfortable with public speaking and has the time to write a toast.

Order of Wedding Toasts

The more organised the toasts, the smoother the process. Tell each speaker who is before and after them, so no one accidentally interrupts. The wedding planner can also help ensure each speaker is ready for their turn. The traditional wedding toast order is as follows:

• The parents of the newlyweds (or hosts)
• The parents of the groom (if they choose to share a few words)
• The maid of honour
• The best man
• The newlyweds

How to Write a Wedding Toast

Writing a wedding toast should be fun! A good place to start is by creating an outline. Briefly explain who you are and how you know the couple, so everyone understands your relationship to them. Thank your hosts if you're a member of the wedding party, or thank your guests for their love, support and attendance if you're one of the hosts.

Talk about your relationship with the couple and use one to three short anecdotes to illustrate who they are to you. Sing their partner's praises and share why you think they are a good match. The newly married couple can talk about how they met and what has made their relationship strong.

Detail your wishes for their future and offer meaningful advice. Then, raise your glass and toast to the couple before heading to the dance floor. The couple can share their favourite love quote or parting words before announcing the next reception activity.

Wedding Toast Quotes

Including quotes in your wedding toast can be a nice touch, but keep in mind that "the couple wants to hear from you, not a 'Grey's Anatomy' character." If you do include a quote, make sure it's relevant to the couple and illustrates the greater message about who they are.

The Best Funny Wedding Toasts

Even if you've known the couple their whole life, it can be tricky to get your thoughts on paper. Here are some brainstorming prompts to help you:

• What makes you grateful for your friendship?
• What qualities do they have that you don't?
• What was the most fun time you've had together?
• What was the worst vacation you took together and what went wrong?
• What are your wishes for their future?
• What do you believe is the key to a happy marriage?

What to Say During a Wedding Toast

Regardless of who is speaking, most wedding toast templates cover the same ground. The speaker should:

• Congratulate the newlyweds
• Open with a statement or question (use humour if it suits you)
• Introduce yourself and define your relationship to the couple
• Tell a meaningful, heartfelt story
• Directly address both partners
• Raise your glass and pass on your well-wishes

What Not to Say in a Wedding Toast

Your job when delivering a wedding speech is to keep things light. Anything that doesn't feel definitively positive should be avoided. Avoid bringing up negative details, specifically past relationships or spouses. Keep it light, delicate, and focused on the present and future.

Your wedding toast should be meaningful but not drawn out. "Ideally, a toast should last between three to five minutes. Anything shorter may feel incomplete, and anything longer risks losing the audience's attention."

What to avoid in a wedding toast

A wedding toast is a chance to honour the newlyweds and celebrate their union. It is important to keep things light and positive, so here are some things to avoid when making a wedding toast:

• Don't go on for too long: A wedding toast should be concise and not exceed five minutes. Anything longer may lose the attention of the guests and disrupt the flow of the event.
• Avoid inside jokes: While it is fine to include personal references, be mindful that your speech should be inclusive. Make sure everyone can follow your jokes and stories.
• Don't wing it: Practise your speech beforehand and write it down. This will help you stay focused and ensure you don't forget to mention anyone important.
• Avoid negative details: Steer clear of bringing up past relationships or any other negative topics. Keep your speech light, delicate, and focused on the present and future.
• Don't mention past planning stressors: Avoid rehashing any tough moments or emotional decisions leading up to the wedding day.
• Don't forget to thank people: Express gratitude towards your hosts, guests, wedding party, and anyone else who has helped with the wedding.
• Don't forget to introduce yourself: Start by stating your name and your relationship to the couple so that everyone understands your connection to them.
• Avoid using your phone: While it is a good idea to have your speech written down, avoid reading it off your phone, as the light can be unflattering in photos.

Frequently asked questions