Crafting A Wedding Toast: Honoring The Newlyweds

Wedding toasts are a tricky business. Whether you're the best man, maid of honour, or a cherished family member, you'll want to strike the right balance between humour and sincerity. The key is to make it personal and to focus on the couple and their journey together. Introduce yourself, share a few anecdotes, express your admiration, and finish with a wish for their future. Keep it concise, memorable, and – most importantly – be yourself.

Keep it short and sweet

Keeping your wedding toast short and sweet is a great way to wish the happy couple a lifetime of happiness without giving a long speech. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft the perfect brief wedding toast:

Keep it Concise

As a general rule, aim to keep your wedding toast between two and five minutes long. This allows you to express your well wishes without monopolising the guests' time. Remember, there are likely multiple people making speeches, so keep your toast concise and adjust its length depending on the number of speakers.

Introduce Yourself

Start your toast by introducing yourself and explaining your relationship to the couple. This is especially important if you're a member of the wedding party, such as the best man or maid of honour. A simple introduction helps everyone understand why you were chosen to speak and adds a personal touch to your toast.

Share Meaningful Wishes

Express your admiration for the couple and offer meaningful wishes for their future together. Focus on the couple's journey and the strength of their bond. You can also include a few short anecdotes or memories that highlight their connection and what they mean to you.

Keep it Light and Positive

It's essential to keep your wedding toast light and positive. Opt for humour over embarrassment and avoid bringing up any negative details or past relationships. Instead, focus on the couple's happiness and the joy of the occasion.

Direct Address

Be sure to address both partners directly, 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.

Raise a Glass

Conclude your toast by raising your glass and offering parting well-wishes to the newlyweds. This is the perfect way to end your speech on a high note and celebrate the happy couple.

Short and Sweet Wedding Toast Examples:

"Ladies and gentlemen, let's all raise a glass to the happy couple on this joyous occasion. To the bride and groom, may your love continue to grow and bring you happiness for the rest of your lives. And may you always find humour in the little things and never forget the reason you fell in love in the first place. Cheers!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, friends and family of the bride and groom, I stand before you today as a friend and witness to the love between these two beautiful souls. They do say that love is a battlefield, but I think it's more like a dance party where you try not to step on each other's feet! And these two have got some serious moves. So, let's raise a glass to the happy couple. May your love continue to grow, and may your laughter never cease. Cheers!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, as we gather here today to celebrate the union of [bride] and [groom], let's reflect on the significance of this occasion. Marriage is about finding someone who will put up with your quirks and still say 'I do'. And [bride/groom], you have certainly found that in each other. So let us raise a glass to the happy couple. May their love flourish and bring joy to those around them."

"Ladies and gentlemen, raise your glasses and join me in toasting the newlyweds. It's an honour to witness the love and commitment between [bride] and [groom]. Love is not just a feeling but an action, and I have no doubt that these two have demonstrated their love through their sacrifice and support for each other. May their love continue to blossom, and their lives be filled with happiness and laughter."

"Ladies and gentlemen, let us raise a glass to the beautiful couple. Marriage takes courage and commitment, and it's a sacred bond between two people. May your love be strong, and your coffee in the morning be even stronger! To the happy couple, congratulations, and here's to a lifetime of love, laughter, and tears of joy. Cheers!"

Make it funny

Making a funny wedding toast is a great way to keep the guests engaged and is an honour bestowed on only the closest friends and family. Here are some tips to help you make your wedding toast memorable:

Begin by introducing yourself, especially if there are guests who might not know you. Tell an old story or anecdote about the couple—perhaps something from your first impression of them, or a funny incident from their courtship. Keep it light-hearted and avoid any inside jokes or stories that might embarrass the couple.

Crack Some Jokes:

Sprinkle in some humour throughout your speech. You could say something like:

> "May your marriage be so solid it could last through being on a Bravo reality TV show."

Or,

> "Marriage is like a walk in the park... Jurassic Park."

You could also try something self-deprecating, like:

> "Our happy couple really struggled to find someone to give a speech today. They asked their most attractive friend first, and they said no. Then they asked their smartest friend, who also said no. After that, they went to their funniest friend, and the answer was still no. So then they asked me, and I couldn't turn them down for a fourth time!"

Offer Some Advice:

Offer the couple some funny advice, such as:

> "Remember: In life, there are only two tools anyone really needs in their toolbox—duct tape and WD40. Duct tape keeps things from moving when they shouldn’t, and WD40 gets things moving when they’re stuck."

Or,

> "Spend a few minutes a day really listening to your spouse. No matter how stupid [their] problems sound to you."

Congratulate and Wish Them Well:

End your speech by congratulating the couple and wishing them well. You could say:

> "May your household multiply, and may your hearts never be divided."

Or,

> "May you both live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live."

Practice Makes Perfect:

Finally, don't forget to practice your speech! While it's good to memorise your lines, also ensure you have a glass of champagne nearby so you can raise it at the end of your speech.

Share a meaningful story

Sharing a meaningful story is a great way to make your wedding toast memorable and unique. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft a heartfelt and engaging toast:

Introduce Yourself and Your Relationship to the Couple

Begin your toast by introducing yourself, especially if there are guests who might not know you. Explain how you know the bride or groom and share a bit about your relationship. This helps the audience understand your perspective and sets the tone for your story.

Take Them Back in Time

A great way to make your toast personal and engaging is to share a story or anecdote from the past. Think back to your childhood, teenage years, or the time you first met the couple. These stories can be funny, heartfelt, or a mix of both. For example:

"I've known Emma since high school, where we bonded over our shared love of terrible rom-coms and even worse dance moves. I never imagined that one day I'd be standing here, watching her marry the love of her life. But here we are, and I couldn't be happier."

Include a Sentimental Moment or Two

While humour is important, don't be afraid to include sentimental moments in your story. Talk about a time when the couple faced a challenge together, or share a sweet memory that showcases their love and commitment. For instance:

"I remember when John met Sarah; I saw a change in him. He became happier and more driven. Sarah, from the moment you became a part of our lives, I knew you were someone special. You bring out the best in him, and for that, I'll be forever grateful."

Share a Funny Anecdote

Adding a touch of humour to your story can lighten the mood and engage your audience. Share a lighthearted or embarrassing moment, such as a cooking disaster or a funny first impression. Just make sure to keep it appropriate and avoid inside jokes that only a few guests will understand. For example:

"I still remember the first time Olivia brought Daniel home. I had my doubts, but then I saw how happy he made her. And I realised something important—I could finally cancel her phone plan and car insurance!"

Tie It All Together

Finally, bring your story full circle by explaining what the couple's relationship has taught you or how it has inspired you. This could be a lesson about love, friendship, or simply a reminder to cherish the everyday moments. For instance:

"Watching [Couple] together has renewed my faith in true love. I am so honoured to be a part of this special day. Let's raise our glasses and toast to their journey ahead."

Remember, the key to a great wedding toast is to be yourself, speak from the heart, and focus on the couple. Keep your story light, positive, and engaging, and don't be afraid to include a mix of humour and sentiment. Good luck!

Address both partners

When addressing both partners, it's important to keep your speech focused on the couple and their future together. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you craft a meaningful and effective wedding toast:

Direct your words to both partners equally:

It is important to address both the bride and the groom by name and not just focus on one individual. This shows that you are cheering on their union and stepping into this new phase of their lives together.

Share meaningful and heartfelt stories or anecdotes:

Instead of a collection of funny stories, opt for a meaningful, heartfelt story that showcases the couple's bond. You can talk about a specific incident or experience that highlights their connection and how they complement each other. For example, you could say something like, "I remember the first time I met [Bride] and [Groom] together. Their love and admiration for each other were so evident, and it filled the room with warmth. I knew from that moment that they were meant to be."

Offer sincere admiration and well-wishes:

Express your admiration for the couple and offer meaningful wishes for their future. You can say something like, "May your love continue to grow and flourish, and may your journey together be filled with joy, laughter, and endless adventures. Cheers to the beautiful future that lies ahead for both of you."

Include a quote or a blessing:

You can include a meaningful quote or a blessing to add a special touch to your toast. For example:

> "May your marriage be full of laughter, our every day in paradise." - Rumi (Persian poet)

> "A good marriage is a contest of generosity." - Diane Sawyer (American television broadcast journalist)

> "May your love always be added, never subtracted. May your household multiply, and may your hearts never be divided."

Keep it concise and heartfelt:

As per Akeshi Akinseye, the founder of a wedding-planning company, a great toast should be "heartfelt, focusing on the couple's journey." Keep your speech concise, sincere, and authentic. It's more impactful to share a few meaningful words from the heart than to ramble on, trying to fill the time.

Acknowledge the hosts:

Don't forget to acknowledge the hosts of the wedding, usually the bride's parents, and thank them for their efforts in putting together the celebration. It is customary to bring attention to their hard work and dedication in making the day special.

Practise and memorise

Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse

The more you practise your wedding toast, the more confident you will be on the day. Practise in front of a mirror, record yourself and play it back, or practise in front of a trusted friend. Practising will help you to refine your toast, and ensure it falls within the ideal time frame of 2-5 minutes. Practising will also help you to memorise key points, so you can deliver your speech without reading it verbatim from notes.

Use Technology to Your Advantage

Use technology to enhance your wedding toast. For example, you could create a slideshow of photos to accompany your speech, or use a digital prompter app on your phone or tablet to help with delivery. If there are loved ones who can't attend, you could even include a pre-recorded video message from them.

Maintain Eye Contact and Body Language

When delivering your wedding toast, make eye contact with various guests throughout the room, and use natural hand gestures to emphasise your points. Smile, and convey genuine emotion through your facial expressions. Vary your tone and pace to keep the audience engaged.

Be Aware of Common Pitfalls

Be mindful of some common wedding toast mistakes. Avoid inside jokes, offensive humour, rambling, and mentioning exes. It's also a good idea to avoid drinking alcohol before your speech. Keep things simple and heartfelt, and you're more likely to deliver a successful wedding toast.

Be Yourself

Remember, you don't need to be a stand-up comedian or a professional public speaker to deliver a great wedding toast. Be yourself, speak from the heart, and your authenticity will shine through.

Frequently asked questions