Crafting A Wedding Toast: Guide To Success

Giving a wedding toast can be nerve-wracking, but it doesn't have to be. The key to a great toast is keeping it simple, charming, and sincere. The best wedding toasts are usually short, sweet, and personal. They should focus on the couple and their journey, rather than just being a collection of funny stories. It's important to express admiration for the couple, share a personal story, and offer meaningful wishes for their future. This keeps the toast authentic and avoids it becoming a performance.

Keep it concise

Keeping your wedding toast concise is key to holding your audience's attention and ensuring your message is well-received. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:

Keep it Short and Sweet

The ideal length for a wedding toast is between two and five minutes. This gives you enough time to share a meaningful message without losing your audience's interest. Remember, there may be multiple toasts, so aim for a concise and impactful speech that respects the time of other speakers and guests.

Prepare in Advance

Start brainstorming ideas for your toast early on. This will give you time to gather your thoughts, choose the most suitable anecdotes, and structure your speech effectively. Outline the main points you want to cover and decide whether you want to write out your speech word-for-word or use note cards with key points to guide you.

Focus on the Couple

Make sure your toast is primarily about the couple. Share a personal anecdote or story that highlights their unique traits or the first time you noticed their connection. Avoid making the toast about yourself, and ensure it connects with and pays tribute to the newlyweds.

Be Selective with Stories

When choosing stories or anecdotes to include, opt for those that are sincere, heartfelt, and complimentary. Steer clear of stories that involve exes, drunkenness, or anything that might embarrass the couple or make the moment awkward. Opt for lighthearted and appropriate humour instead.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Rehearse your speech multiple times, both by yourself and in front of others. Practising will help you refine your delivery, ensure your speech stays within the desired time frame, and make any necessary adjustments. Practising will also help you feel more confident and comfortable when the time comes to deliver your toast.

Make it personal

Making your wedding toast personal is a great way to honour the couple and make your speech memorable. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:

Tell a Story

Share an anecdote about the couple, perhaps about the first time you met them together, or how they supported each other through a challenge. It could also be about how one member of the couple has positively influenced or changed the other. Make sure the story is positive, sincere, and highlights their bond.

Connect it to the Couple

Ensure your speech is about the couple and their future together, rather than a collection of funny stories. Focus on their journey and how they have influenced your life. It is also important to address both partners, even if you are closer to one of them. This shows that you are celebrating them as a unit.

Be Authentic and Vulnerable

While humour is great, don't feel that you have to be a stand-up comedian. The most successful toasts are often those that are vulnerable and authentic. Share an intimate but relatable story, and don't be afraid to show your emotions. This will create a deeper connection with the couple and the audience.

Keep it Short and Sweet

A concise toast will feel more thoughtful and well-prepared. Aim for between two and five minutes, depending on the number of other speakers. This will ensure you don't lose the attention of the guests and keep the reception flowing.

Practice

Rehearse your speech, and consider sharing it with a trusted friend for feedback. Practising will help you feel more comfortable and natural when delivering your speech. It will also allow you to time yourself to ensure you stay within the desired time frame.

Be sincere

Being sincere is a crucial aspect of a wedding toast. It's not about showing off or making it a performance; instead, focus on expressing your admiration for the couple and offer meaningful wishes for their future. Here are some tips to achieve that:

Share a Personal Story

Incorporate a meaningful, heartfelt story or anecdote in your toast. It could be about a challenge the couple faced together, how they supported each other, or a unique trait you admire in each of them. Perhaps share a story about how you met the couple or a particular memory that showcases their bond. It adds a unique and intimate touch to your speech.

Be Complimentary and Appropriate

Keep your speech focused on making the couple smile with gratitude. Avoid any stories or comments that might cause embarrassment or navigate choppy waters for other guests. Steer clear of exes, inside jokes, and anything that might be deemed inappropriate. Every word you say should be directed towards celebrating the couple and their special day.

Speak from the Heart

Let the couple know how much their union means to you and how happy you are for them. It's okay to be sappy! Share how they've influenced your life and offer a sincere wedding wish. Your words will fall into place when they come straight from the heart.

Keep it Simple and Authentic

Simplicity, combined with authenticity, is key. A sincere and heartfelt story that celebrates the couple is more impactful than a performance filled with jokes. Be yourself, and don't try to turn your toast into a stand-up comedy routine. Your vulnerability and authenticity will resonate with the couple and the guests.

Practice Your Delivery

Rehearse your speech to ensure it comes across as natural and sincere. Practicing will help you refine your delivery and make any necessary adjustments. Share your speech with a trusted friend or family member to get their feedback. Remember, the more you practice, the more comfortable and confident you'll feel when delivering your toast.

Include a joke

Including a joke in your wedding toast is a great way to keep your speech engaging and memorable. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft a humorous wedding toast:

Tips for Including a Joke in Your Wedding Toast:

• Keep it tasteful and avoid mean-spirited or cruel jokes at the couple's expense.
• Strike a balance between humour and sentimentality. While it's good to be funny, don't forget to include heartfelt wishes and sentiments.
• Avoid inside jokes that only a few people will understand. You want your toast to resonate with the entire audience.
• Practice your delivery. Even the best-written jokes can fall flat if not delivered well. Rehearse your timing and pacing to ensure your jokes land effectively.

Examples of Jokes for a Wedding Toast:

• "May your children be blessed with rich parents."
• "May all of your ups and downs be only in the bedroom."
• "May you never lie, cheat, or drink. But if you must lie, lie with each other. And if you must cheat, cheat death. And if you must drink, drink with us. Cheers to the newlyweds!"
• "Marriage is like a walk in the park... Jurassic Park."
• "May your marriage be so solid it could last through being on a Bravo reality TV show."
• "I married Miss Right. I just didn't know her first name was Always."
• "The secret of a happy marriage remains a secret."
• "The couple asked that I don't share any embarrassing stories today... so that's it for me! Cheers to the newlyweds!"
• "May the most you wish for be the least you get."
• "May your household multiply, and may your hearts never be divided."
• "May you live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live."
• "Saying 'I do' at your wedding is like clicking the 'I accept' box any time a new piece of software on your computer or phone asks you to read its terms and conditions: You do it despite having no idea what will come next. Congratulations on your marriage!"
• "Now, let’s raise our glasses to the happy couple. I actually like both of you—do you have any idea how rare that is?"
• "The couple has amazing taste, don't you think? I mean, we can all agree that they did choose the absolute best speaker tonight!"

Practice

Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse

The more you practise your speech, the more comfortable and confident you will feel when delivering it. Practise in front of a mirror, record yourself, or perform it for trusted friends or family members. This will allow you to get used to the content, work on your delivery, and receive feedback. Practising will also help you to memorise your speech, making it sound more natural and conversational.

Time Yourself

Keep track of the time as you practise. A good wedding toast should be concise, so aim for your speech to last between two and five minutes. This will ensure you hold your audience's attention and leave them wanting more.

Be Comfortable with Your Notes

If you plan to use notes or index cards during your speech, make sure you are comfortable with them. Practise with your notes so you know exactly what is written on each card and where to find specific points. This will help you deliver your speech smoothly without getting lost or sounding robotic.

Know Your Environment

Familiarise yourself with the venue and the setup of the wedding. This will help you feel more at ease when it's time to deliver your speech. Practise using a microphone if there will be one, and know where you will stand and how you will move if you need to.

Manage Your Nerves

It's natural to feel nervous, but don't let those nerves get the better of you. Practising will help calm your nerves, and you can also try deep breathing or positive self-talk. Focus on your excitement rather than your anxiety, and remember that everyone wants you to succeed.

Be Prepared for Anything

No matter how much you practise, there may be unexpected interruptions or reactions during your speech. Practise staying calm and composed, and know how to handle these situations gracefully. If you need to pause and collect yourself, that's okay – take a sip of water, smile, and continue when you're ready.

Remember, your wedding toast is an honour and a chance to celebrate the happy couple. Enjoy the process and have fun!

Frequently asked questions