Crafting Memorable Wedding Toasts: Secrets To Capturing The Crowd

Wedding toasts are a privilege and a challenge. They can be nerve-wracking, especially if you're uncomfortable speaking in front of a large crowd. But a good wedding toast is one that strikes the right balance between humour and emotion, is short and sweet, and will be remembered as a great closing to your speech.

Whether you're the best man, maid of honour, or a loved one, a wedding toast is generally a few words in honour of the newlyweds, followed by a unanimous drink sip from the guests. A good wedding toast should be humorous and heartfelt, succinct and memorable, and serve as a fitting conclusion to the speech.

- Keep it short and sweet: A good wedding toast is usually two to five minutes long, so get straight to the point.

- Be clear-headed: Don't slur into a microphone. Practise your toast beforehand and bring it with you.

- Include humour and emotion: A wedding toast should make the audience smile and tug at their heartstrings.

- Use quotes sparingly: Include a quote only if it's relevant to the couple and illustrates the greater message about who they are.

- Avoid inside jokes: While personal references can paint a highly personal picture of the couple, make sure your jokes and stories are inclusive and easy for everyone to follow.

- Thank the people who matter: Don't forget to thank your hosts, guests, and anyone else who has supported the couple.

Be sincere and heartfelt

Being sincere and heartfelt is a crucial aspect of a good wedding toast. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft a meaningful and authentic toast:

Share Your Relationship with the Couple

Start by explaining who you are and your connection to the couple. This provides context for your words and helps the audience understand your unique perspective. For example, "Hi, I'm Adam Johnson, the man of honour, and I've been best friends with the lovely bride since high school." Sharing a brief anecdote or two about your relationship with the couple can make your toast more personal and engaging.

Express Gratitude

Thank the couple for including you in their special day, and acknowledge the effort they put into making it memorable. You can also thank the hosts or other key contributors to the wedding. A little gratitude goes a long way in making your toast sincere.

Speak from the Heart

Share your genuine thoughts and emotions about the couple and their relationship. Be open and vulnerable; don't hold back on expressing your love and appreciation for them. Talk about what makes their relationship special, and why you think they are a perfect match. You can also share your wishes for their future together and offer any marriage advice you may have.

Include Meaningful Quotes

Incorporating quotes that are relevant to the couple can add a thoughtful touch to your toast. This could be a line from their favourite song, a religious quote if they are faith-oriented, or a romantic movie quote. However, ensure that the quote enhances your message rather than detracts from it.

Keep it Short and Sweet

A good wedding toast is typically brief and concise. Aim for a length of around two to five minutes. This helps to maintain the attention of the audience and ensures your message is clear and memorable. Practising your toast beforehand will help you refine it and make it more impactful.

"I've known [bride/groom] for a while now, and let me tell you, they're a hot mess, but they're my hot mess. And that, my friends, is what true love is all about. So, [bride/groom], may your love be wild, crazy, and never boring. Cheers to a lifetime of adventures and belly laughs. I love you both!"

"It's an honour to be here today, witnessing the love and commitment between [bride] and [groom]. Their love isn't just a feeling; it's an action. They have demonstrated their love through their words, their sacrifice, and their unwavering support for each other. May their love continue to blossom and their bond strengthen. May their lives be filled with happiness and laughter."

"To [bride] and [groom], I raise a toast to your future together. Marriage isn't for the faint of heart; it takes hard work, patience, and a strong sense of humour. But if you can find someone who makes you laugh and puts up with your shenanigans, hold onto them. May you have many laughs, adventures, and just enough arguments to keep things interesting."

"To my best friend and their beautiful bride/handsome groom, the new Mr and Mrs [name]. It's wonderful to see how your love has grown, and I know that your love for each other will only continue to flourish. May you have a long and happy life together, filled with love, laughter, and countless memories."

Include a mix of humour and emotion

A wedding toast is a few words in honour of the newlyweds, followed by a unanimous drink sip from the guests. A good wedding toast should be humorous and heartfelt, succinct and memorable, and serve as a fitting conclusion to the speech.

"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, not just as a comedian, but as a friend and witness to the love between these two beautiful souls. They say that love is a battlefield, but I think love is more like a dance party where you just try not to step on each other's feet. And I have to say, these two have got some serious moves. The way they look at each other, it's like they just figured out the secret to the universe. And it's just each other. So, let's raise a glass to the happy couple. May your love continue to grow, may your laughter never cease, and may you never forget the way you feel in this moment, surrounded by the love and support of those closest to you. Here's to a lifetime of happiness and adventure. Cheers!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, as we gather here today to celebrate the union of [bride] and [groom], I would like to take a moment to reflect on the importance of this occasion. Marriage is not just about love and commitment, but it is also about finding someone who will put up with all your quirks and still say 'I do'. And let me tell you, [bride/groom], you have certainly found that person in each other. So let us raise a glass to [bride] and [groom], may their love continue to flourish and bring joy to those around them. May they always remember the reasons they fell in love and never forget the laughter, the tears, and the dance parties that brought them here today."

"Ladies and gentlemen, raise your glasses and join me in a toast to the newlyweds. It's an honour to be here today, to witness the love and commitment that [bride] and [groom] have for each other. They say that love is not just a feeling, it's an action. And I have no doubt that these two have demonstrated their love not just through their words, but through their actions, their sacrifice, and their support for each other. Love is what brings us together today, and love is what will sustain this union. It is love that has the power to heal, to bring us joy and comfort, and to inspire us to be our best selves. So to [bride] and [groom], may your love continue to blossom, may your bond continue to strengthen, and may your lives be filled with happiness and laughter."

"Ladies and Gentlemen, let us raise a glass to the beautiful couple before us. Marriage is a sacred bond between two people who have decided to spend the rest of their lives annoying each other. But in all seriousness, it takes courage and commitment to embark on this journey together. May your love be as strong as your coffee in the morning, as warm as your bed on a cold winter’s night, and as eternal as your Netflix subscription. To the happy couple, congratulations and here’s to a lifetime of love, laughter, and tears – tears of joy, of course. Cheers!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, can I get a round of applause for the newlyweds? Let me tell you, folks, marriage is not for the faint of heart. But, if you're lucky enough to find someone who makes you laugh, who makes you feel like a better person, and who makes you want to be a better person, then you hold onto that. To the bride and groom: may your love be strong, may your arguments be few and far between, and may your love story be as epic as a [insert epic thing the couple does together]. Cheers!"

Keep it short and sweet

Keeping your wedding toast short and sweet is a great way to ensure that your message is memorable and well-received. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft a concise and impactful wedding toast:

Keep it Concise

Limit your toast to around two to five minutes. This will help ensure that your message is concise and that your audience remains engaged. Focus on delivering a clear and succinct message that celebrates the newlyweds.

Share a Heartfelt Message

Speak from the heart and share your well-wishes for the couple. You can include a few short anecdotes or memories that highlight the couple's relationship and what they mean to you. It's also a good idea to include a quote or two that is relevant to the couple and their journey together.

Inject Some Humour

Adding a touch of humour can lighten the mood and make your toast more enjoyable. However, be mindful that your jokes are appropriate and won't cause any offence. A light-hearted and funny anecdote or a witty one-liner can add a nice touch to your toast.

Examples of Short and Sweet Wedding Toasts

"Ladies and gentlemen, let's raise a glass to the happy couple. May your love continue to grow and bring you happiness for the rest of your lives. Cheers!"

"I stand before you today as a friend and witness to the love between these two beautiful souls. They say that love is a battlefield, but I think love is more like a dance party where you try not to step on each other's feet. So, let's raise a glass to the couple. May your love and laughter never cease, and may you always remember why you fell in love."

"Marriage is not just about love and commitment but also about finding someone who will put up with your quirks and still say 'I do'. So, let's toast to the bride and groom. May their love flourish and bring joy to those around them. May they always remember why they fell in love and never forget the laughter and tears that brought them here today."

"It's an honour to be here today, witnessing the love and commitment between the bride and groom. Love is not just a feeling but an action, and I have no doubt that they have demonstrated their love through their words, sacrifices, and support for each other. May their love continue to blossom, and may their bond strengthen. Cheers to a lifetime of happiness and laughter!"

"Marriage is a sacred bond, and it takes courage and commitment to embark on this journey. So, to the happy couple, may your love be strong, your arguments be few, and your love story be epic. Congratulations and cheers to a lifetime of love and laughter!"

Share anecdotes and stories

Sharing anecdotes and stories is a great way to make your wedding toast memorable and engaging. Here are some tips to help you craft a meaningful and captivating toast:

Introduce Yourself and Your Relationship to the Couple:

Begin by briefly explaining who you are and how you know the couple. This will help the audience understand your connection to the newlyweds 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."

Share Heartwarming and Humorous Anecdotes:

Use a mix of heartwarming and humorous anecdotes that showcase the couple's relationship and your bond with them. These stories can be about how they met, their dating life, or specific moments that highlight their unique connection. For instance, you could share a story about how the couple supported each other through a challenging time or a funny incident that occurred during their courtship.

Offer Advice and Well-Wishes:

Share your wishes for their future and offer advice on marriage and love. This can be in the form of a quote or your own personal insights. For example, "May your love continue to grow and bring you joy for the rest of your lives. Remember to always find humour in the little things and never forget why you fell in love."

Include a Toast:

Conclude your speech with a traditional toast to the happy couple. Raise your glass and invite the guests to join you in celebrating the newlyweds. For example, "So, let's raise a glass to the happy couple. Here's to a lifetime of love, laughter, and endless adventures. Cheers to the bride and groom!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, it's an honour to be here today to witness the love between [bride] and [groom]. I still remember when they first met. It was at a mutual friend's party, and they instantly hit it off. They spent the entire night talking and laughing, and we all knew something special was happening. Fast forward to today, and their love has only grown stronger. So, let's raise a glass to the happy couple. May your love continue to blossom and your laughter never cease. Cheers!"

"For those who don't know me, I'm [name], the sister of the groom. I've known [groom] all my life, and I can honestly say that I've never seen him happier than he is today. I remember when he first started dating [bride], and how he would light up whenever he talked about her. Their relationship has brought so much joy to both of them, and to all of us who know them. So, I'd like to raise a glass to the newlyweds. May your love continue to grow, and may you always find comfort and support in each other. Cheers to the happy couple!"

"As the best man, I've had the privilege of witnessing the love between [groom] and [bride] up close. I remember when [groom] first told me he had found 'the one.' He was beaming with joy and couldn't stop talking about how amazing [bride] was. Their relationship has been an inspiration to all of us, and I know that their love will only get stronger. So, let's raise a glass to the happy couple. May your love story be filled with endless adventures, belly laughs, and a lifetime of happiness. Cheers!"

Remember to keep your anecdotes concise and relevant to the couple. Your stories should showcase their unique bond and leave the audience with a better understanding of their relationship.

Make it personal

Making a wedding toast personal is a great way to honour the newlyweds. Here are some tips on how to make your wedding toast personal:

Share a Few Short and Sweet Anecdotes

Share one to three short anecdotes that illustrate who the couple is to you. Talk about your relationship with the couple and sing their praises. You can also share why you think they are a good match. For example, you could say something like, "I've known [bride/groom] for a while now, and they are a hot mess, but they are my hot mess. And that, my friends, is what true love is all about."

Share Your Wishes for Their Future

Detail your wishes for the couple's future and offer any advice you want to share. You could say something like, "May your love always be added. May it never be subtracted. May your household multiply and may your hearts never be divided!"

Include a Quote that is Meaningful to the Couple

If you want to include a quote in your wedding toast, choose one that is relevant to the couple and illustrates the greater message about who they are. For example, if the couple is religious, you could include a religious quote. Some meaningful quotes include:

• "For true love is inexhaustible; the more you give, the more you have" - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
• "Love isn't something you find. Love is something that finds you" - Loretta Young
• "A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person" - Mignon McLaughlin

Thank the Couple and the Guests

You'll never regret adding a thank you to your wedding toast. If you're a member of the wedding party, thank your hosts. If you're one of the hosts, thank your guests for their love, support, and attendance. You could say something like, "Thank you all for being here today to celebrate this joyous occasion with the happy couple."

Make it Funny

Adding a bit of humour to your wedding toast can help to lighten the mood and make the couple and guests feel more relaxed. You could make a joke about the couple, such as, " [Bride/Groom], I've got to give you props for finding someone who puts up with your shenanigans!" Or, you could make a self-deprecating joke, such as, "So if I pass out, all I ask is that someone drags me back to my table in time for cake."

Frequently asked questions