Wedding Toasts: When To Make Them And Why

Wedding toasts are an honour but can be nerve-wracking. Traditionally, the newlyweds' parents, the honour attendants and the couple make wedding toasts, but other loved ones can also speak. Toasts should be sincere, humorous and concise, focusing on the couple's journey and including a wish for their future. Toasts should be no longer than three to five minutes. Begin by introducing yourself and explaining your relationship to the couple. Thank the hosts and speak about your relationship with the couple, using anecdotes. Raise a glass to the couple and wish them well.

Wedding toasts are a gesture of love and support for the newlyweds

Wedding toasts are an opportunity to celebrate the couple's love story, share insights into their relationship, and offer wisdom for a happy marriage. They are a gesture of love and support for the newlyweds and can be one of the most beautiful parts of a wedding. Whether you are a parent, sibling, friend, or member of the wedding party, it is an honour to give a wedding toast.

A great wedding toast strikes a balance between humour and sincerity, incorporating personal anecdotes and universal truths about love. It is a chance to share your feelings, memories, and wishes for the couple as they embark on their new journey together. To create a memorable toast, focus on sincerity, brevity, and celebrating the couple.

When crafting your toast, it is important to select stories that highlight the couple's best qualities and are appropriate for all audience members. Choose moments that showcase their love and compatibility, and if possible, include a story that many guests can relate to. Adding humour to your speech can capture the audience's attention and make it more memorable, but be sure to keep it tasteful and appropriate for all ages.

The nature of your relationship with the couple should influence the content and tone of your toast. If you are the best man or maid of honour, share personal stories about your friendship with the bride or groom and offer insights into the couple's relationship from your unique perspective. If you are a parent of the bride or groom, reflect on watching your child grow up, welcome your new son or daughter-in-law to the family, and share wisdom or advice for a happy marriage.

Wedding toasts are typically given by select friends and family members, including the parents of the bride and groom, the maid of honour, and the best man. The couple themselves may also give a toast to thank their guests and celebrate their families and guests. It is important to keep wedding toasts concise, ideally under five minutes, to maintain the energy and flow of the reception.

Toasts should be sincere, brief, and humorous

Wedding toasts are an opportunity to share your feelings, memories, and wishes for the couple as they embark on their new journey together. To make your toast memorable, it's important to be sincere, brief, and humorous.

Sincerity is key when delivering a wedding toast. Be heartfelt and focus on the couple's journey, expressing your admiration for them. Share a meaningful, heartfelt story or anecdote that showcases their love and compatibility. This will allow guests to connect with the couple on a deeper level. It is also important to directly address both partners, regardless of how well you know them, as you are cheering on both parties as they enter this new phase of their lives.

Keep your toast brief and concise. A good length for a wedding toast is between three to five minutes. This is enough time to share a sweet memory and your well wishes without losing the attention of the guests. Have a clear beginning, middle, and end to your toast, and avoid rambling or meandering. Remember, simplicity elevated with authenticity is key.

Adding a touch of humour to your wedding toast can capture the audience's attention and make your speech more memorable. However, it's important to do so naturally and tastefully. Avoid inside jokes or offensive humour. Instead, opt for stories or jokes that all guests can enjoy and relate to.

When crafting your wedding toast, consider the nature of your relationship with the couple. If you are the best man or maid of honour, share personal stories about your friendship with the bride or groom and offer unique insights into their relationship. If you are a parent of the bride or groom, reflect on watching your child grow up, welcome your new son or daughter-in-law into the family, and share wisdom or advice for a happy marriage.

Remember, your words will become a cherished part of the couple's wedding memories, so take the time to prepare and practice your toast in advance.

Traditionally, the father of the bride, the maid of honour, the best man, and the couple give toasts

Wedding toasts are typically given during the meal at the reception, with the sweet spot being about three-quarters of the way through dinner as guests are finishing their meals and still seated. This ensures that guests are settled and have their undivided attention on the speakers, and once the toasts are done, guests can hit the dance floor.

Traditionally, the father of the bride gives the first toast, welcoming guests and thanking them for coming. This is often one of the most special and tear-jerking moments of the day. The father of the bride may also share a heartfelt anecdote about his daughter and offer some words of wisdom for the couple. The mother of the bride may also give a speech along with or in place of the father.

Next in the traditional order of toasts is the groom's family, including the father of the groom, the mother of the groom, or both parents. Some couples opt to have the father of the groom's speech at the rehearsal dinner instead, as old-school wedding etiquette states that the groom's parents host the rehearsal dinner while the bride's parents host the wedding.

Following the parent speeches, the maid of honour typically gives a speech. She may start with an introduction and a short story explaining her relationship with the couple, followed by personal anecdotes, funny stories, and encouraging words.

The best man's speech usually comes last and is often the most anticipated. It should be celebratory and encouraging, with a few appropriate jokes that emphasize the love the couple has for each other. The best man can start by introducing himself, congratulating the couple, sharing a story about the groom, and offering kind words about the couple's future together.

The couple may also choose to give a speech, either individually or together, to welcome their guests and express their appreciation.

Toasts should be no longer than five minutes

Wedding toasts are traditionally given by select friends and family members, who share words of love, encouragement, and sometimes humour with the newlyweds and their guests. Wedding toasts can be one of the most beautiful parts of a wedding, but only if the speakers are well-prepared.

The key to a good wedding toast is to keep it concise, meaningful, and not too long. Wedding toasts should ideally be no longer than five minutes. This is the perfect amount of time to share a sweet memory and offer meaningful wishes for the couple's future, all without losing the audience's attention.

A great wedding toast should be structured with a clear beginning, middle, and end. It should be heartfelt, focusing on the couple's journey and shared experiences, rather than just a collection of funny anecdotes. It is important to express admiration for the couple and directly address both partners, regardless of how well you know them.

Keeping the wedding toasts short and sweet ensures the event remains special without overwhelming the guests. It also helps to maintain the energy and flow of the reception, allowing the celebration to progress smoothly.

So, when preparing your wedding toast, remember to keep it under five minutes. Practice your delivery and time yourself, aiming for a concise, meaningful, and well-prepared speech that will be remembered fondly by the happy couple and their guests.

Toasts can be given during the wedding dinner to save time

Wedding toasts are a time-honoured tradition and an essential element of the wedding reception. They offer an opportunity for select friends and family to share words of love, encouragement, and sometimes humour with the newlyweds and their guests. While they are traditionally given after dinner, incorporating them into the wedding dinner can be a great way to save time and seamlessly transition into the party atmosphere. Here are some tips to make the most of this special moment:

Timing is Everything

To save time and maintain the flow of the reception, consider integrating the toasts into the wedding dinner. Ask the first speaker to begin their toast halfway through the meal. By the time it's the couple's turn to speak, dinner will be over, and the party can commence seamlessly. This approach allows you to accomplish two wedding elements simultaneously.

Keep it Concise

A wedding toast should be concise and memorable. Aim for a duration of three to five minutes. This length is perfect for sharing a sweet memory and well wishes without losing the attention of the audience. A well-structured toast with a clear beginning, middle, and end will ensure your message is delivered effectively.

Order of Toasts

The order in which the toasts are given is important for maintaining a smooth flow. Traditionally, the best man presents the first toast, followed by the maid of honour, the father of the bride (or the person paying for the wedding), and then the parents of the couple. Finally, the couple toasts their family and guests, expressing their gratitude and concluding the toasts. This sequence ensures that all significant individuals have the opportunity to speak.

Prepare in Advance

It is essential to prepare your toast in advance. Practising your speech will help you feel more confident and ensure a smooth delivery. Rehearse in front of a mirror or a trusted friend, and record yourself to identify areas for improvement. Memorise key points rather than reading directly from notes, and remember to maintain eye contact and vary your tone to keep the audience engaged.

Incorporate Personality

Infuse your toast with personality by including personal stories, memories, and anecdotes that highlight the couple's best qualities and their love for each other. Strike a balance between humour and sentimentality to capture the audience's attention and make your speech memorable. Ensure that your stories are appropriate for all audience members and relatable for the guests.

By following these tips, you can deliver heartfelt and meaningful toasts during the wedding dinner, creating a seamless and enjoyable experience for everyone involved while saving time.

Frequently asked questions