Essential Guide to Wedding Toasts
No wedding would be complete without a toast to the bride and groom, accompanied by a cool sip of bubbly. These days you're likely to be asked to raise your glass and join in with several other toasts given to and by various members of the wedding party.
Today's increasingly sophisticated wedding speeches have evolved from traditional toasts to the newlyweds. And although toasts are now often only one element of a larger speech, they still have an important role to play.
What are toasts for?
At large formal occasions, they provide a natural break in the proceedings that everyone can recognize. Whereas at smaller, more informal weddings a simple toast can express a beautiful sentiment that can be as emotionally charged as a full-on speech.
Toasts have practical value too. They can help punctuate a day that is always hectic and complicated. They let guests know when a speech has ended and when transitioning from one part of the day to the next.
Toasts should have a clear purpose, whether it's simply to salute the bride and groom (usually the best man's job) or to honor friends and family who couldn't make it and/or who have passed away.
Rehearsal dinner toasts
Toasts come into their own in the increasingly popular custom of rehearsal dinners. This is usually a couple of days before the wedding, where the key people get together to rehearse the ceremony, which is then followed by a dinner. Those who attend often include both sets of parents, close friends and anyone who has flown in from afar for the wedding. During the meal, some or all of those present may be called upon to give a toast.
If asked you may want to share a memory about the bride and groom, or you may want to say something more general about love and marriage.
Traditional Toasts
The traditional order of toasts and speeches is as follows: father of the bride, groom, and best man. Of course these days there are no rules as to what order you have your speeches.
Father of the Bride
Traditionally he makes the first speech or toast and ends by toasting the bride and groom.
Groom
Traditionally he toasts the bridesmaids and may also choose to toast his wife, who will then reply and toast the bridesmaids. The groom may also toast the hosts, his in-laws, especially if there are no bridesmaids.
Best Man
Traditionally he ends his speech with a final toast to the happy couple. The best man may also toast the bride's parents during his speech or 'absent friends' as he reads telegrams/messages from afar.
Other Toasts
The bride and sometimes the head bridesmaid will want to say a few words to mark the day. Generally, these toasts will come between the speeches of the groom and best man.
Do's and Don'ts
Do 's
- Instruct your audience as to what to do. For example, 'please raise your glasses with me.' Remember to give them time to do so before launching into your toast.
- Tell your audience exactly what the wording of the toast is. For example, 'to the bride and groom' or 'the happy couple' etc.
- Make your toast positive or funny.
- Finish your toast with a flourish and leave them wanting more.
- After the toast, sit when the guests sit down.
Don'ts
- Make your toast wordy - or guests won't be able to follow it.
- Rush into a toast before your audience is ready, or it will end up confused and only half-heard.
- Forget to include your partner in the toast (if appropriate) if he/she isn't going to make a speech. For example, 'my wife and I would like to say a special thank you to the bridesmaids.'
If you want more advice or samples of wedding toasts check out this site Wedding Speeches. |
