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Whether you are the Maid of Honor, Best Man, a significant friend, or parent, when it comes to preparing a fantastic wedding toast in front of some 200 guests, the task usually seems daunting. Typically the bride and groom are people you know very well, probably grew up with, or they are family. So, how in the world do you go about capturing your special relationship in an amazing 2 to 5 minute speech? Especially when all eyes are on you, you are nervous to stand up and speak, and you want to deliver the most memorable wedding toast ever . . .
The best wedding toasts that I’ve ever witnessed, make your audience both laugh, then cry, or vice versa. The wedding toast that combines a nice balance of humor and sentimental moments will surely draw your guests in. This is a good tip to keep in mind as you start writing the big speech.
Again, here is a short list of practical tips to help you create an excellent wedding toast; one everyone will remember.
- Give Thanks – First off, start your wedding toast by simply thanking all who were involved in the Big Day. Did a family member make the cake or sew the gown? Did a friend cater the whole affair? Did someone special make the favors or floral arrangements? Then of course, thank the bride and/or groom, or both, for adding significance to your life—especially if they were a close friend of yours from grade school, college, or your current job. State whether the bride or groom (or both,) was a friend, confident, mentor, or role model for you. Simply give Thanks.
- Add Humor – Secondly, as stated above, don’t forget the humor. People like to laugh. Don’t be afraid to add some light-hearted jokes into your speech. Be careful though, you don’t want your entire wedding toast to consist of jokes about the bride and groom, that gets really old fast.
- Add sentiment – Don’t be afraid to get mushy, speak from the heart. Incorporate a few soft stories to draw your audience in.
- Toast the Couple – If you are the best man or friend of the groom, be sure to compliment the bride. Tell her she looks beautiful and that she is the best thing that has ever happened to the groom. Mention the admirable qualities she has brought out in him. Likewise, if you are the Maid of Honor, recognize the groom, as being the man of her dreams and why. And don’t forget to toast the happy couple together, by stating how they complete each other.
- Get Personal – Give some insight about the couple that no one really knows. Talk about their engagement. Do they have nicknames for each other? Do they have children to now parent and share? Guests appreciate getting some inside scoop.
- Close Confidently with a Bang – End your speech with something truly unique that has a “wow” factor. You want to make the guests clap, and even better yet, stand. For example, you might want to select a poem or proverb that not only conveys your best wishes for their future, but also sums up their relationship perfectly.
- Practice – Like anything, practice makes perfect. Recite the dialogue in the mirror. Rehearse the wedding toast to a friend. Perform the speech while holding a spoon in one hand and a glass in the other. Simply, be ready to speak, and you will feel more confident at the wedding.
If you use the above suggestions, you will surely sound as good as you look when delivering your wedding toast!
