With wedding season quickly approaching I can’t help but think of all the toasts I will soon witness. Toasts are such a meaningful part of the reception and can bring so many emotions to the room. A good toast can move the crowd to tears (including myself) or have people rolling on the floor laughing… a bad toast can leave people looking at each other in disbelief, hoping that it will soon end. Without further ado, I’ve put together a few helpful tips to think of when you’re writing your next toast.

Do make it personal

Don’t make it humiliating

Do tell a joke or two, if you want

Don’t make it so funny that the bride and groom won’t be laughing

Do take the time to say what you want to say

Don’t talk just for the sake of talking; An audience will be very forgiving as long as your toast is heartfelt, decent, and relatively short. A TV commercial is only 30 seconds long. Only confident speakers should go longer than a minute and a half.

Do thank the people who helped make the day possible, especially the parents of the bride and groom

Do try to relax before you get up to speak

Don’t drink so much that you can’t keep your composure

Do wrap up your toast with a wish, traditional toast or blessing to the bride and groom

You can pick up books of quotes and toast ideas at The Wedding Cottage and book stores. One great spot I’ve found online for quotes is The Quote Garden. Do you have ideas for the perfect toast? Leave them here!
Cheers and happy toasting!
(Photo by Melissa at Soul Mates Photography)