Preparing to give a wedding toast? Are you feeling a little stumped? While it's an honor to toast the bride and groom, it can be nerve-wracking too. How do you craft the perfect words to weave love, humor, and congratulations into one meaningful speech? It's your opportunity to tell the bride and groom what they mean to you, but you want to engage the crowd too. While your speech should be uniquely yours, there are some Do's and Don't's to consider. When all eyes and ears are on you, you want to say something that people remember, but for the right reason. Here are 6 tips to successfully nail your wedding toast and make it a memorable one.

WRITE IT OUT

Many people assume that since they know the bride and groom well, there's no need to formalize the toast. Some choose to speak off the cuff with what they are feeling in the moment. The tricky thing about speeches is, when you stand up in front of tons of people with a microphone in your hand, your thoughts can suddenly get jumbled. This can cause a stammering, awkward speech where you can't quite say what you mean. Nerves can also take you the other direction, where you ramble on about topics you shouldn't address, or carry on for far too long. Even if you don't want to read your speech, write it down and practice saying it, to ensure a smooth delivery. 

INTRODUCE YOURSELF

If you launch right into your speech without explaining how you know the bride or groom, your speech may lose some context. Let the wedding guests know how you are connected to the couple to lay the groundwork for your toast. Be sure to thank the bride and groom for having you speak, and thank the wedding guests for attending. Share a bit of the history that you have with the couple to give guests insight into your relationship.

GET PERSONAL, BUT NOT TOO PERSONAL

Now's your chance to share a little about the bride or groom that is unique to your relationship. Offer funny stories from your childhood, or antics of high school, or personality traits that make you laugh. Share the thing you love most about them, and give examples of how that has impacted you. Avoid disclosing anything too personal, such as information about their past relationships or struggles. 

KEEP IT CLASSY

It might seem funny to share an embarrassing story, but the wedding day is not the best time to do it. Even if the couple has a good sense of humor, you're addressing a larger crowd. You have to consider whether the grandparents, young children, and coworkers in the room should hear what you're about to say. It's not polite to make the bride and groom squirm in their chairs while you reveal things they thought were kept secret. If you have a tale to tell and are unsure whether to use it, check with the bride or groom first. In general, some things to avoid are:

• Using profanity
• Stories about laws they broke
• Jokes about infidelity 
• Discussion of previous relationships
• Jokes about health or mental health issues
• Poking fun at the new spouse

BE CREATIVE

You could set your toast to music, or involve people in the crowd. Bring a memento like baby pictures or a picture of them on a date to stir up nostalgic memories. Read a passage from their favorite author or lines from a favorite movie or song. You could even make a video to play, compiling favorite memories. You were chosen to speak because you are one of the people who knows them best, so use your imagination to make it unique.  

KEEP IT BRIEF

While you might have decades worth of experiences to share, keep your speech to about five minutes. Weddings are scheduled precisely, so you want to allow other guests time to speak, as well as time for all the other festivities. If you have more to say than you can fit in a speech, consider writing it down and giving it to the bride and groom later. Wedding days can be a blur, and the couple will appreciate a copy of the thoughts you shared so they can remember them always. 

Your wedding toast is your chance to wish the couple well as they start off on their new adventure. This is their day, after all, so lavish them with praise. Make sure your toast is personal and unique so it feels like it's from the heart. But avoid anything too personal or inappropriate for the audience. The bride and groom have spent months planning this special day, so you don't want to make it awkward. Fill your speech with why you love them, stories of your past, and funny memories that will put a smile on their face. With a little creativity and a lot of love, your wedding toast will be very successful. For more information on successful weddings, contact us today!