How To Give A Toast At A Wedding: Ways To Win The Crowd
You’re not tying the knot, but you’re anxious about the big day coming soon. Shall we guess? You were tasked to give the toast!
The couple is surely giddy to listen to what you have to say. And the crowd will be expecting an engaging number. Maybe that’s enough to validate your nervousness.
However, instead of just aimlessly panicking about it, why not start preparing? We have here useful tips for you on how to give a toast at a wedding. Follow these steps to deliver a truly remarkable toast.
What Is A Wedding Toast?
A wedding toast is given to manifest honor and goodwill for the couple. A toast may be referred to as the drink or as the speech that accompanies the consumption of the beverage (usually wine). Toasts are given after the meal.
Among those who are usually tasked to give a toast are the maid of honor, best man, father of the bride or groom, and other parental figures.
The couple should inform the chosen speaker in advance to give them ample time to prepare. A great wedding toast is short yet sincere and heartwarming.
Start Writing
You might feel at a loss about where to start. In this case, just start writing. Try to remember funny, interesting stories about the bride or the groom or about your friendship. Then, write them down. Do not worry about editing it yet. Just write freely.
After, read your output and pick details. Work around these details, come up with a theme and start writing your speech.
Your speech should be like a story with a beginning, middle, and end. Support your points with anecdotes. However, be cautious about what stories to tell. If it sheds a bad light on the couple or on anybody in the audience, ditch it.
Stories should be humorous but heartwarming. Do not try to roast the bride or the groom just to be funny. There should be no stories about exes and past embarassments. Also, keep your ego in check. Don’t talk too much about yourself.
Keep It Short
Give your toast within three minutes, at maximum. That’s enough time to keep your audience engaged until you propose the toast. Speaking too long will bore the crowd. As the saying goes, keep it short but sweet. Three minutes is enough to honor the couple and wish them the best. Some wedding toasts are just three to five sentences long but will hit the right keys.
Practice
Keep practicing until the big day. Consult friends and family members about your prepared speech and how you deliver it. Solicit feedback. But never ever reveal your speech to the couple before the big day! You will ruin their excitement.
Be Sincere
When delivering your speech, be sincere with your words. Express your joy about the union, and make a heartfelt and meaningful wedding wish. Maybe that’s all you need to say, after all.
Conclusion
There, that’s all about how to give a toast at a wedding. Be prepared. Write down your speech and practice. Keep it short. Above all, be genuine. After your speech, do not forget to raise your glass and invite the crowd to do the same. Once you sip that wine, your task is done. It’s time for the dance.
