How To Give The Best Wedding Toast: Tips and Examples

Being entrusted to write the perfect wedding toast speech is a huge honor reserved for a family member or those nearest to the bride and groom. Giving a toast at a wedding reception, wedding day or rehearsal dinner can be intimidating but heartfelt toasts are truly memorable and are talked about long after the event. Don't stress if you're not sure on how to write wedding toast. We have outlined some wedding toast examples for you and how to write a wedding speech that is remembered forever. Keep Reading.

Essentials of a Wedding Toast

Keep in mind that your toasts meaning is important and should not exceed more than three to five minutes. Toasting the bride and groom should have three main parts: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Discuss a couple of memories adding a bit of humor, no inside jokes, please. 

Introduce Yourself

Starting a wedding toast can be a little tricky. So, first, before toasting the bride and groom ensure everyone’s attention. Then introduce yourself! In a few words impart how you know the bride groom so everyone has a better understanding of your relationship with the newlyweds.

Congratulate the happy couple

Speak straight from the heart and strike the right balance between humor and emotion. Your message for the happy couple at their wedding reception should be vibrant, sweet, and tailored to the couple and your relationship with them. Congratulate and let them know how happy you are for them. 

Don't forget to address both partners

This special day is about your loved one and their spouse, and while you may be closer to one person than the other, do your best to include both of them in the perfect wedding toast. Make note of all the wonderful ways your family or friend’s significant other has had a positive influence on them or talk about his or her first impression, and memories.

Share a Memory, a Story

Speaking at a wedding isn't just a witty compilation of words; it's also about memory. Make it special for the bride or groom. Share stories of any incident that shows their character (of course something good about them), recall the excitement about their first date and how special it was, or talk about what they used to be like before their spouse came along. The list is endless!

Include an appropriate joke maybe

Read the room first! The goal is to make everyone laugh. Make sure every guest gets a picture of every joke or story. Don't make it embarrassing by mentioning events or inside jokes. The bride groom might get a kick out of them, but it might be a tad bit uncomfortable if a family member or friend can't follow through.

Close with a round of Good Wishes

Wish the duo with words of encouragement and happiness as they enter a new chapter of their lives and for their future endeavours. Cheer the couple with the hope of more good things to come. 

Tips for the best toast

Well, knowing the essential parts of a wedding toast will help you but it is not enough for writing a great toast. You cannot just go off the bat, you need to give some thought and time to it. It’s a special occasion, you’re asked to say a few words and you want to make it phenomenal.

As long as your toast is sincere, it is sure to touch the audience and the newlyweds. But to take it a notch up here are a tips on how to write a wedding toast, a toast that is loved by the couple and others. 

Brainstorm

Take some time to brainstorm ideas and jot down key points on how to write a wedding speech and what you want to include in your toast. 

1. Reflect on your relationship with the bridegroom: Think about your relationship with the duo and the memorable moments you've shared. Consider how their love story has impacted your life and the unique qualities that make them special.

2. Consider their journey: What do you think about the couple's journey together- how they met, the challenges they've overcome, and their milestones? This will help you identify key ideas or moments to include in your toast.

3. Highlight their individual qualities: Consider the individual qualities and strengths of each partner. How do these qualities complement each other? What makes them stand out from other couples? Celebrate their unique attributes during your toast.

4. Recall shared experiences: Think about shared experiences you've had with the newlyweds. Recall funny or heartwarming moments in their relationship. These stories can add a personal touch to your toast and create a connection with the audience.

5. Focus on their future together: Consider the couple's dreams and aspirations for the future. How do they inspire each other? What do they hope to achieve together? Brainstorm ways to convey your belief in their future happiness and success.

6. Consider the audience: Keep the audience in mind as you brainstorm. Think about their relationship with the couple and what they might find interesting or entertaining. Tailor your toast to resonate with both the couple and the guests. Talking about something only a few can relate to will be a downer.

Make it about the couple

The focus of your toast should be on the couple and their journey together. Avoid talking about yourself too much or wandering into unrelated stories; keep your tone light and positive, always bringing it back to the newlyweds and the present moment.

Keep the whole thing short!

Keep it short and sweet as this isn’t a one-man show, therefore aim for a toast that lasts around 3-5 minutes or the duration the new couple is comfortable with. However, this should give you enough time to share a few sweet memories, but not so long that guests lose interest. Remember, there are likely other toasts and speeches to follow, so keep it concise and impactful.

Pick a memorable short story to share

Try to brainstorm with a few others for some good, fun stories you can share. Choose a specific event or moment that captures the essence of the couple's relationship. This could be a romantic gesture, you could include a hilarious memory or a heartwarming experience you shared with them.

Don't talk about off-limit topics

Be wary of any topics that might be sensitive or off-limits. If you’re unsure and on the fence as to whether something in your speech is inappropriate or controversial subjects that could potentially make the couple or the guests uncomfortable, you should probably nix the line.

Avoid Clichés

While it's tempting to rely on clichés, try to personalize your toast and avoid generic phrases as much as possible. Be yourself and speak from the heart and use your own words to express your feelings and wishes for the couple on their wedding day.

Practice, don't go Impromptu

Practice and write wedding toast beforehand as this will help you feel more confident and ensure a smooth delivery. Memorize key points, but don't be afraid to have note cards as a backup if needed; that way, when you are delivering the toast, it will come off as more heartfelt and natural.

Be on time for the celebration

It is very rude to be late for any event. It is even more rude if you were to give a wedding toast and reach the event late. So make sure that you have the correct time and reach there before the time.

Look the part

Many wedding receptions nowadays have a theme for guests' outfits. If this is the case, ensure you have everything in order to look the part. Even if there's no fixed style, dress up nicely that the bride and groom would love. Since you will be giving a toast everyone's eyes will be on you. This should be enough as a motivation to dress up, right? But, yes, don't overdo anything.

Wedding Toast Samples

Wedding toast for your best friend

Stressed about how to write a wedding toast? Start off with one of these gems!

• The couple have requested me that I don't share any embarrassing stories... so that's it from me! Thanks for listening!
• My advice? Don't laugh at your partner's choices because you were one of them!

Wedding toast for your sibling

As a sibling of the groom or bride, a wedding toast is a beautiful tradition to express love and support for the happy couple.

• Here is to a groom with a bride so fair, and here is to a bride with a groom who is so rare.
• Oh my, what an emotional day it’s been. Look, even the cake is in tiers!

Wedding toast for your daughter/son

If you are a parent who wants to toast their child’s marriage, these toasts perfectly emphasize how happy and proud you are to be part of this special day.

• There are two bequests we can give our children. One is roots. The other is wings. Here is to you soaring high together.
• It is written parents find true joy when children find true love. Here’s to my joy, from this day forward.

Funny Wedding toast

Here are some funny wedding toast examples to guarantee belly laughs with an unforgettable!

• The best two secrets to a long-lasting happy marriage: Here’s to a good sense of humor –and a short memory!
• May your marriage be so solid it could last through being on a reality show.

Serious Wedding toast speech

You surely would want your toast to the newlyweds to be full of eloquence, humor, and maybe even a touch of wisdom.

• Never above you. Never below you. Always beside you
• Here’s to the past, for all you’ve learned. Here’s to the present, for all you share. Here’s to the future, for all that you will look forward to.
• For better or Worse be far better than worse.

Conclusion

Now that you know what to do with a wedding toast, find the perfect words, raise your glasses, and send your good wishes to the newly married couple…so prepare, breathe, and be ready to celebrate!