A wedding speech is special and is therefore generally prepared with a lot of thought. Although the speech is important, it is always advisable to keep it short, simple and sweet. A few punch lines in a wedding speech add spice and enliven the atmosphere. A great wedding speech complements any wedding ceremony.
Toasting the happy couple at the wedding reception is one of the event's most cherished traditions. Wedding toasts hold special significance to the person making the toast and to the newly-weds. A wedding toast honors the couple with wishes for happiness, prosperity, health and general good luck. As the person making a toast, you understand how special the occasion is and want to make the best wedding toast possible.
Are you preparing to make a wedding toast?
Here are a few tips for that perfect toast...
*Prepare ahead of time; know what you are going to say; use notes if necessary.
*Express your heartfelt congratulations to the people involved. Speak from the heart.
*An effective toast is brief, not too silly, and should not cause the couple undue embarrassment. Don't be long winded. Your speech should be no more than two or three minutes in length.
*A toast should be memorable and meaningful. It should be light, fun and appropriate for all ages.
*Rehearse it. Then rehearse it again. That means saying it “out loud” in front of someone else, a mirror or a video recorder.
*You may want to avoid consuming alcohol before you make your toast.
*Stand to give your toast.
*Stand up straight and look confident.
*It is a good idea to use a microphone and have it close enough to your mouth for it to be effective.
*Speak slowly, clearly, and loud enough for all guests to hear. What ruins more speeches than anything else is a nervous speaker going too fast for guests to understand what is being said.
*End your toast with an indication for the guests to raise their glasses and repeat your good wishes. For example you could say "Please join me in wishing the happy couple a long and happy marriage;” or simply say “Cheers;” or “Congratulations!"
*When proposing a toast, raise your glass with your right hand. The glass should be held in a straight line from the shoulder.
*Finally take a drink! Those receiving the wedding toast are not supposed to take a sip, nor stand up or raise their glass. However, you should acknowledge the toast with a smile or a nod. As a rule of thumb those giving the speech stand and those receiving it remain seated.
So, if someone is making a toast, what do you do? Everyone should stand for toasts except for the bride and groom. The bride and groom should thank anyone who toasts them, and never clap or drink to themselves. If a toast is addressed to the groom only, the bride should rise, and vice versa. If the toast is addressed at guests or parents, both the newlyweds should rise.
When to Toast?
The toast may be done just before the blessing, prior to the meal being served. However, the traditional time to give your toast at a wedding reception is done with the cake cutting right after the meal. The decision on this depends greatly on personal preferences. Whenever you decide to include the toast, the Best Man is usually the first person to offer the toast to the groom or couple.
Followed by...
Maid of Honor
Father of the groom
Father of the bride
Open to anyone wishing to toast (Optional)
The more common modern practice is to have only two toasts: the best man's toast to the couple, and the maid of honor's toast to the couple.
It's also not unusual for the groom or the bride to give a toast or to say a thank you in response to the toasts by their honor attendants.
These are the people who traditionally give toasts, for the most part. The one "most common" toast to have, if you have no others, is the best man's toast to the bride.
Your wedding may still feature the father of the bride offering a welcome speech and a toast.
Please keep in mind that the advice we offer here is based on traditions
and are only guidelines. We will be happy to offer suggestions,
or give you the pros and cons of doing things in a certain manner;
however, YOU make the final decision.
The sequence of events at a wedding varies from one client to the
next, and also varies from one part of the country to another.
Wedding Toasts
Below is a collection of free wedding toasts. These may be offered "as is", or included as part of a toast you decide to write on your own.
________________________________________
As you slide down the banister of life,
May the splinters never point the wrong way.
________________________________________
For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day.
________________________________________
Here's to you and yours
And to mine and ours.
And if mine and ours
Ever come across to you and yours,
I hope you and yours will do
As much for mine and ours
As mine and ours have done
For you and yours!
________________________________________
Let us toast the health of the bride
Let us toast the health of the groom,
Let us toast the person that tied
Let us toast every guest in the room.
________________________________________
May brooks and trees and singing hills
Join in the chorus, too.
And every gentle wind that blows
Send happiness to you.
________________________________________
May the joys of today
Be those of tomorrow.
The goblets of life
Hold no dregs of sorrow.
________________________________________
May the luck of the Irish
Lead to happiest heights
And the highway you travel
Be lined with green lights.
________________________________________
May the roof above you never fall in,
And may you both never fall out.
________________________________________
May the saddest day of your future be no worse
Than the happiest day of your past.
________________________________________
May there always be work for your hands to do.
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine warm on your windowpane.
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
________________________________________
May there be a generation of children
On the children of your children.
________________________________________
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings,
Slow to make enemies,
And quick to make friends.
________________________________________
May you both live as long as you want,
And never want as long as you live.
________________________________________
May your glasses be ever full.
May the roof over your heads be always strong.
And may you be in heaven half an hour
before the devil knows you're dead.
________________________________________
May your neighbors respect you,
Trouble neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And heaven accept you.
May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.
________________________________________
May your right hand always
Be stretched out in friendship
And never in want.
________________________________________
May your troubles be less
And your blessings be more.
And nothing but happiness
Come through your door.
________________________________________
©Copyright 1978-2014 A & A Disc Jockey Service. All Rights Reserved. For more information feel free to Contact Us
Toasts
"Your Day... Your Vision...Your Dream. Our Promise!"
Awards
Affiliations
For your convenience...
We accept:
2012 /2014
