Wedding toasts are a staple at almost every wedding reception. We’ve all seen some pretty great, and some not-so-great speeches. Whether it’s a heartfelt speech from the Father of the Bride, or a lighthearted toast from the Best Man, wedding toasts are a great way to reflect on a couples relationship, and celebrate this new milestone in their lives.
However there is a lot of anxiety surrounding toasts. Some people get nervous speaking in front of large groups, some couples fear a long-winded speech by an overzealous relative, and some might be wary of the stories their friends might tell from their college years. We’ve seen a lot (and we mean a LOT) of great speeches, so we’re here to give you our tips on how to give the best wedding speech ever.
We’ve all sat through long, longggggg speeches. We recommend keeping speeches under 5 minutes (max!). While it might not seem like a long time, most weddings have 4-5 speeches and listening to 30+ minutes of speeches brings the party to a halt. No one wants to see guests’ eyes glaze over as you enter minute 10 of your toast. Keep it quick, and then get to dancing!
Most wedding are a family affair, meaning there will most likely be some older guests (hello grandma!) as well as some little ones. Before you decide to tell that story about the time you and the bride got a little too drunk, check with the couple before you add that to your speech.
Don’t forget that the wedding is about two people getting married. Don’t only tell stories of you and the groom and forget to mention the bride at all. Tell a story with both the bride and groom, talk about their wonderful relationship, or what you hope for them in their marriage. Make it about both of them!
Unless you are great at improvising, write out a speech. The couple will thank you for having something prepared – trust us!
Make sure your speech with you before you head to the wedding (having two copies wouldn’t hurt). Speeches that are printed on paper or on note cards look best in photos. The glow from an iPad or phone is not flattering in pictures. Make sure you email a copy of your speech to yourself in case something happens to your paper copy! Your speech can be reprinted or read from a device in a pinch.
Some couples like to say something to their guests at the end of speeches. It’s a great way to say thank you to all the people who have traveled to see your big day. Don’t be afraid to jump up to say a quick thank you to everyone.
We can’t stress enough how important having a great DJ is. Most DJ’s will double as your Master of Ceremonies (MC). They will make sure everyone who is giving a toast is ready to speak, they will double check on how to pronounce their names, and even give a couple tips on how to hold the microphone.
Remember – toasts should be fun! Don’t be afraid to tell a light hearted joke or two. Have a cute and comical story about the couple? Now is the perfect time to share it.
Being asked to give a toast at a wedding is a great honor. Enjoy your time up there, and that you can be a part of the couple’s special day! Don’t forget to have fun!
"The words "Thank you" just don't seem enough for making our dream wedding a reality. I can honestly say it was one of the best days of our lives. The incredible attention to detail was impeccable. Everyone we spoke to simply raved about it and said it was the best wedding they had been to and that Elliston was simply incredible. The food was amazing, the service was second to none and every single detail from start to finish was simply spectacular and truly magical. It was a fairytale day for all of us and my only wish is that it didn't go so fast, we didn't want it to end. Again, thank you to you and your team for making our dream wedding come to life." - Alexis & Brandon - June 23, 2018
