Giving a wedding toast can be nerve-wracking. Learning how to write a wedding toast, however, isn’t difficult.
A wedding toast is a short speech given during the reception. It’s usually less than 3 minutes and wishes the newlyweds well. Who gives the toast at the wedding is flexible. It can be the best man or maid of honor, a parent, or even the couple themselves.
If you’re planning to write a wedding toast, we’re here to break down the process into several simple steps:
Start with a warm introduction
Share meaningful stories about the couple
Add humor and heartfelt moments
End with a strong closing and toast to the couple
Sample wedding toast to inspire your speech
Don’t be afraid to get creative or sentimental. What matters most is wishing the couple well on their special day.
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Start with a Warm Introduction
Unless the wedding is a very small, intimate affair, it’s likely that at least some of the audience doesn’t know who you are. Start by introducing yourself by name and stating what your relationship is to the couple.
If you’re one of the newlyweds, of course, you can skip this step.
Either way, it’s often considered kind to acknowledge key family members or the wedding party during this time. You might connect your introduction to the time you met the bride’s parents or how the wedding party has been inseparable since you all met.
Share Meaningful Stories About the Couple
Add a meaningful touch by sharing a sentimental love story or two about the couple. The anecdote should highlight the couple’s relationship and how they’re a good match. Maybe you share their meet-cute moment if you happened to witness it or describe the moment you knew they were meant to be.
Of course, it’s important to remain respectful. Now’s probably not the time to share details of escapades and rendezvous when the couple’s parents and grandparents are in the audience.
Add Humor and Heartfelt Moments
Some wedding toasts can be real tear-jerkers, but try to convey your genuine emotions while balancing them with a touch of light humor. If your toast manages to make the couple cry tears of joy and laugh within the span of a minute or two, you’ve probably done a great job.
Just remember not to add humor at the couple’s expense. Avoid embarrassing stories that, as funny as they may be, wouldn’t be appropriate for the entire audience.
End With a Strong Closing and a Toast to the Couple
You have a few options for how to end a wedding toast. Some people wrap them up with well-wishes. Others may provide a piece of advice for the couple to take into their married days. Or you can add a simple, yet meaningful quote about love or marriage.
No matter what angle you take, keep the closing short and to the point. It should summarize your hopes for a happy union til death do they part without elaborating too much. Then, invite the crowd to raise a glass and celebrate the couple’s long future together.
Sample Wedding Toast to Inspire Your Speech
Still not sure where to start? Read some wedding toast examples or check out this sample to get started. Remember, you should focus on personalization to create a truly heartfelt toast.
I’ve known [bride] and [groom] since we were kids on the school playground. Even back then, I knew that they were inseparable. It was obvious from how they’d stand up for each other when another classmate was picking on them or when their eyes would instantly meet when we needed to choose a partner for a project. It was just as obvious at our high school graduation when [groom] told me he’d marry her someday after lamenting her choosing to go to a different college.
Well, imagine my surprise when [groom] told me a couple of years back that [bride] was back in town and that he’d convinced her to go out for dinner. Imagine my further surprise when he popped the question, and she joyfully accepted. See my face? No surprise. [light laughter].
What has surprised me, however, is the way [bride] and [groom]’s love fills up a room. It just takes a quick glance to see how much they adore each other.
[Bride] and [groom], I know you’ll both find beauty and joy in this messy, unpredictable lifetime. Okay, everyone, let’s raise our glasses to [bride] and [groom] and wish them the best as they build their life together!
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