8 Expert Tips For Giving A Memorable Wedding Toast

Giving toasts is a must where weddings are concerned. As friends and family gather to celebrate the couple, it's appropriate to honor and recount memories while wishing them well in their future together. But giving a wedding toast can be intimidating at best. What do you say, how long do you speak, and how do you get everyone's attention? We consulted with etiquette expert Liz Bryant, president and founder of Liz Bryant Business Etiquette in Richmond, Virginia, who shared essential rules and tips for wedding toasts. Read on for those expert tips plus some sample toasts for weddings to inspire you.

Tips For A Perfect Wedding Toast

Keep It Brief

Whether it's due to the giver being nervous or having an exuberant personality, some toasts drone on, which isn't ideal. "We have all been at events where someone is giving a toast, and it seems to go on and on," says Bryant.

The good news, especially for those who are a bit shy, is that shorter toasts are actually more impactful and appropriate. "A perfect toast, in most cases, may be the simplest," Bryant explains.

In fact, The Protocol School of Washington goes as far as to recommend that toast givers go by the "Three B's," which are Begin, Be Brief, and Be Seated, says Bryant. "That said, conventional wisdom recommends one to two minutes."

Use Humor Sparingly

"People giving toasts at weddings should remember that it is a time of celebration, and while it should be fun, it should not, under any circumstances, devolve into a comedy routine," Bryant says. Wedding guests often witness overdone, awkward speeches filled with innuendo and inside jokes that fall flat. "It is never appropriate for a toast to be a roast. Stick with fond memories, compliments, and heartfelt sentiments," she advises. "An inappropriate toast can leave you looking the fool and, worse yet, damage your friendship [with the couple]."

Focus On Honoring The Newlyweds

The purpose of giving a toast is to honor the couple and wish them well in their new life together. It should be personalized, heartfelt, and memorable, particularly for the honorees, offers Bryant. Speak clearly, briefly, and with appropriate emotion. Bryant says that a meaningful toast should always be delivered with love.

Keep Nerves At Bay

Okay, breathe. It's natural to be nervous when all eyes are on you. "If you are nervous about giving a toast, don't overthink it, and keep it simple," suggests Bryant. Remember that the audience is full of people who cherish the couple as much as you do.

Prepare And Practice

"You definitely want to think ahead of time about what you are going to say in your toast," says Bryant. "But I don't recommend writing it down, nor should you try to memorize it word for word. You are far better off practicing a few times to get comfortable with the overall sentiment. That way, when you are delivering the toast, it will come off as more natural and heartfelt." Making a list of bullet points and speaking to each of those as naturally as possible is your best bet. When in doubt, record yourself practicing so you can review and tweak your toast before giving it live.

Start Your Toast Properly

"The proper way to offer a toast is to stand and raise your glass. No clinking to get attention. The room will acknowledge you without that," advises Bryant. "Begin by saying, 'I would like to propose a toast.' Lower your glass, look the honorees in the eye, and say, 'To the grooms, George and Pierre,'" she suggests. "Then give your toast."

End Your Toast Perfectly

The ideal way to end your toast is by toasting, of course. Raise a glass and celebrate the couple with a drink. "Immediately upon finishing the delivery, look back at the audience, raise your glass, look again to the honorees, take a sip of your beverage (hopefully it's champagne, but any beverage is fine)," says Bryant, "and then be seated."

When In Doubt, Follow A Good Example

When writing a concise, meaningful speech, it's easy to get stumped. If you're having trouble finding the right words, search for a good example. Don't copy it word for word. Instead, use it as a springboard for your thoughts. It's okay to pack a few sentiments into a short toast. Embracing this approach will do wonders when you start to put your thoughts on paper.

10 Sample Toasts For Weddings To Inspire You

• "To Emma and Amanda, friends I hold close to my heart: May your life together always be filled with great love, frequent laughter, and wild adventure. Cheers to you and your life together!"
• "Friends and family of the newlyweds, please join me in a toast. Love is such a beautiful thing, and these two do it justice. They put love into action. You can see it in the way they look at one another, support one another, and lift each other up. To my dear friends, George and Will, I raise my glass and toast to you, your love, and your future."
• "I would like to propose a toast to the bride and groom. Caroline and Malcolm, I remember when you first met. I had a feeling you'd end up together, and I'm glad my hunch was right. May you always be as happy as we all are for you today."
• "Let's all raise a glass to the happy couple. David and Brooks, may your love and happiness only continue to grow with you. Here's to a lifetime of never-ending love and friendship."
• "I'd like to take a moment to raise a glass to Tara and Jackson. Love brought you both here to this special day. My wish for you is that love will continue to carry you through the rest of your lives together. Cheers to the happy couple!"
• "Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in raising your glasses to the newlyweds. Savannah and Owen, may you never forget the way you feel in this moment, surrounded by the people who love you and, most importantly, each other. Here's to you and a future full of love."
• "Please raise a glass and give it up for the newlyweds! Here's to your past which brought you together, to your present celebrating your commitment to each other, and to your love-filled future together."
• "To the happy couple, may you always inspire the best in each other, find humor and beauty in the little things, and remember all the reasons you fell in love."
• "It's an honor to be here to celebrate this beautiful couple. Zach and Grace, today we all bask in your love and share in your happiness. Here's to many more celebrations for years to come."
  
• "Let us toast to the two people who brought us all here today. May you love each other on good days and bad, always laugh at each other's jokes, and build a beautiful life together. Cheers!"
  

When writing your toast, remember that it's all about honoring the newlyweds. No matter your comfort level, preparing and giving a heartfelt speech is a tribute to your role in the couple's lives. In the end, a loving toast is a fabulous way to start the reception by centering the attention on the newlyweds and offering best wishes for what's to come.