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"Who so findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and
obtaineth the favor of the Lord." Prov. 18:22
obtaineth the favor of the Lord." Prov. 18:22
| Wedding Toasts |
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| "Bill, take Judy's hand and place your hand over her's. Now, remember this moment and cherish it... because this will be the last time you'll ever have the upper hand!" May you never lie, cheat or drink. But if you must lie, lie with each other. And if you must cheat, cheat death. And if you must drink, drink with us for we all love you and wish you both the love and happiness of which you deserve. "Let us toast the health of the bride, let us toast the health of the groom, let us toast the Rev. who tied the knot. And I'd personally like to toast every guest in the room." May you swear, steal, and lie. Swear by all that's good and true. Steal away your cares and sorrows. And lie in the arms of the one you love. May you both live as long as you want and never want as long as you live. May the love you express to each other today, always be the first thoughts during any trying times in the future. I see the love you both have in each other's eyes and as your love grows for one another, may you look back on this day and know this is when you loved each other the least. Remember the love you feel today. Look back on it daily and measure how much it has grown. |
Photo © 2003 by Gary Allen
"Ladies &
Gentlemen,
I would
like to
propose a
toast!"
Gentlemen,
I would
like to
propose a
toast!"
Anyone who's been to a wedding has heard someone give a wedding
toast at the reception. Oftentimes it's given by the father of the bride,
the best man, or a close friend or relative of the bride or groom.
Here I offer these tips for those who want to write and give a great
wedding toast.
Difficulty: Hard
Time Required: 2-3 hours over a few days
Here's How:
If you are not known to 50 percent of the assembled group, plan to
briefly identify yourself and your relationship to the couple before you
launch into the toast.
Then start the wedding toast off by offering a remark about the
wonderful/touching/elegant/memorable/unique (or fill in your own
adjective) ceremony you have all witnessed.
Like a speech, a wedding toast has a beginning, a middle, and an end.
Don't plan to offer an impromptu wedding toast unless you're very good
at thinking on your feet. Instead, well before the wedding ceremony,
write down your thoughts about the couple. What have people who love
them said about their match? What occurs to you about their union? Do
they have shared interests or passions?
Identify and articulate positive qualities about the bride, the
groom, and the two as a couple as you start to write the wedding toast.
If you want to briefly walk down memory lane in your wedding toast, it's
ideal to choose a memory that involves both the bride and the groom.
Was there anything unique in the way they met? Or their engagement?
These can make interesting anecdotes.
Essentially, the wedding toast you give should be warm, personal, and
brief. If you are a stand-up comedian, insert jokes. If you are not, play it
straight. While you may have the urge to entertain, keep in mind that to
the bride and groom your words will be remembered forever.
Stumped for what to say? The Internet is filled with great quotations
that you can use to start off your speech or get inspiration from.
Do not give a wedding toast if you're drunk. Period. If the wedding toast
is being recorded by a photographer or videographer, visit the restroom
before you give the toast to straighten your hair and clothing.
Other don'ts: Don't mention previous girlfriends, boyfriends, or spouses
in a wedding toast. Don't talk about the cost of the wedding or wedding
gifts. Don't talk about future plans the couple may have confided to you.
This includes pregnancy and children. And don't make jokes about the
honeymoon.
Do end the wedding toast on a high and hopeful note. Express all the
good wishes in the room for the new couple's happy, healthy,
prosperous future.
Finally, ask the assembled group to join you in the wedding toast, lift
your Champagne glass, and say, "To (name of bride) and (name
of groom)...."
Let everyone know the wedding toast is complete by adding your
favorite clean down-the-hatch phrase, such as Cheers! or the
ethnic Salut!, L'chaim!, A votre sante!, Za vashe zdorovye!, Prosit!,
Skal! et cetera.
Tips:
Keep the wedding toast short, under five minutes.
Focus on the couple, and face them when you toast. Avoid talking about
your own marriage or relationship.
Keep in mind that parents and older people will be present..
Allow yourself time beforehand to rehearse the wedding toast. If you
tend to get nervous in front of groups, it's okay to read it from a card.
Let your warmest feelings for the couple shine through.
What You Need:
Feeling of confidence
Clear voice that carries
Glass of Champagne
Attention of the guests
Smile.
toast at the reception. Oftentimes it's given by the father of the bride,
the best man, or a close friend or relative of the bride or groom.
Here I offer these tips for those who want to write and give a great
wedding toast.
Difficulty: Hard
Time Required: 2-3 hours over a few days
Here's How:
If you are not known to 50 percent of the assembled group, plan to
briefly identify yourself and your relationship to the couple before you
launch into the toast.
Then start the wedding toast off by offering a remark about the
wonderful/touching/elegant/memorable/unique (or fill in your own
adjective) ceremony you have all witnessed.
Like a speech, a wedding toast has a beginning, a middle, and an end.
Don't plan to offer an impromptu wedding toast unless you're very good
at thinking on your feet. Instead, well before the wedding ceremony,
write down your thoughts about the couple. What have people who love
them said about their match? What occurs to you about their union? Do
they have shared interests or passions?
Identify and articulate positive qualities about the bride, the
groom, and the two as a couple as you start to write the wedding toast.
If you want to briefly walk down memory lane in your wedding toast, it's
ideal to choose a memory that involves both the bride and the groom.
Was there anything unique in the way they met? Or their engagement?
These can make interesting anecdotes.
Essentially, the wedding toast you give should be warm, personal, and
brief. If you are a stand-up comedian, insert jokes. If you are not, play it
straight. While you may have the urge to entertain, keep in mind that to
the bride and groom your words will be remembered forever.
Stumped for what to say? The Internet is filled with great quotations
that you can use to start off your speech or get inspiration from.
Do not give a wedding toast if you're drunk. Period. If the wedding toast
is being recorded by a photographer or videographer, visit the restroom
before you give the toast to straighten your hair and clothing.
Other don'ts: Don't mention previous girlfriends, boyfriends, or spouses
in a wedding toast. Don't talk about the cost of the wedding or wedding
gifts. Don't talk about future plans the couple may have confided to you.
This includes pregnancy and children. And don't make jokes about the
honeymoon.
Do end the wedding toast on a high and hopeful note. Express all the
good wishes in the room for the new couple's happy, healthy,
prosperous future.
Finally, ask the assembled group to join you in the wedding toast, lift
your Champagne glass, and say, "To (name of bride) and (name
of groom)...."
Let everyone know the wedding toast is complete by adding your
favorite clean down-the-hatch phrase, such as Cheers! or the
ethnic Salut!, L'chaim!, A votre sante!, Za vashe zdorovye!, Prosit!,
Skal! et cetera.
Tips:
Keep the wedding toast short, under five minutes.
Focus on the couple, and face them when you toast. Avoid talking about
your own marriage or relationship.
Keep in mind that parents and older people will be present..
Allow yourself time beforehand to rehearse the wedding toast. If you
tend to get nervous in front of groups, it's okay to read it from a card.
Let your warmest feelings for the couple shine through.
What You Need:
Feeling of confidence
Clear voice that carries
Glass of Champagne
Attention of the guests
Smile.