How to give a memorable wedding toast

There’s no grey area when it comes to giving a toast at a wedding. Your speech can  be sweet, funny, light hearted or a complete disaster that results in a few minutes of awkwardness. Whether you’re the best man, the bridesmaid, a parent or a close friend, speaking about the bridal couple for those few minutes in front of an audience can be nerve-wracking.

Fear not, we’ve listed out some simple tips to help you navigate the process of writing a wedding toast—and a memorable one at that.

Show the couple how happy you are for them

It’s important to start off with just how happy you are for the couple in front of all those that have gathered together for the wedding, and how glad you are to witness their union. 

Tell people who you are

While the couple knows a lot about you, the wedding guests probably do not. So, a little introduction about yourself to break the ice will work wonders. 

Integrate a story into your speech

If there’s a theme, you can add in anecdotes that involve you and the couple, so your toast will have more of a meaning to it. Trust us, it’s better than uttering things no one has a clue about. If you’re confused, we’ve got some pegsto get you started:

For example, you can speak about your very first memory of your friend (bride or groom), or your favourite memory about them. If not that, talk about what they said when they first told you about their partner and how you reacted to the news. Letting guests know about fond memories you have with the bride/groom makes it more seamless.

Make sure you use examples

Back up your points by letting guests know how your friend, or the couple, walked the talk. Giving examples are a great way of weaving in humour as well. 

Keep it short

We suggest keeping your speech limited to 3-5 minutes, tops. It’s long enough to make your point and short enough to get everyone’s attention. 

You may be speaking for one half of the couple, but don’t ignore or leave their partner out of your speech
There is absolutely no need to focus only on your friend when it comes to your wedding toast. Put your thinking cap on and figure out a way to have their spouse included. It could even be something sweet that your friend told you about their better half. 

It’s a toast, not a roast

There’s a reason it’s called an inside joke because only a few people know it. So, it’s best to say things that others will understand. If you’re going to use humour, try practicing your toast in front of a neutral person to see if it will fly or not.

Keep it classy

Talking about exes to make your friend stand out is a no-go. Furthermore, don’t embarrass your friends or the couple on their special day just because you want to sound cool and funny. 

It’s now time to raise your glass!