Wedding Etiquette for Best Man Toasts
While some men may see the wedding toast as an opportunity to practice their stand-up routine, other men may find it to be a nerve-wracking experience, but the truth of the task lies somewhere in between. Entrusted by the groom, the best man needs to take his toasting duties seriously and be prepared. The toast is a memorable moment of the wedding reception, and a best man needs to be aware of wedding etiquette and features of the toast and always remember that his words will likely live on forever on videotape or DVD.
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History
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Toasting dates back to the 6th century B.C. when a Greek host toasted his friends health, he was assuring his drinking partners that the wine that they were about to ingest wasn't poisoned, according to IntoWine.com. The host poured wine from a communal pitcher into his glass and drank it before sharing with the others. He then raised his glass to his friends, indicating that he was healthy, not poisoned, and that it was safe for guests to drink from the same pitcher.
Types
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The best man is responsible for two wedding toasts. The first toast comes at the wedding rehearsal dinner. At this smaller, more intimate gathering with guests who are close to the couple, the best man can tell a more personal story about the bride and groom, according to the Wedding Channel. The second toast by the best man comes at the wedding reception itself, is more formal and must interest a broader range of guests and acquaintances.
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Features
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Wedding etiquette dictates that the best man, the toastmaster, stand when speaking, according to The Emily Post Institute. (See References 1) A well-written toast contains a thank you to the person who paid for the affair, whether it is the couples' parents or the couple themselves. As part of his introduction to the crowd, the best man states the relationship that he has to the couple. In order to keep the focus of the wedding toast on the bride and groom, the best man may mention a humorous story about the early days of the couple.
Considerations
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A wedding toast given by the best man is brief and lasts no longer than five minutes. Long speeches make the crowd restless. Be prepared. Practice the toast out loud before the wedding. This will identify if the toast is too long or short and if the best man needs to speak louder or slower. Do not read the toast word for word from a sheet of paper. Etiquette allows the best man to use cards with key words during his speech as a prompt, according to The Knot.
Warning
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Do not say or do anything embarrassing when giving the best man's toast. Remember that the bride and groom will likely have a videographer record the toast, meaning they'll have a record of your bad behavior forever. A best man must speak clearly and maintain sobriety when toasting. Do not offend children and any other guests with "dirty" or risque language and jokes. To maintain a good relationship with the wedding couple, avoid any stories about the groom's past relationships or anything else that will offend and anger the bride.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit wedding ring and champagne image by e-pyton from Fotolia.com
