How to Avoid Common Wedding Toast Mistakes

Giving a toast at a wedding can be stressful enough without inadvertently putting your foot in your mouth. While a wedding toast can be lighthearted and contain some good natured ribbing, there are a few common wedding toast mistakes that should be avoided at all costs. Here are some tips to help you avoid the worst offenders.

Instructions

1. Stay sober. While it is a festive occasion and a glass of champagne or two may calm your nerves, you don't want to slur your way through your toast. Save the partying until after your wedding toast is over to avoid any embarrassing lapses in judgment.

2. Keep it clean. Avoid swearing or telling any stories that aren't at least PG rated. There are likely elderly people and children in the audience that won't appreciate that type of humor. You can tell funny stories about the bride or groom in your toast without lapsing into inappropriateness.

3. Avoid mentioning ex-girlfriends or ex-boyfriends. Neither the bride nor the groom will appreciate hearing about the other one's past relationships. This information is better kept to yourself.

4. Keep in mind it's a wedding toast not a roast. Don't bring up embarrassing mistakes from the past or poke too much fun at the bride and groom. Keep your toast lighthearted but sweet.

5. Be brief--under a minute or two. Anything longer than that and the guests' attention will probably wander.

Tips & Warnings

• Wedding toasts are about offering the newly married couple heartfelt and genuine wishes for their future. Avoid the most common wedding toast mistakes by simply relaxing, concentrating on the happiness of the occasion and just being yourself.