How to Make a Toast to the Groom and the Bride

When you're called on to do a toast at a wedding, you want it to be memorable, but in a good way. Preparation is the key, both in composing your toast and rehearsing it ahead of time. Devote the time this task deserves and give a wedding toast that you'll look back on with pride and will be remembered fondly by the bride and groom.

Instructions

1. Plan what you'd like to say in your toast and consider writing down some key points you'd like to cover to refer to when you give your toast. Resist the urge to write it down word for word; reading a toast doesn't give the same heartfelt emotion you'd like to portray as speaking it from your heart.

2. Limit the amount of alcohol you consume prior to giving your toast. You might be tempted to toss back a few in the name of liquid courage if you're nervous, but slurring your speech during your toast isn't going to leave the best of impressions.

3. Begin your toast with a little humor, but don't try to turn it into a stand up comedy act.

4. Weave a little personal history into your toast, as long as it relates somehow to the couple or how they met. But make sure you talk about both the bride and the groom, and not just the one you know best.

5. Keep your comments positive and tasteful. Remember that your audience will be varied in age and background. Telling off-color jokes or really roasting the couple with embarrassing stories is never a good idea.

6. Mention positive personality traits of both of them that compliment each other and make a toast to their happiness and long life together.

7. Keep your toast to just a few minutes in length and keep the focus on the bride and groom; not on you.