How to Write a Wedding Toast

A wedding is one of the most important days of many people's lives, and everyone wants her special day to be just perfect. Of course, if you're going to the reception, you'll want to have a good wedding toast ready, especially if you're in the wedding party or are the father of the bride or groom. Luckily, there are some easy steps to follow to make sure you don't embarrass anyone, including yourself.

Instructions

1. Gain inspiration on a site like WeddingPlanningWiz.com (see Resources below). Don't copy these toasts verbatim, however, as you want your toast to be as unique and special as the couple before you.

2. Use an outline format to write your speech on index cards. They are extremely helpful to refer back to as you speak.

3. Introduce yourself. The wedding party will most likely know who you are, but the rest of the guests may not have a clue. This is especially important if it is a large wedding. Simply begin your speech with a quick introduction or anecdote to let everyone know how you know the bride or groom.

4. Compliment the beautiful ceremony you have all witnessed. This creates common ground and gets everyone on the same page. Leave this step out if the wedding was a small affair and only family was invited, saving the big guest list for the reception.

5. Include memories that involve both the bride and groom. Though there's always room for Dad to get teary eyed over memories of his little girl, you should keep yourself focused on the bride and groom as a couple.

6. Include famous quotes that fit the wedding or the bride and groom. You can find thoughtful quotes on a site like EasyWeddingToasts.com (see Resources below).

7. Play it straight unless you're known for your wit. If you're known for your more serious demeanor, don't try to shake things up with a joke because it may fall flat. Stay in comfortable territory, and everyone will love you for it.

8. Direct your toast to the bride and groom alone. Though you may feel that you have to entertain the crowd, you should write your wedding toast to be an intimate gesture for the stars of the day.

9. Stay positive, exercise tact and only write about happy things instead of including comments about ex loves, embarrassing moments, wedding gifts or anything to do with the cost of the wedding.

10. End your toast with a positive comment full of hope for the future of the couple.

11. Invite the whole gathering to join you in the toast by raising your glass and saying, "To (bride) and (groom)!"

12. Toast to the health and well-being of the couple by tacking on a cheerful "l'chaim," "salud," "a votre sante," "za vashe zdorovye" or "prosit."

Tips & Warnings

• Keep it short and sweet. Anything over 5 minutes will start to make people uncomfortable and bored, no matter how entertaining and positive the toast. Keep it short and let people get back to their food.

• Don't write any tongue-in-cheek remarks about the honeymoon. These jokes are stale and can make some people quite uncomfortable.

Resources

• EasyWeddingToasts.com for quotes
• WeddingPlanningWiz.com for toast samples