How to Toast with Wine Glasses
The art of the toast is an important one to learn, because toasts are useful in a variety of settings. Aside from the traditional wedding toast, other occasions call for toasting as well, such as family gatherings, work functions and honorary dinners. You can learn how to toast with wine glasses for any occasion, from a casual gathering to a formal function.
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Instructions
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Inject humor where appropriate. In Esquire, Don Rickles advises that a toaster should "riff on the guy for most of it," or "make fun of the dinner" if you don't know the honoree very well. Humor lightens a mood and enlists the support of your audience while providing entertainment to an evening. However, if you give a toast at a solemn occasion (such as a funeral or an event honoring your employer), avoid mockery as it would be entirely inappropriate.
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Keep the honoree in mind at all times. Think about what you know of that person, or memories you have shared. Tell an anecdote to highlight the person's character, or share little-known but interesting facts about their life. If you are toasting a couple, you might explain how you know they make a good pair, or share something they have done for each another. Just remember that a toast is given to honor someone or a specific occasion, and that honor should be foremost in your toast.
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Be prepared. Rickles advocates going into a toast without preparation, because too much preparation can lead to second-guessing. If you don't have his years of experience with public performances, however, you would do well to prepare a few notes beforehand. Avoid jotting down your toast word for word, because it will sound rehearsed and artificial. Keep your toast genuine but on point by preparing a shorthand list of topics or ideas beforehand. This way, you will know what you are going to say without explicitly outlining how you are going to say it.
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Incorporate your wine glass. Near the end of your toast, raise your glass in order to encourage the crowd to do the same. Make eye contact with the honoree and wish him well or congratulate him as you finish your speech, then take a drink from your glass in an enlarged gesture to show the audience it is time to do the same.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't let your toast become a roast-always be respectful of the person or situation you're toasting.
