The Perfect Toast: JPC’s Tips and Trick for Writing and Delivering!

What will I say? Do I make it emotional, or do I make it funny? What if I stumble over my words? These are all questions that many people ask themselves as they prepare to write a speech or give a toast at a loved one’s wedding, an event that has been being planned for weeks, months and sometimes even years. {No pressure!} Whether you are the maid of honor, best man, father of the bride, or another honored wedding guest, giving a speech in front of a room full of people with all eyes on you can be nerve-wracking!

Nerve-wracking or not, what would a wedding day be without a good toast?! After being in the Event Industry for so many years, we have encountered a plethora of speeches and know how to separate the good from the ugly. Here are some tricks, tips and words of advice to help you leave a lasting impression on the guests, and more importantly, the bride and groom!

Photo by Hot Metal Studio

1. Don’t Make it About Yourself

As easy as it is to fill an entire toast with memories and good times you have had with the bride or groom, this toast isn’t about you, and you shouldn’t make it about you! When you are writing your toast, make sure it is centered on the person you are giving it to. This may be the bride, groom or the two of them as a couple.

2. Keep it Short and Sweet

As much as the guests are paying attention to you when you stand up to give your toast, their hearts will slowly sink when they see you pull 5 sheets of notebook paper out of your pocket. Keeping your toast short and sweet will not only hold the attention span of guests who are sitting anxiously in their seat until they can get up and dance, but it will also allow the bride and groom to hear and take in every word you say. 3 minutes is just enough time to accomplish this!

3. Funny is good. Embarrassing is not.

Yes, humor definitely works when you are giving a toast to a large crowd, but this is something you need to be careful with! The 250 guests you are speaking to weren’t with you and the Bride at your college spring break in Mexico, and they probably will not be able to follow your tequila story, no matter how funny it may have been in that moment. You also want to be careful not to say anything that might be embarrassing to the bride or groom in front of the most important people in their lives.    

4. Write it down, and rehearse.

In most cases “winging it” is not the smartest idea! While you are preparing your toast, write it down and practice it. A lot. No, you do not need to practice in front of a huge room of people. Saying your speech out loud to yourself {or even to your dog} will do! Knowing what you are going to say ahead of time will make your delivery that much easier and smoother when it is time to actually give your toast.

Photo by Hot Metal Studio