Here's to the happy couple! PART 2
So, you've been asked to give a toast at a wedding. This is an honor, and let's be honest, slightly terrifying.
What in the world will you say?! As someone who was fortunate enough to be asked to give a toast at a wedding, I can completely identify. Here are a few tips to get you started.
Three Tips for the Toast:
- Toast, Don't Roast. Be appropriate. Remember, you are at one of the most important events in the couple's lives, in front of all of their family and friends, and keep your comments in line with that. There's no need to recall ex-girlfriends or ex-boyfriends, or any drunken escapades or one-night-stands. Keep it classy and share stories that are appropriate for the couples' boss, co-workers, grandmother and your mother to hear.
- Short and sweet is never a bad thing. You want to keep your toast on the order of 2-3 minutes, and typically no longer than five minutes. Remember you probably are not the only one giving a toast, and a lot of times, dinner won't be served until after the toasts are completed. Also, in my experience, when toasts go over a few minutes in length the person giving the toast is usually rambling and not really saying much of anything.
- Practice makes perfect. Be sure to take a few minutes to write your toast ahead of time. This gives you a chance to try your speech out on a friend of spouse before showtime, and it lets you get comfortable with what you've chosen to say. You'll find it easier to look up from your notes and make eye-contact with the guests of honor when you've had time to practice.
More tips to come! Stay tuned!