Some Tips on Wedding Toasts
June 03, 2006
Contributing Writer: Susan Dunn, MA Clinical Psychology, The EQ Coach
There are lots of logistics to work out during a wedding, and emotions are running high.
Here are 10 tips about giving the toast. A suggested order for toasting during the Rehearsal Dinner is: The best man toasts the bride; the bride toasts the groom; the groom toasts the bride's mother; the bride's father toasts the groom's parents.
During the Reception, the order might be: The best man toasts the bride and groom; the groom toasts the bride and her family; the (two) father(s) toast the bride and groom; the bride and groom toast each other.
- Keep the toast 3-5 minutes long and maintain eye contact with the bride and groom as you deliver it.
- Stand and deliver! Sit down if it's for you. Before you begin, announce your relationship to the bride and groom. Everyone may not know.
- Use personal anecdotes; how the bride and groom met is always popular. Don't give a long string of characteristics. Rather choose a few adjectives, hitting the high points, i.e., she's lovely, vivacious and kind.
- Use tasteful humor and don't do "in" jokes that only a few will get. You want to include, not exclude. And stay PG-rated. There may be children there, and also it's your responsibility to make sure on this occasion you offend absolutely no one.
- End on a serious note. Finish with a wish, a blessing, cheers! or congratulations. To the bride and groom" always works.
- Practice your toast a lot beforehand. It's not a good time to "wing it" especially if you plan to be imbibing beforehand.
- Make sure all the glasses are full before you begin.
- Do NOT mention past girlfriends, past marriage, or past relationships. That's what the stag party is for.
- And don't end with something negative which may slip into your mind if you aren't prepared like, "And I hope theirs doesn't end in divorce like mine did."
- Can't think of what to say? There are a host of services that will write it for you. Here are some, ranging from $19 to $199, I might add: http://www.blissweddings.com; http://www.wedding-speeches.org; and http://wwwtheperfecttoast.com.
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(c)Susan Dunn, MA Clinical Psychology, The EQ Coach, offering coaching, training, seminars and a variety of products and services in emotional intelligence. Mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc for FREE e-zines. Put "EQ Work" or "EQ Personal" or both for the subject line.
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