How To Make A Wedding Toast - Ideas to Get You Started

No need to be nervous about giving a wedding toast !

This is far easier than being asked to give one of the speeches, you can be short, brief and to the point, with some beautiful poems or readings that you can use.

What is a wedding toast, anyway?

A toast is generally a short, and often impromptu, expression of gratitude and fondness, publically declared and punctuated by everyone raising their glasses in agreement.

To alert everyone of an upcoming toast, people often clink their forks against their glasses.  

Wedding Traditions

Traditionally, toasts begin at the wedding reception, after the first course has been served, or when everyone has found their seat after going through a buffet line.  However, there are really no hard and fast rules!

It is customary to honor the bride and groom with a toast before, during, or after the wedding meal. Enjoy!

It is truly a way to stop for a moment and appreciate what a wonderful memory you are creating! 

Who Offers Toasts? 

The following members of a wedding party will traditionally make a toast at some point in the evening. There are varying opinions on what order the toasts will go in, so feel free to make an arrangement that suits you.

The Father (or Mother) of the Bride will toast to the newly wed couple.

The Groom will toast the ladies of the bridal party, including his wife.  Although historically only the men spoke at such affairs, nowadays it is customary for the bride to then toast to her groom.  

The bride and groom may choose to speak together. Lastly, the best man will, traditionally, make a toast to the bride and groom.   

Toast Etiquette 

The speaker rises and offers a short line or two of thanks and/or well wishes to the recipient, often beginning with “I’d like to propose a toast to…” 

While standing to give a toast, you should hold your glass at waist height, raising it to eye level as you finish, and sipping along with the guests. It is expected that guests will rise, raise their glasses, and take a sip, indicating their agreement.  

Etiquette dictates that the recipient remains seated, either thanking the speaker verbally or simply raising their glasses and nodding.  The recipient may also stand and make a “reply” toast, which can simply be “To you!” 

Proposing The Toast

Planning on proposing a toast?

Start by introducing yourself – not all the guests will know that you and the Groom grew up next door to each other. You may choose to use a famous quotation, a traditional toast, or a little poem that eloquently summarizes your thoughts. Be careful to speak clearly.

Short funny stories are often used, but try to end on a serious note of well wishes. You can then joyfully announce, “Cheers!”

A thoughtful touch would be, if the bride or groom is of a particular heritage, to incorporate that into your toast, such as “Mazel tov!” to a Jewish couple or “Salud!” for a couple of Spanish descent.

There are traditional wedding reception toasts available to reflect many cultures – it just takes a little research.

Here's an example of a simple wedding toast:-

May the future hold your happiness,
May the future hold your health.
May your heart hold your love,
And may your arms hold your babies, yet to come.
Here’s to your future happiness together!

Host the Toasts 

Of course, you may find that many more of your guests wish to propose toasts! As the bride and groom, you may wish to set some parameters around the toasts in advance.

You may ask your Best Man, or your Maid of Honor, to “host the toasts,” which could mean saying a few words of announcement between toasts, or helping people step up to the microphone if your guests get really involved!

You may even find your guests volunteering one another to make toasts, which can be great fun! For a fun twist, ask potential toast-givers to stick with a common theme, such as when they knew the two of you were in love, or a funny memory you shared.

If you decide it is getting out of hand, feel free to have your “Toast Host,” thank everyone for sharing, offer a final word of well wishes, and enjoy the meal! 

Want to think outside the “toast” box? There is always room for a little unexpected creativity. You may have several members of the guest list “in” on a certain theme, or, much to the couple’s delight, burst into a song in their honor!   

Toasts are not only made at the reception. From the engagement party, to the rehearsal dinner, you will find there is plenty of time to give - and receive, toasts!  Be sure the glasses are full and enjoy! Whether you are giving or receiving, a toast is a thoughtful way to honor another person.  Speak generously and receive humbly! 

Recommended Resources

Need some help to give the perfect wedding toast?  Visit our recommended site,  Instant Wedding Toasts.

Find inspiration for wedding hairstyles and bridal updos .