No wedding, or rather wedding reception, can be complete without the wedding toast. A time that allows us to raise our glasses in honor of the bride and groom, wedding toasts can make us laugh, and make us cry. But, when they are done inappropriately, they can also make us cringe.
A wedding toast, like the ceremony itself, comes with a certain etiquette. Before getting up in front of a hundred and ten Aunt Ima's and Uncle Al's, consider the following tips.
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Take it Easy on the Bubbly: Yes, we've all seen it: the toaster who has buttered his bread a little too heavy. He slurs, he stammers, and he thinks off color and crude jokes are incredibly funny. Ultimately, he leaves himself - and the happy couple - thoroughly embarrassed.
If you are giving a toast at a wedding, take it easy on the alcohol until it's over. This doesn't mean you should swear by sobriety until after you've taken center stage, but don't drink so much that you find yourself bringing up things you shouldn't utter, like the time the groom accidentally made out with one of his first cousins.
Keep it Brief: You may like to talk: about yourself, about your friends, about your theory on the JFK assassination. But, just because you like to talk, doesn't mean everyone else loves to listen. For this reason, wedding toasts should be brief. They don't need to be one or two sentences, but try limiting a toast to under five minutes. Not many guests want to sit and listen to a forty five minute stroll down memory lane: most people just want to hit the bar.
Brevity and all, there are a few things you should mention: your relationship to the bride and groom, for instance, allows people to know who you are. You should also be funny, but not X-rated, Grandma Elsie might not appreciate your suggestive attempts at humor. Be sincere and respectful and include both parties in your speech: don't go and on about how great the groom is and all together forget to even mention the bride.
Stand up and Face your Audience: You might not be the strongest public speaker: in fact just talking out loud to yourself sometimes makes you nervous. But, as maid of honor or best man, it is your duty to give a toast. Still, relax a little: no one is expecting you to give a flawless oration. As long as you take a few essential steps, your speech should go off without any major problems.
The first step is standing up and facing your audience. If it's possible, position yourself in a way where you are talking to the bride and groom, but facing the masses. Staying seated, and giving a speech with your head down, will confuse people; not only will they think you aren't giving a toast, but they will also think you aren't talking to them: you're just talking to your dinner pate.
Fill Up the Glasses: Sure, the point of a toast isn't really to drink, but many people might believe the sip at the end of the toast is their reward for listening attentively. Before you start your toast, make sure that everyone in the audience has their glasses filled to the brim: this allows them to listen to several toasts without shouting to the waiter for a refill.
Even with all of this, a wedding toast might not go exactly as planned. Jitters, nerves, and forgetfulness can all set in. But, don't worry too much: even if you think the entire world's staring at you in judgment, all eyes are really on the bride and groom.