Wedding Planning Step by Step

What To Do When You Are Asked To Give A Toast At The Wedding Reception

By Avis Shiveler Brangan

Helpful hints for those people who may be asked to make a T O A S T.

Hold your audience’s attention with information about the Bride and/or Groom that they may not know (nothing obscene or distasteful or fictional). For example: Both the Bride and Groom are the same “horoscope sign.”

Don’t worry about a mistake or error. If you made an obvious mistake, admit to it, and then move on.

Avoid BIG, lengthy words. It’s doubtful you are speaking to a room full of nuclear scientists.

Avoid drinking alcohol before you speak. Even though you think it will calm you down, it won’t.

Keep it “short and simple.” No one wants to hear a lon-g-g-g story. Plus there is always a possibility that more than one person will be proposing a toast.

Breathe. You should not be exhausted from shallow breaths at the end of the toast.

Practice makes perfect. Practice in front of a friend and then ask for comments or criticism.

Take your time walking up to the front or designated area. Use this time to gain your composure and mentally prepare yourself for the toast.

If you are nervous, look for one or two “friendly faces” in the crowd and then concentrate on those people until you feel comfortable.

Find out if you are going to have a microphone and its location. If you are not going to have a microphone, determine where you are going to stand so everyone can see and hear you.
Don’t rely on your memory. If you feel more comfortable by writing the toast or a few key words down on an index card then do it.

If you are “just plain uncomfortable” about giving a toast, then tell the Bride or Groom that before their wedding day so they can ask someone else. The Bride and Groom should provide the DJ or master of ceremonies with a list of who is proposing a toast and in what order.
Find out when you are scheduled to propose the toast so you are there, and not in the cocktail lounge or the restroom or down the hall talking to someone.

And here’s a few “short and simple” ways to say Congratulations!

Honored guests, please stand with me as we raise our glasses in a toast to the Bride and Groom. Mary and Jim, we wish you a lifetime of health and happiness.

Ladies and gentlemen, I take great pleasure in proposing a toast to the Bride and Groom.

Mark and Melinda, here are three things I wish for you: warm moments that are shared together . . a thousand tomorrows filled with love . . and a lifetime of hopes and dreams that come true. Best wishes to Mr and Mrs Mark Edward Matthews!

About the Author

Avis Shiveler Brangan
Certified Wedding Specialist
Professional Bridal Consultant
Nondenominational Minister
www.top-hat-productions.com
York, PA

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