Toasting is a Wedding Reception Essential: Tips to Toast Your Bride and Groom

The wedding toast is an important part of any wedding. It helps bring a mood of cheer while also getting people together to congratulate the bride and groom. Needless to say, you will be hard pressed to find a wedding reception that doesn't include a proper toast. If you will be called upon to give a toast, however, you might be a bit nervous about what to do and what to say. If so, take a look at these tips and tricks for toasting to help you prep yourself for being on the spot. Leave stage fright at the door - wedding toasts are actually quicker and easier than you might think.

Tip #1: Prepare in Advance for Your Speech or Toast

It may seem like a bit much, but a wedding speech requires just as much preparation as any other speech. Unless you are already an extremely talented speaker, when you get up there without planning, you will likely find yourself in a sticky situation with nothing really meaningful to say. Weddings are important. Put some thought into your speech.

Tip #2: Keep it Short and Sweet
When it comes to wedding speeches, something overly dramatic or over the top is more than most people bargain for. Be true to yourself - give a wedding speech that means something to you and it will mean something to the bride and groom as well. Don't ramble. Rather, keep it short and sweet and use your own personality. Don't try too hard.

Tip #3: Don't Use Inside Jokes
Inside jokes will only be meaningful to a few people in a room, if any. If you have something to say that may offend somebody or that people may not understand or that may be at all negative or inappropriate for even one member of your listening audience, it is best to leave it out of your speech.

Tip #4: Speak Loudly and Clearly When Giving Toast

Some things are just not understandable to some people. Speak loudly and do not mumble. If available, se a microphone so everyone can hear what you are saying.

Tip #5: Plan Your Toast Time Ahead of Time
Plan ahead for when you will begin your toast and make sure everybody else is aware of it. If you are not selected to make a toast, don't make one! Most people have that duty planned out ahead of time.

Tip #6: Get Your Audience Involved
When you finally finish your speech, give the audience some indication that they can participate. Invite them to join you in congratulating the happy couple if nothing else.

If you are giving a wedding speech, don't fret. There are a lot more terrifying speeches to give than a wedding speech. Use these tips and you should be just fine. Just remember to use your heart, and be you!