Raise Your Glass

The Wedding Toast. A great tradition of well wishes for the new couple – and an event that often causes anxiety. Here’s some tips to ease your mind.

Who toasts the couple? A toast is usually given by the best man and maid of honor. If you choose, the parents hosting the event may also give a toast. Many couples will also give a toast to thank their guests for joining them. Of course, it’s your reception, so anyone of your choosing is acceptable as well. Create a timeline of who will be toasting and when. Consider how long your guests will be asked to listen to well wishes and how the toasts will impact dinner service. Your DJ will act as the MC to introduce each speaker and keep the timeline moving.

When do toasts occur? Most receptions follow a similar timeline of grand entrance, cake cutting, and toasts before dinner service begins. This allows your guests to focus on the messages without the distraction of wait staff. However, toasts can occur at anytime during the reception, between courses, after the meal – it’s your choice. Be sure to share your timeline with your vendors, such as photographers and videographers, so they are prepared to capture these great moments.

What is toasting etiquette? The toaster should stand during the toast. The bride and groom remain seating during all toasts. At the end of each toast, the bride and groom should smile and say thank you. Applause is not necessary.

If you will address your guests, both the bride and groom stand, regardless of which of you is speaking. It is acceptable for you to each address your friends and family.

What to say? Toasts should be fun and for public consumption. If you wouldn’t say it to Grandma, don’t say it in the toast (Grandma is likely seated at the first table).

Make the message heartfelt, but brief. You can always expand on your wishes on the wedding video. Listeners start to tune out after two minutes.

The MC will introduce you so it isn’t necessary to restate your name. You can let everyone know your relationship to the couple.

The toasts should mention both the bride and the groom, not focus on one exclusively.

Remember to invite the listeners to toast the couple at the conclusion of your toast.

Our DJs will coordinate the reception, including the toasts. Click here to learn more.