13 Helpful Wedding Toast Tips & Examples

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A wedding toast is more than just words; it’s a heartfelt tribute to the couple’s love story. It’s your chance to share a piece of your heart with them and their closest friends and family.

Whether you’re a lifelong confidant or a recent addition to their circle, your perspective is unique and valuable.

A well-crafted toast can make guests laugh, cry, or simply feel deeply connected to the happy couple. It’s a moment to celebrate their journey together, to offer blessings for their future, and to remind everyone why these two extraordinary people belong together. 

So raise your glass, take a deep breath, and let your words flow from the heart.

Who gives a toast at weddings?

Traditionally, the best man and the couple’s parents give a toast at weddings. However, other members of the wedding party, close friends, and family members may also give toasts.

Parents often give wedding toasts to express their love and support for the newlyweds and to wish them a happy and fulfilling future together. They might share memories and stories about the couple, offer advice and well wishes, and raise a toast to their future happiness.

How to write a wedding toast?

Finding the right words to express your emotions and feelings about the couple and their relationship can be challenging. So, you may wonder how to write a wedding toast; start by thinking about the couple and what you admire about their relationship.

Write down some wedding toast ideas and brainstorm about the couple, their love story, and what you want to say in the toast. Draft a structure for your toast, including an opening, body, and conclusion.

The opening should grab the audience’s attention, while the body should provide more detail about the couple and their relationship. The conclusion should be a heartfelt well-wish for the newlyweds.

Practice your toast several times to get comfortable with the delivery, and make any final edits or adjustments. Remember, the toast is a celebration of love, and your goal is to add to the joy and happiness of the occasion.

11 wedding toast examples

A toast at a wedding commemorates the occasion and the start of the couple’s life together, and it will be remembered for years to come. Most importantly, a toast to the bride and groom is a celebration of love and a way to honor the newlyweds’ love and commitment.

Let’s try reading some examples if you’re wondering how to write a wedding toast.

• Traditional wedding toasts

Want to enjoy wedding toasts in a traditional sense? Here are some traditional wedding speech examples:

1. “Ladies and gentlemen, I am honored to be here today to toast the newlyweds. (bride’s name) and (groom’s name), I have known you both for many years, and I have never seen two people more perfect for each other. Your love for each other is truly inspiring, and I am so grateful to be a part of this special day.

To the bride and groom, I wish you a lifetime of love, laughter, and happiness. May your marriage be filled with joy and adventure, and you always support each other through life’s ups and downs.

Here’s to a lifetime of love, happiness, and memories. Congratulations, (bride’s name) and (groom’s name)!”

2. “Ladies and Gentlemen, I want to toast the beautiful couple we are here to celebrate today. Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in their lives, filled with love, laughter, and adventure. To the bride and groom, may your love for each other grow stronger with each passing day.

May your love be the foundation of your marriage, and may you never forget why you fell in love in the first place. Here’s to a lifetime of happiness and joy.”

3. “Ladies and Gentlemen, I am honored to stand before you today and offer a toast to the newlyweds. Today marks the beginning of a journey filled with challenges and triumphs, but their love for each other may be the anchor that keeps them strong.

May they be blessed with good health, wealth, and happiness and live a long and loving life together. Here’s to the bride and groom; may their love continue to blossom and flourish with each passing year.”

4. “Ladies and Gentlemen, it is a privilege to be here today to celebrate the union of two beautiful souls. To the couple, may your marriage be filled with love, laughter, and happiness. May you always find comfort in each other’s arms, and may your love for each other only grow stronger with each passing day.

Here’s to a lifetime of love, happiness, and adventure for the beautiful couple we are here to celebrate today.”

• Funny wedding toasts

Are you trying to create a funny wedding toast that will make everyone laugh? Here are three examples of a toast for wedding couple

5. Best Man: “I’ve known the groom for a long time, and let me tell you, he’s made many mistakes in his life. But choosing his partner was not one of them! To the newlyweds!”
6. Maid of Honor: “I have to say, [bride’s name] always did have great taste. I mean, just look at the dress she picked out for today! And [partner’s name], I must admit, you clean up pretty nicely too. To the newlyweds!”
7. Bridesmaid: “When [bride’s name] asked me to be a bridesmaid, I was thrilled. But when she told me the dress’s color, I was like, “Oh no, not that color again!” But you know what? It all worked out in the end, and here we are, toasting to the newlyweds!”

• Parent wedding toasts

If you are looking for wedding speech ideas, you can look at certain wedding speeches for inspiration. Here are three examples of parent wedding toasts:

8. “My dear son/daughter, I am so proud of the person you have become and your chosen partner. May your love continue to grow and flourish, and may you be blessed with a lifetime of happiness together. Cheers to the newlyweds!”
9. “To my son and his beautiful partner, I couldn’t be happier for the two of you on this special day. May your love be a source of strength and comfort to each other, and may your lives be filled with laughter and joy. To the newlyweds!”
10. “My dear child, I am honored to stand here today and celebrate your love and commitment to each other. May your marriage be filled with love, laughter, and endless happiness. Cheers to the newlyweds!”
11. “To my beloved daughter/son and their wonderful partner, witnessing your love and dedication to each other fills my heart with immense joy. May your journey together be blessed with endless love, mutual respect, and unending happiness. Here’s to a beautiful life together. Cheers to the newlyweds!”

How long should a wedding toast be?

A wedding toast should ideally last between 2 to 3 minutes. This duration allows you to convey your heartfelt message, share personal anecdotes, and extend your well wishes without losing the audience’s attention.

Keeping the toast concise ensures it remains engaging and memorable. Focus on the main points, avoid unnecessary tangents, and practice delivering your speech to stay within the time limit. 

A well-prepared, succinct toast will leave a lasting impression on the couple and guests, making the celebration even more special.

13 wedding toast tips

Wedding toasts can set the right tone for a wedding party. They can lift the mood, remind people about old memories, or make them laugh.

So, if you want to learn how to make a toast at a wedding, here are some tips to help you write the perfect wedding toast.

1. Be prepared

Plan your toast ahead of time and practice it before the wedding day. This will help you feel more confident and reduce the chance of stumbling over your words. 

If you want to give awesome wedding toasts, avoid controversial topics, crude humor, or anything that may be inappropriate or offensive. It’s always best to keep the content respectful and positive.

Quick tip: Write your toast and rehearse it multiple times, ideally in front of a friend who can give feedback.

2. Speak clearly

Make sure you speak loud and clear so that everyone can hear you. Slow down and pause between sentences and thoughts to give your audience time to absorb your speech. 

Speaking too quickly can make it difficult for people to follow along. Clear enunciation and a steady pace will ensure your message is understood.

Quick tip: Practice speaking slowly and enunciating your words, possibly recording yourself to check your clarity.

3. Use humor

A lighthearted joke can help break the ice and get guests laughing. Ensure the humor you use is appropriate and will be well received by the couple and their guests. 

Humor can make your toast more engaging and memorable, but be cautious to avoid anything that might be misinterpreted or offensive.

Quick tip: Test your jokes with a friend or family member first to gauge their appropriateness and effectiveness.

4. Keep it short

Aim for a toast that lasts around 2-3 minutes. Stick to the main points and avoid getting sidetracked by tangents or unnecessary details. A concise, focused toast is more likely to hold the audience’s attention and leave a lasting impression.

Quick tip: Time your toast during practice to ensure it’s the right length, trimming any unnecessary parts.

5. Personalize the toast

Include personal anecdotes or stories about the couple. Share a personal story or memory about the couple that highlights their relationship or mention specific qualities or traits you admire in each newlywed. This personal touch can make your toast more meaningful and heartfelt.

Quick tip: Reflect on your favorite memories with the couple to find the perfect story that encapsulates their relationship.

6. Be positive

Keep the tone light, warm, and positive. Avoid discussing sensitive or embarrassing topics. Focus on the love and happiness of the couple and their future together. This positivity will resonate with the couple and the guests, creating a joyful atmosphere.

Quick tip: Think of the happiest moments you’ve witnessed between the couple and emphasize those in your toast.

7. Toast the couple

Make sure the toast is centered around the couple, not yourself. Highlight the couple’s strengths, accomplishments, and qualities that make them a great team. This keeps the focus on the newlyweds and their relationship, making your toast more relevant and touching.

Quick tip: Focus on what makes the couple special and unique, and celebrate their bond.

8. Offer wishes

Express well wishes for the couple’s future together. You can wish them a lifetime of love, happiness, and joy and that their love continues to grow and flourish. These positive aspirations add a hopeful and forward-looking element to your toast.

Quick tip: Think about what you genuinely wish for the couple’s future and articulate those sentiments clearly.

9. Raise a glass

End your toast by raising a glass to the happy couple. This traditional gesture signifies the end of your toast and invites everyone to join in the celebration.

Quick tip: Ensure your glass is within reach before starting your toast so you can smoothly transition to the final gesture.

10. End with a bang

Conclude your toast with a memorable line or phrase that will stay with the couple and guests. This could be a heartfelt sentiment, a quote, or a clever remark that encapsulates your message.

Quick tip: Craft a heartfelt or clever ending line that encapsulates your message and leaves a lasting impression.

11. Stay sober

It’s important to stay composed and clear-headed while giving your toast. Consuming too much alcohol beforehand can impair your ability to speak clearly and remember your speech.

Quick tip: Limit your alcohol intake before your speech to ensure you can deliver it effectively.

12. Make eye contact

Engage with the couple and the audience by making eye contact during your toast. This connection can make your speech feel more personal and sincere.

Quick tip: Look around the room to connect with different guests, but primarily focus on the couple.

Watch this TEDx Talk to learn more about how you can give a great toast:

13. Practice gratitude

Express gratitude for being a part of the couple’s special day and acknowledge others who made the event possible. This shows your appreciation and adds a gracious tone to your toast.

Quick tip: Mention key people who contributed to the celebration’s success, such as family members, friends, or wedding planners.

Final takeaway

A well-delivered wedding toast is like the cherry on top of a perfect wedding cake. It’s that special moment when everyone leans in, their glasses raised, ready to soak in your heartfelt words. It’s a chance to make the couple blush, their guests laugh, and the room feels electric.

Whether you’re sharing a hilarious inside joke, a tear-jerking memory, or simply toasting their bright future, you’re creating a memory they’ll cherish forever. So don’t stress about being perfect.

Just be yourself, speak from the heart, and let your words paint a picture of the incredible love story unfolding before you. Cheers to the happy couple!