If you are a best man in a wedding, you will likely be responsible for giving the first toast at the wedding. There are a lot of different ways you can go about toasting the newlywed couple. By being unique, you can make the wedding even more memorable and enjoyable for the guests.
First of all, you should know what subjects should be off limits. No matter how friendly you are with the bride and groom, reliving the groom's wilder days isn't a very good idea. While this may be the standard toast in movies, in real life it oftentimes doesn't work out very well at all. The bride and even the wedding guests could become uncomfortable if the details become too racy.
While giving a speech is the most common route taken, a best man can do so much more. One idea is to turn a speech into a poem or even a song. This is a unique twist that has become more popular in recent years. You don't even need to memorize it - you can bring along notes to help you remember.
Additionally, you can meet with the parents of the bride and groom before the wedding to execute even more extravagant ideas. For example, you could surprise the bride and groom with a slideshow with pictures you obtained from the parents. Another idea is to produce a video with background footage of the couple.
If there isn't the equipment for a slideshow or a video available, you could ask for a few items from the parents that hold sentimental value. You can then present each item and give a correlating story.
Be prepared, be sincere and be complimentary. While saying a speech off the top of your head isn't a bad idea, by going the extra mile you can help the wedding be a smashing success!
By Mellisa Ingram
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Unique Wedding Toast Ideas for the Best Man
10 Tips For Memorable Best Man Wedding Toasts
Giving a best man wedding toast in front of people, some of which you may not know can be stressful. You would like to give a speech that will live up to the honor of being the best man as well as being touching. Some of the following tips can get you started on the path to giving a simple but fantastic best man wedding toast.
1)Try to avoid drinking too much alcohol. You want to be able to speak clearly to your guests.
2)Begin your toast after glasses are filled.
3)Speak slowly and calmly. Do not rush. You want the guests to enjoy what you have to say.
4)Talk about how you came to know the groom and add a funny story involving the two of you. Maybe you met when you were kids and the groom liked the bride since he was in school.
5)Refrain from any insults even if they are inside jokes. You want the guests as well as the bridal party understand your speech.
6)Next speak a little about the bride. Did you go out with the couple one night and have a great time skydiving? Did the bride surprise you and the groom with her confidence? You can then weave the quality of the bride's confidence into why she's marrying the groom. This will make her and her family feel included in your toast as well.
7)Keep your toast short, usually no more than 5 minutes.
8)Finish your best man wedding toast by first thanking the groom for bestowing the honor of being his best man onto you, and then wish the bride and groom congratulations and a life of happiness.
9)Raise your glass and have the guests join in the toast.
10)And the best tip of all for giving a memorable best man wedding toast is to be prepared. Practice what you will say and have fun with it.
These tips should inspire and help you give a very memorable best man wedding toast. The kind of speech the bride, groom and guests will remember for quite some time.
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Speeches And Toasts Pointers You Cannot Do Without
Most people are able to slide through life without ever needing to worry about giving speeches and toasts in front of a group of people, just as most people have not had any public speaking training. If this is true for you, but you have been asked to participate in an upcoming wedding by offering a speech or a toast, then the likelihood is that you are sweating bullets just thinking about what you will say.
Being worried, anxious, nervous and at a loss for what you are going to say is a pretty common experience for those who are asked to give speeches and toasts at the wedding reception or other large and important events. One option that some people turn to for help is to look for some wedding toast ideas on the internet.
Nowadays, it is very convenient and easy to locate good internet sites that are full of guidelines, ideas and helpful tips in putting together speeches and toasts. On top of just finding ideas, there are sites that have brief examples or even full-blown free wedding speeches that you can review. These can used as an outline or as a template for your own speech.
The examples that you find on such websites can be very helpful in stimulating ideas and getting a feel for the proper format of speeches and toasts that are offered at nuptial events. You are then able to add in touching, poignant or even funny anecdotes about the couple to make the marriage toast or speech personal. However, it should always be remembered that the comments made should be designed to honor and uplift the couple and never to put them down on their special day.
Giving speeches and toasts at the marriage reception is a special time to really set the tone for the rest of the reception event. In addition to setting the tone, the marriage toast time is when guests can offer their wishes to the couple and help celebrate their new life together. It is also an opportunity for the guests to learn more details about the bride and groom individually and as a couple.
While a marriage toast is only a part of the overall celebration, it can become one of the most memorable parts of the reception celebration. In some cases, well-crafted speeches and toasts given by those who are close to the couple can become some of the most precious gifts that the couple receives.
For the official marriage speeches, it is usually the best man, the father of the bride or groom or other close friends or relatives that will give them. The floor is then open for speeches and toasts from the rest of the guests. Another excellent resource to help you prepare to give speeches and toasts is to seek out a speaking club, such as Toastmasters. Here, you can learn the right skills for giving polished and memorable speeches. Not only can you acquire the information you need to write a good wedding speech or toast, but you will also have opportunities at such clubs to actually practice giving speeches and getting comfortable doing so.
By Mike Selvon
Read more about Wedding Toasts...
Being worried, anxious, nervous and at a loss for what you are going to say is a pretty common experience for those who are asked to give speeches and toasts at the wedding reception or other large and important events. One option that some people turn to for help is to look for some wedding toast ideas on the internet.
Nowadays, it is very convenient and easy to locate good internet sites that are full of guidelines, ideas and helpful tips in putting together speeches and toasts. On top of just finding ideas, there are sites that have brief examples or even full-blown free wedding speeches that you can review. These can used as an outline or as a template for your own speech.
The examples that you find on such websites can be very helpful in stimulating ideas and getting a feel for the proper format of speeches and toasts that are offered at nuptial events. You are then able to add in touching, poignant or even funny anecdotes about the couple to make the marriage toast or speech personal. However, it should always be remembered that the comments made should be designed to honor and uplift the couple and never to put them down on their special day.
Giving speeches and toasts at the marriage reception is a special time to really set the tone for the rest of the reception event. In addition to setting the tone, the marriage toast time is when guests can offer their wishes to the couple and help celebrate their new life together. It is also an opportunity for the guests to learn more details about the bride and groom individually and as a couple.
While a marriage toast is only a part of the overall celebration, it can become one of the most memorable parts of the reception celebration. In some cases, well-crafted speeches and toasts given by those who are close to the couple can become some of the most precious gifts that the couple receives.
For the official marriage speeches, it is usually the best man, the father of the bride or groom or other close friends or relatives that will give them. The floor is then open for speeches and toasts from the rest of the guests. Another excellent resource to help you prepare to give speeches and toasts is to seek out a speaking club, such as Toastmasters. Here, you can learn the right skills for giving polished and memorable speeches. Not only can you acquire the information you need to write a good wedding speech or toast, but you will also have opportunities at such clubs to actually practice giving speeches and getting comfortable doing so.
By Mike Selvon
Read more about Wedding Toasts...
Tips For Wedding Speeches
If you ask a couple what the most memorable part of their wedding was, often they will answer that it was a heartfelt wedding speech. Even though that is often the case, not much effort is put into wedding speeches, at least in comparison to the planning that goes into the rest of the event.
A well-written wedding speech will often be remembered and cherished for many years to come. It may even be referenced during anniversaries and other important moments in the lives of the couple.
Most of the time, the wedding speeches are offered by one or more of the people who are the closest and most important to the bride or the groom, or both. This is often undertaken by the best man, the maid of honor, the parents of the couple or a brother or sister of the bride or the groom.
The average length of a marriage speech, depending on how many people have been asked to speak, is usually from three to ten minutes long. What happens many times is that people will become nervous when giving wedding speeches and will have a tendency to speak very fast, making it hard to be understood or they may speak too slow, causing people to become bored.
To avoid this problem, anyone giving a marriage speech should take the time to rehearse it in private to become comfortable with what they are planning to say. Having a written outline to refer to during the speech will also help to eliminate the embarrassment of forgetting what one intended to say.
Wedding speeches should focus on talking about things that are important to the bride and groom, particularly things that relate to their relationship. Little-known stories about how the couple met, where they met, or what the spark was that started the whole thing, can be integrated into the speech to make it more interesting. Also, observations about positive or romantic ways in which their relationship blossomed, given from the perspective of the speaker, can add personal insights about the newlyweds.
However, it should always be remembered that the purpose of such speeches and toasts is to honor and recognize the couple and should focus on them in an upbeat and respectful way. Humor can often be a very effective tool when giving such a speech, but courtesy should be taken into consideration to avoid mean-spirited comments and cutting humor. Such negative attempts and interjecting humor has ruined many best man speeches and other marriage toasts.
Overall, it should be remembered that the most important element of wedding speeches is for the speaker to offer words of congratulations and support that are sincere and which come from the heart. A good, heartfelt marriage speech will also help to set the tone for each wedding toast that is sure to follow.
Generally, the first marriage toast is performed as part of the final speech to honor the bride and groom. The toast should sum up all the speeches and end on a high note. Traditionally, as the toast is being made, the bride's glass is then filled first, followed by the groom's. The maid of honor and the balance of the marriage party then have their glasses filled, followed by the parents of the couple, with the best man being served last.
Wedding speeches can be a wonderful way to take part in such a special and momentous day in the life of the new couple. Spending time to prepare a few significant and thoughtful words and polishing the speech in advance is a terrific way to honor the couple and to make your wedding speech more meaningful.
By Mike Selvon
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Father of the Bride’s Wedding Toasts
The father of the bride may wish to stand at this point, thank the bride for the toast, Thank the guests for attending, and offer a toast of his own to the Grandparents; and Bride and Groom. Last, but surely not least, is the Father of the Bride. Among his well wishes for his daughter's happiness with her new husband, the Father of the Bride will want to welcome the Groom to his family, thank the guests for attending and celebrating with his family, then announce that the festivities may now begin. The Father of the Groom may wish to speak as well, in which case announcing the beginning of festivities will fall to him.
Up until the beginning of this century, it was the bride’s father who usually delivered the first toast. Although this honor now falls on the best man, the bride’s father still has the option of offering a touching toast to his daughter and her new husband. He may deliver this toast as the bride’s father or on behalf on himself and his wife. The father of the bride as host, may also wish to propose a toast to the members of the wedding party, the guests and his new in-laws, welcoming them into the family.
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Bride’s Wedding Toasts
The Bride then stands and toasts the Groom, thanks the guests, and then proposes a toast to her parents. She may wish to include her new in-laws in the toast or save a special toast for them. It is appropriate for the Bride to toast the Maid of Honor and Bridesmaids at this time as well.
The bride may propose a toast to her parents, her grandparents, her groom’s parents or to her groom (after her groom has toasted her first). She may also toast her bridesmaids, whether or not the have already been toasted by the groom or the best man.
Now it's the Bride's turn to speak. But what could she possibly say that hasn't been said already? If any of the above thank-you have been left out, she should add them now, as well as an additional thank you to the Groom's parents for raising him to be the wonderful man he is today. And surely she won't forget to toast the love of her life, her new husband.
The bride may propose a toast to her parents, her grandparents, her groom’s parents or to her groom (after her groom has toasted her first). She may also toast her bridesmaids, whether or not the have already been toasted by the groom or the best man.
Now it's the Bride's turn to speak. But what could she possibly say that hasn't been said already? If any of the above thank-you have been left out, she should add them now, as well as an additional thank you to the Groom's parents for raising him to be the wonderful man he is today. And surely she won't forget to toast the love of her life, her new husband.
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Groom’s Wedding Toasts
While the Best Man may be the only person offering a toast, it is traditionally thought that the Groom should stand and at least thank the Best Man for his toast. This is also appropriate timing for the Groom to offer thanks to the Bride's parents (especially if they paid for the event) and thank the wedding attendants and the Bridesmaids for helping make the day special. And he shouldn't forget why he's here, to marry his beautiful Bride, so he should be sure to toast to her beauty and any other qualities he wants to add.
Read more about Wedding Toasts......
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Maid of Honor Wedding Toasts
It's becoming a new trend to hear the Maid of Honor speak at the wedding as well. Sure, she can tell the story of how the Bride and Groom met, but if she's following the Best Man, chances are he's covered this already. Her job is to offer words of inspiration and wisdom to the newlyweds, as well as her blessings.
The maid of honor can now stand and begin giving a short 3-5 minute speech followed by the Wedding Toasts to the bride and groom. The maid of honor speech is generally focused on the bride.
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Best Man Wedding Toasts
The best man stands and begins by getting the attention of the guests. A short 3-5 minute speech followed by the toast is then given to the bride and groom.
The best man usually offers the first toast to the bridge and groom and their new life together. His toast is the only essential toast offered during the wedding reception, all others being optional. It is customary for the best man to reminisce a little about his friendship with the groom, relating interesting little stories, but the audience is also looking to him to add a touching, and possibly humorous story about how the Bride and Groom met and should be ended on a serious note.
This Wedding Toasts should be delivered with as much poignancy and heartfelt sincerity as possible. The best man is also expected to propose a “thank-you” toast to the bridesmaids on behalf of the bridge and from, unless the from proposes this toast himself, in which case it is the best man’s duty to reply to the groom’s toast on behalf of the bridesmaids.
Read more about Wedding Toasts...
The best man usually offers the first toast to the bridge and groom and their new life together. His toast is the only essential toast offered during the wedding reception, all others being optional. It is customary for the best man to reminisce a little about his friendship with the groom, relating interesting little stories, but the audience is also looking to him to add a touching, and possibly humorous story about how the Bride and Groom met and should be ended on a serious note.
This Wedding Toasts should be delivered with as much poignancy and heartfelt sincerity as possible. The best man is also expected to propose a “thank-you” toast to the bridesmaids on behalf of the bridge and from, unless the from proposes this toast himself, in which case it is the best man’s duty to reply to the groom’s toast on behalf of the bridesmaids.
Read more about Wedding Toasts...
The Difference Between a Wedding Toast and a Wedding Speech
Well although the terms are often used interchangeably, they are 2 different things.
A Wedding Toasts is only about few lines and 30 seconds. A Wedding Toast is a way of honoring the bride and groom. A Wedding Toast should not be embarrassing so think carefully about what you say at the wedding. A funny toast may not be the most appropriate style.
A Wedding Speech is just that, a speech. It is about a 3 to 5 minute speech about the Bride and Groom, and the marriage they have embarked on. You might want to call these Speeches “Stories” because, in essence, that is what they are. You are going to tell a story to the newlyweds, wishing them wealth, health and happiness, but with a lot of personalization!
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History of the Wedding Toasts Tradition
The traditional toasts at the reception following the wedding are an essential part of every wedding celebration. You will find many different versions of the “traditional” order for toasts in any Internet search for wedding toasts. What follows here is what occurred at a wedding I have been attending from some years ago until now. It made such an impression on me that, since them, I have recommended this to many couples.
Although no one knows for sure, toasts are believed to have originated from an old custom of poisoning one's enemy by slipping poison into their glass of wine.
With an evil smile, such hosts would toast to the health and happiness of the guest, only to watch their demise. But honorable hosts began showing their good intentions by pouring from a common pitcher and sipping the wine first. Then a toast was offered to the health and happiness of his guest...with true intentions!
Toasting also has a long history through many cultures. Offering a toast was deemed a gesture of good faith, but also had its twists. As history reveals, toasting started with the ancient Greeks who had a strange and often deadly habit of spiking the ale with a poison. It is said that by clinking the glasses together after the toast, you could slosh the poison that another may have put into your glass of ale, back into their glass. With friends like that, who needs enemies?
The term toasting comes from the Roman practice of putting a piece of burnt bread (toast) into a goblet of wine to mellow the sometimes harsh flavor. On the other hand; in Old England, a piece of toast was placed in the bottom of your glass to soak up the residue as a result of the heavy sediments in the bottom of the bottle.
Clinking of the glasses has many theories of its own. The most common belief is that the bell-like sound of clinking glasses was thought to drive the devil and other evil spirits out of the wine or champagne, making it safe to drink. As previously stated, another theory was to slosh poison from ones glass into another’s. Clinking could have also come around as a way to make contact since we no longer all drink from the same bowl or goblet.
Eventually this evolved into today's wedding toasts that offer congratulations and best wishes to the Bride and Groom. Yet even that simple toast of congratulations and best wishes has become less than a 5 minute speech, including other things such as stories from the Groom's past and thanks to the wedding attendants, guests, and parents for helping to make the day a success.
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