6 Rules for Giving a Wedding Toast

By Jess Levin
November 03, 2015
Sean Gallery

A few industry experts share their quick tips for how to give a great wedding toast.

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Sean Gallery
Get Wedding Toast Dos and Don'ts

Wedding toasts can be one of the most memorable parts of the evening—for better or for worse. Figuring out what to say and how to say it can be challenging for anyone regardless of how close you are with the couple. To make sure your toast is memorable for all of the right reasons, Jess Levin, founder of Carats & Cake, asked a few experts, who have collectively attended hundreds of weddings each year, for their tips on what makes a wedding toast pop!

Know Your Audience 

"While the most obvious tip for a wedding toast would be to keep it brief, it's always also a good idea to remember that you're speaking to the entire gathering of guests, not just the bride and groom. Anecdotal stories and sweet memories are great, but try to avoid inside jokes that no on else will understand."—Rachel Sackheim, Director of Sales and Events, Brooklyn Winery

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Start off Strong

Liz Banfield
Watch Father of the Bride Speeches

"Never begin a toast with your struggle to write it. Things like 'I didn't know what I was going to say today … ' tells everyone they have nothing to look forward to for the next several minutes."—Liz Banfield, Owner, Liz Banfield

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Keep It Short and Sweet

Chellise Michael Photography
Maid of Honor Speech Tips

"If you give a toast that is more than a few minutes long, you'll start to notice people looking at their phones."—Chellise Michael, Owner, Chellise Michael Photography

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Practice Makes Perfect

Ashley Kelemen
Best Man Speech Tips

"Practice, practice, practice. I wouldn't advise winging a toast."—Lindsay Longacre, Founder, LVL Weddings & Events

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Make It Personal

Dez & Tam Photography

"Bring an item like a picture or a keepsake resembling your relationship with the bride or groom to grab the audience's attention."—Desi Mendoza, Owner, Dez & Tam Photography

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End on a High Note

Melani Lust

"I always recommend keeping it under three minutes, speaking from the heart, and ending on a high note!"—Jennifer Zabinski, Founder and President, Jennifer Zabinski Events

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