At many weddings, some guests are asked to give a speech or propose a toast during the reception. Normally, this is done by the best man, but many weddings are now asking the maid of honor to complete one as well.

If you have been asked to make a toast at a wedding, there are some very important thing that you should remember to do when you are writing your speech. Below are the top ten things to consider when writing a toast.

Timing

A good speech should be between 1 and 4 minutes. Wedding toasts tend to be boring if they go on too long, so make sure that you keep yours short and sweet. The main idea behind your toast is to deliver it with sincerity.

Announcement

People will need to have time to fill their glasses before your speech begins. In order to make sure that everyone has a full glass, make an announcement a few minutes before you plan to give your toast.

Stand

You should always stand when you are giving a toast and hold the glass in your right hand.

Personal

Your toast should be personal and meaningful. It is fine to use humor or even quotes when making your toast. One of the most popular options is the story regarding how the bride and groom met.

Humor

Humor is a terrific thing to add to your speech, but you should make sure that the humor you choose is appropriate and in good taste.

Tone

Always use your normal tone of voice. You should avoid using elaborate hand gestures or alter your voice in strange ways.

Practice

It is best to practice your toast before you are expected to present it. Speaking in public can be intimidating and for those who are not experienced with it will fare better with practice.

Eye Contact

When you are making your speech, you should look around the room while you make your toast. Making eye contact is also a bonus, especially with the bride and groom.

Deep Breath

Take your time and don’t rush through the speech. You should speak clearly so that everyone will be able to understand you.

Cheers

Your speech should always finish with congratulations or some sort of blessing for the couple. This is the main purpose of the toast and you should make sure to include it at the end.

Conclusion

When you are writing your speech, make sure that you are keeping the topic suitable for the entire audience. While you want to be personal, it is best to avoid an overly personal story about the couple because it can be embarrassing, both for you and for them.

If you have been asked to make a speech at a wedding, it means that you are an important part of the couple’s life. You should take this as an honor and make sure that you present them with a toast that will show how much you appreciate their friendship.

The bride and groom will be looking for a special moment to enjoy a toast made from the people they love the most and to make use of those special glasses that they have purchased. Make sure that the speech that you present gives them this special moment.

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