Cheers to the Wedding Toasts!

When it comes to making your wedding day oh-so-fab, there are several things you have total control over – you can fill out place cards to make sure your feuding aunt and unc don’t bring their decade-old probs to your reception, and you can make sure to have plenty of veggie dishes for all of your meat-avoidant friends. However, one thing you cannot control are the wedding day toasts. Scary, I know. So, in that vein, I have offered a guideline for you to share with your champagne flute raising pals in hopes of having wedding day toasts you can cheer for!

• Practice  And practice and practice. And then practice some more. Practice makes perfect – there’s a reason your music teacher preached those words, and that’s because they’re true. Don’t just write a few lines down and then decide to say what feels right “in the moment.” Sure, emotion is a heart-warming addition to any wedding speech, but stuttering and “ummm”s and excessive glistening (due to sheer panic) are not.

• Write it Down   This goes with the above. Sure, you may be your company’s go-to gal when it comes to pitching a deal to a client, but not all speeches are created equal. Write down your thoughts so that you make the most of the few moments when all eyes are on you, and you have the chance to tell your besties how much you love them – eloquently.
• Avoid the Bubbly    Nothing makes a toast go awry than a drunk best man or maid of honor, so even if you’re nervous, try to save the alcohol until after you make your speech. A drunkenly slurred speech with the occasional hiccup will certainly be memorable, but not for the right reasons.

• What Happened in Vegas   That’s right, stays in Vegas. You may have a ridiculously hilarious story involving the bride or groom that is perf for the bachelor and bachelorette parties, but if remembering that the bride’s father is in attendance makes you think twice about a story, nix it.
• Keep it Short   Think about 4 minutes max. Chances are you aren’t the only one giving a toast at the wedding, and the audience is going to be hungry (as traditionally, the toasts are made before the meal).  So write down your thoughts (see above) and time them out to avoid the dreaded never-ending speech that stands between the guests and their dinner. Not a good place to be, my friend.

• Bring Supplies    You love your best friend, and you’re so happy for her, and…you…swore…you…wouldn’t…cry… Read: waterproof mascara and a travel size package of tissues in your adorable clutch – guaranteed to get you through your speech, makeup intact.

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