- Tracy Fink
The DOs and DON’Ts of Wedding Toasts
Updated: May 26, 2021

As planners, we listen to wedding toasts nearly every weekend! Some have brought us to tears and some have made us cringe. As with anything else with planning your wedding, being prepared will make a big difference in how your reception will go.
Here are our top dos and don’ts that will help you give the perfect wedding toast!

DOs
1. Keep it between 2-4 minutes. Wedding days are LONG! Toasts are often one of the final things before dancing so people are ready to boogie! The best toasts are simple and short.
2. Briefly touch on how you both know each other. Most guests will not know who you are or how you know the couple. Start by sharing a brief description of your relationship. This can include a sweet story of how you first met. Just remember, the toast shouldn’t be all about you.
3. Speak to both members of the couple. Even though you know one person way better than the other, make sure you are speaking to both members of the couple.
Some ideas of things to share are:
• The first time you were with them as a couple
• When you first knew they were perfect for each other
• What you love most about them as a couple
• Be complimentary, share specific qualities you love about them
4. Make them laugh AND cry. Our favorite toasts include stories that make us laugh and moves us to tears. All the guests love hearing funny and sweet stories about the couple. Make sure to avoid inside jokes that everyone can’t enjoy together.
5. If you are stumped, include a beautiful quote or scripture that speaks to them. If you are having a hard time writing your toast or remembering stories, include a quote that reminds you of the couple or that is great advice for the future. Avoid generic advice that is not meaningful to you such as “never go to bed angry.”
6. End the toast on a high, joyful, hopeful note and don't forget to invite the guests to raise their glass and toast the couple! At some weddings all of the guests will have champagne and at others they will just toast with whatever they are drinking. Either way, don’t forget to invite everyone to raise their glass!
