How does one make the perfect wedding toast?

Question

What should one include? What should one exclude? How long should the toast go for? Any other advice?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Hey Mike!

I was recently the best man at my best friend's wedding. When I delivered the toast, I told a story about he and I met about 10 years ago doing community theater.

I talked in detail about the kind of guy he is (considerate, and thoughtful). I didn't tell any insulting anecdotes as most people expected me to. I went on to talk about how after I moved away we stayed in touch. I told everyone how he called me when he met his future wife (of course he didn't know that at the time) and I could tell how happy he sounded.

I didn't record the speech, so it's not available on youtube unfortunately, but if I had to guess, I'd have to say it was probably 2-3 minutes long. A lot of people came up to me after and said I did it very well, and very tastefully.

Here are a few websites that might provide useful when preparing a best man speech:

http://www.bestmanspeechinsight.com/
http://www.gunthergifts.com/best-man-spe…
http://weddings.about.com/od/theweddingp…

Answer 2

A good story about how you met the groom.

Answer 3

Short and sincere is best. Not too many jokes, and not too sarcastic. It's tough to pull off funny in a big crowd unless you are an actor/comedian. It should last a couple minutes and no more IMO. It's more impactful when it's not rambling and full of jokes.

Ten minutes? ugh no. That is sooo long.

Answer 4

Do not be vulger and do not curse. Remember that you audiance is all of the people in room, not just your friends.

Answer 5

Something sincere about your friendship with the groom and maybe about how he changed or what you see in him now that is he with this woman that he just married.

Answer 6

A funny story about the two of you or the two of them to start off with is okay, I think. It depends on the crowd. But possibly wrap it up with how you see the bride/groom is happier and more complete with their now spouse, or whatever fits for you. If it comes from the heart, it's the perfect toast.

Answer 7

One should be brief and sincere. As a guest, I don't want to listen to someone drone on and on, and frankly, very few people are funny when they toast. The harder they try, the more uncomfortable for them I am.

A simple example of a never-fail toast:

Raise glass. "I have known [name] since [accurate length of time]. I have never seen [him or her] as happy as [he or she] has been this past [accurate span of time], since [partner's name] has been part of [his or her] life. Please join me in wishing the happy couple every joy in the world." Drink and sit down.

Answer 8

toast shouldn't last for more than 10min i think you should tell a proper funny story about the groom or bride how they were before they got together and then something romantic about how in your eyes seen there love grow in front of your eyes and then top it off with a good saying like you guys are a match made in heaven

Answer 9

When my sister got married, I , though i regret it now, did not do a wedding toast, and let her best friend, and my dad, do them instead.
I wondered this exact thing, and that is what kept me from doing the toast.

When my brother gets married in October, I think I have answered some of these questions i wondered before my sister's wedding.
Here is what I personally think:
My brother and I are very close. I plan on including why I love him so much, and talking about what attributes of his I love the most. One slightly embarrasing, yet funny, story of a childhood memory is a good idea, but nothing to embarrasing that will show off a bad side of the bride or groom.
The toast, in my mind, should go for about 10 minutes. It depends what you're looking to say. Congratulations, or how great of a guy the groom is and how you're looking forward to welcoming your sister-in-law into the family? My dad, at my sisters wedding, did a 3 minute speech of congratulations and how happy he was for both of them and how great it was to welcome her husband into the family. Her best friend, talked for a while, relating what a great friend my sister was and why her husband was perfect for her and why she was perfect for him. She included funny stories and talked a lot, but it wasn't boring at all!

Any other advice?
Not really. I guess I'd say that if you don't think the bridge and groom don't make a good couple, don't go up there and say they are PERECT. it won't sound real. if you think they are truly happy and right for each other, and really believe you've never seen the bride or groom happier, go up there and tell everyone so. it'll set an even happier mood, and will truly mean something to the bride and groom.
hope i helped!

Answer 10

just speak from the heart.

dont include any over embarrassing stories.

shouldnt be any longer than 3 mins.

Answer 11

I agree with the above user. Straight from the heart.

Source(s):

Been There. Done That.

Answer 12

Tell any sweet stories you have about the couple. Try to keep it short, and upbeat.

Answer 13

Depending on if your a friend of the groom or bride, a story on how they met them, the story should be classy, not about them being drunk, b/c it is their big moment, don 't ruin it! A good toast should go on for 5 to 6 minutes, sometimes if you can give a great story 10 minutes. Just think to yourself is this something I want to be said at my wedding!

Answer 14

The perfect wedding toast should include a proper mention of the positive effect the person, Groom/Bride has had on eachother. It should include a great memory of their courtship. It should exclude what the groom/bride dared, did, and dated in college. It should be at least 2 minutes, considering at this point everyone is full of champagne, if not they should be. Lastly, raise your glass and smile at the new couple, because deep down inside you know you are thinking "better you than me, bud."

Source(s):

Smart Goddess

Answer 15

It should be very sincere. Include any non-embarrassing experiences with the bride or groom. Make sure you mention the family of both the bride and the groom but keep it short. Try and keep it under 3 minutes!