How To Write A Wedding Toast That Will Resonate

Photo by: The Shalom Imaginative

Being invited by a couple to speak at their wedding or rehearsal dinner is a huge honor! But it can also feel like an overwhelming task if you don’t know where to start. Especially if you’re not a big public speaker. I’m here to tell you not to worry. Below are some tips on how to write a memorable wedding toast. 

Introduce Yourself/Share A Personal Story

Photo by: Anna J Photo

It may seem cheesy but letting guests know who you are in relation to the couple is a great way to start your toast. Not only does this allow guests who may not know you understand your relationship with the couple, but it’s also just a great way to lead into a personal story or anecdote. These personal stories will vary, but it’s a good rule of thumb to not reveal anything too embarrassing or private. Remember to keep the speech centered around the couple, their relationship and their celebration. 

Write From Your Heart

Photo by: Grace T Photography

They always say, “write what you know”, and that’s true even for a wedding toast. When you write from your heart, you ensure your speech is authentic and genuine. You don’t have to be cracking jokes or aim to make anyone cry when you’re speaking. If what you write down is true to your feelings, it will automatically resonate. 

Keep It Short

Photo by: Natalie Joy Mitchell Photography

Another key rule to writing a speech is to keep it short and simple. I know that might sound harsh but trust me, shorter is better.  The most common time for wedding toasts is during the reception dinner where the attention span of guests is limited. We tell our clients to keep all speeches between 1 – 3 minutes. That is more than enough time to have a memorable toast to the couple while holding attention. Especially during a wedding when emotions can run high, shorter speeches can help your delivery. Not to mention, if there are multiple people 

Use AI (As A Last Resort)

Photo by: Anna Delores Photography

If you’re really struggling to get the words right, consider using technology! There are so many AI options available now that can help you write a fantastic speech. A word of caution though: don’t just copy/paste whatever the bot spits out. Use it more as a guiding post to inspire your speech. Otherwise, you run the risk of your wedding toast sounding insincere and inauthentic. From the heart is always best, but technology can be helpful tool to connect the thoughts together.  

Rehearse Your Toast

Photo by: Jess Onesto

Once your wedding toast written down, be sure to practice saying it out loud! You don’t have to memorize your speech but as you rehearse it, you’ll be able to get a good sense of the rhythm and making sure everything flows. It’s also a good way to time yourself and ensure the length of the speech feels right. Additionally, practicing your toast ahead of the wedding can help calm any nerves the day of, especially if you don’t like public speaking. It may feel a little strange talking to yourself at first but I promise you, it’s how all the best public speakers are able to deliver impactful speeches.     

I hope this helps, friends! I love sharing my wedding planning advice for couples and guests alike, so if you’re looking for more tips (like how to decode wedding dress code, or what not to do as a wedding guest), be sure to check out our blog often! If you’re in the wedding planning stages and want help deciding who should give a wedding toast, contact us on our homepage and we can start planning!