The Wedding Toast

You might end up feeling surprised when you think of how simple a toast seems to give when you are thinkning about it, but how tough it really is when it’s time to go to it.  That’s what we’ll try to avoid, so you can have the best chance for a great toast possible.  Whenever this sort of thing comes up when I’m talking to people, most of them say “it’s nothing.  I can give a toast like nobody’s business,” which it’s true, most people can, whether they are aware of or not, but you DO need to rehearse first.  You actually can do a good toast off the top of your head, and I advise that you do if you think you can, but even those of us who are more comfortable with speaking need to know that we have to at least practice by running the minimum outline of our toast through in our heads before the event .  I know a great many people who tell me that they put off practice until the night of the toast, likely in their car on their way to the event.  What makes people procrastinate like this?  Fear.  

A toast is like a hello and farewell wrapped into the same little mini-speech.  It’s usually given at the best of times, and it lets everyone there know that there’s something in the person you’re toasting that you appreciate.  Many are a kind of well-wishing for the future, after whichever special event of today is done , and send off the person with the best of luck .

Q:  What if they don’t laugh?

A: You shouldn’t necessarily need them to.  Some people try to make their toast a funny thing, but get freaked out when they start to think that the crowd won’t get that idea .  If you’re not the most experienced public speaker in the world, my advice to you is not to try to shoot for the stars when it comes to being funny.  A toast that comes from the heart will be much more memorable and appreciated.  Only try to get really funny if you’re comfortable with the idea from previous experience, or it’s your natural personality.

Here’s my formula for a great toast:  It’s all of these 3 things wrapped together in this order:  a look back at good times together, a look to the future that is bright, and a tribute to good luck.  To see a detailed breakdown of what I’m discussing above, come see my site on Wedding Speeches and Toasts.

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