How to Write a Wedding Toast: Examples, Tips, and Advice

A wedding toast is one of the greatest gifts you can give to newlyweds. Not only does it honor the couple, but it provides wedding guests with a window into their lives. Great wedding toasts are truly memorable, bring tears to guests’ eyes, and are talked about long after the event. The hosts, maid of honor, best man, and the newlyweds themselves are traditionally the ones to take the mic, and they typically do so in that exact order throughout the night.

With so many standout speakers to contend with, it can seem overwhelming to pen (and deliver!) a speech that will not only resonate with the audience but will set you apart from the other anecdotes and well-wishes being shared. If you want to make sure your wedding toast is forever heralded for sheer brilliance instead of going down the doomed path of infamy, we created this guide to crafting the perfect wedding toast.

Below, find expert wedding toast tips and advice from screenwriter Colin (last name withheld for anonymity), founder of Tinseltown Toasts, and get ready to write and deliver an unforgettable wedding speech.

Wedding Toast Template

In the words of our speech-writing expert, "The goal is never one perfect sentence or paragraph, it's always a whole that becomes greater than the sum of its parts." Here are some of the key features a toast should include.

1. Identify yourself. Chances are, there are a few people in attendance that have no idea who you are. Take a second to briefly introduce yourself and explain your relationship to the couple.

2. Thank the hosts. Let's not forget who actually made it possible (a.k.a., footed the bill) for this whole party to take place. Your first thoughts should be an expression of gratitude to whoever is hosting this event. "When you begin, be grateful, be gracious, and then be grandiose," Colin says. "Being grateful and gracious shows you’re being thoughtful so that when you make your next statement, the audience is ready and willing to lean in to see where you’re going with it." 

3. Introduce the theme. This is going to be the defining aspect of your toast. If you're at a loss for words, Colin advises simply ruminating on the person you're toasting and noting the first word that comes to mind. Whatever that word is will become the theme or thesis.

4. Add supporting memories. Your value as a toast-maker is your first-hand experiences with the newlyweds. These memories will serve as the supporting evidence your theme needs. "In doing this, you’re inviting the audience into your personal experience of the toastee and giving them a view of that person, or couple, that they’ve probably never gotten to have before," Colin explains.

5. Bring it all together. Conclude by clarifying how everything you just mentioned led up to the current moment, and leave the guests feeling like they know the couple even better than before. "Simply put: Talk about how the person you are toasting is a better, happier, more full human being because of the person sitting next to them, which should be entirely thanks to the trait your thesis states," Colin says. "Extra points go to the speaker who can make that growth due to the trait in an unexpected way."

6. Congratulate the newlyweds. This is the whole reason why you're here, so don't let the seemingly obvious slip your mind. Make sure to applaud the union of the couple and provide a few words and well-wishes for their future.

7. End with a toast. Wrap things up with your closing remarks and ask everyone to join you in toasting the newlyweds. "If you want to get a little fancy, find a way to incorporate an echo of your thesis statement within the toast portion (without it getting too wordy)," Colin says. "You’ll look brilliant, but all you did was throw out a callback for the audience to latch onto."

Wedding Toast Tips

Once you've found your personal rhythm, follow some of these tips to ensure you nail the delivery of your wedding toast.

1. Speak to both halves of the couple. Even if you know one much better than the other, it's important to remember that you are celebrating their relationship together, not your relationship with one of them. If you only talk about one entity, you'll be alienating at least half of the guests in attendance who may only know their counterpart.

2. Keep personal stories in good taste. Keep in mind who your audience is. It is usually comprised of multiple generations of family, friends, and work colleagues. Don't tell any stories that may come across as inappropriate or mention exes. Your friend's boss really doesn't need to know details about how the bachelor party went down or how bad a previous flame was. Keep your tone light and positive, always bringing it back to the newlyweds and the present moment.

3. Be mindful of inside jokes. "There’s nothing wrong with an inside joke, but only if you make sure the audience finds themselves on the inside through your telling of it," Colin explains. "Otherwise, inside jokes for the sake of inside jokes tell an audience it’s okay to tune out because you aren’t talking to them. Once you go down that road it’s tough to get their attention back." He adds that if you're going to be using humor in the toast, be sure to balance it with emotional undercurrents to provide depth.

4. Be yourself. "A fancy, polished, well-rehearsed version of yourself," Colin says. "If you’re not a comedian, don’t be a comedian. But know that a light touch of humor will go a long way because it’s unexpected, and that can be a lot of fun." The same goes for sentimentality; it's all about striking the right harmony. And remember, your friends know who you are, and they'll definitely be able to tell if you're just putting on a show for the crowd. Stay true to yourself and be genuine.

5. Time it. Toasts are usually around five minutes long—enough time to share a few sweet memories or sentiments, but not so long that guests lose interest.

6. Deliver. A great speech isn't just a witty compilation of words; it's also about delivery. Make sure you're standing tall—never, ever remain seated—and exuding confidence, in a location where everyone can see you (otherwise they will tune you out). "It’s perfectly appropriate to use flashcards or even read from a piece of paper if you’re nervous," Colin says. "Just not a phone, and my god, not an iPad. A glowing face is bad for photos, and what happens if the power drains? Or you get a call?"

7. Embrace the jitters. Nerves are not the enemy. They're an energizing jolt of energy that you can harness. "Jack wasn’t nimble or quick because of the candlestick; it was because of the fire," Colin says. "Being on your toes is a totally legal performance enhancer. Try to embrace the idea that the butterflies in your stomach might just use their wings to help you fly over the flame before you."

8. Don't forget to smile! Make sure your face reflects the love in your heart with a great, big grin. "Smiling triggers a release of feel-good neurotransmitters that help temper any excess nervousness you might be feeling—even when the smile is fake," Colin says. If you feel your nerves getting the better of you, look at the subject of your toast (aka the newlyweds) while you recite your speech and forget about the crowd.

9. Keep drinks to a minimum. A glass of bubbly before giving a toast can do wonders to loosen you up a bit. But try to stick to one glass, and remember this throughout the day (hello, pre-ceremony shots and getting-ready drinks). Too much alcohol can turn your carefully crafted sentiments into a big, slurred mess.

10. Be sentimental. Make your speech more memorable by sharing a sentimental story that you have of the happy couple. Perhaps it's the story of how they met or maybe it's a special memory that exhibits the depth of their love. It's sweet moments like these that will set the tone for your speech—not only will the newlyweds appreciate the sentiment, but it'll tug at everyone's heartstrings and won't be forgotten. 

Get Brainstorming!

Here are a few questions to ask yourself to start brainstorming ideas for your speech.

• Who is speaking immediately before or after you, and how will this affect the content of your speech? (Perhaps you would want to include a reference to their toast.)
• What is the general tone you want your words to reflect? Joyful? Funny? Sentimental?
• What's a memory of the newlyweds that instantly comes to mind and always makes you smile?
• When you picture the couple's life together in a few years (or from this moment forward), what do you see?
• Do you have any advice for the couple?