How to write a wedding toast
When somebody asks you to make a toast at an occasion can be a privilege it can also be intimidating, particularly if you don’t have much experience with public speaking. However, with proper planning, you could even create your toast both memorable and cordially greeted. Here are some key points to consider when preparing a wedding toast or any other event.
Create an interesting story
The art of toasting is found in the narrative. However, the best approach is to make a point, so creating a theme or research report can assist you in writing an interesting toast. Remember that tales must have a starting, middle, and closing. And everything you feature must lead up to your final sentence, which must indicate your concept or thesis. Here are a few storytelling techniques you might want to try;
- Compare your life before and after the individual being toasted; this method enables you to reveal how the person being toasted enhanced your situations or influenced your life.
- Discuss the best aspect of them. Applying personal stories to highlight the person’s best qualities allows you to express your admiration for who they are even while defining your connection with them for the listeners.
- With them, concentrate on your favorite story. Emphasizing a single, memorable story regarding the individual you’re toasting can help to streamline your statement. And by introducing it to your favorite story, you’ll add essence, which is especially important if you’re not particularly connected to the topic of your toast.
Make sure to maintain your story’s specifics fascinating and appropriate, and prevent clichés. If you don’t know where to get ideas, try commencing with a theme and working backward to discover stories that support your point of view.
If necessary, seek guidance
If viable, soliciting suggestions for what must be covered or the preferred voice of the toast can assist you in recognizing where to begin—and what to eliminate. A toast’s message must also be suitable for the target audience; this could imply removing a very personal or possibly unpleasant memory, no matter how interesting it may be. Use your discretion here. If you are unsure whether to add stuff, you can seek guidance from relatives, family members, or workmates. Finally, opportunities are if you’re asked to make a toast, they would like you to be yourself. In that scenario, going with your gut instinct and logical thinking is the way to go. Also, maintain the focus on the person you’re toasting and don’t share too many inside jokes. As a result, everybody in the audience would have things to hold onto even as you talk.
Understand the context
If you’re composing a toast for your cousin’s wedding, it’ll likely be very distinct from preparing a toast for your supervisor in front of top management and executives. Here are a few things to take into account;
- Think about the audience. Will they be able to tell that narrative next to their grandparents? Would you be at ease while sharing it?
- What is the adequate tone: A toast is not the same as a roast, and lighthearted jokes can backfire if the tone isn’t correct.
- What the rules are for the type of toast you’re presenting: Should you praise the bride and groom, or express gratitude to the host?
Practicing purposefully
A toast is intended to be read aloud in public, so keeping that in mind as you modify it can enable you to eliminate uncomfortable wording or overly complicated sentences. For instance, while practicing your toast, pay attention to whether you stumble over specific words, use enough uninteresting or overused vocabulary, or need to take a breath in between the sentences. If you time yourself while reading your draft aloud, you’ll be able to tell if it’s too long. Overall, try to keep your toast to 5 minutes or the words should not be more than a maximum of 750. Even if you are very close to the family you’re toasting, and you don’t have to ramble on for too long that your listener loses interest. When you have prepared the speech to a point where you’re satisfied with it, say it out loud in front of somebody you trust. They can provide receive feedback and check how your words affect them. For instance, if you’ve written funny jokes into the toast, you’ll have to understand if they’ll land, you’ll leave time for the listeners to laugh. You don’t have to memorize your toast to the letter. But doing so can undermine your integrity. The notion is to have viewpoints, to retain your anecdotes progressing, and to make your point.
Guidelines for preparing a wedding toast
Here are some wedding toast drafting and delivery tips;
Get started
Deciding where to begin can be difficult. Begin telling your stories. You may not believe every short story is significant, but one day you’ll come across a real gem.
Jot down notes
When jotting down notes, make a list of everything. Don’t bother about editing as you write; just get it out there and then pick and decide specifics when you’re finished. It will assist you in identifying a theme, which is required to make your toast unforgettable.
State examples
If you would like to emphasize the fact about the groom’s personality—say, that he’s especially dedicated while saying so share a specific instance that demonstrates your point. Have some evidence to back it up. Adding proof will ensure that your audiences believe what you’re telling regarding the couple.
Make it fast
Three-five minutes is the ideal duration for a toast. “You’ll have sufficient chance to say what needs to be said, but it’ll be brief enough that you’ll always have everyone’s interest when you request them to lift their glasses to toast the new couple.
Practice
Time yourself while reciting your speech aloud. Don’t just go with the flow, particularly if you’re nervous. Allow yourself enough time to get ready. Practice in front of a listener to confirm your duration and allow yourself the opportunity to make changes.
Don’t overburden your speech
If you are a fast speaker, try to slow down so that everyone can comprehend you. It’s best to reduce a few lines than manage to squeeze a 10-minute toast into a three-minute time slot.
Make it simple and transparent
It may appear obvious, but knowing your listeners is critical. Using bad languages and stories about ex-partners are strictly prohibited.