Toasts and Speeches
Wedding Toasts and speeches are an essential part of any reception, providing friends and family with an opportunity to compliment the happy couple and their parents.
If you are holding a very traditional ceremony, follow these instructions for the full complement.
1. Master of Ceremonies (MC) – gives the loyal toast as soon as the guests are seated. This consists of welcoming them to the reception and introducing the bridal party. He or she generally makes announcements as to when dancing or speeches are to take place and also introduces the other speakers.
2. A friend of the bride's family – toasts the bride and groom. This task can belong to anyone who has known the brides family for a long time or has special meaning to the bride and her family. The speech usually begins by praising the bride for the wonderful woman she has grown to be and talks about the grooms obvious love for and commitment to her. It ends by wishing them happiness in their future together.
3. The Bridegroom – responds to the toast on behalf of him and his wife and thanks friends and family for their ongoing love and support, and of course the wonderful wedding. The groom will often tell a story about how he met his wife and explain how he proposed. He may also thank his best man and finish by proposing a toast to the bridesmaids for the help in assisting the bride.
4. The best man – responds on behalf of 6he bridesmaids and often tells a story about the groom. He finishes by wishing the newlyweds good health and happiness.
5. An old friend of the bride's family – toasts the parents of the bride for bringing such an incredible girl into this world – and is also likely to toast them for putting up with her during her teens. They may tell a story about the bride or her parents and will finish by wishing the bride and groom a prosperous future.
6. The bride's father – responds to the toast and thanks everyone for joining him and his wife in the celebrations. He may tell a few stories about his daughter growing up or the first time he met his son in law and he finishes by toasting the two of them.
7. A friend of the bridegroom's family – toasts the parents of the bridegroom and will tell a few stories about them or their son. They finish by toasting the happy couple.
8. The bridegroom's father – responds to the toast and once again thanks everyone for attending. He welcomes the bride to his family and his daughter in law, tells a story or two about his son growing up and gives the couple a final wish of happiness, good health and prosperity.
For a more casual Wedding
- The bride's father (or close friend of the brides family) toasts the bride and groom.
- The bridegroom – replies to the toast on behalf of him and his new bride and finishes by proposing a toast to the bridesmaids.
- The best man – responds on their behalf.
