How to write a great Maid of Honor or Best Man toast for a wedding
The best man and maid of honor speeches can be a highlight of the wedding reception and an excellent opportunity to express love and appreciation for the newlyweds. Whether you're the best man or maid of honor, delivering a memorable and heartfelt toast requires preparation and consideration. We particularly love when we can record and use some excerpts from the toasts in wedding films. It's a great way to personalize a wedding film and tie in some personal details about the couple or preserve heartfelt thoughts from best friends.
Here are some tips for writing a great toast that guests will love and the newlyweds will cherish.
Start with a plan: Before you start writing your toast, consider what you want to say and how you want to say it. Is there a specific story you want to tell or any words of wisdom you wish to impart? Consider the tone, length, and structure of your speech and any key points you want to make.
Get to know the couple: Take some time to learn about the bride and groom and their relationship. Maybe you grew up with the bride but no longer live near each other where you can spend time with the groom. If that's the case, it's worth getting to know their story if you don't know it. What makes them unique? What do they mean to each other? Use this information to personalize your speech and make it meaningful to the couple and their guests.
Be humorous but appropriate: A touch of humor can lighten the mood and bring a smile to everyone's face. However, it's important to keep your jokes tasteful and appropriate. Avoid humor that might be offensive or hurtful to anyone in attendance. Know your audience. Grandparents and college buddies will probably find different kinds of jokes funny.
Share personal anecdotes: Stories about the bride and groom can add a personal touch to your speech and help to connect with the audience. Just be sure to keep them brief, relevant, and positive.
Express gratitude and well wishes: Thank the bride and groom for allowing you to be a part of their special day, and offer them well wishes for their future together. Offer your support and encourage the couple to cherish the memories of their wedding day.
Practice your speech: Rehearse your speech several times before the wedding day to ensure that you're comfortable with your delivery and remember everything you want to say. You can also ask a friend or family member for feedback on your speech. We get it...public speaking isn't for everyone. Sometimes, notecards can be helpful, but practicing will help you feel confident and prevent you from reading straight from your notes. Also, when you aren't reading from notes, it's easier and more comfortable to address the bride and groom directly.
End on a high note: Conclude your speech by raising a toast to the bride and groom and wishing them a lifetime of happiness and love. The best man and maid of honor toasts are a special moment, so take your time and enjoy it!
Writing a great best man and maid of honor toast requires preparation, consideration, and a touch of humor. Personalize your speech with anecdotes, express gratitude and well wishes, and practice your delivery to make it a memorable and heartfelt moment for the bride and groom and their guests.