We all know that uncle or friend of the family who is the life of the party. He or she comes up with the wildest stories and makes everyone laugh. Anyone who has been to a wedding has heard a comparable speech. The guests were entertained and you worry about the moment that it is up to you. No worries: with a few simple tips and tricks your wedding toast will be remembered with fondness.
Anyone who intends to write a speech, must remember one thing. Don’t spend too much time on the preparation. If you read the speech verbatim all spontaneity is gone. Nevertheless, it is important to prepare the structure of the speech. Leave room for details. For example, think about the topics and write them down in two short sentences. Speeches that have already been completely written, do not feel natural.
Icebreaker
Giving a toast is not only nerve-wracking for you, but also for the bride and groom. Therefore, it is smart to immediately remove the the tension. Start your toast with a compliment to the newlywed couple. For instance, ‘everyone agrees that –name – and –name- deserve .... ‘, the nerves will go away because the guests will agree with your compliment.
It is not about you
Remember: your speech is for the bride and groom. Do not talk too much about yourself. It may be your toast, it is about the newlywed couple. Try to mention yourself as little as possible and avoid i’s in your toast.
Avoid long sentences
People lose interest faster when you use long sentences. Avoid them and keep the guests engaged with short phrases.
Add a touch of humor
Adding humor sounds difficult, but it could be very easy. Mention a nice blunder about the bride and groom. Make sure it is not a hurtful blunder. It must remain funny for everyone.
Make your speech personal
Everyone laughed at your joke. Now it is time for some more content. A good speech contains depth. Do not use whole theories that are literally in a textbook, but try to write a personal story. ‘When I was young, my father told me....’
Use pictures
Almost everyone likes to see photos and videos from the past. It creates a relaxed atmosphere and you have a kind of cheat sheet if you have forgotten your words.
Finish with a wish
Your toast is the perfect opportunity to wish the newlywed couple the best. For example: ‘I hope that I can experience what you have together now.’ Tears are included!