Contents
Who Is the Maid of Honor?
How to Plan a Bridal Shower
How to Give a Toast
How to Plan a Bachelorette Party
How to Help Choose Wedding Attire
Maid of Honor’s Ceremony Responsibilities
Maid of Honor’s Reception Responsibilities
How to Decorate the Bridal Suite
How to Overcome Obstacles
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How to Give a Toast
Though the best man is almost always asked to give a toast at the wedding, it’s not unusual for the maid of honor to be asked to deliver a toast as well. The toast is your opportunity to wish the bride and groom well and to let them know how special they are to you. But anticipating making a toast can be stressful, especially if you’re not accustomed to speaking publicly. Preparation and practice can help you relax and have fun when it’s your turn to speak.
When Is the Right Time to Toast?
When it comes to figuring out when to give a toast, take your cue from the best man; the maid of honor typically gives her toast after he’s given his—either directly after or later in the evening. It’s best for you to make the toast during the first half of the reception while everyone is still there to hear it. If you wait too long, some of the guests may have already gone home. When you feel ready, go up to the microphone and have the DJ or bandleader announce that you’re about to toast the couple.
How Long Should the Toast Be?
Keep the toast short and sweet. If it goes on for too long, people will start to lose interest and stop paying attention. But this doesn’t mean you should talk fast. Take a deep breath and talk at your normal speed. Keep the toast to about two or three minutes. Though this may seem like not enough time to say everything you want, it really is longer than it sounds. Be sure you practice beforehand with a stopwatch so you have a good sense of how long you’re talking.
Off-Limits Topics
Certain subjects or personal anecdotes are inappropriate for a wedding toast. Make sure to leave out:
- Embarrassing details: Remember, this is a toast, not a roast. It’s not the time to bring up any stories or details about the bride that might make her feel uncomfortable. If it’s something you wouldn’t say to her mother, don’t put it in the toast.
- Any mentions of money: Even if the bride has the most dazzling engagement ring you’ve ever seen or she spent nearly six months’ salary on her dress, for example, refrain from mentioning these kinds of details in your toast.
- Stories of past boyfriends: It’s not uncommon to hear the phrase “Kissed a lot of toads before finding her prince.” Though that may be a harmless thing to say in most situations, you don’t need to use your toast as an opportunity go into details about those “toads”—or those kisses.
How to Find Inspiration for a Toast
There are lots of different places to look for help in jumpstarting your speech. The first step—before you even think about what you want to say specifically—is to jot down a few words and phrases that you associate with the bride. Then write down a few of your favorite memories of the bride. Finally, think back to when you first met the groom and how you feel about the bride and groom as a couple. These points will be the foundation of your speech. Once you know what you want to say, figure out how you want to say it. Turn to websites and books for guidance.
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