Working in the wedding industry as wedding planners, we’ve heard many different types of toasts over the years. We’ve been touched and moved by some of them, and we’ve laughed out loud at a few of them. Knowing how to properly give a wedding toast is an art form and one that takes skill. If you have been selected to give a speech at a friend or family member’s wedding, you may have some questions or concerns about what you should say in your toast. Here are some tips on how you can create your very own great toast.

Keep It Short and Sweet

If you want a good wedding toast, you need to keep it short (2-4 minutes). Most people’s attention span is low, and you can lose them if you go on too long. You also need to keep it sweet, you’re are celebrating happiness, after all. You could talk about your relationship with the bride/groom, share a short story, and then talk about the couple’s relationship and how great they are for each other.

Practice Makes Perfect

It’s important to practice giving your wedding toast, because it will give you a chance to learn what works for you and what doesn’t. While some people are naturals at public speaking, most of us need to put in some work to get comfortable in front of an audience

Keep It About the Couple

The best wedding toasts are all about the couple getting married. They are not about the best man and his awkward jokes, or the maid of honor and her stories of childhood that nobody really remembers. It’s ok to tell a short story or anecdote, but keep the focus on the couple and keep your speech geared around them, their love, and the meaning of their new union.

A toast can be a fun and memorable way to show your appreciation for a couple on their wedding day. Choose your words wisely and keep it light-hearted and entertaining. Trust your collective creativity to draw from the best and most entertaining of experiences. Be generous with praise, and have fun with it.