“What’s The Worst Thing You’ve Heard Someone Say While Giving A Wedding Toast?” (30 Answers)

There are six elements to giving an excellent wedding toast, Jamie Wolfer, a wedding planner at Wolfer & Co., tells Bored Panda. The first two are introduction and expressing gratitude.

"Start by introducing yourself," Wolfer suggests. "The DJ probably already announced your name, so no need to say, 'For those who don't know me...' Just a simple, 'Hi everyone, I'm Jamie, the bride's sister,' works perfectly."

Then, thank the bride and groom for including you in their special day. "You can also thank the parents or anyone who played a significant role in the wedding. It's a great opportunity to show appreciation for the beautiful day, the food, and the company."

A great toast should be personal to the newlyweds. "Share a funny or sweet story about your relationship with the person you're closest to in the couple," the wedding planner advises. "For example, I once shared a story about my sister and I dressing up in our mom's nightgowns and pretending to be a bride and bridesmaid. It was both nostalgic and funny."

Even if you're not a seasoned veteran of life, offer the newlyweds some wisdom. That can include some heartfelt advice or well-wishes for the couple's future. Keep it genuine, though – no one likes clichés. And to end the toast, close with a salutation. "Something like, 'Now, if everyone can raise a glass to the bride and groom, here's to a lifetime of love and happiness. Cheers!'" Wolfer suggests. "Simple, sweet, and to the point."

The most important thing is to be confident during your speech. "Own that stage!" Jamie says. "Even if you're nervous, fake it till you make it. No one knows if you skip a part, so just keep going."

We also asked Jamie what are some don'ts when it comes to giving a toast to the newlyweds. First, avoid inside jokes. "I know, inside jokes can be hilarious, but remember, you're speaking to a room full of people, not just your best friend," Jamie says. "If you must include one, make sure it's something that can be easily understood by the majority of the audience."

"Don't be crass," Wolfer moves on to the second rule. "Keep it classy, folks. This isn't the time to share that wild story from the bachelor or bachelorette party. Be sensitive to the couple's wishes and avoid any profanity or inappropriate anecdotes that might make Grandma blush."

One mistake that some people make before giving a toast is indulging in some serious drinking. "Don't drink too much before your speech," Wolfer warns. "A little liquid courage might seem like a good idea, but it can quickly turn into a rambling, awkward mess. Trust me, everyone will thank you for keeping it together."

The wedding planner advises those who give a toast to also stay on time. "Respect the clock. A good toast is short and sweet. Aim for around 3-5 minutes. If you start rambling, you'll lose the audience's attention faster than you can say 'cheers.'"

Her other piece of advice is to practice. "Don't wing it. Even if you're a natural speaker, a well-practiced toast will always come off better. Run through it a few times in front of a mirror or with a friend to get comfortable with your material."

This next tip might surprise some people, but knowing how to hold a microphone is also important when giving a speech. "Think Rockstar, not Ice Cream Cone," Wolfer quips. "If you hold it too low or too far away, no one will hear you, and if you're too close, it'll be all garbled. Aim for that sweet spot."

If you're giving a toast, there's always the obligatory raise of the glass. So don't forget your drink when you walk up to the stage. "When it's time to toast, make sure you have your glass ready. If you forget, no biggie—just raise an imaginary one and keep the humor light," Jamie advises.

A good rule of thumb about what to include and exclude in your speech is to check with the couple. "Respect [their] boundaries," Wolfer warns. "Ask the couple if there's anything they don't want mentioned. This is their day, and the last thing you want is to bring up a touchy subject or an embarrassing moment they’d rather forget."