Help! I have to write a toast/speech for my best friends wedding!?

Question

I've never had to do anything like this before. We have been best friends since we were 12 years old. There is so much I could say, but I dont really know HOW, or what is appropriate, traditional, whatever. Does anyone have any advice? I'm not really good at being funny, and I think they are wanting something more along the lines of meaningful. Any layout/flow ideas for a wedding toast? What kinds of things to talk about? Maybe even a great poem? Any ideas about this are very much appreciated!

Answer 1

Start with a funny story that happened early in your friendship. The more embarrassing to him the better.

Then switch to praising the bride. Not just her looks, but her good character, sense of humor and/or intelligence.

Invite yourself to their 50th wedding anniversary.

Finally, offer a toast to the good health and happiness of the couple.

Answer 2

My best friend got married five years ago. I was one of two bridesmaids who had known her since third grade. The other girl was given the title of maid of honor, because she's 3 inches taller than me, even though I was closer to the bride. The wedding went off without a hitch, and we went to a really fancy reception with an open bar. Come time to make a speech, no one could find the maid of honor for a few minutes (she knew when she was supposed to be there). When she was found, she stood up to give a speech. It was after about 30 seconds of hearing her talk that some of us realized the girl had gotten herself plastered in the half hour between the wedding and the speeches. The groom's brother and I ran to the stage area to try to stop her, but just before we got there, she told everyone from the three-year-old flower girl to the groom's 80-year-old devout Catholic grandmother that the bride had no sexual experience, and the groom had no sexual innocence (she did not, however, use such intelligent language).

Don't do that. :-)

Many of the people there probably don't know how the two of them met, and that's always an interesting story. Your first impression of the groom (since you're a long-time friend of the bride) could be used. Any boys/crush/love/dating stories from your past with the bride could be cool, too (sort of a "When we were in junior high school, we dreamed about the kind of men we would marry" thing). Accepting the groom into your realm of friends and expressing that you are really thankful your friend has found such a great guy is nice.

I tend to prefer personal stories to older poems or something. It makes it more personal, and that's why they want you, as a friend, to toast to begin with.

My husband toasted his oldest childhood friend and his new wife when they got married, and it went something like this:

"I've known David since we were three years old and both stayed at the same babysitter during the days. I've been told that, although we were total opposites, we played together better than any two little boys she had ever watched. As we grew up, we made new friends, went to different schools, and took on different interests, but throughout it all, we've been the best of friends.
The first time I met Anna was on a bus ride to St. Louis for a youth group mission trip. My first reaction was, "My gosh, does this girl ever stop talking???!!!" I later found out what you all know: the answer is no.
Because she talked all the time, and David doesn't talk at all, it didn't seem likely they would wind up together. I was suprised when they told David told me they were dating, and I've realized since then that they are living proof that opposites attract. I've also realized that the one woman on earth who can pull David out of his shell is Anna. And that the one man who can pull Anna out of the clouds is David. Even though they're total opposites, they are perfect for each other, and I'm so happy that they have found happiness with each other."

It's long, but that was the jist of it. Anyway, all that to say that I think there's a benefit of having a long-time friend do the toast because it's an opportunity for a good personal story.

Answer 3

First, determine the purpose of the toast: is it to congratulate, make others laugh, or get sentimental?

Next organize it by time. For instance:
1. We go way back- I remember when we met...
2. Now here he is getting married....
3. We hope for a bright future...

Remember- this is not about you- don't make yorself the center of the toast. Don't quote someone else or read a poem- this is about your friend and his/ her spouse- put the focus on them.

Keep it short- 5 minutes works well here. Keep your glass raised as best possible or at least at the start and conclusion- it signals the speech is about over and others will rasie their glasses as well.

Don't try humor if you can't pull it off.

People appreciate honesty here, but don't get so personal it becomes embarrassng for the guests. The guests will congratulate you if you are sincere and to the point.

Speak clearly and loudly enough for the back of the room to hear you. You may feel like you are shouting, but no one else will think so if it sounds natural and you make eye contact with those on the perimeter.

Practice this several times to get the pacing down. Time yourself and cut out repetitious phrases.

To calm nerves, breathe deeply five minutes before your turn. In thru nose and slowly out thru the mouth. As you inhale, say to yourself Reeeeee- (and exhaling) laaaaaaaaax. It really works!

You can do it! They obviously thought you could or they wouldn't have asked.

Don't admit your fears or nerves. Most often no one can see them anyway.

Go for it!

Answer 4

Just be as natural as possible. And whatever you do, DON'T search on the internet for good toasts & speeches. They have some really tacky stuff. Don't use any cursing or offensive words, and don't talk about any bad memories or choices. Make it really short, something like this.

I am so happy to be here today.
(her name) & met each other (blank) years ago, and we've been friends ever since. As teenagers, we talked and fantisised pf what the perfect man would be. I wanted a man who (if you're married or with someone, describe him. If you're single, this is your time to be funny. say: I wanted a good looking wealthy man) and (her name) wanted someone who would love her, take care or her, be there for her, and understand her. Now I know, (her name), has found her perfect man. And now, as they start their life together, I know, that they'll be happy together forever. This is to (his name & her name). I love you both. Congratulations!


Pretty Good considering I'm only 14. lol.

Hope this helps!

Answer 5

Since I had a friend write my groom's speech I'm not of much help to you, but. Try recounting some of the events you two share that will provide the couple with guidance on how to handle situations or what to expect from each other. Humour works but if you are not comfortable with it then skip it. Definitely try to keep it appropriate (no bedroom humour). It will work much better if it comes from you rather than a poem written by a stranger.

Answer 6

Stay away from topics or styles that you are not comfortable with. Be yourself and just say what you are feeling. From the heart is the best way to go. Maybe a short tale about when the two of you were young that shows what a good person your friend is. Good luck.

Answer 7

To my Bestest friend and now my newest bestest friend,
Tell a memory of when you two laughed your butts off and look forward to many more times that will be shared. And how you love her like a sister and hoping their(Mr. & Mrs) love will grow to 1/2 as much as you guys have,it will be FOREVER.~pretty sappy, huh? a little of both...mushy and funny is what the family & friends are looking for. You can do it! If you don't have the nerve to stand up in front of everyone...a little champagne/shot will give you liquid guts! Good luck!

Answer 8

Wedding Toasts are a very interesting concept. The wedding day is quite likely the most important day in the life of the couple. If there is a formal ceremony, there are several other people involved - parents, bridesmaids, the best man, relatives, and guests. The wedding day is the occasion for them to make a toast to each other. Given below are quotations that you can use in wedding toasts.

Wedding Toast, to the Bride and Groom
My Greatest wish for the two of you is that through the years your love for each other will so deepen and grow, that years from now you will look back on this day, your wedding day, as the day you loved each other the least.

Wedding Toast, to the Bride and Groom
It don't matter where you get your appetite, as long as you eat at home!

Wedding Toast, to the Bride and Groom
May the best day of your past be the worst day of your future.

Wedding Toast, From the Bride to the Groom or From the Groom to the Bride
Here's to the prettiest, here's to the wittiest, Here's to the truest of all who are true, Here's to the neatest one, here's to the sweetest one, Here's to them, all in one - here's to you.

Wedding Toast, to the Groom
Here's to the groom, a man who keeps his head though he loses his heart.

Wedding Toast, to the Bridesmaids
A thing of beauty is a joy forever. Here's to these beautiful bridesmaids.

Wedding Toast, to the Bridesmaids
We admire them for their beauty, respect them for their intelligence, adore them for their virtues, and love them because we can't help it.

Wedding Toast, to the Bride and Groom
Marriage: A community consisting of a master, a mistress, and two slaves - making in all, two.

Wedding Toast, to the Bride and Groom
May the roof above you never fall in and may you both never fall out.

Wedding Toast, to the Bride and Groom
To the lamp of love - may it burn brightest in the darkest hours and never flicker in the winds of trial.

Wedding Toast, to the Bride
May she share everything with her husband, including the housework.

Wedding Toast, to the Bride and Groom
May 'for better or worse' be far better than worse.

Wedding Toast, From the Groom to the Bride
She knows all about me and loves me just the same.

Wedding Toast, to the Bride and Groom
The man or woman you really love will never grow old to you. Through the wrinkles of time, through the bowed frame of years, You will always see the dear face and feel The warm heart union of your eternal love.

Wedding Toast, From the parents of the Bride and Groom
It is written: when children find true love, parents find true joy. Here's to your joy and ours, from this day forward.

Wedding Toast, to the Bride and Groom
May you have many children and may they grow mature in taste and healthy in color and as sought after as the contents of the glass.

Wedding Toast, to the gathering
Let us toast the health of the bride; Let us toast the health of the groom, Let us toast the person that tied; Let us toast every guest in the room.

Wedding Toast, to the Bride and Groom
Look down you gods, and on this couple drop a blessed crown.

Wedding Toast, to the Bride and Groom
Remember that if you ever put your marital problems on the back burner they are sure to boil over.

Wedding Toast, to the Bride and Groom
Happy marriages begin when we marry the one we love, and they blossom when we love the one we married.

Given below is a top 10 list of wedding toasts.
1) Wedding Toast, to the Bride and Groom
May we all be invited to tour golden wedding celebrations.
2) Wedding Toast, to the Bride and Groom
Congratulations on the termination of your isolation and may I express an appreciation of your determination to end the desperation and frustration which has caused you so much consternation in giving you the inspiration to make a combination to bring an accumulation to the population.
3) Wedding Toast, From the Bride and Groom
May our children be blessed with rich parents!
4) Wedding Toast, From the Bride to the Groom or From Groom to Bride
I have known many, Liked not a few, Loved only one I toast to you.
5) Wedding Toast, From the Bride's Mother to the Groom
To the man who has conquered the bride's heart, and her mother's.
6) Wedding Toast, to the Bridesmaids
I have a dozen healths to drink to these fair ladies.
7) Wedding Toast, to the Bride and Groom
There is nothing nobler or more admirable than when two people who see eye to eye keep house as man and wife, confounding their enemies and delighting their friends.
8) Wedding Toast, to the Bride and Groom
Here's to the groom with bride so fair, And here's to the bride with groom so rare!
9) Wedding Toast, to the Bride and Groom
Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.
10) Wedding Toast, to the Bride and Groom
Seek a happy marriage with wholeness of heart, but do not expect to reach the Promised Land without going through some wilderness together.

Or you could try the link for free funny toasts. Whatever you decide to do, just remember that this is for your best friend. Try to keep in mind what he/she would like and be honest. :) Good luck.

Answer 9

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It is a typical enough story: one partner leaves, the other stays. One remains 'in love', the other is uncertain. Whatever it is that has caused a couple to be apart, the one person who remains bears the prospect, fear, doubt, desire, hope of saving his or her marriage' alone.

Answer 10

Do you have a best friend, base it on them or a sibling. Just go with it. As if they were getting married, bring back the past, to the present to something romantic - End it by raising your glass -To the newlyweds: May "for better or worse" be far better than worse.