A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. There are many things for one to plan like venues, seating, catering, the list goes on and on. One crucial element is the toast. A good speech can change the tone of the entire wedding. It can make the guests so emotional that handkerchiefs need to be handed out, or have them laughing until their stomachs hurt. Here’s a list of how to line up your toasts.
The Welcome Toast
The host at the wedding reception initiates the event once the guests are seated. The parents of the bride usually make the toast to the newly married couple. The parents of the groom can follow suit, if interested. This will warm up the guests for action and get them ready for the ensuing celebrations!
The Blessing
This forms an integral part of the wedding reception as it offers a blessing over the food and marks the start of the dinner. It doesn’t happen with every wedding, as it’s more of a personal choice.
The Best Man and Maid of Honor Toasts
The best man and maid of honor speech is an important part of the evening, as it is not only a beloved tradition but also helps pump people up a little and get them ready for the final toast. This toast is done toward the end of dinner as guests can enjoy their meals and also be all-ears. In case there is no sitting arrangement, the waiters can finish their job and make sure the guests have food to chew on.
The Newlyweds Toast
This is a moment of the event where the bride and groom express their love, gratitude, respect, and everything else that they feel for each other. It is also a chance to thank everybody from the parents to the guests for coming to the event.
How to Give a Good Speech
Practice your toast thoroughly before standing up on stage, as winging it doesn’t work for everybody. Secondly, think of those you would love to have speak at your reception and make a list. You can have the toasts done in a non-stop spree or have them interspersed with food courses. To ensure the smooth flow of speeches, you can take a few steps like giving your speakers a time limit beforehand as well as a time allocation so they know when to speak and for how long. If you’re planning a wedding, every little thing you do can go a long way. So raise a toast to planning the perfect wedding!