Writing the Perfect Wedding Toast
A toast is a short speech the purpose of which is to express congratulations and good wishes for the future. At a wedding, toasts are often given at the rehearsal dinner and the reception. If you are part of the wedding party, there’s a good chance you will be called upon to propose a wedding toast. The purpose of this activity is to provide you with practice in writing and presenting an eloquent toast.
Objective: To compose and present a suitable wedding toast.
Project Directions:
Assume that you are either the best man or maid of honor at your best friend’s wedding. One of your primary responsibilities is to deliver a toast at the wedding reception. Your assignment is to compose and deliver your wedding toast.
Your wedding toast should be three brief paragraphs in length.
Paragraph 1–Mention the bride and groom by name, your relationship to them and a thought about their good fortune. Express your thanks to the parents of the bride and groom for their hospitality. Also thank the bride/groom for choosing you to be their maid of honor/best man.
Paragraph 2–Share an amusing or interesting anecdote regarding the couple or one of them individually. This could be a short story about how the couple met. It might also be a story about something that one of them did when they were children or perhaps in high school or college. The story should never be off color or in questionable taste.
Paragraph 3–Close with an expression of good wishes for the couple’s future happiness. It is appropriate to finish with the simple expression "Cheers!" or simply say "Here’s to Jane and Jerry!".
Your toast should be typewritten neatly on a half sheet of paper. You may use this reference sheet to present your toast to the class.
As you compose and present your toast, be sure to reference Guidelines for Wedding Toasts.
Present your toast to the class exactly as you would do so at the actually wedding reception.