Unfortunately, I am broke. Some of you may already know that my friends are getting married on Valentines Day. About a week ago, they called me to discuss the various details of the ceremony and reception. They also told me that they would like me to give a toast at the reception. I felt that it was somewhat out of the ordinary since I am not the best anything but they want someone who has known them both outside of their relationship to talk.
To be honest, I really did not think it would be that difficult to write a toast and originally I was going to wait until my flight home next week to figure it out. A few days ago, after finishing some work I decided to do some research on the Internet on toasts. To be honest, it really was not all that helpful. All I learned was to keep it short and simple but this is no different than what they teach you in public speaking.
Today I had twelve hours of class so I spent most of it ignoring various lectures and working on my toast instead. I have gone through a lot of notebook paper and several revisions and I still feel like I am getting nowhere. Wish me luck; this is going to be very interesting.
Having given toasts at weddings, it’s actually quite easy. People are having a great time, so they’ll appreciate anything. It’s easy, just relax.
You can start off with a joke, the cornier the better: "When Jane and Bob asked me to do this, I agreed, think it would be easy, until I realised they had asked to me give a toast, and not a toaster.
Most times you want to not go overboard, but wedding are a chance: “So, here’s to the most beautiful woman in the world, and the luckest guy!”
Good luck!
The one I used at my best friends wedding was short and easy to remember, has a little humor but still some sincerity -
Here’s to a long life and a merry one.
A quick death and an easy one.
A pretty girl and an honest one.
A cold beer - and another one!
How about pointing out that the statistics show that they’d have better odds at summiting mount everest and returning alive than having a successful marriage. That this alone makes you think that they’re nuts…but it’s also why you love them.
I personally would decline an invitation to give a wedding toast at the moment.
A classmate’s brother used a toast that I recycled at my brother’s wedding. (It does have the drawback that one should have actually shared a room with the toasted party at some point in your lives.) “May [bride] find [groom] to be a better roommate than I ever did.” (Then throw in some compliment to the bride.)