Here Are the Best Times for Your Wedding Reception Speeches
- During Cocktails. What better time to cheers to the couple than while everyone has a drink in hand? ...
- Immediately After Your Entrance. Looking at a traditional reception timeline, this is the recommended moment for toasts. ...
- Interspersed Between Courses. Spacing toasts out between courses is another popular option. ...
- Right Before the Dance Party. ...
Do you toast at the end of a wedding reception?
If you’re strictly following wedding etiquette and having a sit-down reception, then the toasts should take place after the meal. (That way, the greatest number of guests will be around — and a fed audience is always better than a hungry one.)
Who toasts the bride and groom first?
Toasts should follow this order: 1 The best man toasts the bride. 2 The maid of honour toasts the groom. 3 The wedding host/ person paying most of the wedding (which is normally the father of the bride but regardless of who... 4 Other parents toast the couple. 5 The couple toast their family and guests. More ...
Do you toast before or after the cutting of cake?
Toasts can be before or after the cutting of the cake, depending when you cut the cake. At Craig y Nos Castle, toasts are normally done at some point during the Wedding Breakfast, not at the Evening Party. If however you were only having an evening wedding function, then Toasts would be done before the first dance.
Do you toast before or after the meal?
You can enlist your deejay or event coordinator to round up guests. If you’re strictly following wedding etiquette and having a sit-down reception, then the toasts should take place after the meal. (That way, the greatest number of guests will be around — and a fed audience is always better than a hungry one.)
When should you do speeches at a wedding?
Tradition states that the Wedding Speeches should be conducted after the meal and they essentially bring an end to the day's formalities at which point the party side of the day can begin. By serving the meal first it means your guests are finally being properly fed.
Do toasts come before or after cake cutting?
Many couples do this before or after cutting the cake, when the crowd is already gathered. Others time it around the meal, having all the speeches occur once everyone is seated (if you're having a blessing, the toasts should come afterward), or spacing them between the courses.
Do toasts come before or after first dance?
Toasts can be before or after the cutting of the cake, depending when you cut the cake. At Craig y Nos Castle, toasts are normally done at some point during the Wedding Breakfast, not at the Evening Party. If however you were only having an evening wedding function, then Toasts would be done before the first dance.
What is the order of speeches at a wedding?
What is the Traditional Wedding Speech Order? The traditional wedding speech order goes father of the bride, groom, best man and other toasts. Obviously, this is for a heterosexual wedding and if you're a same-sex couple then this traditional order doesn't really make much sense.
Are wedding toasts before or after dinner?
If you're strictly following wedding etiquette and having a sit-down reception, then the toasts should take place after the meal. (That way, the greatest number of guests will be around — and a fed audience is always better than a hungry one.)
Who speaks first at weddings?
Whoever is hosting the event should speak first and should take the microphone as soon as guests have found their seats. This first toast is most often made by the parents (or father) of the bride and should combine both a toast to the happy couple and a welcome message to the guests.
Who should give toasts at a wedding?
Traditionally, the maid of honor and best man give a toast at the reception, just before dinner is served. It's also common for at least one parent to give a speech.
Who traditionally does a speech at a wedding?
Who Traditionally Gives Speeches at Weddings? At a traditional wedding, there are three people who give speeches. These are the father of the bride, the groom, and the best man. If the father of the bride is deceased or not in attendance, someone else may give a speech in his place.
How many speeches is too many at a wedding?
four speechesAccording to Croce, tradition dictates that there be no more than four speeches during a wedding reception.
How do you conduct a cake cutting ceremony?
The bride places her hand on the cake-cutting knife, and then the groom places his hand over hers as they make two gentle cuts to form a single slice of cake. You then remove the slice onto a plate, and the groom proceeds to feed you the first bite, and then you feed him the second one.
Do you cut the cake before first dance?
Follow up on the momentum of cutting the cake with your first dance. Most guests will already be gathered around you and your partner, so it's a natural transition. Plus, it's custom to cut the cake after dinner so people will be energized and ready to continue celebrating by hitting the dance floor afterward.
How do you plan a wedding schedule?
Wedding Day Reception Timeline: Everything You Need to KnowCOCKTAIL HOUR. Time: 1 hour. ... INVITATION TO DINNER. Time: 15 minutes. ... GRAND ENTRANCE. Time: 10 minutes. ... FIRST DANCE. Time: 5 minutes. ... WELCOME TOASTS. Time: 5 minutes. ... DINNER. Time: 45 minutes. ... WEDDING PARTY TOASTS. Time: 10 minutes. ... PARENT DANCES. Time: 10-15 minutes.More items...•
What is a good wedding toast?
Great wedding toasts are all about timing. Both how long the toasts are and when they take place can have an effect on the response. You don’t want to disrupt the flow of the evening, but you also don’t want to wait so long that the toast givers have either had too much champagne or have spent the whole night waiting to get the party started.
What is the purpose of a wedding speech?
Speeches are a chance for the hosts and the happy couple to speak to their guests and to thank everyone for attending. But what’s the best way to arrange these speeches? Is there usually a specific time that the toasts happen during the reception?
How to take the mic at a wedding?
Make your grand entrance, take your seats, and then ask the first person (usually the hosts) to take the mic. You can have the toasts all happen back to back or take a little break between toasts so your caterer can serve the first course, picking up the mic again after the salad plates are down.
How to capture the audience's attention at a dinner party?
If you’re planning something a bit more casual than a seated dinner, the best time to capture the audience’s attention may be when guests have that signature cocktail in their hands. Allow guests to arrive and get a drink at the bar and a plate of hors d'oeuvres, and then grab their attention. This option will allow for the speeches to be delivered early on, and once the toast happens, everyone will be able to mingle and relax for the rest of the reception.
Why schedule a speech?
First, your parents, maid of honor, and best man can enjoy the rest of the evening stress-free, and the speech can serve to set the tone for the rest of the night.
Can you give a toast while it's hot?
Make sure your caterer serves your VIP tables first, so anyone giving a toast can enjoy their meal while it’s hot. Then, as other tables are being served, or while guests are enjoying their meal, those giving speeches can get up and make their toast with a captive audience.
What is the ideal order for a wedding?
The Ideal Order. The host (usually the bride's father or parents) is first up. "The point of this particular address is to welcome the groom's family into theirs, thoughtfully acknowledge any guests who had to travel, and say a few touching words about the newlyweds," says Claudia Hanlin, a Martha Stewart Weddings contributing editor ...
What should the father of the bride do after the cake cutting?
The father of the bride should welcome everyone and give a brief toast (emphasis on brief, since the food is waiting in the wings) as guests sit down to dinner. The rest of the speeches can come at the tail end of the main course, when everyone is almost finished eating. The groom and/or bride should step up after the cake cutting.
What is the best wine to drink for a celebratory party?
The classic bubbly may be a celebratory staple, but it's not your only option. Prosecco, cava, and American sparkling wine are every bit as festive and often less pricey. Raise your glass with these expert picks.
How to turn people's attention from their meal to your words?
To turn people's attention from their meal to your words, "remember to make eye contact and say things like, 'Am I right?' and 'You all know what I'm talking about,'"says Clark.
What to do after saying "I do"?
After you say "I do," it's time to listen to someone else's words. Here, a guide to toasting -- when to speak, how to keep it short and sweet, and what to drink.
Is there a rule to speak at a toast?
There are no rules, so to speak, at this setup. A good strategy? Ask the host to say a few words at the very beginning, have the rest of the toasts follow his lead, and then get the party started.
Can you take the mic at a rehearsal dinner?
Again, rely on the host to take the microphone, quickly pick up the slack (just make sure he doesn't say, "Anyone? Bueller?"), and wind things down. This is more likely to happen at a rehearsal dinner, where you open up the floor to speakers. In that situation, it's also fine for the bride or groom to grab the mic and close with "Let's eat!"
When does a toast take place at a wedding?
This is the most formal of all wedding toasts and speeches, and it occurs only after all the wedding guests have been provided with a glass of Champagne. At a sit-down dinner, the toast takes place as soon as everyone is seated; at a cocktail reception, the best man will make it after the couple enters the reception.
How to toast a wedding?
No matter the party, when it’s time to toast, the best man – or whoever is going first – should ask for everyone’s attention using a microphone (or in its absence, by gently – they can break! – clinking your glass). When done, raise your glass toward the couple, and then lead wedding guests in taking a sip. (Couples: remain seated and don’t drink when being toasted – just smile and enjoy!)
What are the three events that are required for a wedding?
While toasts are appropriate at any wedding party and should be factored into the timeline while wedding planning, there are three events at weddings where they are absolutely required: the engagement party, the rehearsal dinner, and the wedding reception. Read these tips and advice whether you're the best man, parents of the bride or groom, or even the maid of honor, who will be giving a speech at the wedding.
What are the three wedding events where toasts are required?
While toasts are appropriate at any wedding party, there are three wedding events where they are absolutely required: the engagement party, the rehearsal dinner, and the wedding reception. Etiquette. By Anna Post. Photo: Branco Prata.
Who gives the first toast at a wedding reception?
At the rehearsal dinner, the host (usually the groom’s father) gives the first toast. This often occurs during the main course and is frequently met by a return toast from the father of the bride. Unlike the reception, when toasts and wedding speeches should generally be short, to the point, and given by a small number of people, ...
Who makes the toast at the engagement party?
The Engagement Party. At this event, the first toast is made by the father of the bride in the form of an announcement of the engagement. This typically occurs midway through the party once all of the guests have arrived and have had a chance to mingle for a bit. If the groom’s parents are there, a toast from his father is also a nice touch.
Is it okay to choke up during a wedding speech?
And if you want to express strong emotions (the good kind, of course), there are few better opportunities than during wedding speeches. It’s okay if you get a little choked up; composure is great, but so is honest, heartfelt emotion during a wedding speech. After all, it’s what the day is ultimately all about.
Who Speaks First at Weddings?
Traditionally, the father of the bride gives their speech first at the wedding reception, says Trista Croce, a wedding planner and founder of luxury wedding planning and event company BTS Event Management based in Phoenix, Arizona.This is because the bride's parents were typically the ones hosting the wedding. However, for many couples, this may or may not be the case. Often the groom's parents pitch in for wedding costs or the couple may cover everything themselves. So, in these cases, it's really up to the couple to decide who should speak first. It can be whoever hosts the wedding, the best man, or they can go with the father of the bride if they choose to stick to tradition.
How Many Speeches Do You Have at a Wedding?
According to Croce, tradition dictates that there be no more than four speeches during a wedding reception. Some couples these days, however, are also opting to give a bride speech and a groom speech themselves during the reception to give guests a warm welcome, thank their parents and other VIPs and express their appreciation to everyone who showed up to celebrate their big day.
What is the last speech on the wedding agenda?
The last speech on the agenda is the best man speech, which can follow the same format as the maid of honor speech. The best man can start by introducing himself, congratulating the couple, sharing a story about the groom and offering nice words about their new spouse. They can also mix in a tasteful joke or two and end with a wedding toast to the newlyweds and their future together.
What is the order of the wedding speech?
The Traditional Wedding Speech Order. 1. The Father of the Bride or Parents of the Bride. The father of the bride speech is often one of the most special and tear-jerking speeches at the wedding reception—and it's usually the first toast given. The father of the bride will typically start off by welcoming guests and thanking them for coming.
What happens if you do speeches too early?
If speeches are done too early on during the meal, guests will still be finding their seats, chatting amongst each other, and servers may be shuffling around which can be noisy and distracting for guests. If the wedding speeches are done after the meal, guests may be feeling antsy to get up, move around, and mingle.
What is the maid of honor speech?
The maid of honor speech typically includes an introduction and a bit about their relationship with the couple, personal anecdotes, funny stories, encouraging words and a closing remark with a toast. 4. The Best Man.
What is the sweet spot for a dinner party?
The sweet spot, according to Croce, is starting the speeches about 3/4 of the way through dinner as guests are finishing up their meal and still seated. That way, once the speeches are wrapped up, guests will be done eating, tables will start being cleared, and everyone will be ready to hit the dance floor and get the party started.
When should toasts take place at a wedding?
If you’re strictly following wedding etiquette and having a sit-down reception, then the toasts should take place after the meal. (That way, the greatest number of guests will be around — and a fed audience is always better than a hungry one.)
When should I toast my wedding cake?
Since many couples don’t follow tradition to the letter, here are some other times for toasts during the reception: You can toast after cutting the wedding cake (but before dessert). This makes sense because most guests quiet down for the cake-cutting; plus, it’s always conveniently announced by the emcee (who’ll probably announce the toast). You can also try toasting right before the meal begins, because it’s easier to get everyone’s attention at that time — just keep the hungry-audience thing in mind. A bride I know who held her toast before dinner did it because the people offering the toasts were nervous, and she wanted them to be able to enjoy their meals!
When to toast at buffet reception?
At a buffet reception, it’ll be a little more difficult to find an appropriate time for the toasts, but usually it works best after most of the guests have made their first trip to the food tables. You can enlist your deejay or event coordinator to round up guests.
Is it wrong to offer toasts?
There isn’t really a wrong time for offering toasts , but you should try to choose a time when the guests are relatively quiet. That way, the toasts are heard and the people offering them won’t have to yell over the crowd!
Who presents the first toast at a wedding?
The Best man presents the first toast, which can be immediately after the cake cutting ceremony but this is not necessarily so. (Note; when you are the person being toasted, you do not drink out of your glass.) The wedding host (traditionally the father of the bride) toasts the couple.
Who can toast the bride and groom?
After the Best man has presented his toast, then the father of the bride may offer a toast to the bride and groom and to the groom's parents, welcoming the union of the two families. The Groom may then toast his new wife and both sets of parents.
What order should the toasts be?
Toasts should follow this order: 1. The best man toasts the bride. 2. The maid of honour toasts the groom. 3. The wedding host/ person paying most of the wedding (which is normally the father of the bride but regardless of who is paying what, it should be the father of the bride) toasts the couple. 4.
What is a toast?
Toasts may be separate from the speeches, or may be the end part of the speech, but they are separate from the actual speech .#N#Anyone presenting a toast should be asked to prepare in advance. The Best man presents the first toast, which can be immediately after the cake cutting ceremony but this is not necessarily so. (Note; when you are the person being toasted, you do not drink out of your glass.) The wedding host (traditionally the father of the bride) toasts the couple. Other parental figures of the couple toast the couple.
What to say at the end of a wedding toast?
At the end of the toasts, the Couple then do a toast. This is phrased as a thank you to your guests for coming and sharing the day with you (it is not you toasting each other)! You can also thank whoever was paying for the wedding (but not each other)! You may of course conclude with thanking your partner for marrying you and giving them a kiss.
When do wedding speeches start?
You can choose when to have your wedding speeches but bearing in mind the wedding breakfast starts so late in the afternoon, it is normal for your wedding speeches to start after at least the main course of the wedding dinner, distinct from the toasts (unless dispensing with long speeches altogether and just having short speeches and toasts together). It is of course possible to combine the Speeches with the Toasts but then you need to switch from drinking wine during the speeches, to the champagne glass being held in turn at the toasting stage, but not being drunk out of. Hold the champagne glass ready during the toast, but you (and the guests) only drink out of the champagne glass at the end of the toast.
What does the groom say in his speech?
The Grooms speech thanks the father of the bride for the wedding and making everything possible etc, and thanks the bride’s family, the bridesmaids, and of course the bride, about whom he may have many words to say, how they first met, how much he loves her, some highlights of their time together, significant moments together, and so on.
What should a wedding toast be?
Your wedding toast should be meaningful, but not drawn out. Make sure to have a beginning, middle, and end.
How long should a toast be?
Make it quick. “The best length for a toast is about three minutes ,” says Polansky. “It’s enough time to say what you need to say, but short enough that you’ll still have everyone’s attention when you ask them to raise their glasses to toast the happy couple.”
How to wrap up a speech?
To wrap up your speech, invite everyone to raise their glass to the couple, or to love, etc., then cheers glasses together and take a sip. Don’t count on your phone, which may lock or turn off mid-speech. Instead, print out your toast or put it on note cards for reference.
How to make a point about the bride's personality?
“If you’re trying to make a point about the bride’s personality—say, that she’s particularly loyal—don’t just say that and move on. Pick a specific moment that proves your point. Have something to back it up!” Polansky adds. Including some proof will make sure your listeners really buy what you’re saying about the couple.
How long should a wedding toast be?
To avert boredom on the part of your guests, anything under two to three minutes is perfect. Rehearse.
When to raise glass at wedding toast?
Whether you are a drinker or not, remember to raise your glass to the couple at the end of your toast. Better to raise an empty glass than refuse to participate at all, at the end of your simple wedding toast.
How to build a toast around a quote?
If you build your toast around a quote for a wedding toast, this could help keep it memorable and easy to recall when you need it. Catch and keep your audience’s attention. Speak clearly and audibly. And be it with toast quotes or a joke, insert something that will keep your guests attentive.
What to say on a wedding anniversary toast?
Toasts are not for weddings alone, and some of these can be used as wedding anniversary toast for parents, friends, or even siblings. “To a couple that we all know, admire, and love with all our hearts. We all wish the best for you and we toast to your health and happiness.”. “Here’s to the husband and here’s to the wife.
How to keep guests attentive?
Speak clearly and audibly. And be it with toast quotes or a joke, insert something that will keep your guests attentive. You don’t want to struggle to be heard or try to speak over people already talking to one another.
What should a couple say in a wedding toast?
The couple in their wedding toast speech should thank their wedding party, the hosts, and everyone for attending the wedding.
What is a Shakespearean wedding toast?
Shakespearean wedding toasts include the pieces of works by the great poet himself and those that have the same feeling about them. They add some Medieval atmosphere, which might be great for a boho or thematical celebration. After all, this period of literature is all about romance.
When is the toast offered at a wedding reception?
However, knowing what to expect-and when-can help alleviate any nervousness. "The wedding toast is traditionally offered at the beginning of the reception. Champagne or a non-alcoholic sparkling beverage is poured as soon as the wedding party and guests are seated-or in the case of a standing reception, as soon as the bride and groom have arrived and been introduced."
Who gives the first toast at a wedding?
Depending on the attendants in your wedding party, ask the best man-or best woman-to offer the first toast during your wedding reception. "It is customary for the best man to give the first toast," suggests Bryant. "A memorable toast by the best man might include a brief fond memory involving the bride and groom, followed by the actual toast. "
How to offer a toast to George and Pierre?
The room will acknowledge you without that," advises Bryant about gaining the guests' attention. "Begin by saying, 'I would like to propose a toast.' Lower your glass, look the honorees in the eye, and say, 'To the grooms, George and Pierre,'" she suggests. "Then give your to ast."
What is a heartfelt toast?
No matter your comfort level, preparing and giving a heartfelt speech is a tribute to your role in the couple's lives. In addition, a loving toast is a fabulous way to start the reception by centering the attention on the newlyweds and offering best wishes for what's to come.
What are the three B's for toast?
The good news-especially for those who are a bit shy-is that shorter toasts are more impactful and appropriate. "A perfect toast, in most cases, may be the simplest toast. The Protocol School of Washington recommends those giving toasts go by the 'Three B's' which are Begin, Be Brief, and Be Seated," says Bryant.
How to end a toast?
The ideal way to end your toast is by toasting, of course. Raise a glass and celebrate the couple with a drink. "Immediately upon finishing the delivery, look back at the audience, raise your glass, look again to the honorees, take a sip of your beverage (hopefully it's champagne, but any beverage is fine), and then be seated," says Bryant.
Can a best man give a toast?
Although the best man is in the spotlight during the wedding reception as the designated toast giver, others can give toasts at the reception or during other events , such as the rehearsal dinner, anniversary reception, engagement party, or post-wedding brunch. "Toasts are a delightful element of many types of celebrations, though we most often think of them associated with weddings," states Bryant.
