Bride and Groom Toasts
When you go to a wedding today, you expect to hear a toast from the groom’s best man and perhaps the bride’s maid of honor. While it is somewhat less common and is usually an individual decision, many brides and grooms choose to take the opportunity of having their friends and family all together to celebrate their union and their relationship, to say a few words to their guests. It does not need to be anything elaborate or lengthy, however a few simple words of thanks can go a long way towards making your guests feel as loved and appreciated as you do.
Many couples are more shy in nature and feel uncomfortable having the spotlight pointed at them for an entire day. These couples want to celebrate their union in a more downscaled way and may be uneasy with the idea of making a toast themselves. Public speaking does rank near the top of everyone’s list of fears, after all. But it is something to think about. Planning and writing out a few words of thanks to address the people that took time out of their lives to celebrate your wedding with you and congratulate you on your marriage is not too much to ask.
Plan and write out what you plan to say ahead of time to ease some of your nerves. Thinking it out ahead of time also allows you to really think about what you want to say to your guests and who you want to thank. This way you can be sure that your toast is thorough and, more importantly, that you don’t leave anyone out or forget to thank anyone who has been an important part of your planning process and your relationship.
Typically, the bride and groom’s toast will include a few words of thanks for each of their parents, regardless of who is paying for the wedding itself. Whether or not your mom and dad are helping you pay for the wedding, they still had a hand in getting you there, so make sure to thank them properly. You will probably also want to include a big and heartfelt thanks to your wedding party who has helped you with all the details of the planning process. They are also spending a great deal of time and money to support you, so it is appropriate to acknowledge them in your toast. Finally include a word of thanks to those who came out and took the time to be a part of your special day.
