My knees were definitely shaking when I started thinking about the groom’s wedding toast.  Yes, it is traditional part of the wedding reception, but I was not looking forward to it nonetheless.  I think a lot of my anxiety could have been allayed with good, advanced planning.  I’ve been to a few wedding where out-of-control toasts created a reception train-wreck disaster – and this had to be avoided at all costs.

The good news for me was that the groom’s toast is a very short ’talk’ if you will.  However, it was suggested that I not read verbatim from note cards – but to use them as reminder notes.  That’s what I did – and actually, the toast was surprisingly better than what it could have been.  I used the note cards, I didn’t read anything verbatim and it worked out.

So from my learning, here are some train-wreck elements you may want to avoid…

Don’t mention or talk about past relationships – don’t laugh, it’s been done before!

Avoid alcohol until after your speaking duties are done, if at all possible.  The alcohol can affect your sense of timing and your ability speak clearly.

Don’t do an open-mic type of toast, where multiple people are getting up after you and giving toasts – this can be a real disaster.

Here are some helpful things you should do…

Make sure to stand up before giving your toast.

If you are not mic’d, make sure you speak up loudly and clearly.  If you have a mic, make sure to talk toward the microphone, not moving your head around back and forth too much (unless you move the mic too).

Don’t forget to have everyone raise their glasses after the toast – this is frequently forgotten during the nervousness of the moment.