70+ Best Wedding Toasts 2024 [Guide & Tips]
Wedding toasts are an integral part of any wedding celebration, bringing joy, love, and romance to the atmosphere. It can be quite challenging to express your feelings in a heartfelt and eloquent manner.
To help you out, we have curated a collection of the best wedding toast examples to inspire you. These examples are sure to help you find the perfect words to convey your emotions and wishes to the happy couple on their special day. Whether you’re the best man, maid of honor, or a guest, these toasts will provide you with the inspiration you need to create a toast that’s both meaningful and memorable.
So, take a look at our collection and find the perfect toast to suit your style and the occasion.
FAQS
Traditionally, the main individuals to give wedding toasts are the groom, father of the bride, and best man. However, in modern times, the practice has evolved, and anyone can give a toast, including guests. This shift in tradition allows for more personalization and a wider variety of perspectives to be shared during the wedding celebration. So whether you’re a close family member, a dear friend, or simply a guest, you can seize the opportunity to express your well wishes to the happy couple on their special day.
Wedding toasts should be between two and six minutes in length. Toasts that are shorter than two minutes may appear rushed, while those longer than six minutes risk boring the guests.
The beginning of an effective wedding toast depends on the type of speech. If it is simply a toast, it is appropriate to introduce yourself. If it is part of a longer speech, consider starting with a memorable or heartfelt statement directed to the couple.
Finish the toast by asking everyone to raise their glasses to a sentimental or funny quote.
When the speaker begins the toast, it is appropriate to sit, smile, and stop talking. Place your cutlery on the edge of your plate. Raise your glass and take a sip only after the toast has been completed. It is customary to finish a glass of champagne, but you may take several sips of wine.
In the wedding toast speech, the couple should express gratitude to their wedding party, the hosts, and all of the guests for attending the wedding. They should also express their love and excitement for officially starting their lives together.
Conclude the toast by sharing a kiss.
Wedding Toast Order
Traditionally, wedding toasts follow a certain order, but it is important to keep in mind that this order is not set in stone, and you can adapt it to fit your specific wedding situation. Below is a general order of toasts for a wedding reception that is typically used for both traditional and non-traditional weddings.
- The best man typically gives the first toast.
- The maid of honor gives her toast next.
- The host of the event (usually the mother or father of the bride) gives their toast.
- The parents of the groom may or may not also give a toast.
- Certain guests may speak next.
- In some cases, the bride, groom, or the couple may close with a toast of their own.
It is important to note that if any guests wish to speak during the reception, it would be considerate if they notify the couple a few weeks before the wedding so that they can be added to the order of speeches. However, if there are impromptu speeches during the reception, it would not be unusual for the couple or other guests to also share heartfelt words.
Traditional Toast Examples
Traditional wedding reception toasts are typically heartfelt and meaningful. They have a subtle, relaxed tone, yet are still powerful and impactful, like the examples below.
From Groom To Bride:
“When I first set my eyes on you, it was rainbows, flowers, and thunder. I knew you were the one for me and I couldn’t let you go. Your intellect, personality, and sweetness charmed me and I felt overwhelmed. The stars aligned in my favor when I realized that we lived the same things. The best part is that you love me too. I couldn’t be luckier, and I love you until my last breath.”
From Groom To Guests
“We want to thank you beautiful people for your presence here and for sharing in our joy. To our parents, friends, family, and associates, we wouldn’t be here today without all your efforts, support and guidance. Coming here today means the world to us, so thank you for loving and honoring us.”
General Toasts:
“The truth is this, finding a person who loves you just as you are is the best thing in life. They see you through your bad, good, high, low, and everything in between without bailing out. The person still sees the sun rise and set in your eyes. When you find that person, stick with them. I found mine, so raise your glasses as we toast to…”
From Best Man & Maid Of Honor
The best man and maid of honor are typically considered the leaders of the wedding party. The best man is responsible for overseeing various aspects of the wedding and his speech is often highly anticipated by guests. He should keep in mind all of the details and organization, as well as the custom to toast the bride.
Similarly, the maid of honor, being the bride’s best friend, is often expected to toast the groom.
Below are a few examples of best man and maid of honor toast:
“Eve was very jealous. And, although there were only two in paradise when Adam came home too late, she counted his ribs just in case. We wish our young not to be so jealous, and her husband – not to give an occasion to count the ribs!”
“In the hearts of our young people, the fire of love burns. This is a sacred fire. So, let’s fill our glasses and drink to ensure that it never goes out in their hearts!”
“No matter how many years passes – be it 10 or 20 years of family life, – I want the groom to lose his head, but not his reason, looking at his lovely wife.”
“Friends! I offer to drink for a kiss! This is the idea that a man came up with because he did not find any other way to close a mouth to a woman.”
“They say it’s not a marvel that two people are different, but it’s a marvel is they can live together so happily. Live marvelously, our dear newlyweds!”
“A real woman can make a man think that he is the winner, though she was the one who was victorious. Look at our groom. He looks like a winner. Therefore, let us drink to his beautiful victory and the woman who allowed herself to be defeated, the bride.”
“Rumor has it in a perfect family the wife does not pay attention to where the money comes from, and the husband does not notice where it is going. May you have a truly perfect family!”
“What is the difference between a fairy tale and reality? A fairy tale is when the prince marries a snake, and she becomes a princess. Reality is quite the contrary. Let your life together be a fairy tale!”
“When a man is persistent, he will certainly achieve what a woman wants. Let’s drink to ensure that the purposefulness of men and the vagaries of women coincide!”
“May the two of you be poor in misfortune and rich in blessings. Here is to a wonderful wedding day and an even more marvelous marriage.”
Parent Wedding Toasts
The father of the bride is typically the first to give a parental wedding toast. For the newlyweds, receiving blessings from their parents is very significant.
It’s also worth to mention that the examples of wedding toasts from the father of the groom can also be helpful.
When your children are getting married, it is customary to offer them some valuable advice on the life they are about to begin together as a family.
“Dear children! Let your marriage be happy! Live in friendship and harmony. We always want happiness to be long, and therefore I wish you happiness to be eternal, let your love burn bright, and friends remain true! Let’s drink to a happy union!”
“To live in love and harmony until the silver wedding, the wife must have a golden character, and the husband – an iron endurance. So, let’s drink to a reliable alloy of two metals, for the fusion of the souls of the newlyweds!”
“The meaning of life is a family, this is our destiny, in fact, for it is for the sake of the family and our children that live! Let your life be happy, and the smiles and joy of your loved ones warm your hearts with warmth and comfort!”
“The secret of a successful marriage lies in one popular wisdom: you do not need to love as much as possible, just as long as possible! So keep going, let your passion burn through the years!”
“Today we wish you happiness. May the Lord protect you from the storm and bad weather, bad people, from pain and illness, from hardships. May God grant you a lot of passion, ardor, and love! And a lot of happiness!”
“A spouse is supporting in life. Strengthening the pillars, we extend our life. So, let us drink to the spouses and for them to always love and support each other.”
‘I want to see you grow old together. Count each other’s wrinkles as the years pass by. See who losses all of the teeth and who will need the help of the walking stick first.’
“Always remember the most important four words for a successful marriage: ‘I’ll do the dishes.’”
1 John 3:18 – “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
Genesis 2:24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Sister’s Wedding Toast
Preparing a toast for your sister can be a challenge. To make it easier, keep in mind the special bond you share and express it in words. Try to convey what she means to you and the happiness you wish for her. You could also incorporate a quote from a favorite movie that you both share for a unique touch.
You can check some examples below for inspiration.
“[Bride,] for as long as I have known you, you have always been someone who has been able to find the joy in everything. I am so glad that you can share this ability to see the joy in everything with [groom.] May your life together be joyous and full of love.”
“Here is to the groom with a bride so fair, and here is to a bride with a groom who is so rare.”
“May you always have walls for the wind, a roof for the rain, tea by the fire, laughter to cheer you up, and everything that your heart desires. Congratulations [bride] and [groom.]”
Bride And Groom Toast Examples
The bride and groom typically give a toast to the guests to express their appreciation for their presence and support. Below are some suggestions and examples of wedding toasts that the couple can adopt.
Bride And Groom Toast Tips
Thanking your parents and parents-in-law for their love and support throughout your lives is a great way to start. If they also contributed to the wedding, be sure to give them a special mention. Let the guests know how much you value them as parents and remind them that even though you are now married, your love for them will never change. Share some fond memories with them and instances when they came through for you. After toasting with your spouse, make a toast to your parents and parents-in-law.
Expressing gratitude to your guests for their presence and support is also important. Acknowledge the effort they took to attend your wedding and how their presence made the day more special. Remind them of the prayers, well wishes, and gifts they offered, and wish them a safe journey home. After toasting with your spouse, make a toast to your guests.
Lastly, give special thanks to the people who played a role in making your big day a success. This includes your parents, parents-in-law, bridesmaids, maid of honor, groomsmen, family, best man and other special friends who helped in any way, whether they could attend the wedding or not. Thank them profusely and make another toast to them.
Here are some examples that you can refer:
Groom Toast To Bride
“The minute you acknowledge you want to spend forever with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible. Let our journey begin, (name).”
Bride Toast To Groom
“To my soul mate and lover – we’ve scaled the Hoops, jumped the blocks, and now we’re here. I am most excited to do forever with you, (name).”
Groom Speech To Groomsmen
“And to my Best Man and Groomsmen, thank you for your immense support and presence here today. You know I don’t joke with my beauty Sleep and wouldn’t have made it to the wedding on time without all of you. Maybe my bride would have left me, so you saved my life. You are the best friends I could ever have, and celebrating our happiness with you today made our wedding more meaningful. Every one of you has earned a special place in my heart and that of my wife. We can’t wait to enjoy bonfires, barbecues, get-togethers, and make more memories with you because we’re stuck for life.”
Groom Speech To Bridesmaids
“Here’s to my bride’s Maid of Honor and Bridesmaids— you are angels. You all know our hearts and what your support and friendship mean to us. My bride is a stunner, from her make-up to attire and overall look. You all made it possible and on time. She appreciates you, as I do. Having you here and sharing in our biggest moment is one of the rarest gifts we could get. Your presence makes us feel special and complete and we’re blessed to have you girls, in our lives. You’ve proven formidable, loyal, and selfless and with you on our side, we can go through life with faith. Thank you from the depth of our hearts. We love you girls immensely!”
Short Wedding Toasts To The Bride & Groom
When giving a toast to the bride and groom, it’s natural to want to express all of the emotions you’re feeling. However, it’s important to keep in mind that this is a special day for the couple, and they may have a schedule to adhere to. It’s best to make sure your toast is concise, while still conveying your feelings.
Below are some examples of short wedding toasts that can help you:
“Here’s to the new husband and here’s to the new wife. May they remain lovers for all of life.”
“Let your love last forever, and be longer than the last sunset.”
‘Two are better than one.” — Ecclesiastes 4:9
“I found the one whom my soul loves.” — Song of Solomon 3:4
“Here’s to the groom, a man who was able to keep his head, but lost his heart.”
“Follow the way of love.” — I Corinthians 14:1
“Deep love is stronger than life.”—Jewish proverb
“Nothing is real but dreams and love.” —Anna de Noailles
“Where there is love, there is no darkness.”—Burundi proverb
“Here’s to the newlyweds – may these two share everything with each other… and that includes the chores!”
Classic & Traditional Literary Wedding Toasts
If you’re in need of inspiration for your wedding toast, looking at some ready-made examples can help you get creative. This list of classic and traditional literary wedding toasts can provide ideas for celebrating a wedding.
These examples can serve as inspiration for your own toast or help you to add some extra flair to what you’ve already written.
Watching (bride) and (groom) together makes my heart sing with joy. I am proud to be a part of this special day. Let us toast to the newlyweds, who make us believe true love still exists. (Bride) and (groom,) may you find joy with each other each and every day from this day forward. My sincere congratulations! Remember this special day, as it is the day that your life together as husband and wife starts. To (bride) and (groom,) may you always find comfort, strength and endless happiness in each other. Please join me as I raise a glass to these two newlyweds.
“To love another person is to see the face of God.” — Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
“There is only one happiness in life: To love and be loved.” — George Sand
“Love her. The way you do just the one time.” — Red Wind by Raymond Chandler
“Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupery
‘It’s now or never, isn’t it?’—Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
“We laugh and laugh, and nothing can ever be sad, no one can be lost, or dead, or far away: right now we are here, and nothing can mar our perfection, or steal the joy of this perfect moment.”—The Time Traveler’s Wife
“Health and life to you; The woman of your choice for you; A child every year for you; And may you die in Ireland.” —Irish proverb
Shakespearean Wedding Toast
Searching for ideas for your wedding toast can be challenging, but looking at sample toasts can help you come up with unique and creative ideas. A collection of classic and traditional literary wedding toasts can be a great source of inspiration for your wedding celebration.
These examples can be used to inspire your own toast or to enhance the one you already wrote.
“God, the best maker of all marriages, Combine your hearts in one.” — King Henry V, Act V
“Doubt thou the stars are fire, Doubt the sun doth move, Doubt truth to be a liar but never doubt thy love.” — Hamlet
“Love is a smoke raised with the fume of sighs; Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers’ eyes; Being vexed, a sea nourished with loving tears. What is it else? A madness most discreet, A choking gall, and a preserving sweet.” — Romeo and Juliet
“May a flock of blessings light upon thy back.” – Romeo and Juliet
‘Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.’ – A Midsummer Night’s Dream”May thy life be long and happy, thy cares and sorrows few; And the many friends around thee prove faithful, fond and true. May your voyage through life be as happy and as free as the dancing waves on the deep blue sea.”
“But rich or poor, quick or slow, may you know nothing but happiness from this day forward.”
“For each petal on the shamrock, this brings a wish your way. Good health, good luck, and happiness for today and every day.”
“May the light of friendship guide your paths together. And may the laughter of children grace the halls of your home. May the joy of living for one another trip a smile from your lips a twinkle from your eye.”
Religious Wedding Toasts
When wondering how to conclude a wedding toast, one option is to add a spiritual touch. The appropriateness of including religious elements in your toast will depend on your own beliefs as well as those of the couple. Bible quotes about love can serve as timeless and meaningful wedding toast quotes.
You can check out some examples for inspiration.
Song of Solomon 4:9: “You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride; you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace.”
Galatians 5:13 “Through love serve one another.”
Song of Solomon 8:7 “Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away.”
Corinthians 13:4-5: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
1 John 4:18-19 “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.”
Corinthians 13 “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”
Corinthians 13:13: “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
Proverbs 10:12 “Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.”
Romans 12:9 “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”
Movie Wedding Speech Quotes
If you’re looking for some unique wedding toast examples, consider using movie quotes. Incorporating quotes from some of the bride and groom’s favorite movies can be a fun and creative touch, particularly if the wedding has a movie-themed. Surprising the couple with a well-known quote can make your toast memorable and help to create a romantic atmosphere.
Casablanca: ‘Here’s looking at you, kid.’
When Harry Met Sally: ‘When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.’
Love Actually: “To me, you are perfect”
Bram Stoker’s Dracula: ‘I have crossed oceans of time to find you’
Serendipity: ‘It’s like at that moment the whole universe existed just to bring us together.’
My Best Friend’s Wedding: ‘Choose me. Marry me. Let me make you happy.’
Moulin Rouge: ’The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return.’
Bridget Jones’s Baby: ‘Sometimes you love a person because of all the reasons they’re not like you. And sometimes you love a person just because they feel like home.’
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: ‘I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone.’
Meet Joe Black: ‘Love is passion, obsession, someone you can’t live without. If you don’t start with that, what are you going to end up with?’
Good Will Hunting: “It doesn’t matter if the guy is perfect or the girl is perfect, as long as they are perfect for each other.”
Funny Wedding Toasts
Adding a bit of humor to your toast can be a great way to lighten the mood and bring some laughter to the wedding. Humor is an important element of any wedding and can help to reduce the stress that can come with such a significant event. These examples of funny wedding toasts will be especially useful for the best man, whose toast is often expected to be more entertaining than the others.
Don’t hesitate to infuse some fun into the otherwise serious occasion with these humorous quotes.
“They say that in a good marriage, the husband is the head, and the wife is the heart. So, let us drink to the fact that our young people did not know in life either headaches or heartaches!”
‘Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love.’ – Albert Einstein
‘Love is sharing your popcorn.’ – Charles Schultz
‘It is impossible to love and be wise.’ – Francis Bacon
‘True love comes quietly, without banners or flashing lights. If you hear bells, get your ears checked.’- Erich Segal
‘It’s so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life.’ – Rita Rudner
‘Being married means mostly shouting “What?” from other rooms.’
‘Marry a man your own age; as your beauty fades, so will his eyesight.’— Phyllis Diller
‘Love is a lot like a backache: it doesn’t show up on X-rays, but you know it’s there.’ — George Burns
‘All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.’ — Charles Schulz
Irish Toast Examples
The Irish are known for their abundance of proverbs and their ability to express themselves articulately. These traits can also be found in their prayers and well wishes for newlyweds, as can be seen in the examples provided below.
“For each petal on the shamrock, this brings a wish your way. Good health, good luck, and happiness for today and every day.”
“May you have a love that never ends, lots of money, and lots of friends. Health be yours, whatever you do, and may God send many blessings to you!”
“Bless you and yours, as well as the cottage you live in. May the roof overhead be well thatched, and those inside be well matched”
Wedding Anniversary Toast
The following are examples of toasts that can be given at a wedding anniversary celebration, commemorating the years a couple has spent together. It is important to note that these toasts are not just limited to weddings, they can also be used for anniversary celebrations of 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. May the two of you continue to remain lovers for life.”
“As you celebrate this happy day in your life, remember that the best days are yet to come. In the meantime, let us raise a glass to your marriage and to your health and happiness.”
Wedding Toast Etiquette
There are certain manners and etiquette to keep in mind when composing a toast. These guidelines can assist you in crafting some of the best toasts for this wedding season. By following the tips below, you will find that writing a wedding toast is much easier than expected.
- Keep it brief: One of the key rules of writing a wedding toast is to keep it short. While you may have a lot to say, it is best to keep your toast under two to three minutes to avoid boring your guests.
- Rehearse: Practice delivering your toast a few times, especially in front of a mirror. This will help you feel more comfortable and confident when giving the toast live. If you’ve built your toast around a quote, this will help make it more memorable and easy to recall.
- Grab and maintain your audience’s attention: Speak clearly and audibly. Insert something that will capture and hold your guests attention be it with a quote or a joke. It’s crucial that your guests can hear you, and that you’re not trying to speak over people already talking.
- Raise your glass: Regardless of whether you drink or not, remember to raise your glass to the couple at the end of your toast. It’s considered more polite to raise an empty glass than to not participate at all.
Do’s And Don’ts Of Wedding Toasts
When giving a wedding toast, it’s important to consider what should be included and what should be avoided.
- Begin by catching everyone’s attention in a polite manner. Avoid using methods that can be annoying, such as clinking a glass.
- Keep the toast as short as possible, aim for a maximum of two to three minutes.
- Avoid saying anything that could be considered embarrassing or inappropriate such as swearing, bringing up past relationships, or sharing stories of past failures.
- Speak sincerely and from the heart.
- Remember to raise your glass as you give the toast.
- Practice your toast at home to ensure that you deliver it smoothly.
Wedding toasts are a lovely way to conclude meaningful speeches and can come in various forms, whether it’s witty, humorous, romantic, or traditional. This guide includes tips on how to prepare for giving a wedding toast, whether it’s for the bride and groom, members of the wedding party, parents or other guests. Get inspiration from this post and speak confidently on your special day.
Comments are closed.