Diane Warner’s Complete Book of Wedding Toasts
Hundreds of Ways to say “Congratulations!”
By Diane Warner

Introduction

The wedding toast – that poignantly tender gesture proposed to the newlyweds, a mysterious melding of poetry, quotations, prayer, wit, anecdote and heart-rendered sentiment. Why so mysterious? Because the wedding toast has evolved through the years from a simple “To your health and happiness” to a soliloquy that requires personalization, preparation, practice and presentation. It’s enough to scare you half to death! In fact, statistics show that, next to dying, public speaking is most Americans’ greatest fear, and the fear is understandable. After reading this book, however, your fears should be alleviated when you see how easy it really is to compose and deliver your toast.

You may wonder where the tradition of toasting began. Actually, it began under rather nefarious circumstances when the ancient Greeks initiated the art of toasting as a good faith gesture when the host took the first sip, thus assuring the guests that the punch wasn’t spiked with poison, a commonplace occurrence in those days. This is why the most familiar toast heard around the world has always been: “To your health.”

The Romans later discovered that a small piece of charred bread, known as a piece of toast, mellowed the flavor of the wine being proffered, which is not the term “toast” originated. And although wine was the Romans’ toasting beverage of choice, once champagne was invented by the monk Dom Perignon in the 1600s, champagne became the preferred beverage being served when toasting the bride. Champagne is still the most popular beverage served at weddings today, although it is perfectly proper to toast he couple with a nonalcoholic drink.

Whether the toasting beverage contains alcohol or not, however, the important thing to remember is that a wedding toast is the one essential ingredient for any wedding reception. Although the reception may be an elaborate affair with a French-service, sit-down dinner, dancing under the stars to your choice of orchestras and a Fairmont cake presentation complete with spotlights to trumpet fanfare, without the wedding toast, it’s just a very expensive party. The wedding toast is what sets it apart, which is why, if you plan to propose a toast during the reception, you must be prepared.

First of all, let’s look at the etiquette of toasting:

Toasting etiquette:

• Toasts are offered once all the guests have been served drinks, whether with a meal, or, if no meal is served, with the wedding cake.
• The toasting beverage is poured in this order:
  1. The bride.
  2. The groom.
  3. The maid or matron of honor.
  4. All the other guests at the head table, with the best man being the last to receive his beverage.
• The best man usually offers the first toast, followed by the fathers, the groom, the bride, family friends, relatives, maid or matron of honor, the mothers and anyone else who would like to.
• Wedding toasts are usually made to the bride or groom individually, the bride and groom as a couple, the bridesmaids, the bride’s parents and the guests.
• If you’re the one being toasted, never raise your glass or drink from it during the toast itself. It is safe to take a sip, however, once everyone else has done so.
• Always stand when offering a toast.