Wedding Receptions: Speeches and Toasts

     To give you an idea of what’s expected, here are some typical wedding speakers and whom their speech(es) can honor:

• Sister / The Maid of Honor, speech in honor of Bride/Groom; Groomsmen; Parents of the Bride/Groom

• Brother / The Best Man, speech in honor of Bride/Groom; Parents of the Bride/Groom

• Father / Mother of the Bride, speech in honor of Guests; Grandparents; Bride/Groom

• Father / Mother of the Groom, speech in honor of Guests; Grandparents; Bride/Groom

• Bride, speech in honor of Groom; Maid of Honor; Bridesmaids; Parents of the Bride/Groom and Family; thanks Guests

• Groom, speech in honor of Best Man; Bride; Parents of the Bride/Groom and Family; thanks Guests

• Grandparents, speech in honor of Bride/Groom;

• Other Best Friends, speech in honor of Bride/Groom;

    • Uncles / Aunts / Cousins / Other Relatives, speech in honor of Bride/Groom.

     There is a distinction between a toast and a speech, so be sure to know the difference. If you’ve promised to give a personal speech at a wedding reception, the couple would probably like you to add a toast at the end. If you’ve promised to give a toast, the couple would probably like you to give a personal speech beforehand. If all the aforementioned list are going to speak, ask that speeches be limited to three minutes, and toasts

be briefer (a modern toast lasts less than 30 seconds and gets straight to the point with wit and sincere best wishes).

For more information -- as well as sample speeches and toasts – see the e-books described and available at

http://wedding-toasts.org

http://wedding-speeches.org

Note: you might want to buy these for some of your friends to help them make a better speech or toast. They will be awfully embarrassed if they blow their speech or toast and there screw up lives forever on your wedding video.