Toasting Etiquette

This past Saturday, I was featured in an article about Toasting Etiquette for weddings. If you didn't get the chance to see the article in The Hamilton Spectator, you can read it here.

What are my Top 3 Do's & Don't's for toasting at a wedding?

DO

Keep it short. Don’t ramble on, three minutes max. “People have a short attention span as it is.” Five minutes is definitely pushing it. “Rehearse, practice and time yourself.”

Have notes. It seems more natural to just have points of interest to refer back to. “It’s always good to have something written down because your emotions are running high. You don’t want to just fly by the seat of your pants because that’s when the rambling starts.”

Be yourself and be original. Maybe you want to make it rhyme or incorporate a poem that’s fitting. “It shouldn’t be something generic you got online.”


DON’T

Don’t roast the couple. “Keep it classy.” No one wants to hear about an embarrassing moment on such a special occasion. That includes roasting guests, too. “Avoid calling people out on past mistakes in general.”

Don’t toast yourselves. This is more for the bride and groom. If someone says ‘and cheers to the bride and groom” you’re just supposed to just “take it and smile for the cameras.” Do not clap or clink your glasses or raise your glass. “It’s considered poor taste. You’re just supposed to graciously accept the toast.”

Don’t apologize for being nervous. Most people already expect you to be somewhat uncomfortable speaking in front of large groups. “You don’t need to point it out to make it more noticeable.”


Thanks to The Hamilton Spectator and writer Hilary Caton for inviting me to be share my expertise on wedding toasts Do's & Don't's.

*Picture is from Eye Contact Photography of one of our  awesome 2011 couples, Jenn & Stephen.