Formal Toasts

Do the formal toast immediately after the Grand Entrance.

At no other time during the reception will your guests be more attentive and focused. Your DJ should provide a wireless microphone to allow the toast to be given by the best man and/or maid/matron of honor directly from the head table. Decide if you want others, such as parents or friends, to propose additional toasts. Let your Catering Director know when you plan the toast to allow for timely pouring of the chosen beverage. All too often, the wedding party arrives, is seated and ready to toast and the Best Man realizes he has an empty glass when he holds it up to toast. Also, consider welcoming and thanking your guests prior to or just after the toast. Your guests are still attentive, focused, (and sober) on you and the microphone is available. This is an excellent but often overlooked opportunity to share your thoughts and feelings and thank your guests for attending.

Also, if you have the Best Man and Maid/Matron of Honor both give a toast, it is suggested that you have the person with the more dramatic or comical closing to their speech go last. After all, it is hard to follow a great speech or one that leaves the crowd in stitches when the second person gets up and basically says, "Congrats...here's to you...uh, best of luck in the future".