Has it ever occurred to you that giving a toast is like giving a compliment?
Author: NiamhHas it ever occurred to you that giving a toast is like giving a compliment? Whether it’s a wedding toast or a birthday toast or a toast to Christmas it usually comes as the ending to a short speech. Quite often that speech is very personal and, of course, that’s how it should be. After all if you have been asked to toast the couple or the birthday boy it must be assumed that you know them well.
So your speech can contain little anecdotes about their past. You can speak about their kindness or generosity or how much fun they are. Quite often speakers do all this very well but then end with a traditional, but perhaps boring toast, such as simply saying, “The Bride and groom!”
So choose or write a personal toast. Search through books of toasts or the internet for ones that would relate to the couple or to that birthday boy. Find a piece of poetry that is appropriate to the person or people you are toasting. It’s all about making them feel special. It’s about choosing words that have a meaning for them. It’s about giving a memory. Whatever about that proverbial ship don’t spoil a speech for a ha’pworth of tar.
Check out our sample speeches


