When the wedding DJ hands you the microphone to give the toast at your best friend’s wedding reception, the last thing you want to do is succumb to the popular fear of public speaking. Instead of thinking about how many people are listening to you talk, focus on having a meaningful moment with the bride and groom. Look at them as you speak. But before the moment arrives, have a plan about what you will say. Don’t assume you will remember everything you want to say. Write it down for good measure.

Memories

When you sit down to write the toast, start by making a list of some of your favorite memories with both the bride, the groom, and the two of them together. Choose a couple of your favorites. As you choose, keep the following thoughts in mind:

  • Inside jokes are great for one-on-one settings but not for a room full of people who weren’t there and won’t appreciate feeling left out. If you want to tell a funny story, tell one that everyone can understand. And by all means, don’t start laughing too soon or nobody will be able to understand the punch line.
  • As fun as it may be to take this opportunity to roast the groom (or the bride for that matter), keep in mind that his grandmother and new mother-in-law are in the room, too. Keep it classy.
  • Add sincere moments you cherish to the memories, too, not just the silly stuff.

Talk about the couple’s journey together

Relationships are never the stuff of fairy tales. Share some of how you’ve seen this couple overcome difficulties, care for each other in crisis, or learn the hard way how other boyfriends or girlfriends weren’t “the one.” You may be a lifelong friend (or sibling) of either the bride or the groom but their wedding day is about their life together, not their life with you. How do their strengths balance each other? Are they better together? How so?

Dreams

If you could script this couple’s future, what would you include? Talk about what you wish for them: health, wealth, happiness, children, adventure, laughter, contentment, peace, etc. Speak this to the couple by saying, “I wish you ________ for your future together. Here’s to the happy couple.”

Practice

Practice reciting the toast before the actual moment. Expect emotions to be high on the day of the wedding. Also, if you’ve never spoken into a microphone before, anticipate it being a bit awkward to hear your own voice. Practicing the toast ahead of time ensures you remember what you want to say and can say it without stumbling over your words too much. (Side note: nobody will judge you if you use notecards to give your toast. They might, however, judge you for talking too long. Keep it short and sweet.)

Presentation

Our San Antonio wedding DJs will show the best man how and where to hold the microphone for the toast. This will allow for the best sound and so he looks his best for pictures.

Don’t forget to raise your glass!

You’d be surprised how many toasts end without reminding listeners to raise their glass to the new couple. Raise your glass to wedded bliss and say, “Cheers!”