While there’s not a hard set rule on when and who should speak at your wedding, we do find the length, placement and quantity of toasts to be an important factor in creating the flow of the evening as well as maintaining guest’s engagement and energy. Below are just a few details to keep in mind as you plan toasts from your nearest and dearest on the wedding night:
WELCOME TOAST
Who // The host of the party often gives the welcome toast. This is typically the parents of either the bride or the groom or when there are multiple hosts, we recommend having one set give the welcome toast and the second set of parents to give the final toast at the end of dinner.
When // We love having the welcome toast right after the grand entrance or first dance. The audience is captive and ready to give their full attention.
Length // As a general rule, anything more than three to five minutes tends to get a bit long winded for guests who may or may not be close to the speaker.
WEDDING PARTY TOASTS
Who // Typically the Best Man and Maid of Honor
When // We personally like to see these toasts broken up courses. So once the salad is dropped, ask the Best Man to say a few words. Then after the entree, do the same for the Maid of Honor.
Length // Three to five minutes is the goal
ADDITIONAL PARENT’S TOASTS
Who // The other set of parents who didn’t speak during the welcome toast.
When // As soon as the dessert course is dropped or right before the band opens the dance floor
Length // Three to five minutes or even less as guests will begin to get toast fatigue at this time and be ready to hit the dance floor.
THE COUPLE’S TOAST
Who // The couple of honor, of course!
When // Cake Cutting
Length // While everyone is there to revel in your moment, we still recommend three to five minutes here so guests can get back to celebrating.
OTHER
Who // Siblings, Other members of the wedding party, Step parents who play a secondary role to bioligical parents, grandparents, etc.
When // Rehearsal Dinner or Welcome Party
Length // While we still maintain that guest’s attention wanders after a few minutes, if having these toasts on an evening where dinner and toasting is the main priority, allowing these toasts to go a bit longer is perfectly fine in our opinion.
