Each Wednesday, we tackle wedding etiquette. At times, it’s a reader question or one from a colleague, friend or family member and other times we’ll cover a popular issue. This week, we’re talking toast—well, wedding toasts—with a question from a reader of our print publication, New Orleans Bride Magazine.
Question: I’ve been asked speak at my uncle’s wedding. Can you give me a few tips for giving a great toast?
Answer: First and foremost, when giving a wedding speech, always keep it short and sweet at about three to four minutes (which, depending on the pace at which you speak, is anywhere from 100 to 150 words per minute). Next, keep it about the couple. If you don’t know one of them very well, focus on how happy their betrothed makes them and relate wonderful things they’ve said about him or her, if you can remember and recount it. In other words, don’t make it up. Finally, speak from the heart; don’t tell inside jokes; steer clear of anything raunchy, including four letter words; imbibe after your speech, never before; and practice, practice, practice aloud and often. Good luck!
Do you have a solution to share or a wedding etiquette question? Respond in the comments or email Melanie@MyNewOrleans.com.
For more advice by New Orleans Bride Magazine etiquette columnist Dee Lane, check out her most recent column in the new Winter/Spring 2015 issue or her column from the Summer 2014 issue.
