Wedding toast help

[VaSteve]

My brother is getting married this weekend and I as the best man and supposed to give a toast. Alltough I have done presentations to a lot of peerless for work, Im not crazy about getting up in front of my family (nor her family) who I don't know and giving he toast. I'd like to keep it short, but I don't know what to say...

Advice?

Or better this could be a collaborative effort and everyone here can write something and I'll print it out and read it.

Thanks all.

[azasadny]

It's easy... just speak from the heart, keep it simple and short... No long stories or anything like that. Just speak from the heart and laugh a little!

[Joe Bob]

https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=0&oq=wedding+t&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADRA_enUS425US425&q=wedding+toasts&gs_upl=0l0l0l6359lllllllllll0&aqi=g4

Everting be on de 'net....

[Zeke]

"I'd like to toast my brother, his new bride and may they have all the happiness in the world."

Don't need to be funny or cute. Let the others who follow do that.

[JavaBrewer]

Yes best man toast should be heartfelt...don't worry about funny. Critical is to include the bride in someway...if you don't know her well then ask your brother. DO NOT FORGET TO MENTION THE BRIDE!!!

[pete3799]

Originally Posted by Zeke

"I'd like to toast my brother, his new bride and may they have all the happiness in the world."

You where at my brothers wedding?

[Rick Lee]

This is all you need.

Spaulding get your foot off the boat! - YouTube

[fastfredracing]

The last one I had to do, I just got good and hammered up , and let it fly.

[andyt11]

Are we talking about the best mans speech? As in "the toast to the groom", or are we just talking about raising a glass and offering a toast?

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Bride FIRST!!!!

I am proud to welcome ........ to our family! I wish her and my brother all the happiness this world has to offer!

[VaSteve]

Are we talking about the best mans speech? As in "the toast to the groom", or are we just talking about raising a glass and offering a toast?

Uh, I don't know.

I'm the best man, as my brother was at my wedding 10 years ago. He probably spoke off the cuff...he can do that. I need my powerpoints. But I appreciate the advice....short, leave the comedy to others, bride first...good stuff.

[944Larry]

I've got to do this in April myself. I don't want to do it either. Why can't they just elope and make it easy!!! I'll be watching this post as they probably won't run off and I'll have to do it. So you guys are helping 2 of us. I know, it's selfish, but I still don't like it.

[Dottore]

Practises may differ - but in my experience the Best Man's speech is one of two or three key speeches at the wedding.

Its usually the funny one. Can even be a bit ribald. And it is usually prepared with some care.

Rent " Four Weddings & a Funeral" for some nice examples.

[Z-man]

Originally Posted by VaSteve

Uh, I don't know.

I'm the best man, as my brother was at my wedding 10 years ago. He probably spoke off the cuff...he can do that. I need my powerpoints. But I appreciate the advice....short, leave the comedy to others, bride first...good stuff.

Powerpoints! That's funny! Actually, I would suggest you work that into your toast somehow. For example,

- You can start with, "You will have to excuse me, but as some of you may know, I am lost without my powerpoint slides..."

- You can start with "On the first slide, we can see how the demographics come into play...oh wait -- wrong speech!"

- If you want to be really creative, you can give your toast via powerpoint! Why not? Most DJ's these days have AV systems that would allow you to plug in a laptop. Ex: as part of your presentation, you can bring up two separate pie charts that represent your bro and his bride's lives, and then animate them to come together as a heart. (Sappy, I know, but effective) You can have two bar charts that merge into a house and say that the two of them alone is just data, but together, they become a home.

If you use the third toast, you would be more comfortable giving the toast, and if you do it right, you can have a humorous and heart felt toast that will be remembered by all.

Just my $0.42,
-Z-man.

PS: Is this your brother that I have met in the past up north? If so, given where he works, he would totally understand the powerpoint toast!

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by 944Larry

I've got to do this in April myself. I don't want to do it either. Why can't they just elope and make it easy!!! I'll be watching this post as they probably won't run off and I'll have to do it. So you guys are helping 2 of us. I know, it's selfish, but I still don't like it.

April is not too late to do something about it. Go to a local Toastmasters club in your area as a guest. Tell them your situation and you can speak on your first meeting. It eventually becomes fun. Practice makes perfect! As for Vasteve, write out your speech, it is not too late! Practice in front of a mirror about 30 times.Commit the speech to memory. A couple of stiff drinks before the speech (but please find a designated driver). After it is all over consider enrolling in Toastmasters because another "event" will come up.

[dhoward]

"Here's to the cut that never heals, the more you rub it, the better it feels."

[andyt11]

Originally Posted by Dottore

Practises may differ - but in my experience the Best Man's speech is one of two or three key speeches at the wedding.

Yes, the best mans speech is basically a grilling of the groom. Some funny stories about you guys as kids, something embarrassing that he did in years gone by all wrapped up to I love you guys, your new bride is wonderful, welcome to the family etc etc....

My brother was the best man at my wedding. He started with the classic line...

"Being asked to do the best man's speech is a bit like being asked to sleep with the Queen. It's a tremendous honour, but no one really wants to do it".

he then continued with

"I was actually suprised when Andy asked me. He knows I've been married four years and no longer have a voice".


Once you get a couple of laughs you'll be fine. A couple of stories and a welcome to the family and your done. Lots of websites out there to help with this too.

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by andyt11

"Being asked to do the best man's speech is a bit like being asked to sleep with the Queen. It's a tremendous honour, but no one really wants to do it".

.

Great line.

[Seahawk]

Powerpoint is an interesting take.

One of the best toasts I have heard at a wedding was just last year. The best man had the lights dimmed and a few minute video, narrated by him started.

Very well done...pictures of the two of them as kids, teenagers and adults all with great stories woven in. Old girlfriend pics, etc. Some old videos as well.

Finished with pictures of the couple when they first met, engagement stuff, etc.

When the lights came up he welcomed the bride to the family and told his brother how much he loved him.

It was great. Very smooth and professional.

[scottmandue]

+1 on toastmaster... and the power point... I think the PP could be hilarious!

But maybe a no comedy rule is a better... depending on your brothers sense of humor.