Wedding toast help

[VaSteve]

Zman you might have met him...you all work at the same company.

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

But maybe a no comedy rule is a better...

Some comedy is essential for the best man's speech IMO. The other ones can be serious.

[72doug2,2S]

Originally Posted by dhoward

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

Well that is a little rude. Where's the honor?

How about this.

"A wedding is an honorable thing.
Please raise your glass to honor.
Gett'n on her and stay'n on her."

[notfarnow]

Originally Posted by Dottore

Some comedy is essential for the best man's speech IMO. The other ones can be serious.

I agree. However, I've been to weddings where the best man's speech goes too far on the raunchy side, with the aim to embarrass the groom. There is a time and place for that, and it's not necessarily in front of a mixed crowd of friends and relatives.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by 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.

This sound great.

Are you or do you have any friends that are Apple savvy? I have a friend that can throw together a show like Seahawk describes in a sort time on his Apple laptop(or could be done in powerpoint).

[Rick Lee]

I went to one where they had one of those digital picture frames that runs an ongoing slideshow loop. I don't recall being asked to submit anything, but there were a lot of the groom and me (many ripcording Pabst pounders at concert tailgate parties and a few of our canary-colored police citations) and there was always a crowd standing in front of it, watching the slideshow. Might not do for a toast speech, but it was a big hit.

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

This sound great.

Are you or do you have any friends that are Apple savvy? I have a friend that can throw together a show like Seahawk describes in a sort time on his Apple laptop(or could be done in powerpoint).

This sounds like the best technical solution and reduces the stress of too much public speaking. You should have given yourself more time to set something up though!However it is still not too late.

[andyt11]

Originally Posted by notfarnow

I agree. However, I've been to weddings where the best man's speech goes too far on the raunchy side, with the aim to embarrass the groom. There is a time and place for that, and it's not necessarily in front of a mixed crowd of friends and relatives.

It will be a mixed crowd and you need to be mindful of that. However the best mans speech must include humour. That's your job. Just have boundaries. One topic that is definitely off the cards is mentioning any other woman in his past. It wont be funny, no one will laugh.

I heard another good line this year actually. The bestman told the bride and groom he had been searching for pointers for his speech on the internet, and had stumbled across an interesting fact. He told them to hold hands, turn to each other and gaze longingly into each others eyes. When they did this he pointed out that statistically speaking, they are now looking at the person most likely to murder them.

He was on the fence about that one, but he did it and it got a lot of laughs.

[Z-man]

Originally Posted by VaSteve

Zman you might have met him...you all work at the same company.

Then being familiar with your brother and the number of powerpoint presentations he endures, he would definately get a kick out of that type of toast! (The folks from our parent company here are well known for their overly-complex and extremely long pp presentations.)

The trick would be to tie in business 'buzz words/sldies' into something your brother and new bride can relate to (ex: project analysis becomes how your brother decided to ask his lady to become his bride; project time-line can be used to outline various stages in their relationship; project start date becomes the date of the marriage)

Since you are comfortable with PP, even if you don't use a presentation in the end, it may be a good way to structure your toast...

You can have some fun with this, I'm sure...
-Z

[sammyg2]

Wedding toast help

You don't serve toast at a wedding, you serve wedding cake.
Glad I could help, that could have been really embarrasing!

[944Larry]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

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.

This is excellent advice. I had a buddy get involved with them and it led to him doing some TV commercials and small parts in some movies. Really won't work for me as I have to travel a lot in my work so I'll just do what I've done my whole life-BS my way through it. I have actually been a best man twice before and I swear I can't remember having to give any kind of speech or toast. Of course I was a LOT younger and there was much drinking involved. If I gave a speech only God knows what was said. Maybe that explains why some people avoid me!

[Head416]

Play up the bride was good advice.

Best thing that's ever happened to him, happiest you've ever seen him, so glad to have you in our family = win

Throw in some sappy "love you bro" and you're good to go. Add humor to the above for icing.

[gtc]

This was my formula a week ago:
1. Introduce yourself / Welcome the guests
2. Thank/compliment the bride
3. Groom-related funny story or joke
4. Heartfelt/mushy stuff
5. Toast the bride and groom

Don't worry about your jokes being super funny. Everyone else should be liquored up by that point, so everything will seem funnier to them. Also, don't use jokes from the net, as they're all recycled and dumb anyways. And keep it short.

I am the worst public speaker ever, and I managed to pull it off.
If I can do it, so can you.

[MysticLlama]

Originally Posted by gtc

This was my formula a week ago:
1. Introduce yourself / Welcome the guests
2. Thank/compliment the bride
3. Groom-related funny story or joke
4. Heartfelt/mushy stuff
5. Toast the bride and groom

Don't worry about your jokes being super funny. Everyone else should be liquored up by that point, so everything will seem funnier to them. Also, don't use jokes from the net, as they're all recycled and dumb anyways. And keep it short.

I am the worst public speaker ever, and I managed to pull it off.
If I can do it, so can you.

Quoted for truth, it was my wedding, and this part was great.

[VaSteve]

Toast went well enough. I found the Matron of honor had a full typd up speech and most people were waiting to hear it. Mine was all off he cuff, I realized I started to choke up a bit. I was able to pull out a couple of joke and a good inside gag with me and my brother and I was done. Probably 1:00 total. Good with me and he couple had a good time.

[nostatic]

I hope it started with, "well back when I was banging his now new-to-him wife..."

[VaSteve]

It didn't. It was very short and I was surprised to find myself choking up. Perhaps it was the alcohol, and the videographers lights in my eyes.

[vash]

Don't forget to introduce yourself.

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by vash

Don't forget to introduce yourself.

Too late, it's over now.