Wedding Toast Examples
By Dylan Hattem, author of The Wedding Speech Crisis · 5 min read
Not every toast needs to be a five-minute speech. Parents, siblings, rehearsal dinner speakers and surprise toasters often need something short, warm and specific.
Here are original examples you can adapt. Swap in your own detail. That one specific detail is what makes a toast memorable.
Father of the bride toast
Good evening, everyone. I'm Tom, Kate's dad. On behalf of our whole family, thank you for being here, and to the Millers, thank you for raising a son we're proud to call family.
When Kate was six, she announced she'd marry someone who could beat her at chess. Many tried. Most lost. Then Will came along. He didn't beat her. He asked her to teach him. And he still plays every Sunday, and still loses.
That's when I knew he understood her. Will, welcome to the family.
Please join me: to Kate and Will.
Mother of the groom toast
Hi, everyone. I'm Linda, Michael's mom. Michael, you've always had the biggest heart in every room. Watching you with Sarah, I see that heart has found its match.
Sarah, thank you for loving him, and for the way you make our whole family laugh. We're so lucky to have you.
To Michael and Sarah. May your home always be full of love and very good food. Cheers!
Sibling toast
I'm Ava, the groom's sister. For twenty-eight years, I've been the one who knows all of Jake's secrets. Tonight I'm officially passing that job to Mia. Good luck, and thank you for making my brother so happy. To Jake and Mia!
Rehearsal dinner toast
I'm Ryan, and I've known Leah since college. Tomorrow is about vows and big moments. Tonight I just want to say: I've watched you two turn a tiny apartment, two cats and a lot of takeout into the happiest home I know. I can't wait to celebrate you tomorrow. To Leah and Omar!
Last-minute toast (when someone hands you the mic)
Use a simple three-line formula: who you are, one specific thing you love about the couple, and the toast.
Hi, I'm Dana. I work with Chris. Every Monday, Chris tells us about the weekend he and Taylor had, and every Monday it sounds better than ours. You two clearly know how to enjoy life together. To Chris and Taylor!
Simple closing lines for a wedding toast
- "Please raise your glasses to [names], and to a lifetime of [your theme]."
- "To the two people who make love look easy. Cheers!"
- "May your love be as [specific trait] as you both are. To [names]!"
- "To [names]: here's to the adventure you're starting tonight."