Congratulations! The Bride and Groom could have picked anyone in the world to stand up at their wedding, and they picked YOU! Let’s work together to help make their wedding the day they have always dreamed about.
Here are some tips for creating and delivering a great toast.
Using the Microphone – Tips and Techniques:
When you receive the handheld microphone it will be ON. Please refrain from doing any mic checks (i.e. “hello, is this thing on”. “test test”, or tapping microphone with your hand). The MC/DJ will be controlling the on/off at the console and you will be formally introduced just before you begin your speech.
Be heard
One of the biggest pitfalls that can be easily avoiding when making a toast is holding the microphone correctly. This will ensure you will be heard. The correct position for a handheld microphone is placing the top of the mic right below your chin, holding at a 45 degree angle. If you hold it more than 3 inches below your chin (or down by your chest) the audio quality will drop significantly and there is a good likelihood others will not hear you clearly. If you have a low projection voice, then try to speak up and make sure people can hear you well.
Delivering the toast
When delivering a wedding toast, the best advice is to just be yourself. And that comes with knowing WHAT you are going to say, and saying it genuinely. Perhaps you want to tell them how you feel about them, or why they are perfect together, or just share a funny story. There are many ideas online that will help get you started. Here are a couple:
www.easyweddingtoasts.com
www.freeweddingtoasts.net
Your talk time.
To help keep the event time line on schedule you will have 2 minutes to deliver your toasts. Surprisingly, a lot can be said in two minutes. Everyone has seen a wedding reception where the toast person rambles on into infinity. This can delay the overall time line and create boredom with guests. We don’t want you to be remembered as that person. Please stay within your time limit.
Reduce anxiety – Rehearse in advance
Although it’s seems less risky to read from notes (cheat sheet), if you’re looking down at notes the entire time, and appear to be reading, it will lose the effect, and the audience will not see you or what you are saying as genuine. It never hurts to rehearse your thoughts out loud before the event. It will help you to be less nervous and show you as a confident and smooth speaker. It’s always a good idea to be prepared!
Avoid heavy drinking.
“Liquid courage” does not make things easier. It may appear to make you feel more relaxed, but the audience can spot an intoxicated toaster a mile away. And everyone has seen the foolish drunken person at a wedding at least once in their life. Don’t let your toast turn out like this guy. If you show up heavily intoxicated you will NOT be asked to offer a toast. The best way to avoid any pre speech anxiety is preparation and rehearsal. If you have said your toast before then when you show up it will become 2nd nature.
Embrace the room
Don’t be afraid to look around, look at the guests, look at the Bride and Groom. Let every one know that you are “inviting” them to listen to you. And SMILE 
Finishing the toast (Very important!):
When you are completed with your speech, ask everyone to RAISE THEIR GLASS in a toast to (NAMES of Bride and Groom). It’s surprising how many people forget to do this. The toast in itself is about raising your glass and then taking a drink as a tribute to the guests of honor. Your toast will be see as more successful when you deliver it correctly and end on a high note!
Final Thoughts
Wishing you the best of luck in creating a moment everyone will remember for the rest of their lives. If you have any questions at all please feel free to contact me directly by phone at 989-372-0008 or email.
At your service,
Robert Lawrence
