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Toast

“Success in marriage does not come merely through finding the right mate, but through being the right mate.”
— Barnett R. Brickner (author)

1. Be concise.
   Plan to speak about 2-3 minutes.
2. Speak from the heart.
   Be authentic with your comments and feelings.
3. Have a beginning, middle and end.
   • Introduce yourself.
     Making sure the audience knows you’re the bride’s father is very important.
   • Thank everyone.
     Let them know how special it is that they are there to celebrate the bride & groom’s love.
   • Tell a story about the bride.
     Share a positive part of her character, and what it means to you as a father.
   • Talk about her as a wife.
     Share a story or list of reasons why you feel she will make a great one.
   • Talk about the groom.
     Share a story or list of reasons why the groom is such a good fit for her.
   • Talk about him as a husband.
     Share a story or list of reasons why the groom would make a great one.
   • Offer marriage advice.
     Share something you’ve learned over the years.
   • Ask for support.
     Encourage everyone in the room to support the love they share.
   • Close your toast.
     Ask: “if everyone would please raise their glass to the bride and groom”, and then add your own personal congratulations statement like: “May their love grow stronger each and every day of their lives”. Then, take a big sip.
4. Practice.
   You will be nervous, so be familiar with what you’re going to say.
5. Listen to yourself.
   Critique your toast by listening to a recording of it.
6. Let others help you make it better.
   Get feedback from someone you know will give you honest criticism.
7. Bring notes.
   Use them only if you really need them.