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Wedding Toast Examples

A guest's wedding toast should last about a minute. Here is a simple shape, four short examples and eight closing lines you can borrow.

Write your ownRead the examples

A wedding toast is not a speech. It is a short, warm moment between the meal and the dancing, and the person giving it is usually a guest, not a member of the wedding party. You don't need to say everything. You need to say one true thing, kindly, and then ask people to raise their glasses.

The usual mistake is trying to be too clever. A toast that starts with a long joke and ends with a rush to sit down leaves the couple with very little. A toast with a clear opening, one honest line about the couple and a good closing line is more than enough.

Keep it between thirty seconds and two minutes. Stand, smile, pause, speak slowly, then lift your glass. The four examples below cover the most common guest roles: a friend, a coworker, a cousin and a host of the rehearsal dinner. All names are invented. If you have a larger role, such as best man or maid of honor, see our best man speech and maid of honor speech pages.

How to structure a short wedding toast

Five quick steps, about a minute in all.

  1. Get attention. Stand, smile and wait a few seconds for the room to settle. Then say something like, "Can I have everyone's attention for a moment?" Five seconds.
  2. Say who you are. Give your name and how you know the couple in one sentence. This takes about ten seconds, or 20 words.
  3. One honest line about each of them. Say one true thing about the first person and one about the second. Keep each to a sentence. About 20 seconds, or 45 words.
  4. A wish. Share a simple wish for their life together: laughter, patience, a home full of friends. About 10 seconds.
  5. The toast. Ask everyone to raise a glass, say the couple's names and a short closing line. Sit down right after. Ten seconds.

Wedding Toast examples

These 4 complete, original speeches for the wedding toast use invented names. Copy one, swap in your own details, and read it aloud with a timer.

Toast from a friend of the couple (1 to 2 minutes)

Heartfelt · 1 to 2 minutes · about 171 words

Suits: A friend who knows one or both of the couple well and wants a warm, short toast.

Hello, everyone. Could I have your attention for a moment? I'm Leo, and I'm lucky to be a friend of Ana and Greg. I promise this will be short, because the food is getting cold and the music is getting ready.

I've known Ana for a long time, and she has always been the friend who remembers. She remembers the birthdays, the bad days and the names of your cousins. And since Greg came along, I've seen her relax. She laughs more easily. She seems lighter. That's his doing, and we're grateful.

Greg, you've always been the steady one in any room. You say little, and when you speak it matters. Ana, you've always known how to draw him out. Together you make something warm that all of us want to stand near.

My wish for you is easy. Keep being kind to each other on the ordinary days. Keep laughing at the same things. And keep inviting us to dinner.

Everyone, please raise a glass. To Ana and Greg. Cheers.

It praises each person in one sentence and keeps the focus on the couple. Replace the "remembers" line with one thing you really know about your friend.

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Toast from a coworker (1 to 2 minutes)

Short & classy · 1 to 2 minutes · about 172 words

Suits: A coworker who knows one half of the couple from work and wants a professional, warm toast.

Good evening, everyone. I'm Priti. I work with Jordan, and I'm very happy to be here to celebrate with Jordan and Mei.

Working with someone is a good way to get to know them. You see them on busy days and calm days. I can tell you that Jordan is thoughtful, fair and a pleasure to work alongside. People in our office come to Jordan when they want a straight answer given kindly.

We've also heard a lot about Mei. Jordan lights up when she comes up in conversation. We don't hear it in a boastful way. It's quieter than that. It's the way someone speaks when they are very settled and very glad. It is lovely to see.

Jordan and Mei, on behalf of all of us at work, thank you for including us today. We wish you a life that is as steady and as warm as you both seem to be.

Please join me. To Jordan and Mei. To good teamwork, at home as well as everywhere else. Cheers.

It stays respectful and avoids anything private, which suits a mixed audience of family and colleagues. Replace the office line with a quality you have genuinely seen at work.

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Toast from a cousin (1 to 2 minutes)

Funny · 1 to 2 minutes · about 175 words

Suits: A cousin who grew up around the bride or groom and wants a light, family-style toast.

Hi, everyone. I'm Caleb, Hallie's cousin. That means I've known her since we were both too small to be trusted with a microphone, and here I am with one.

Growing up, family gatherings were where Hallie and I became partners in mischief. She was the one with the ideas and I was the one who got blamed. I've forgiven her. Mostly. What I remember most is how much she made everyone laugh, and how she always made sure the youngest cousin had a seat at the table.

Tom, you've joined a big, loud family, and you've handled it with more grace than most of us manage. You've survived the holiday dinners, the group photos and the long arguments about who is related to whom. I think that proves you're ready for anything.

Hallie, I'm so happy for you. You've found someone who fits in with all of us, and who fits with you even better.

Everyone, please raise your glass. To Hallie and Tom. Welcome to the family, Tom. There's no turning back now. Cheers.

Family jokes are gentle and general, and the welcome to the new spouse lands warmly. Swap the "partners in mischief" line for a real shared memory if you have one.

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Rehearsal dinner host toast (1 to 2 minutes)

Sentimental · 1 to 2 minutes · about 187 words

Suits: A parent or relative hosting the night before the wedding and welcoming both families.

Good evening, everyone. I'm Frank, and with my wife Joan we're delighted to host you tonight. Thank you for traveling, for rearranging your plans and for being here the night before such an important day.

I want to say a few words to the two families. Tonight is the first time many of us have all been in the same room. I'm glad. When two families sit down together, something quiet begins. We start to share stories, and soon we share a table, and then a history.

Ella and Noah, we've watched you grow into your lives together. Tomorrow you'll say your vows in front of the people who love you. Tonight we simply want to say that we're proud of you both, and we're glad you found each other.

I remember when this was only an idea, a name mentioned over a phone call. Now it is a wedding, and a new family, and a long evening full of people who care. That's a good thing to be part of.

Please raise your glasses. To Ella and Noah. To both our families. And to tomorrow. Cheers.

It welcomes both families, keeps the tone warm and sets up the wedding day without overshadowing it. Swap the "phone call" line for one real detail about how the couple's story began.

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Write your own

Add the couple's names and one detail you know to be true, and get a short toast you can say in a minute.

1. What kind of speech?
2. The basics
Pronouns
3. Stories and qualities

One or two sentences each is plenty. Leave a box empty and the draft uses a general line instead.

Pick up to three qualities
4. Tone and length

Your draft appears here

Answer a few questions and press Build my speech. A 1 to 2 minute draft is free and shown in full. You can edit every paragraph, shuffle any section and copy the result.

Do

  • Stay between thirty seconds and two minutes.
  • Say your name and how you know the couple.
  • Mention both people in the couple, not only the one you know best.
  • Speak slowly and stop when the toast is done.
  • Keep your glass in hand and raise it at the end.
  • Write the closing line on a card so you will not forget it.

Don’t

  • Don't tell long stories. This is a toast, not a speech.
  • Don't mention exes, past relationships or money.
  • Don't use inside jokes that most guests would not understand.
  • Don't speak if you are very nervous and haven't practiced. A shorter toast is better than a rushed one.
  • Don't ramble at the end. Finish clearly and sit down.

8 short toast closing lines

  • "To Ana and Greg. May every year be a little better than the last."
  • "To the happy couple. May your home be full of laughter and good company."
  • "To Jordan and Mei. Here's to a lifetime of good mornings."
  • "To love that listens, and to two people who do it so well."
  • "To Hallie and Tom. May your table always have room for one more."
  • "To the bride and groom. To today, and to every ordinary day after it."
  • "To Ella and Noah. Wishing you patience, joy and plenty of dancing."
  • "Everyone, glasses up. To the couple, and to the people who love them."

Giving a toast without notes

If you are asked to speak with no warning, use three sentences. One about how you know the couple. One true thing about them. One wish. Then raise your glass. It is enough. If you have time to prepare, the speech builder gives a free 1 to 2 minute draft you can trim, and our general speech guide covers pacing and practice.

Free and paid

Build and read a draft for your wedding toast before you decide anything.

A 1 to 2 minute draft is free; longer drafts, printing and reading cards are paid. See pricing.

More speech guides

Questions

How long should a wedding toast be?

One to two minutes is ideal, which is about 130 to 260 words. A toast shorter than a minute is also welcome. If you go past two minutes, you are probably giving a speech.

Who gives a wedding toast?

Anyone who is invited and asked, or who arranges it beforehand. Traditionally the best man, maid of honor and parents speak. Friends, relatives and the rehearsal dinner host often add a short toast too.

What is the difference between a toast and a speech?

A toast is short and ends with raising glasses. A speech is longer, with stories and several parts. A toast needs one idea, a wish and a closing line.

Do I need to prepare a wedding toast?

Yes, even a little. Write three or four sentences and say them aloud once or twice. A prepared minute is far better than an improvised five.

How should I end a toast?

Ask people to raise their glasses, say the couple's names and use a short line such as "Cheers" or "To the happy couple". Then drink and sit down.