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Updated Oct 14, 2024How to Give the Ultimate Toast From the Newlyweds
Let your guests know exactly how much they mean to you.
There's an order of events regarding who grabs the mic at a wedding. You have the maid of honor, the best man, and one or more parents of the couple. Maybe a sibling decides to raise a hand to speak. But what about a toast from the bride and groom?
The experts agree: absolutely! "Guests love to hear from the newlyweds and it's a perfect opportunity to thank everyone for coming, welcome them to the reception, and more personally invite them to enjoy the celebration," says Cindy Savage, owner, wedding planner and officiant at Aisle Less Traveled based in Seattle.
Among the many wedding toasts, a few words from the newlyweds go a long way to express how incredibly grateful they are for all of the guests who traveled from near and far to be with them on their big day. It doesn't have to be long—short and sweet is all you need (and we've got examples!). Plus, if you don't like public speaking, you don't have to worry. You've got a built-in partner in this one.
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From figuring out the wedding speech order to brainstorming exactly what you want to say when your time comes, here's everything you need to know about planning a toast from the newlyweds.
In this article:
Does the Newlyweds Make a Toast?
While it's not an expectation that the newlyweds will make a toast or that you'll have a
groom speech or bride speech, it's a lovely gesture that expresses their appreciation for their guests both on the day and in a broader sense.
"Weddings and marriages don't take place in a vacuum. Your community of friends and family are the ones you'll turn to in tough times as well as who you'll share all the happy moments ahead with," Savage says. "Take a moment to acknowledge what they mean to you and how they've helped shape who you are as a couple."
She explains that a toast from the bride and groom or the newlyweds typically happens immediately before dinner. It should include a message welcoming the guests to the celebration and thanking them for being there, as well as a cheerful direction to enjoy the party.
Wedding Toast Samples From the Newlyweds
Putting together a wedding toast doesn't have to be complicated, and there's an easy formula to make sure it resonates with your people. Steven Greitzer, CEO and founder of Provenance, explains, "Keep it short, sweet and full of gratitude. Start with a warm thank you, include a personal touch—like a fun memory from planning or a shoutout to those who traveled far—and wrap up with a toast to love and celebration."
Most importantly? While you can touch on references to specific people and groups, try not to dwell on inside jokes. "Any toast needs to be understood by everyone," says Christopher Shelley, wedding celebrant and author at Illuminating Ceremonies in New York City.
Want a few ideas to get started? Here are examples from Shelley and Greitzer of great couples' wedding toasts.
Funny Toast Samples From the Newlyweds
"To all of you who bought us things from our registry, we love you very much. To those of you who gave us crypto: you can see yourselves out." – Shelley
"We are so grateful to all of you for being with us today and for not being with us during our honeymoon. We promise we will spend our refractory time thinking back on this wonderful night." – Shelley
"They say it takes a village, and looking around, we can confirm—it took all of you (and some very strong cocktails) to get us here today. Cheers to the best wedding crew ever!" – Greitzer
Short Toast Samples From the Newlyweds
"You are a part of who we are, you are who we want to be, and you are always in our hearts." – Shelley
"Good friends, good meat...good God, let's eat." – Shelley
"The best things in life are meant to be shared—love, laughter and a great party. So let's raise a glass to all three. Cheers!" – Greitzer
Classic Toast Samples From the Newlyweds
"We always dreamed of the perfect wedding, but the truth is, the perfect wedding is just being surrounded by the people we love most. Thank you for being here—let's celebrate!" – Greitzer
"To old friends, new family and a night we'll never forget—cheers!" – Greitzer
"Today is the start of a new chapter, but the best stories are the ones shared with the people we love. Thank you for being part of our story—tonight and always. Cheers to the adventures ahead!" – Greitzer
Newlywed Toast Advice
Want a little guidance on how to write the ultimate newlywed toast? Here are a few tips that will help you nail the timing, content and exactly who should be given a shoutout on the big day.
Consider a Toast at the Rehearsal Dinner or Farewell Brunch
Don't want the pressure of giving a newlywed reception toast? You can also give a toast at the rehearsal dinner, during welcome drinks or even at the farewell brunch. It will still have the same impact, but you won't find yourself focusing on it while you should be in the moment.
Give People a Shoutout
The newlywed toast is a good time to specifically call out guests who've traveled particularly far or anyone who was instrumental in making the day happen. "Shout out to parents who may have helped pay for it, the wedding party who planned with you or worked on your DIY projects, a loved one who officiated your ceremony, or a friend who gifted you their time and talents to make decorations or put on a musical performance," Savage says.
For a small wedding, Shelley notes that you can give each loved one a few words. For his own wedding of 30 people, he says, "We toasted each of them individually, in as few words as possible, clearly stating what they meant to us."
Put People Into Groups
People love to feel seen, and Shelley recommends briefly addressing groups of friends and family from different eras of your life. "Address sections by family, work friends, fellow alumni, etc., finding jokes for each group," Shelley says.
Start With a Roast, End With a Toast
Shelley explains that a little roast at the beginning, followed by a heartwarming toast, is often the best approach. Don't go too far into inside jokes, but it's always a nice moment when people feel like they're getting a special nod in a big crowd. End with a wedding thank you speech to make people feel appreciated.
Lean on Others for the Right Words
Not quite sure what to say? There are tools to help you find just the right words. Check out Provenance to help you write your toast based on your own stories and memories. It's something you can easily cross off your to-do list without stressing for days looking at a blank page.
