So you've spent some time and frustration concerning your big day and it's time to thank your guests for coming to celebrate the two of you. Sure, the best man will be there to speak on your behalf, but let's face it, they are not their because of the best man. They are there for you, the bride and groom, so it's time we get a little courageous and raise a toast to not only yourselves, but to the guests who came! There is nothing better than setting a party into motion than having the guests of honor take a little lime-light to close the toasts.

Why Should the Bride and Groom Make a Toast?

Well why not? After all everyone that is going to be there has come for the two of you. Showing some gratitude is also very important. If you don't take the few seconds to thank the guests for coming, your friends, family and everyone that flew from out of town just to see you, you might have some regret in the future. The next day you may think, "I wish I had time to thank everyone for making our wedding day so special". It is also highly recommended by wedding professionals. Remember, if it is going to ruin your day being that you really aren't one to speak in a microphone, then pass on the idea.

How Do I Cope With The Anxiety?

The best advice one could take for speaking to a public audience, is to have practiced the speech (best place would be alone in your car) that is impromptu but reviews the main points that you would like to convey. Practice saying the key points that you would like to say to your guests several different ways. Don't read anything, as this is even more difficult when under pressure and it will not come across half as clear or confident. You have to sound like you mean what you are saying, not like a newscaster with a teleprompter.

How Do I Break the Ice?

Laughter! When in doubt, make people laugh. You don't have to go too deep into a joke or routine and you definitely don't have to be Mr. & Mrs. Charisma to get your point across, but something silly or off the wall or maybe even a reflection of a funny moment from the wedding day will be a great to break the ice and get the guests involved in the wedding day. Something the two of you have done together could be interesting, or saying something that really shows people the relationship the two of you have will also suffice.

What Do I Say?

The main point you want to convey is that you are thankful they have all come to celebrate the two of you. Start by thanking the families and your in-laws, then move on to the guests and be sure to point out anyone who point an exceptional amount of effort in to make it a special day. You don't want to get carried away, but you also want to be thorough. Lastly, you want to toast your new wife or husband. Avoid any inside jokes or embarrassing moments. You want to keep it appropriate and mature because this moment could come to back to haunt you if you don't!

When Do I Give My Toast

The classic San Diego Wedding itinerary is placing toasts after dinner, but prior to the first dance. It is important to have the toasts as almost an emotional build up leading into the first dance. The silence that is maintained throughout the toast is the perfect transition into the first dance. As far as when in the toast order, you would typically want to speak at the end of all of the toasts. This way, you can have some freedom as to how long your speech is and exactly what you want to say. Tradition is beginning with the best man, so you would want to maintain this format and close to the toast.