Wedding Etiquette
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Wedding Etiquette - Who Toasts Who and When?
Wedding Etiquette
A Guide to Wedding Toasts
Traditionally, when the bride and groom are wedding planning, an important part of the wedding reception will be the speeches. Who will say what and when? Eric's guidance to 'who does what and when' is essential to comply with formal wedding customs when it comes to the wedding speeches.
The formal order of speakers at the wedding reception is:
Introduced by the toastmaster or the master of ceremonies
- father of the bride,
- the groom
- the best man
The bride and groom will decide on the toastmaster or the master of ceremonies who is usually a trained Professional and a member of a recognised Guild or Association, like Eric Gill, member of the National Association of Toastmasters, a society that is considered the best in the business.
Although not really the custom in the UK, the groom's father, the bride and the chief bridesmaid may also present speeches. If so, then the order of speeches should be:
- Introductions by the toastmaster or the master of ceremonies
- father of the bride
- father of the groom
- the groom
- the bride
- the best man
- the chief bridesmaid
The Toastmaster or Master of Ceremonies
The toastmaster or the master of ceremonies will announce the commencement of the speeches. Speeches are traditionally commenced following the meal at the wedding reception. However, in today's ever changing world they are often being presented before the wedding breakfast
.
The Father of the Bride traditionally has the first opportunity for a wedding speech. The bride may also choose a close family friend to say a few words.
Wedding etiquette suggests that the father of the bride should thank all the guests for coming and participating in the wedding ceremony. The father of the bride will compliment the bride and welcome the new son-in-law into the family. A thank you to all those who assisted with the cost of the wedding can also be added in this speech.
The father of the bride will share a sense of pride towards the bride and may add an anecdote from the bride's childhood. The father of the bride will wish the newlyweds much happiness in the future and will finish the speech with a toast to the bride and groom..
The toastmaster or master of ceremonies will now introduce the next wedding speech.
The Bridegroom will reply to the father of the brides' toast on behalf of himself and his new wife. The bridegroom's speech will thank the father of the bride for his toast and also thank the guests for participating in the wedding ceremony. The groom is also traditionally expected to thank the guests for the wedding gifts
.
To comply with wedding etiquette, the speech will include a thank you to both of the parents, the best man and the bridesmaids. This is the time to present any gifts or flowers to the parents and wedding party. The groom will finish the speech with a compliment and a toast to the bridesmaids.
The Bride may wish to present a speech. if so, the toastmaster or the master of ceremonies will announce the speech. This speech will be presented after the bridegroom's speech and prior to the best man's speech
.
The bride will again thank the guests for coming and thank the parents of the bride and groom. The bride will also thank the bridesmaids, compliment the groom and propose a toast. The toast will be at the bride's discretion..
The best man will be introduced by the toastmaster or the master of ceremonies. The best man will begin by thanking the groom for his toast to the bridesmaid's and for the brides' toast, if there has been a speech. The best man's speech will compliment both the bride and groom.
The best man is then responsible for reading some cards; only from those unable to attend the wedding. Telegrams were traditionally the messages from any absent family or friends, nowadays Email messages are just as acceptable. Today, these tend to incorporate jokes and funny messages to the bride and groom. The best man must remember to be tactful and be considerate to all guests.
The best man will finish the speech with a toast to the bride and groom.
If the chief bridesmaid is to present a speech, an introduction will be made by the toastmaster or master of ceremonies. The chief bridesmaid will thank the bride, ushers or groomsmen and also propose a toast of choice.
The toastmaster will then thank everyone for their attention and traditionally announce the cutting of the cake.
Note: Some Brides prefer to cut the cake before the speeches.