Making a Toast Speech

What is a toast speech?

In practical terms, a toast includes two elements.

First, you make a short statement to present your good wishes (possibly in joke format) to someone. Second, people present then drink to express their support for whatever you have said.

For example, these are toasts:

“Good health”“The Bride and Groom”

“Happy Birthday”

Toast speech is in the honor of a person which can be called as “the woman/man of the hour” in a particular event (wedding, retirement party, birthday, graduation day). So, it has to be made sure that nothing which would embarrass the person should be spoken. Of course, it also depends on what you say and how you say it. The speech should all be good-humored and in a good-hearted manner. Another thing to remember here is to make it short and sweet and not drag it on.

How to give a toast speech:

Grab a prominent place in the center, at the venue. It should be a place where you would be seen by all those present.

Do not forget to have a glass in your hand (think of a toast without a champagne glass!) and make sure that you hold the glass at waist level.

Introduce yourself and how are you connected with the “celebrant”. Cash in on your strengths. If you have a funny bone, you can opt for one of

those funny toast speech ideas, with some witty and humorous quotes. It is a good idea to lighten the mood as already the mood would be sentimental and touchy.

But please, do not go on blabbering jokes all through the speech. Keep it funny, yet sentimental

If you cannot do that, keep it simple and straight. Be personal and genuine and wish the “celebrant” the best with all your heart.

Look at those in whose honor you are speaking every now and then. A good toast speech idea is to start with an anecdote which happened

between you and the “celebrant” End the toast speech on a high and a hopeful note. Of course, you would

need to lift your glass and say “Cheers!” or “Let’s level up our glasses!”

Tips for toast speech: Never ever give toast speech if you are drunk of on a “high” Keep it under 5 minutes; let it be short but full of impact. Total focus should be on the “celebrant” Let you genuineness and warmth reflect through your words and

expressions Be confident and speak clearly and loudly enough.

Examples of a toast speech

For a Retirement Party“To <celebrant>. We don’t know what we’ll do without him but

we’re about to find out. May we always part with regret and meet again with pleasure. May the best of happiness honor and fortune keep with you. A bad day at fishing is still better than a good day at work. Here’s to you health and your family’s health. May you live long and prosper. May you have even more fun in retirement than we do here at work. Good luck with all the work you’ve been waiting to do since you joined us. Cheers!”

For a Graduation“To all of you who have just graduated: May you now go on to

become educated. May you always choose a path of happiness and health as well as prosperity. May you go on to even better things but never lose touch with us. May we wish you the best of fortune as you move on to your next challenge in the University of Life. Here’s to your future. We’re all depending on you.”

Wedding Toast: Maid of Honor Toast to Couple“It can be hard to share your best friend with someone else, but I

have been thrilled to share <Bride> with <Groom>. The love you show to each other is inspiring and beautiful and I look forward to seeing it continue to grow. I am honored to be able to raise a toast to my wonderful best friend and her new husband. To <Bride> and <Groom>!”

Wedding Toast: Best Man Toast to Groom“Here is to my friend. Today I had the honor to stand beside him

on this most important day, as he has so often stood by me in good times and bad. I wish him and his lovely bride nothing but happiness, prosperity, and good health for as long as they shall live.”

For a Best Friend’s Birthday“I have known <celebrant> since our freshman times in <school>

and it is a pleasure for me to note that she hasn’t changed a bit in five years, and is still a cheerful energizer of all our student parties and the soul of the company. But first and foremost, Natalie is an amazing person, and on her birthday I’d like to wish her simple human happiness. I wish her harmony that comes when all the components of life are balanced: when daily work brings delight and in the evening you hurry back home to be with your family. I wish <celebrant> inner comfort when you know that somewhere near, at the distance of a phone call, there are old friends who care about you and if you feel blue, they will always come to your place with beer and chips to disperse you problems with a hearty laugh and recollections of turbulent student days. I wish her a year full of pleasant little trifles and joys that give one strength to make great achievements and reach one’s goals. May <celebrant>’s most cherished dreams come true, as we stand up and raise our glasses for her birthday and happiness.”