If the bride has asked you, the maid of honor to make a wedding toast following the best man speech, you can be sure that she thinks you are really something special. Instead of being nervous and feeling pressured, take it like the honor it is and use some creativity to make a speech that will be long remembered.
You can begin simply by introducing yourself and your role in the wedding. You can then make all the appropriate thanks to the right people. Once you have taken care of the necessities you can relate your friendship experience with the bride or, if you are her sister, you can relate what it was like growing up with her. You can then add some funny anecdotes about how the bride first viewed her new husband. You can also mention how she has changed since they got together.
The Meat and Potatoes of the Wedding Toast
You can express your sentiments on how you feel about your best friend getting married and how you think it may impact your friendship. You can say how you are not losing one friend, but gaining another. If you are a married woman you can give the bride and groom some relationship and marriage advice. If you are single yourself, you can say how you hope to someday meet a wonderful man who sweeps you off your feet as the groom at this wedding has done to his bride.
Getting emotional is all a part of giving a wedding toast, so don't worry if you feel yourself beginning to tear up. The guests will expect it and as long as you have a hankie or a tissue handy, crying should be no problem. You will know you are a success if you see the guest reaching for something to dry their eyes too.
You can talk about what it was like to work with the bride to get her wedding together in time for the big day. You are sure to come up with some amusing stories regarding shopping, accessories and the bride's temper flare ups at times. You can end your toast by wishing the bride and groom all the best of luck and congratulations. You can tell them both how much you care for them and you hope that their happiness lasts and you hope you will see the same smile of joy on their faces when they celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary together.
