Difference Between a Toast and a Speech

Toast vs. Speech for an LDS wedding
Photo Courtesy of JarvieDigital.com

Have you been asked to give a toast at a friend or family member’s wedding reception? Or are you trying to plan speeches for your own wedding reception? One very important thing to know is the difference between a toast and a speech!

A speech is a short talk meant to honor the wedding couple and their family. It usually lasts between 3 and 5 minutes and may include personal stories, anecdotes, heartfelt expression of feelings, and readings of relevant quotes, poems, or scripture verses. A speech is usually (but not always) concluded with a toast.

A toast is a short statement of well wishes to the wedding couple and their family, followed by a signal for guests to raise their glasses and drink. This could be something like “Please join me in toasting” or simply raising your glass high so guests follow your lead. Toasts usually conclude a speech, but can also stand alone.

Whether you give a speech, a toast, or a speech and toast together is up to the discretion of the bride and groom. So if you’ve been asked to speak, get clarification on whether you should end in a toast. If you’ve been asked to toast, then double-check whether you should prepare a speech as well.

Now that you know the difference between a speech and a toast, you’re ready to start planning it!

♥ Jenny Evans
Exclusively for WeddingLDS.com.
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