LDS Wedding Toasting Etiquette
When giving a toast, or instructing the people who will be giving toasts at your wedding, you need to be informed about LDS toasting etiquette. Here’s everything you need to know about a textbook LDS wedding speech or toast, including the order of speakers, how long to speak, and what to say (and not say.)
Wedding Speech vs. Wedding Toast
When someone asks you to give a toast at their wedding, they usually mean a short speech followed by a toast. A speech lasts anywhere from 3 to 5 minutes, sharing some memories and thoughts about the happy couple or marriage in general. It concludes with a toast of 30 seconds or less, which is a short statement of well-wishes and a cue for guests to raise their glass and drink to the couple.
When writing a wedding speech or toast, consider the personalities of the bride and groom.
Appropriate Toasting Order
Toasts can theoretically be given in any order (or not at all), but tradition dictates that the host of the reception (usually the bride’s father) kicks off the toasting. The rest of the traditional order looks like this:
1. Parent(s) of the bride
2. Parent(s) of the groom
3. Maid of honor
4. Best Man
5. Groom
6. Bride
Appropriate Toasting Tone and Content
When writing a wedding speech or toast, consider the personalities of the bride and groom. If the bride and groom have a zany sense of humor, it’s okay to crack some jokes. But keep it serious if the bride and groom don’t appreciate a sense of humor.
Only “roast” those you know really well, and even then keep it lighthearted and end on a positive note. Don’t mention previous relationships. If you’re not LDS, you need to know that the drinks will be non-alcoholic so no drinking references.
Also nix any jokes about affairs or divorce – the reception is the “casual” part of the wedding, but it’s still a celebration of the bride and groom’s eternal marriage.
Keep these toasting etiquette tips in mind when writing or assigning speeches and toasts for your LDS wedding reception. If you do, you’ll be able to deliver a successful, tasteful, and appropriate toast.
♥ Jenny Evans
Exclusively for WeddingLDS.com.
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