Ready, Set, Deliver - the Best Wedding Speech or Toast Ever!

You're all decked out in fancy dresses and tuxes. The audience's expectations are high! Now, you have to deliver. It doesn't matter whether you're the bridesmaid, best man or father of the bride. Giving a speech or a toast at a wedding can be nerve racking. But, it doesn't have to be if you follow some basic rules.

- Give Thanks - Thank the necessary people. This takes homework. Did Aunt Barbara create the lavish wedding cake? Did the new mother-in-law sew the bride's elaborate wedding gown by hand? Did groom's brother have his catering company cater the food?

- Funny Wedding Toasts - Add in humor and make it funny! The best speech is one that blends humor with sentimental moments. If it's too sentimental, you'll have guests crying in their beer - that's when lighthearted humor can balance it out. But the same goes with having too many jokes...if your speech is composed entirely of jokes - stop - and add in a few serious and sentimental parts.

Best Man Speech: example of humorous speech or toast mixed with sentiment:

"Since meeting Sara, it's been a pleasant sight to watch Marshall actually in the kitchen getting his hands dirty! That's not the only thing... Marshall started doing dishes and doing his own laundry (instead of paying someone). Sara, thank you for helping him out!

Marshall, I'm blessed to be your younger brother. You have been a friend, a mentor and role model for me. I am so happy that you have found this woman filled with perfection to spend the rest of your life with!"

- Toast the Couple - If you're toasting the groom, still make note of the bride. Does she look stunning in her dress? Has she brought out new and admirable qualities in the groom? Did she earn your respect while whitewater rafting with the groom? Likewise, if you're toasting the bride, still make note of the groom.

- Speak from the Heart - If it means something to you, it will mean something to the audience. Don't be afraid to get a little mushy. Draw the audience in.

Maid of Honor Speech: example speaking from the heart

"I've known Ami for quite some time, since high school, in fact. Ami and I were chemistry lab partners our sophomore year in high school. We had fun in that class and some of it actually involved learning chemistry! One concept that we studied was molecules and how "A molecule is the smallest particle of a substance that still retains its physical and chemical properties."

Ami and Stuart, special moments are the molecules of life. I hope that you can cherish the sweet moments and use them to bind your lives together. But I know you will because I have seen you two together and you truly take the time to enjoy each other."

* reprinted with permission from InstantWeddingToasts.com

- Get personal. Were you involved when the bride and groom met? Do they have children? What was the bride's reaction when the groom proposed? Do they have nicknames for each other?

- Open and Close with a Bang! - Keep your best stuff at the beginning and end. You want - and need - a strong opener and a strong closer. Want examples of a great closer? Use a short Irish Wedding Toast, one that conveys your best wishes for their future or sums up their relationship perfectly.

- "Watch" the Clock - Don't waste the audience's time. Let's face it; there are a lot of speeches and toasts at a wedding. If it's not about the bride or groom, or doesn't relate to love and marriage - cut it. Save the long or potentially embarrassing stories for the bachelor or bachelorette party. And speaking about time - be brief, not boring. And likewise, don't be so short it's not memorable. You can still have a short speech, but you must speak slower. A perfect short speech can be ruined by rushing.

- Practice makes Perfect - Look at the audience. This takes practice, usually in front of a mirror with a spoon in one hand and a toasting glass in the other. Practice until you look good, until you can watch yourself in the mirror - and ultimately look at the audience - while speaking. Drop all the "ums" and "uhs". It means you have to practice out loud, and when you think you've got it, get an audience of a brother/sister/friend and practice one more time.

Remember, when you open your mouth, you want to sound just as good as you look! Ready? Set. Deliver!