The Best Wedding Toasts: 116 Wedding Toast Examples

Wedding Toasts: Finding the Right Words for Your Wedding Speech

If you're planning on giving a wedding speech, then ending with a wedding toast can be a really nice touch. Finding the right words for a wedding toast can be tough. It completely depends on what the happy couple are like as to whether you want it to be funny, sentimental or traditional. We've rounded up all our favourite wedding toasts so you'll have lots of options. You'll find everything from wedding toasts from parents that are ideal for the father of the bride speech, to toasts from the groom to his new spouse. If you're a little nervous there's plenty of short and sweet options; if you'd like something more elaborate, check out some of our rhyming toasts. Most of these traditionally refer to a bride and groom, but it's easy to mix them up for all LGBTQ+ couples. The toast marks the end of your speech and the chance to take a much deserved drink, so enjoy it!

First, let's clear up a few questions about wedding toasts, with some expert input to help you nail ending your wedding speech with the perfect toast.

Who Toasts Who at a Wedding?

In the UK, most people raise a toast at the end of their wedding speech. In America, the wedding speeches are commonly known as toasts, but in the UK the term refers almost exclusively to a few lines at the end of the speech when the guests raise their glass and drink to the newlyweds. The traditional wedding toast order is the father of the bride, groom and the best man, followed by any other toasts. This is obviously for a heterosexual couple; but it's not set in stone. For all couples, including LGBTQ+ couples, you can mix speeches and toasts up however you like.

Here's who each person traditionally toasts-

The father of the bride toasts his daughter and the new couple
The groom toasts his new spouse
The best man toasts the bridesmaids and the new couple
Other toasts may include the maid of honour toasting the groom

It's totally up to the couple though how many toasts they'd like to have and who they toast to (just make sure not to make it last too long as people want to eat cake and dance!).

How Do You Propose a Wedding Toast?

There's some simple things to remember when making a wedding toast. First, ensure everyone has their glass full so they can take a drink at the end, then get everyone's attention. If you're giving a speech that's pretty easy to do. If not, the best way to do this isn't clinking your Champagne glass, but instead go to the master of ceremonies and ask for the microphone. Introduce yourself to the room and ask for their attention, for example, ""Hello, I'm Mark, the bride's brother. May I have your attention while I raise a brief toast to my lovely sister and her new wife?""

If you're one of the couple getting hitched, this is, of course, your opportunity to thank people. And it's not just about the people who have helped you with the décor or organised the hen do, this is about the folk who have given you a lifetime of love or supported you through the single years. As a newlywed, your toast is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to drop a love-bomb on the people you care about so take advantage and do it with a smile,"" says Heidi. Keep your toast short.

A wedding toast is a few words of wishes or blessings for the newlywed couple, after which all the guests take a sip of drink in agreement. A good wedding toast is one that strikes the right balance between humour and emotion, is short and sweet, and will be remembered as a great closing to your speech. ""We encourage everyone to include humour in their wedding toast. While no wedding speaker should be trying to deliver a stand-up routine, all speakers should aim to make their audience smile. And, not a polite smile, but a hearty involuntary one,"" explains Heidi. ""When it comes to the sentimental sucker-punch, keep it real too. Think about specific things or moments that give an insight into your relationship and what it means to you."" The number one rule is- be clear-headed. This isn't a chance to drunkenly slur into a microphone. Always practise what you're going to say so it's not an impromptu stream of words and wishes. If in any doubt, use a wedding toast quotation and just end with “To the happy couple!” You can't go wrong with a classic – these traditional wedding toasts and wedding toast quotes below will make sure you're never lost for words.

Typical Wedding Toasts

Typically, the first speaker will make the toast to absent friends that could not attend the wedding, with a wedding toast such as- ""Please join us in raising a glass to loved ones - those who are here and those who sadly can't be with us.""

Traditional Wedding Toasts

Wedding toasts have been around for centuries. Many of these traditional toasts are either proverbs or blessings from the likes of Ireland or Armenia. Use one of these for a sentimental toast, wishing a bright future on the couple.

""Here’s to the past, for all that you’ve learnt. Here’s to the present, for all that you share. Here’s to the future, for all that you’ve got to look forward to.""
""May these rich blessings be your due… A wealth of friendships, old and new, Quiet nights and busy days, time for prayer and time for praise, Some service rendered, some solace given, And gentle peace with God and heaven.""
""May thy life be long and happy, Thy cares and sorrows few; And the many friends around thee Prove faithful, fond and true.""
""May your wedding days be few and your anniversaries many.""
""Please make sure your glasses are charged and join me in toasting the new Mr and Mrs [NAME]. Ladies and gentlemen, to the bride and groom!""
""May you live as long as you like, and have all you like for as long as you live.""
""May the hinges of friendship never rust Or the wings of love lose a feather! Ladies and gentlemen, the bride and the groom May they live happily forever.""
""To the bride and groom, may the roof above you never fall in and may you both never fall out.""
""Let’s drink to love, which is nothing – unless it’s divided by two.""
""May you never steal, lie, or cheat, but if you must steal, then steal away my sorrows, and if you must lie, lie with me all the nights of my life, and if you must cheat, then please cheat death because I couldn’t live a day without you.""
""I wish thee health, I wish thee wealth I wish thee gold in store I wish thee heaven upon earth. What could I wish thee more?""
""Here’s to the new husband and here’s to the new wife. May they remain lovers for all of life.""

Non-Traditional Toasts

""To long life and happiness – for your life will be my happiness.""
""To the lamp of love – may it burn brightest in the darkest hours and never flicker in the winds of trial.""
""Here's to the bride, May your hours of joy be as numerous as the petals of your bridal bouquet. Here's to the groom, A man who keeps his head though he loses his heart.""
""Live life to the fullest – remember, this is the first day of the rest of your life.""
""Here's to love, laughter and happily ever after. As (Groom) and (Bride) start their new life, Let's toast the new husband and wife!""
""Let us raise our glasses to the happy couple. May you grow old on one pillow.""
""Here's to the bride and the bridegroom, We'll ask their success in our prayers, And through life's dark shadows and sunshine That good luck may always be theirs.""
""May your joys be as deep as the ocean, and your troubles as light as its foam.""
(A toast to grandparents) ""Let us raise our glasses And then imbibe To the splendid couple Who founded this tribe.""
""Raise your glasses to both [daughter's partner] and me as we've each gained something this fine and blessed day. S/he gains a wife and a companion for life – while I gain a whole new stack of bills to pay.""
""To the two secrets to a long-lasting happy marriage- Here's to a good sense of humour –and a short memory!""
""Before we raise a glass to the newlyweds, I'd like to share a Pauline Thomason quote with you- 'Love is blind – marriage is the eye-opener.' To the happy couple!""
""May our children be blessed with rich parents!""
""Here's to you and here's to me, I hope we never disagree, But if, perchance, we ever do, Then here's to me, to hell with you.""
""[Groom] stole [bride's] heart, so she stole his last name. All in all, I would say that things worked out quite nicely. Let us toast to these lovebirds on their wedding day.""
""May all your ups and downs come only in the bedroom.""
""To the bride – may she share everything with her husband, including the housework!""
""Before we raise our glasses to the happy couple, I'd like to make a toast to wives and lovers everywhere – may they never, ever cross paths!""
""I have known many, Liked not a few, Loved only one – I toast to you.""

Toasts for the Newlyweds

For one more time, I'm going to ask everyone to charge their glasses and – for those who still can – stand, and raise a glass to the newlyweds. To our best friends, who know the most about us, but refuse to believe it.

Any of the toasts on this page could be used for the newlyweds, but this pick are more modern toasts that can be given quickly to round off a speech. Short and sweet doesn't mean they're without sentiment – the newlyweds will love these! If you want to write your own, focus on words like adventure, future, happiness, love; these are the hopes you want to pass on.

A toast- may all sweethearts become married couples, and may all married couples remain sweethearts.
May you live as long as you like, and have all you like for as long as you live.
The man or woman you really love will never grow old to you. Through the wrinkles of time, through the bowed frame of years, you will always see the dear face and feel the warm heart union of your eternal love.
May we all be invited to your golden wedding celebrations.
They say you don't marry the person you can live with, you marry the person you can't live without. That sums up [NAME] and [NAME] perfectly. To the happy couple!
To the bride and groom, may I wish you health, may I wish you happiness, may I wish you wealth - and everything else you could wish for.
May your love always be added. May it never be subtracted. May your household multiply and may your hearts never be divided!
Watching [bride] and [groom] together has renewed my faith in true love. I am so honoured to be a part of this special day. Let us toast to the two people who have brought all of us together in this room today.
May 'for better or worse' be far better than worse.
Here's to the bride and the bridegroom, We'll ask their success in our prayers, And through life's dark shadows and sunshine That good luck may always be theirs.
Here's to the bride that is to be, here's to the groom she'll wed, May all their troubles be light as bubbles Or the feathers that make up their bed!
To the lovely bride and groom, here are my wishes for you. May you always have a place to call home and may you always be surrounded by those you love.
Love believes, endures, and hopes. And above all things, love never fails. Let us all raise a glass to [bride,] [groom,] and the unfaltering love that they share.
To be able to find your soul mate is a true blessing. Let us raise a glass to the bride and groom. Thank you for sharing your blessing of happiness with all of us.
Rich or poor, quick or slow, may you know nothing but happiness from this day on.
May all your hopes and dreams come true, and may the memory of this day become dearer with each passing year.
May your love be modern enough to survive the times and old-fashioned enough to last forever.
May you never forget what is worth remembering or remember what is best forgotten.
May the future hold your happiness. May the future hold your health. May your heart hold your love, and may your arms hold your babies, yet to come. Here's to your future happiness together!
Here's to health and prosperity, to you and all your posterity.
May the light of friendship guide your paths together. May the laughter of children grace the halls of your home. May the joy of living for one another trip a smile from your lips, a twinkle from your eye.
We have been through the better and worse (not always the better prevailed) We've seen the richer and poorer (the latter is most often sailed) The sickness has outrun the health (which often has caused much ado) So now I pledge to you my heart, till death do us part, And pray all our dreams will come true!
A thing of beauty is a joy forever. Here's to you, my beautiful bride. John Keats
Here's to the woman that's good and sweet, Here's to the woman that's true, Here's to the woman that rules my heart, In other words, here's to you.
Every day you look lovelier and lovelier, and today you look like tomorrow.
To my wife, my bride and joy.
Here's to the prettiest, here's to the wittiest, Here's to the truest of all who are true, Here's to the neatest one, here's to the sweetest one, Here's to them, all in one – here's to you.
Because I love you truly, Because you love me, too, My very greatest happiness Is sharing life with you.
To my bride- she knows all about me and loves me just the same.

Toasts for Happy Couples

""May I see you grey and combing your grandchildren's hair.""

""I have known many, Liked not a few, Loved only one – I toast to you.""

""Never above you. Never below you. Always beside you.""

""Drink to me only with thine eyes, And I will pledge with mine; Or leave a kiss within the cup, And I'll not look for wine. Ben Jonson""

""Here's to you and here's to me, I hope we never disagree, But if, perchance. we ever do, Then here's to me, to hell with you.""

""We have been through the better and worse (not always the better prevailed) We've seen the richer and poorer (the latter is most often sailed) The sickness has outrun the health (which often has caused much ado) So now I pledge to you my heart, till death do us part, And pray all our dreams will come true!""

""To the two secrets to a long-lasting happy marriage- Here's to a good sense of humour –and a short memory!""

""May we never forget what is worth remembering or remember what is best forgotten.""

""Because I love you truly, Because you love me, too, My very greatest happiness Is sharing life with you.""

""I have known many, Liked not a few, Loved only one – I toast to you.""

""Here's to you and here's to me, I hope we never disagree, But if, perchance. we ever do, Then here's to me, to hell with you.""

To my best friend and his beautiful bride- the new Mr and Mrs [NAME]. I'd like you all to join me in wishing the new Mr and Mrs [NAME] all the wealth, health and happiness in the world. To the bride and groom.

They say you don't marry the person you can live with, you marry the person you can't live without. That sums up [NAME] and [NAME] perfectly. To the happy couple!

Raise your glass and join me in a toast, to [NAME] and [NAME] – may you always be friends as well as lovers.

To the two things that make a great marriage – having a good sense of humour and selective hearing. To [NAME] and [NAME]!

Part of the best man speech involves a toast and for me, the best kind of toast is French toast. So, buvons à ce couple heureux!

To [NAME] and [NAME] – we all knew [GROOM’S NAME] had found the one when he started spending more time with [BRIDE’S NAME] than he did playing on his Xbox! It’s wonderful to see them both so happy together – let’s drink to that!

It’s been a privilege to be their best man – everyone please join me in raising their glasses to the happy couple.

In the words of Samuel Johnson, 'Here’s to a second marriage – the triumph of hope over experience.'""

""Wedlock’s like wine, not properly judged of till the second glass.""Douglas William Jerrold

Please can everyone join me in toasting two young – well, quite young anyway – people in love.

""A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.""Mignon McLaughlin
""If there is such a thing as a good marriage it is because it resembles friendship rather than love.""Michel E. de Montaigne
""The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved, loved for ourselves, or rather loved in spite of ourselves.""Victor Marie Hugo
""A wife is essential for great longevity- she is the receptacle of half a man’s cares and two-thirds of his ill-humor.""Charles Reade
""There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved.""George Sand
""Happy is the man who finds a true friend, and far happier is he who finds that true friend in his wife.""Franz Schubert
""True love stands by each other’s side on good days and stands closer on bad days.""
""You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.""Dr Seuss
""The greatest marriages are built on teamwork. A mutual respect, a healthy dose of admiration, and a never-ending portion of love and grace.""Fawn Weaver
""A great marriage is not when the ‘perfect couple’ comes together. It is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences.""Dave Meurer
""A perfect marriage is just two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other.""
""To love is nothing. To be loved is something. But to be loved by the person you love is everything.""
""If you live to be a hundred, I wish to live a hundred minus one, so I never have to live without you.""Winnie the Pooh
""Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.""Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
""Grow old with me. The best is yet to be The last of life for which the first was made.""Robert Browning
""Look down you gods, And on this couple drop a blessed crown.""

The Tempest – William Shakespeare

""I drink to the general joy of the whole table.""

Macbeth – William Shakespeare

""When you realise you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.""

Wedding toasts are a significant component of a wedding ceremony. As per tradition, the best man will commence the toasts, then the maid of honor, and then the bridesmaids and groomsmen. A wedding toast may range from being emotional and solemn to humorous and comical, or even a mix of both. The couple's parents and confidants are expected to also deliver a toast to honor the pair.

For married couples for the second time, a wedding toast may consist of a heartfelt appreciation for a fresh start or a reference to a mutual past.

Furthermore, quotes from renowned books or films which match the couple's sentiments may be integrated into a wedding toast. In any case, rehearsing the toast ahead of time and keeping it concise are essential, so that the guests can savor the toast and then continue the festivities.

Finally, one can make a toast to absent relatives and friends of the couple.