Know Your Etiquette With Wedding Speeches
After the wedding ceremony and during the wedding reception, those involved with the wedding party, as well as other guests and participants have an opportunity to raise their glass and offer wedding speeches. One of the longest standing traditions as part of nuptials are the wedding speeches and toasts that are offered.
Wedding toasts can be formally prepared before the event or they can be a spontaneous expression of support and encouragement for the new couple. Giving a wedding toast is a time to express admiration, add an element of humor or laughter, express sentiments and even provide special insights into the courtship and future of the couple.
wedding toasts
After the main wedding speech, which is often offered by the best man, the general wedding toasts can begin. Toasts can provide an opportunity for other guests outside of the formal wedding party to participate. This is one of the best opportunities for the other guests, who are not part of the formal wedding party, to participate in the special day as well.
Wedding toasts are generally proposed once all the champagne glasses have been properly filled. Toasts carry with them some tradition, whether the wedding reception is a formal or a casual affair. Toasting should be done by raising the glass with the right hand and by holding the glass straight out from the shoulder. This practice harkens back to the days of concealing weapons, such as a dagger, in one’s clothing. Therefore, extending the glass in such a way provides proof of good intentions.
reception wedding
Another element of traditional wedding favor ideas that goes back many centuries is the loudness of the merrymaking for the purpose of warding off evil spirits. The sound created by the clinking of the champagne glasses at the end of each wedding toast makes a sound somewhat akin to the ringing of a bell. This is another ancient belief in keeping the evil spirits away from the celebration.
The term “toasting” actually got its roots from a French custom in which a piece of bread was placed in the bottom of each wine glass to absorb the sediment. Someone who was considered to be a good toaster would then drink all the way “down to the toast.” Over time, this practice evolved into the current custom of drinking to someone’s prosperity, health or happiness. Nowadays, the wedding toasts are offered to wish congratulations and good luck to the newlyweds.
wedding favor ideas
Many people are not aware that during the wedding toasts, the bride and groom should not raise their glasses. Since they are the ones being honored, everyone else is to raise their glass to them, leaving the couple to simply sip from their glasses at the conclusion of each wedding toast.
Traditionally, wedding toasts are given either during the rehearsal dinner, the wedding reception, or on both occasions. In any event, the toasting usually follows the meal or is done just after the ceremony of cutting the cake.
Tuesday, September 30th, 2008