Tag Archives: Chicagoland MC

The secret ingredient to a memorable wedding toast

Tags : Chicagoland MC

This blog has written on the subject of the wedding toast on more than one occasion. The subject is important, because a memorable wedding toast is pure magic. At the same time, a toast by your best man or maid of honor can go astray with all sorts of negative consequences.

There is never an excuse for a poor toast as long as your toasters are armed with some basic information, which I am about to reveal.

There is an almost magical secret to giving a memorable wedding toast, and that is the “turning point.” The turning point is the secret sauce, that moment when the toaster reveals what makes the bride or groom so special, and what makes the bride and groom such a great couple.

It is the pay dirt for which everyone awaits.

The video above provides helpful tips on how to write an effective toast. It breaks down the toast into five steps:

1. Introduction. Who is the toaster, and what is his/her connection to the bride and groom?
2. Great story. Everyone loves stories. Everyone! What are movies and television shows, except stories? Stories are so powerful that Jesus used them as the basis for His teachings. What is your story that involves either the bride or groom, or both?
3. Turning point. Here you reveal the secret, that very essence of what makes the toastee tick, and why that bodes well for their marriage. This is that “feel good moment” that makes a good toast soar.
4. Conclusion.
5. Toast.

Let’s look at an actual toast I found on YouTube. Whoever posted it labels it as the ‘greatest best man speech ever.’ That it is not. The ‘story’ part of the toast floundered, and the toaster talks more about himself than the groom. However, he redeems himself with a fine ‘turning point.’ Tune in at around the 2:40 mark in the video below to see what I mean:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyTzU_lqXjk

The toast below is heartfelt. The toaster provides a wonderful story beginning around the 1:40 mark. But he skips the conclusion and the toast itself. And the ‘turning point’ precedes the story:

No criticism intended towards either toaster, each of whom had some good elements in their toast. We can all learn from them in order to write and deliver a memorable wedding toast when our time comes.

Check out an earlier blogpost that offers a memorable wedding toast script. Do you see the ‘turning point’? It is the paragraph immediately following the line, “bring bride into the toast.”

Writing and delivering a memorable wedding toast isn’t rocket science. It takes more heart than science, along with the tips above. Good luck!

[When should toasts be made? Crestline Entertainment offers DJs who are also professional MCs. We know when to cue up toasts and control the entire tempo of your celebration. You have no worries, other than to celebrate! Our online planning tools are awesome!] 

Excellent wedding toast delivery tips

Tags : Chicagoland MC

Wedding toasts can be such a wonderful part of your wedding reception. And they can be a disaster in the hands of an unprepared toaster. Here are some really excellent … and PRACTICAL … wedding toast delivery tips presented in the video below.

Study these wedding toast delivery tips

Tip #1: KNOW your toast. Know it well enough so you don’t need it scripted. It’s okay to have a few bullet points on a note card. But if you’re able to tell a nice, warm story about the bride or groom, you’ll find it really easy to remember and convey your toast.

Tip #2: Make EYE CONTACT. A simple technique to get started is to stand up straight and tall, smile like you’ve never smiled before, and cast your gaze across the room. What expectation you’ll create! You’ll have the audience in the palm of your hand before you even begin talking.

As your toast unfolds, cast your gaze around the room, working every corner of the hall. Are you shy? Are you scared to death at making eye contact? No problem. Before you begin your toast, identify a few people you’re close to in different areas of the venue, and you can focus your gaze on them.

What can be really helpful to you is to make a point to introduce yourself to as many people as you can at the reception before the toasting begins. That way, there are fewer strangers in the hall! And let me tell you, if you look at someone and smile, it is really, really hard for them to do anything other than smile back. Toasting is so rewarding when it begins and ends with a smile.

Tip #3: Be CONCISE. The video suggests a toast can be up to ten minutes. This blogger suggests 3 to 5 minutes is MUCH better. You need to be a master toaster to pull off a ten minute toast. Whatever the length, rehearse. Let me say it again: rehearse and rehearse your toast. You owe it to the bride and groom. Do NOT let it run on too long. Bring it to a nice, clear conclusion with the line:

“Will you raise your glass and join me in toasting this great couple, Mr. and Mrs. [couple’s name].”

Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse

Tip #4: Be CONVERSATIONAL. The conversational approach is intimate and compelling, IF you have properly rehearsed your toast. The worst thing you can do is to have a few too many drinks and let your ‘conversational’ toast drag on and on. (Actually, worse than that is to embarrass the bride and  group. But you know better than to do that!) Limit your alcohol. Rehearse. Make eye contact. You’re going to be great!

When it comes to your reception, Crestline Entertainment provides that impeccable timing that only professional MCs bring to the table. We know how to time the toasts, the cake cutting, and all the key moments of your reception. Get ready for the best day of your life!