Bridal Shower Toast Tips

A bridal shower toast is a traditional element of most pre-wedding parties. As Maid of Honor or Matron of Honor, you are charged with this duty and although you may curse the bride for asking you to stand up for her, deep down, you know what a wonderful thing it is to be honored in this way. Sure, you’re bound to be nervous when you get up to speak in front of all those guests, but with a little preparation, you can turn it into a very enjoyable part of the event.

Inject some personality

One of the reasons why people sometimes dread the toasts is that they are sometimes so mind-numbingly boring. You have a personality … use it! You don’t have to be the life of the party, nor the quick-witted lady with the punch line encyclopedia in your head. You don’t have to use business-like words or worry that you might slip up. A shower is a fun, happy occasion. Your job is to deliver a bridal shower toast that people will enjoy and remember.

Here’s one I prepared earlier

You might be comfortable speaking off the cuff. Or, you might be the type who can’t bear the thought of getting up and speaking to a crowd unless you’re totally prepared. Either way, do what feels best for you. If you are, by nature, a nervous public speaker, write a bridal shower toast, rehearse it in front of a mirror several times in the lead-up to the event, and take a typed out copy to use when the time comes. Don’t forget your reading glasses if you wear them!

What do I say?

The bridal shower toast is your opportunity to enlighten and entertain everyone, while thanking the bride for asking you to be her Maid or Matron of Honor. Tell some amusing anecdotes about your life growing up with the bride or about how she met her new husband.

You can tell true stories of mischief you and the bride may have gotten up to in your youth, but make sure you mention nothing inappropriate. Pass on your good wishes for the newlyweds, and they may involve careers, health, babies or simply a happy future together.

Emotions

Considering the stress and chaos that commonly leads up to a wedding, it’s not unusual for there to be some tears during the bridal shower toast. The anticipation of the actual wedding day is at an all-time high and it’s a great chance to let off some of the steam. Tears of joy just add to the emotion of the toast.

The right time

A bridal shower toast should be made when all the guests are in attendance. Too early and not everyone will have arrived yet; too late and some will have gone home. Pick a time when everyone is settled and has started enjoying the refreshments then call all the guests to a focal point and ask for their attention.

Length

This doesn’t need to be an epic. Say what you want to say but avoid going on for too long. Some things are better left said in private and don’t need to be announced in public. Three minutes is a good length for a bridal shower toast but if you do a really great job, and you have the guests enthralled, enjoy the audience!

There is nothing particularly complicated about a bridal shower toast. Yes, you may be nervous, yes you might be glad when it’s over, but it’s a special duty that doesn’t come along every day. Put some effort into it and turn it into your shining moment, one that the bride will treasure when she looks back on these important days.