If you have ever been asked to give a toast it can feel overwhelming. You start thinking why did I agree to do this. Is there a way I can get out of it. You can often have two voices arguing inside your head. One is the voice of fear which is freaking out and looking for excuses not to do it. The other is the voice of love where in your heart you want to accept the honour of toasting this person.
The good news is the thought of giving a toast does not have to invoke feelings of overwhelm and anxiety. In this article I am going to give you 5 simple steps that will have feeling excited about your upcoming toast.
How To Give A Great Toast - 5 Simple Steps
Step 1 When Giving A Toast
‘Can you please make sure your glass is filled’.
Because it is a toast you need to ensure people have something toast with. This is why when you begin a toast the first thing you say is ‘can you please make sure your glass is filled’.
Step 2 When Giving A Toast
‘Ladies and gentlemen please stand’.
Step 2 is as simple as saying ‘ladies and gentlemen please stand’. Make sure you do not use the word upstanding because technically there is no such word. The mere fact you are standing means you are upright.
Step 3 When Giving A Toast
‘Tonight we are toasting X’.
Step 3 is the heart of your toast. This is where you honour the person you are giving the toast to.
Toast Tips For Success
Keep your toast brief.
Anywhere from 2-5 minutes is usually enough to get your message across. No one wants to stand there listening to you go on and on. Respect the fact that people are standing. Also it makes it easier for you to prepare your speech. Most people unfamiliar with giving toasts think they have to talk for an extended period of time for it to be a good toast. The truth is just the opposite is true. Stick to quality over quantity. Keep it brief and to the point.
Use a stories when giving a toast
The easiest way to give a memorable toast is to tell a story. When you make your toast a story it is simple because it is easy to remember as it is your story. If the story is truly powerful and memorable you can extend this section of the speech to 5 minutes. Just make sure you are not rambling. Practice telling your story to someone else and get their feedback. Ask them is there anything I could cut out that would make the story more impactful and memorable.
Step 4 When Giving A Toast
Lead by raising your glass and saying ‘to X’.
Once you have finished giving your toast lead by raising you glass and saying ‘to X’
Step 5 When Giving A Toast
‘Please be seated’.
The final step in giving a toast is to say to the audience ‘please to be seated’
Example Toast
Can you please make sure your glass is filled.
Ladies and gentleman please stand.
Tonight we are toasting Sarah And Mark on their wedding day. I remember when Sarah was born, I cried with sheer joy. Sarah has always been a kind and loving soul who goes out of her way to help others. She always makes me feel proud to be her father. I can remember coming home from work one day and my wife sharing the story about one of the parents phoning her today to talk about Sarah. It was in regard to the school athletics carnival. Sarah was extremely athletic and would win every race she entered.
The parent was phoning about her son Josh who was unfortunately a little overweight due to medication he was taking and was not very athletic. He was often bullied and the brunt of bad jokes come athletics day. Apparently everyone else had finished the race and Josh was trying hard to finish but it was obvious that was never going to happen. Other students where snicking and laughing at Josh’s efforts. Sarah who had finished first was looking on when she suddenly jumped onto the track and raced back to where Josh was and said, hey Josh you can do this I am going to run the rest of the race with you. Then suddenly other students ran onto the track and started running with Josh cheering him on. Josh finished the race and the ground erupted into wild cheering. Teachers were applauding with tears rolling down their cheeks. Everyone on the track raced up to Josh hugged him saying, we knew you could do it Josh.
My wife went onto explain that the parent was crying in gratitude for what Sarah did for her son that day. I also had tears in my eyes and proudly said, thats my Sarah.
When Sarah first bought Mark home to meet us, that night after everyone had gone to bed I got down on my knees and cried in gratitude, saying thank you god for bringing Mark into Sarah’s life. I did not think it was possible but Mark is just as kind and loving as Sarah. A match truly made in heaven. And here I am crying again. I am not a man who cries very much but when it comes to Sarah, her beautiful spirit often brings me to tears.
To Sarah And Mark.
Please be seated.
In Conclusion
When telling stories speak from the heart and not the head. The best stories are ones that are heartfelt.
Do not overcomplicate the process of giving a toast. Keep it simple by using the 5 step formula and sharing a story you know will resonate with your audience. It can be humorous or emotionally engaging it does not matter as long as you are being authentic. If you do use humour make sure it is a toast and not a roast. Very few people can pull off a good roast.
Here’s to you nailing your next toast.
Cheers!
Jule