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Make sure that not only your glass, but also all other glasses are filled before you propose a toast. If you are nervous, take three or four deep breaths very slowly, a minute before rising. Make sure that you know the first thing you are going to say, and the rest will usually follow comfortably.
It's your choice whether you say a traditional wedding toast or compose an original. Either way, raise your glass with your right hand. In addition, be sure that the glass is held straight from the shoulder. When toasting first began, it was not unusual to find a sword, dagger, or other weapon in the right hand, or concealed in the clothing, and the traditional toasting position proved that you had come in friendship.
It is traditional to clink glasses after the toast has been proposed, but before it is drunk. This tradition is rooted in earliest human history: people have always made a noise, like the ringing of a bell or the clinking of a glass, to frighten away evil spirits." Toasts can be sealed with a sip of champagne, wine, a mixed drink, or non-alcoholic punch, but never with tea, coffee, or water. Whatever the beverage chosen, it should be served to the bride first, then the groom, then the maid of honor, then parents, and lastly the best man.
Note that a toast should always end with a formal indication to the guests to alert them and tell them what to say; for example, "Please join in a toast to the happiness of Jack and Mary. Jack and Mary!"
If you are the recipient of a toast, you do not stand, raise your glass, or take a sip of your drink, but you do thank the toasters, or at least smile and graciously nod. You are not obliged to propose a toast in return.
ORDER OF WEDDING TOASTS - TRADITIONAL
Toast to the bride and groom - Made by the best man, or a friend or relative.
The groom's response: This should include a few words to his bride, thanks to whoever made the first toast, thanks to both sets of parents, and a toast to the bridesmaids.
The best man's response: The best man thanks the groom on behalf of the bridesmaids. (Occasionally the bride will follow the groom's response with some words of her own. It then falls to the best man to thank the bridesmaids.)
Toast by the father of the bride: On behalf of his wife and himself, he can thank everyone for attending, and indicate that the festivities may now begin.
ORDER OF WEDDING TOASTS - NON-TRADITIONAL
The MC or Best Man stands and proposes a toast to the newlywed couple.
The groom stands, thanks the MC and guests, and then proposes a toast to his bride.
The bride stands, thanks the groom and guests, then proposes a toast to her parents. She may wish to include her new in-laws in the toast or save a special toast for them.
The father of the bride may wish to stand at this point, thank the bride for the toast, thank everyone for attending, and announce that the festivities may now begin, OR the MC can return to the podium and propose a toast to the bridesmaids, to which the maid of honor may reply with thanks or another toast. Then the MC may introduce any guests who wish to propose their own toasts (this works best if guests mention their desire to participate to the MC prior to the round of speeches), and finally announce the start of the festivities.
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