Making a Toast? Don’t Forget to do These 5 Things

It’s your wedding day!

Everything has gone perfectly. People arrived on time, you got down the aisle, said your “I dos,” and now you’re enjoying the party.

But you know sooner or later you’re going to have to stand up in front of everyone and make a toast.

Yep! Toast making (without the toaster) isn’t just for the maid of honor and best man—the bride and groom are expected to say a word or two.

And unless you’re a creative muse I don’t think it’s possible to think of a speech on the spot without forgetting to mention a few things.

So we’re here to help you prepare your toast BEFORE you get in front of the mic.

Let Them Go First

You’ve heard the saying, save the the best for last? Well to not sound too snobby here, but you’re the party so you should give your toast last.

Let your bridal party say a few words, the maid of honor and the best man, your parents, and then you and your partner.

Having someone else open up the floor of thank yous before you is always a good route to go.

Why?

Well, it helps you calm your nerves and regain your composure.

Be an Inspiration and Get Inspiration

We’ll admit, sometimes it’s hard to find inspiration for what we’re about to say or write. And the same can be said about your toast.

It’s OK to find sources of inspiration, words of comfort, etc. that came from other people to help you write your toast—just use the Oscar acceptance speeches as examples.

But you don’t just need inspiration, you also need to be an inspiration. Get your guests to laugh and smile along with you—let them share in your happiness.

Telling personal stories (that are good) about each other that have everyone in attendance smiling will help when you transition into saying thank yous later on in the speech.

Keep it Classy

So OK maybe you have a couple funny stories about your truly beloved, but maybe they aren't suited to be announced over a speaker.

Remember that you want to keep your toast full of happy memories (and comfortable ones).

Don’t make your guests feel uneasy with stories that could embarrass you and/or your significant other.  

Besides, this toast is to thank people for being there to celebrate your big day.

Practice, Practice, and Practice Some More

Everyone tells you that practice makes perfect.

You’ve heard this saying so many times you could probably scream, but hey, it’s true!

Practice what you’re about to say before you’re about to say it to make sure that the delivery is flawless.

And remember, your significant other and you are going to be talking together—so practice together!

Remember the Thank Yous

The biggest (most important) part of a toast is the thank you.

Your toast should have elements of happy moments about the two of you, but it should really thank the people who made your day special.

But to avoid forgetting to name specific people, keep your thank yous broad. Thank your family, thank your friends, and thank everyone for making this a special memory.

And one last piece of advice: memorize the last line of your speech so that you can look up at the crowd and lift up your voice. You want that moment to be big, not trail off into some mumble or whisper.

Ready to give your toast? We believe in you!

And to those who already gave their toast, what advice do you have? Let us know in the comment section below or share it with us on our Facebook page.

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Survival 101: 5 Tips for Planning a Successful Bachelor(ette) Party

Chances are at some point in your life you’ll be asked to be an attendee, a host, or a planner of a bachelor(ette) party. Cue “The Hangover” and “Bridesmaids” movies—it’s about to get wild! Ha, just kidding! If we’ve learned anything from those movies, it’s best to avoid the extremes and keep the party simple—that’s right, no tigers.

The New York Times recently released a news article suggesting that “The Hangover” bachelor(ette) party mentality is decreasing due to age, social media, and a newfound respect for responsibility and maturity. Although the wild times might have calmed down, a bachelor(ette) party should still be fun and exciting for the bride and groom-to-be. In the words of Officer Nathan Rhodes from “Bridesmaids” don’t be “the maid of dishonor;” follow our survival tips to plan the ultimate bachelor(ette) party.

Ditch the Hangover

A rule of thumb to pass along to your group/clients is the one-to-one rule! For every alcoholic beverage you consume, drink one glass of water. Water is the miracle elixir that helps you recover from a hangover or a headache. Trust us, the morning after look is not a good look, especially on the rehearsal or wedding day. Keep yourself (and your group) hydrated to guarantee a refreshed look the next day!

We also suggest ditching “The Hangover” theme! Don’t get us wrong, we’re big fans of Las Vegas and think it would make an awesome place to party, but do everyone a favor: avoid losing a friend, getting married, and stealing Mike Tyson’s tiger. What we actually mean is that  bachelor(ette) parties don’t have to fit to a certain model in order to be fun. Interestingly-shaped decor or wild, rendezvous nights aren’t mandatory for the party to be considered successful either.

Venue Matters

When planning a bachelor(ette) party, remember that although your ideas might be great, is it what the bride or groom would enjoy? As a planner, it’s OK to ask the party honorees what they would like to happen or not happen during the event. Our biggest suggestion is to listen and stick to what the bride and groom-to-be say. You’re celebrating with your friend/client, so don’t embarrass them just for the sake of the party. Which is why selecting the perfect venue is highly important.

You wouldn’t drink the night away at a spa or go crazy at a resort would you? Of course not! It’s bachelor(ette) survival 101. Kristen Stanton, an Inspherio user and a successful party planner in North Carolina, suggests that bachelor(ette) planners book venues that offer a mixture of both relaxation and fun. A resort spa makes the obvious choice because the party-goers can enjoy massages and facials, as well as drinks and delicious food options.

Picking the Right Date

Between cake tastings, florist appointments, and last minute dress alterations, penciling in a weekend to party can be tricky. No one wants to celebrate a party too far in advance; it feels too anticlimactic. And hosting a party the day before the big event isn’t the best idea either. Our suggestion is to find the perfect bachelor(ette) party sweet spot, which we think is six weeks to a month before the big day. This timeframe builds excitement for the upcoming nuptials, but it is far enough in advance that nerves aren’t in attendance.

Sensitive to the Budget

Just like a wedding, a budget is one of the most important items to keep in mind when planning a party. Although bachelor(ette) party traditions emphasize the responsibility of the host to pay and cover the party expenses, times are changing. The attendees of the party are now helping and contributing to the event, making sure that everything is equally paid for so the bride/groom can enjoy their night expense free. Of course, with this comes respect and sensitivity to the contribution each person can afford.

As the planner, be mindful of the budget. This is not the only expense that the bridal party is paying, so plan your events and location accordingly. It’s also important to keep in mind that each party is different. An event you host for recent graduates will differ from one you plan for a group with careers and mortgages.

Overscheduling

Let’s face it, months before the event we’re pumped and ready to have the wildest weekend bachelor(ette) party. You plan and schedule activities throughout the entire weekend to keep the party moving. Although we’re supportive of your eager spirit, we want to remind you to schedule down time.

Create buffer zones and times between activities to let the party relax and unwind. Planning a wedding is stressful enough for the bride, the last thing she needs is to be constantly pulled from place to place. Our survival tip is to plan one night that you go all out, and then leave the rest of the weekend open for spontaneity or relaxation. A bachelor(ette) party is a time to celebrate the closing of one chapter and the beginning of a new one, so keep it fun, and keep it classy.

*Side tip: To keep everyone on schedule, we suggest telling people the times for reservations an hour earlier than they actually are.  

A bachelor(ette) party doesn’t have to be wild and crazy, but it has to be fun! What tips do you have to help others survive planning a bachelor(ette) party? Share with us in the comment section below! And if you haven’t tried it yet, sign up for Inspherio free for 30 days. It’s the only event business management solution you’ll ever need—we swear by it.

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