Wedding Wednesday Q&A: How Long Should Your Wedding Toasts Be?

Q: We’re trying to figure out our wedding toasts and we’re wondering, how many is too many? And how long should they be?

These are both really good questions!

Wedding toasts are a very traditional part of your wedding day.

It’s a chance for your loved ones to share their wishes for you. And it can a fun way for guests to learn something about the couple.

But let’s be honest, wedding toasts can also be really boring!

I’m sure you’ve been to a wedding where someone just droned on and on… Or to a wedding where it seemed like everyone and their mother spoke.

Toasts are great, but in order for people to enjoy them (including you), you have to do them right. Otherwise your guests will get bored.

Because we’re all human. And although we’re adults, we don’t have long attention spans.

We just don’t.

So, with wedding toasts there are 2 rules you want to follow:

Rule #1 – Don’t have more than 4 toasts

Any more than 4 toasts and it’s just too much. Your guests will just lose interest if you have too many.

Now there is no minimum, but just don’t go over 4.

And if you have to have more than 4, have some people speak at the welcome or rehearsal dinner instead.

It will make it so much more enjoyable for everyone.

Rule #2 – Wedding toasts should be no longer than 5 minutes max

Because it’s not just about the number of toasts, it’s the length too that matters.

If you have 2 toast givers but they talk for 20 minutes each, your guests will start nodding off.

No one can listen for that long about someone else.

So you want to keep your toasts short and sweet. 3-4 minutes is ideal and definitely not more than 5.

Wedding toasts are meant to share well wishes to the couple along with a story or a little roasting.

They’re meant to be fun for the couple and the guests.

So, make sure you keep it that way!

Limit your toast givers and let them know that they have a max of 5 minutes.

So that way, when they write their speech they can keep that timing in mind.

You can’t control how good of a speaker they are or how good of a toast it will be.

But, with these two rules, it will at least ensure that your wedding toasts are enjoyable for everyone.

Are you planning your wedding and feeling overwhelmed? You’re not quite sure what you should be doing or if what you’re doing is right?

Does this sound familiar?  We understand and we want to help make wedding planning easier and happier!

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