A wedding toast is usually a short speech (often only a few couple of sentences), given by somebody close to either of the wedding couple’s families wishing the newly married couple a happy married life. A wedding toast is offered in honor of the bride and the groom. All the other guests then raise the glass and drink to show their support.
In most Western countries, before or after a meal (traditionally paid for by the bride’s family, though rarer now), toasts are made by the wedding party wishing the couple well. Traditionally, the speaking parties include the bride’s father, groom, the best man (who usually slips in a few good-natured jokes at the couple’s expense) and the maid of honor.
Source: Wikipedia
Customarily the best man, the maid of honor and the parents of the bride as well as the groom will say something over the course of events. However, close friends, the bride and groom themselves or anyone who has something to say is welcome to make a toast.
It goes without saying that best man toasts are a very significant element of the wedding reception. The best man is expected to give a speech which is humorous and cheerful rather than a solemn one like, for instance, the father of the bride speech. The best man speech generally concludes offering a toast to the groom and the bride. A best man wedding toast can, in fact, make the wedding reception graceful or ruin it completely. No wonder the best man speech or toast is considered as the most important wedding toast.
Suggested reading - Here’s an excellent article related to Wedding Toast.
Creating the Perfect Wedding Toast
How to create a beautiful wedding toast that is formal yet fun and interesting.
View more »
