Etiquette Tuesday: "I Would Like to Propose a Toast"

"Cheers to your new life together", "Kudos on your new endeavor", "I would like to propose a toast"...sound familiar?? These are common closings on the Toast. This weeks Etiquette Tuesday focuses on the proper way to toast. The top three things to remember are: 1. Keep it short 2. Choose your words carefully and 3. Timing. The first one is self-explanatory. No one wants to hear you ramble on for 20 minutes about every single memory you have with that person or couple, tell one nostalgic story that really stands out and we will all get the picture. Not to say it should be two seconds long, but keep it to about 2-4 minutes depending on the occasion.

Choosing your words: At your best friends wedding rehearsal dinner is not the time to bring up that threesome you did in college. Keep some stories for the bachelor party or a more appropriate, private setting. Also, embarrassing or hurtful stories should be best left until the crowd has cleared out. Timing is knowing when it's your turn to talk. If you are not apart of the immediate hosting party or bridal party, basically you should wait until one of these people initiates the toasting segment of the evening.

A toast is supposed to encourage and make the guest(s) of honor feel special. A toast is not supposed to embarrass, humiliate or tell every single detail about the persons life. Use discretion, keep it short, know your place and things should be fine. Cheers!

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