Is it common for parents to toast their child at their wedding? I can recall best man and maid of honor toasts, but can't really recall what parents say. Wondering what I'm supposed to say at my son's wedding.
What did your mother and/or father say at your wedding? What did you say at your child's wedding?
Thanks as usual.
One thing that stuck out to me that a parent (FotheB) said is ... talk to each other, talk about the little things and the big things you never know how big or little they REALLY are until they are said. I think that is the best peice of advice I have ever heard at a wedding.
My parents did not toast us at my wedding. And honestly, I can't remember attending a wedding where the parents did give a toast. I'm sure it's done, but in my experience, I don't believe it's commonplace or expected, since I've never seen it, and I've been to lots of weddings...
At our wedding, my maids of honor (sisters) and our best man did a joint toast. It was really cute, personal and funny. I was actually blown-away by it b/c they did it all by phone and email.
We are very blessed to have both of our grandfathers living. So in lieu of my father or FIL toasting (neither are comfortable with public speaking), we asked our grandfathers to do the blessing before the meal. They did a beautiful job and both men made their blessings highly personal to their grandchildren. My husband's grandfather did his in German!
My dad gave a toast, mostly to bust my husband's balls, LOL!! No, he was very sweet, simply thanked everyone for coming and spoke about how our family has now grown... and then, yeah, busted my husband's balls, like 'she's your problem now, not ours, good luck buddy!' type of thing ;)
I don't think it's mandatory, and I know MY dad didn't plan on saying anything, but the opportunity came up and it was just right, just us :)
Absolutely! It is not done every time but parents often stand up and say something to their children. Enjoy!!!
My dad did at ours. Just a quick thanks to everyone for coming (he did his before the MOH/BM speeches), and a congratulations to us.
Took maybe 3 minutes.
Before all other toasts, my dad made a toast at our wedding. Thanking all of our friends for coming to celebrate & be a part of our special day. Welcoming my husband to the family....that sort of thing. Nothing too long. My husband's then-stepfather made a speech as well. We both didn't realize he was gonna do this & thought it inappropriate as he wasn't a man my husband grew up with. My MIL married him when my husband was an adult. In that case, my MIL shoulda made the speech but felt uncomfortabel doing so. Plus nobody could hear him!
I believe that the toasts to the couple should be made by the Best Man (traditional) and perhaps the Maid/Matron of Honor. But the most gracious toast for the parent(s) to make is to toast their incoming daughter or son-in-law--praising their own son or daughter's choice and looking forward to bringing that person into the family and getting to know them better.
A thank you to the guests, a 'welcome to the family' to the new daughter in law and her family and warm wishes to the happy couple. Short and sweet.
Congratulations on the upcoming wedding.
The groom's family (or groom himself) traditionally makes a toast during the rehearsal dinner. I recall a groom who made a toast and thanked all of his grooms men and some how forgot one name. This was the year we graduated college (so a little immature) and the forgotten one was sulking and the groom had to go and comfort him during the dinner.
I think do whatever feels right. I always thought the parents who gives the toast host the event. Regardless of who pays, it is nice to hear loving stories about the couple.
I made a toast at our daughter's wedding. Whatever you say, make it something from your heart. It could be something funny, or something serious. Doesn't matter as long as it speaks to your son, his new wife and the guests present.
