DC Wedding Planning - 6 Tips To Give The Perfect Wedding Toast

As top-rated DJ in DC, our reputation has been earned not only by packing the dance floors of fantastic Washington DC and Northern VA wedding venues, it is earned thru providing excellent service to our couples and corporate party clients well before the first note is ever played.

One way we provide service is thru our blog posts which share useful tips that we have learned by performing at hundreds of weddings from Northern VA to Lancaster PA and all points in between.

I hope that you’ll enjoy this article which covers the Wedding Toast, a tradition that can cause angst in those who are chosen to give one.

This article will give you six easy to use tips that will help you relax and give a toast that wows the guests and makes you look like a total professional.

Wedding trends evolve and some activities or traditions that were once a staple of every wedding reception such as the Garter Removal have become less common. There is one activity that you can count on witnessing at every wedding regardless of the guest count. That is that someone is going to give a short speech, a toast, or welcome the guests.

Statistics show that public speaking is one of the biggest fears that most people have. Many folks would rather endure a root canal than speak to a group of people no matter how small of a group it may be. It stands to reason that since this is an act that most folks avoid, most have little experience doing it.

This article is intended to provide a few pointers to those who have been asked to give a wedding toast. Whether you are planning to speak to a group of 200 guests at Moonstone Manor or a more intimate gathering at Ceresville Mansion these tips are universal.

1. Keep the wireless microphone close to your mouth.

A common misconception is that you shouldn't keep the mic to close too your mouth because that can cause feedback. That is totally false and one of the worst things that you can do.

Feedback usually occurs when the microphone is too close to a speaker or when the mic is too far away from the mouth and the volume is too loud on it.

Watch any performer and one thing is consistent regardless of how active the performer may be: The microphone is always positioned close to the mouth.

If the speaker is at a podium, the microphone is fixed at chin level. If the microphone is on a stand, the performer stands directly behind it a couple of inches away. If the performer is dancing or moving, they use a headset mic that is inches from their mouth.

There is nothing cool about holding the microphone at your chest or even at waist level. This will result in some guests shouting “Louder!” or “Turn it up!”

Here’s the thing: your DC DJ can only turn the microphone volume or gain so high. At some point, if turned up any higher, the horrible screech of feedback will fill the room!

The guests want to hear what you have to say.

It is a very important part of the celebration. A microphone is a tool. If used properly it will enhance the experience. If not used properly it will be at best worthless and if it hits the screech level, detested.

2. Speak at your normal voice level.

The purpose of the microphone is to project your voice so that all guests can hear the interesting stories and anecdotes you have to share. Don’t cheat them out of this experience by being inaudible or yelling into the microphone.

 While you may be holding the microphone close to your lips and not at chest or waist level as described above, the result is the same. If the guests cannot hear you and they become quickly aggravated.

Trying to boost the volume will cause unpleasant feedback. If you yell into the microphone you may produce cardiac arrest.

3. Practice, Practice, Practice.

If you’re a best man, parent, or maid of honor and you are planning on giving a speech at a wedding, it will help you tremendously if you practice it. Practice in your car, to your cat, or even better; to a friend that can give you feedback.

Memorizing what you plan to say, even if only the outline and not word for word; can alleviate much of the fear of public speaking. Part of the fear is often that you’ll become tongue-tied or freeze up.

Knowing what you plan to say and having a bit of practice will put that fear to rest.

 4. Take your time.

Being nervous is a natural feeling if you are not used to holding a microphone and speaking in public. That’s natural! Take a deep breath and maybe a sip of water to calm your nerves.

There's no need to rush your speech.

If you lose focus or become distracted, take a moment to pause and regain your peace and composure. Remember, not a single person in attendance is aware of what you plan to say. They are hearing your speech for the very first time. They don’t know “how it goes”. As far as they know, your short pause to collect your thoughts is all part of your presentation.

5. Put your drink down.

If you are toasting the newlyweds it makes sense to have your beverage close by but don’t have it in your hand as you give your toast. Place it on a table or on the floor.

The wedding photographer will be happy that you did.

6. Don't move the microphone around as you speak and don’t “drop the mic” at the end.

You should try to maintain eye contact with the audience.

To keep eye contact you may have to turn your body slightly as you survey the room. As you turn make sure that the microphone moves with you. If it doesn’t, your voice will fade in and out as you move closer and further from the microphone. The effect will be similar to listening to the radio as a child turns the volume knob up and down.

Lastly, never, ever, ever do a “mic drop”! It may look like the “cool thing” to do but it will not be considered cool by the bride and groom when they are given a bill to replace a microphone that costs a minimum of $200!

Professional quality microphones are delicate and costly pieces of equipment. Ours are protected at all times in metal, padded carrying case. They are not meant to be handled roughly and dropping a microphone is considered to be misused.

I hope that you have enjoyed this article. If you find it helpful and informative I invite you to share it on the social media platform of your choice.

If you are planning a wedding or corporate event in our service area, we would love the opportunity to learn more about your plans. Our DJs routinely travel to all areas within a 90 - minute drive from Chambersburg PA.

This convenient location permits us to offer wedding DJ services to clients from Washington DC to Frederick MD, as well as wedding DJ’s for couples celebrating in Lancaster and Harrisburg PA.

Our demand is as large as our service area! If you would like to check our availability for your date or chat about your plan’s click the link below or simply send us a text.