Wedding traditions vary widely from one culture to another around the world. One of these traditions is the wedding speeches or toasts which are given by friends and family members of the bride and groom during the reception. These speeches are typically given to wish the newlywed couple well and to offer congratulations and advice for their future together. However, there is still some confusion about when the wedding toasts should take place – before or after dinner?
Before or After Dinner?
Traditionally, wedding toast speeches were given after dinner, as the final item on the schedule before the dancing and partying begins. This was usually the case when the wedding took place during the daytime, with guests sitting down to a full meal before the speeches took place.
However, in modern times, many couples have a different idea about how their wedding should be structured. Some opt for a more informal reception, with guests standing around and mingling while enjoying light refreshments, such as hors d’oeuvres and drinks. In these cases, the wedding speeches often take place before dinner, while guests are still on their feet and socializing.
Advantages of Having Speeches Before Dinner
One of the advantages of having speeches before dinner is that it ensures that everyone is sober and able to fully appreciate and enjoy the speeches. After all, nobody wants to listen to slurred or incoherent speeches from intoxicated speakers who can’t control their emotions. By scheduling the speeches early in the evening, before alcohol has been consumed in large quantities, it ensures that the speeches will be delivered in a clear, concise, and meaningful way.
Another advantage of having the speeches before dinner is that it gives guests more time to relax and enjoy their meal without worrying about having to speak in public. Speaking in front of a large group of people can be nerve-wracking, and many people feel more relaxed after they’ve eaten and are feeling more comfortable.
Advantages of Having Speeches After Dinner
On the other hand, having the speeches after dinner can also have its advantages. Firstly, it ensures that the guests have eaten and have fully satisfied their appetites. There’s nothing worse than trying to enjoy a heartfelt speech while feeling hungry, so it’s usually better to have speeches after guests have enjoyed a good meal.
Another advantage of having speeches after dinner is that it brings a natural end to the formalities of the day. Once speeches have been completed, guests feel a sense of closure on the formal part of the day, and are free to relax and enjoy the rest of the evening.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the decision of when to hold the wedding speeches is up to the bride, groom and their families. However, it’s important to keep in mind the advantages and disadvantages of having speeches before or after dinner. To summarize, having speeches before dinner can help to ensure that they are delivered in a clear and meaningful way, and allow guests more time to relax and socialize. However, having speeches after dinner can ensure that guests have properly eaten and bring an end to the formalities of the day. Regardless of when speeches occur, it’s important to remember that they are an integral part of the wedding reception, and offer a chance for friends and family members to celebrate the union of the happy couple.
FAQ
When should the toast be given at a wedding?
Toasting is an important part of a wedding reception. It’s the time to raise a glass to the newlyweds and offer words of congratulations, love, and wisdom. But when exactly should toasts be given at a wedding reception?
Traditionally, the toasts are given after the meal. This usually means after all two or three courses of the meal. The reason why toasts are given after the meal is that everyone has finished eating, and the atmosphere has become more celebratory. This also ensures that people have had a chance to settle in, get comfortable, and enjoy their food.
However, you don’t have to wait until after the meal to give a toast. You can decide to do it after one of the courses, like after the salad or before the main course. The timing of the toast can depend on how long you intend the reception to go for. If you’re planning to have a shorter reception, doing the toast after the first or second course is a good idea. This also allows for any latecomers to be caught up without missing the toast.
Another thing to consider when establishing when to give the toast is when you plan to cut the cake. Traditionally, the cake is cut after dinner, but it can also be cut before dinner. If you plan to cut the cake before dinner, it’s best to do the toast before or after cutting the cake. On the other hand, if you plan to cut the cake after dinner, the toast can be given after the cake cutting.
The timing of the toast at a wedding reception can vary. Toasts can be after all two or three courses of the meal, or after one of the courses. The toast can also be given before or after the cutting of the cake, depending when you cut the cake. The most important thing is to make sure everyone has finished eating, and you’ll know the right time to raise a glass to the happy couple.
Do toasts come before or after first dance?
Determining the order of events for a wedding can be overwhelming. One question that commonly arises is whether toasts should come before or after the first dance. Traditionally, toasts are given during the wedding reception, typically after the meal has been served. However, the timing of the toasts is ultimately up to the couple’s discretion.
In modern weddings, many couples opt to have the first dance immediately after they are announced as a married couple at the start of the reception, which makes the dance the opening act of the reception. If a couple chooses to have their first dance in this way, the toasts would be scheduled to follow the dance. This order of events works well as it allows for a nice transition from a formal moment to a more relaxed one.
If a couple decides to switch things up and have the toasts before the first dance, it can also work depending on their preferences. One benefit of having the toasts prior to the first dance is that they can act as an emotional lead-in. By having toasts early on, it may be less disruptive to the overall flow of the reception as well since it will avoid cutting off the dance floor midway during the celebration.
The most important thing is to ensure that all of these important events fit into the timeline of the reception in a way that feels natural and seamless. Whether a couple decides to have the toasts before or after the first dance, it is essential to make sure that the order of events flows smoothly and that guest transitions are well-managed. By creating a logical order of events, and communicating with the wedding party and planner, a couple can ensure that their wedding reception is executed seamlessly leading to the most memorable day of their lives.
Do you do toasts during dinner wedding?
When planning a wedding reception, many couples wonder about the timing of toasts. Should they occur during dinner or afterward? While there’s no hard-and-fast rule, traditional wedding etiquette suggests that toasts take place after the meal. Serving dinner before speeches helps to ensure that most guests are present and engaged, and it also allows them to enjoy their food without interruptions.
Furthermore, serving dinner first ensures that guests’ attention is not divided between the meal and the speeches. A toast made during dinner may be disrupted by guests who are still eating and clinking their glasses or talking amongst themselves. It’s also worth noting that people are often more comfortable and relaxed after a meal (especially if there are alcoholic beverages involved), making it a better environment for heartfelt speeches.
The decision of when to do toasts during a wedding reception is up to the couple. However, they should keep in mind that allowing guests to enjoy their dinner uninterrupted, followed by toasts during a more relaxed and focused atmosphere, can increase everyone’s enjoyment of the reception.
