In the Oxford English Dictionary, the word ‘Toast’ is described as a ’’…call to a gathering of people to raise their glasses and drink together in honour of a person or thing, or an instance of drinking in this way…’’.
At an Irish Wedding, there are many opportunities to Toast people during the following Wedding Speeches:
- Father of the Bride can Toast the Bride & Groom
- Mother of the Bride can Toast the Bride & Groom
- Father of the Groom can Toast the Bride & Groom
- Mother of the Groom can Toast the Bride & Groom
- Bridesmaids can Toast the Bride and the Bride & Groom
- Groomsmen can Toast the Groom and the Bride & Groom
- The Groom can Toast the Bridesmaids
- The Bestman can Toast the Bride & Groom
- Father of the Bride can Toast the deceased i.e., absent friends
- Mother of the Bride can Toast the deceased i.e., absent friends
- Father of the Groom can Toast the deceased i.e., absent friends
- Mother of the Groom can Toast the deceased i.e., absent friends
- The Groom can Toast the deceased i.e., absent friends
At many Irish Weddings, you will see and hear four Toasts:
- Father / Mother of the Bride will Toast the Bride & Groom
- Father / Mother of the Groom will Toast the Bride & Groom
- The Groom will Toast the Bridesmaids
- The Bestman will Toast the Bride & Groom
However, there should only be two Toasts at an Irish Wedding:
- The Groom should Toast the Bridesmaids
- The Bestman should Toast the Bride & Groom