All weddings are governed by traditions no matter where on earth you are, and one of those traditions comes during the reception when the champagne toast is given. Everyone is excited and happy for the new couple and want to wish them well, and that is primarily the function of the toast.
Depending on the formality of the occasion will decide how and when the champagne toast will be given, and also how many toasts there will be during the merrymaking. In every situation regardless of formality though, usually the father of the bride will start the toasting and wishing the couple every happiness and much good fortune in their new life together. He will then be followed by family and friends who want to stand up and add their wishes as well. The toasting usually is done around the time of the dinner, either before dinner is served or just after the main meal is finished and before the dessert is served.
When planning the champagne toast part of the wedding, it is imperative to take into consideration the fact that many people today do not like champagne at all and will not drink it, so why waste all that money when a suitable substitute could be used—-such as sparkling grape juice or sparkling apple juice. And another thing is that the religious overtones of the ceremony may not allow the drinking of alcohol, so you would need to use something else for your toast besides champagne. In the entire scope of the universe, I don’t think it matters too much to the assembled guests whether they are toasting the couple with apple juice or champagne or sparkling water for that matter. The important thing is the meaning of the champagne toast, not what you are toasting with; and a lot of money is saved in the process that could be used more effectively elsewhere.
Sometimes the group does not really like or want the champagne involved in giving a champagne toast, but the wedded couple feels that something is lost if they do not have real champagne to toast each other at the reception. In that case, a bottle of champagne could be used for the head table with a special set of decorated flutes for the couple to drink it from; while the guests at the reception tables would have something else to salute with and are using more inexpensive glasses. Two birds are killed with one stone where the feeling of specialness is maintained for the bride and groom, and the expense of the toasting for the guests is kept to a minimum.
For the champagne toast itself, remember to keep it short and sweet. Don’t go yammering on about yourself and happenings that mean little to the gathered folks in front of you. Make it personal for the bridal couple, insert little jokes if you are good at it (if not, forget it), tell a funny story about the couple (keep it clean), tell them how much you appreciate them and being a part of their lives and celebration, and above all—–be brief, down to earth, sober!, and sincere. Make sure you end the champagne toast with a salute to the couple—like Cheers! –or Prosit! –whatever works—-so the folks listening to you know that the toast is over; raise your glass to the couple and the guests will follow suit, and then remember to drink from your glass. The guests will follow your lead and do the same.
Most people when planning a wedding celebration, have in mind a budget for the occasion, and try to stick to that budget with everything that they plan. This of course will include the champagne toast and all that goes with it; deciding whether to use champagne or a substitute, crystal or plastic flutes to toast with, and how much champagne to order. A cost comparison is in order if you are to get the best deal for your money and the following figures are just a short overview. There are those who always want the best of everything, and that includes their wedding day plans, so springing for champagne at $40/bottle for the true French stuff is nothing and when the crystal flutes for the guests are included, the cost per person is approximately $7. For those who cannot or will not pay that amount for the champagne, there are other options. A midrange cost would run you $14/bottle and with standard flutes included, the cost would be $3/person; but if you wanted to pare the cost down even further, you could go with champagne costing $5/bottle and the per person cost would be $1.50. If you are using a caterer you must remember to figure in his cost of uncorking every bottle used, which usually runs about $1/bottle used.
To make sure that the wedding day is all you want it to be and not exceed your budget, you need to take into consideration all the costs including those for the champagne toast to make sure you get what you want at the cost you are willing to pay. With that done, the wedding day will be a very positive memory for everyone.
If you would like to make a comment, please fill out the form below.
