Toasts - Before, during, or after dinner?

lindsay5432

What works best?

janicejab

  I think during dinner works best. Everyone is already seated and has should have a beverage to toast with. Before and after, I think too many people are mingling or may not have a drink with them.

james110

I broke mine up so people could start eating. My dad wanted to give a toast so he did his before dinner.  The best man and maid of honor was after dinner.  The order of events after the ceremony that worked for me was as follows.  We didn't do the bouquet toss or garter toss but you can do what works for you.

• cocktail hour/ family photos
• Bridal party entrance
• First Dance
• Father of Bride Toast
• Father Daughter Dance
• Dinner
• Best Man & Maid of Honor Toasts (towards end of dinner)
• Open Dancing
• Cake Cutting (1st band or DJ break)
• Final Song/ Getaway

fallbride1109

We only had MOH/best man toasts.  We did it about an hour after dinner had started, before cake cutting, and then the cake was cut and served as dessert. 

lthom17

We are doing toasts:

1) before dinner (father)
2) after the salad course (2 from BP)
3) during dinner (2-4 from BP and/or parents)

Depends how many people will speak.  Also, if you have a lot, must make sure each person keeps their toast SHORT! 

em01092

I've been to a wedding where, just prior to dinner, someone welcomes all to the reception and/or to bless the meal. My grandmother will be doing this. Its not really a toast but still a nice thing for someone in your family or WP to do as an honor, if they/you want. 

I would say do them during dinner, toward the end of the meal, like when everyone is finishing up or getting seconds lol. You can also have some people give toasts during the RD if you have a lot of people wanting to give toasts and you want to break them up so they are not all at once and are worried about people getting bored. 

tenofcups4me

I've always seen toasts right before dinner just after everyone is seated.

Allycat11

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_toasts-before-during-after-dinner?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:2e292f18-a32d-4672-84b6-16b8fd2351a7Post:91d05117-6afb-4f90-96b0-e86f20f1205b">Re: Toasts - Before, during, or after dinner?</a>:
[QUOTE]I've always seen toasts right before dinner just after everyone is seated.
Posted by tenofcups4me[/QUOTE]

Ditto.  I like the idea of breaking them up but with us doing a champagne toast it would be a little awkward.

vexie

We're doing the toasts/speeches between the courses ..

My dad will say grace
after salad - MOH
after soup - BM
after main course - both families
after dessert - bride & groom