What do you all think about having an open mic for toasts?

NO NO NO! This is very boring for your guests.

Sorry, I didn't mean my comments to sound mean. Just that I have been to weddings where this has happened and did not enjoy that part at all.

Oh I dont like it you get people doing boring speeches or the ones who have a lil bit too much to drink and it can drag on forever

I considered leaving the mic open during dinner but I think I've slowly changed my mind. Plus when I did a walk through at the venue last week, where the podium will be set up, I don't think I want a constant stream of people.

All I can say is beware of drunkingly annoying guests with embarassing stories.

I say..negative

If you have a website maybe you can put on there:

"if you would like to make a toast at our wedding please contact me so we can make sure you get the oppurtunity."

I would say no as well just because of the time element. Imagine listening to speeches for 20-30 minutes. YIKES! Save that for the rehearsal dinner if you want.

Oh and I just noticed that you're getting married on my birthday! Congrats!

I've never seen it done well, unless you have a few friends and family who know you well, can tell funny stories briefly and add some wisdom...

otherwise skip it and on with the dancing, drinking, and picture taking.

It's all great if the speech giver is entertaining, witty, and funny though...

but more often it's kind of boring and more for the speech giver than for the audience or even the bride and groom.

Ok...I'm with all of you...nix the open mic idea..just wanted to see if anyone was doing it..thanks ladies.

Teresa...that's a good idea, thanks!

Guerita...I'm getting married on ur bday!hehehee

We're having a casual "At-Home Reception" and it's only for close family and friends, so less than 100 people. We'll be doing "roasts" not "toasts." Neither FH nor myself are very sentimental and we all love embarrassing each other. For us, an open mic works, but in more formal settings, or where not everyone is very familiar with each other, I don't think it would work.

We're doing an open mic at the rehersal dinner, but not at our reception- because we dont want to bore guests and we dont want people telling dumb speeches BM, MOH, our thank you, my dad, then it's over.

I'm not a fan of "open mic" toasts. I think they slow down the pace of your wedding reception.

HOWEVER... I had the coolest one happen last year. We opened up the microphone and the only person who toasted was the ring-bearer - 7 year-old kid. He made such a cute little speech, nobody wanted to follow that!

Wow, Carlos, that's a tough act to follow.

It brings up another question in my mind. For closed mike toasts when the MOH and BM are scheduled to give toasts who should go first - the more experienced speaker? I recently had a situation where the MOH left the room while the BM was toasting, since she couldn't overcome her stage fright.

Dan