Part and parcel of being a parent or part of a wedding party is giving a toast. If the only requirement for the speech was to throw out a big "thank you for coming" line, most people wouldn't sweat it. However, wedding toasts are make or break moments that people remember long after the big event. How people remember the toasts is directly related to how well they are delivered. Follow these tips and you'll be a good memory instead of an embarrassing YouTube clip.

Keep it Simple, Stupid

You've known the groom since high school. You suffered through every one of his high-maintenance ex-girlfriends. You were even there when he was tossed into jail for streaking on the local college campus. You could talk for ten minutes straight about the mistakes he made leading up to finally, against all odds, choosing the right girl. Before you start bullet pointing every poignant memory, hold up.

Wedding toasts should always be short and simple. At a max, you should only wax poetic for four minutes. If you start sharing a ten-minute soliloquy with your captive wedding audience, you'll make enemies faster than if you leaned over mid-ceremony to kiss the bride. Avoid recounting every single second of your life with the bride or groom and choose to share just one or two special memories instead. Offer up one piece of advice at the end to round the whole thing off and call it a day.

Appropriate Memories and Advice

One of the keys to creating great wedding toasts is to share memories that are cute, funny, and most of all appropriate. Subjects to avoid include former relationships, past drug and alcohol use, sexual escapades, and trips to jail.

When offering up advice, avoid sharing religious or political counsel, as wedding guests are likely to be from several different backgrounds. Skip clichés and advice that can be found on coffee cups (i.e. :"never go to bed angry") and instead go for something a little bit more realistic (i.e.: "you will go to bed angry, but make sure to turn the lights off first to keep your electric bill low.")

Introducing You: The Stand-up Comedian

Contrary to what you might have been told, wedding toasts are not an opportunity for you to try your hand at stand-up comedy. If you try to be funnier than you naturally are, you will fail. Stick with what you know best, whether it be knock knock jokes or sarcastic one-liners. If you're not sure if your humor is appropriate for the wedding in question, enlist another member of the wedding party to listen to your dry run.

There Are Two People Getting Married

It's likely that you currently have a stronger relationship with either the bride or the groom because of past experiences. So it's also likely that you will feel more comfortable delivering your speech to the person that you know best. Go against your natural instincts, as speaking to just one person is likely to make the other person feel left out or uncomfortable. Make sure to offer up your wit and wisdom to both members of the wedding party and your speech will be happily remembered for years to come.

In that same vein, keep comments about your own life to a minimum. I'm sure your prior breakup really does have a lot in common with the bride and groom's impending marriage, but consider drawing that comparison later over a drink at the hotel bar.

One Drink, Two Tops

Speaking of drinking, it's imperative that you limit your alcohol intake prior to giving any wedding toasts. Sure, it seems like a good idea to down a shot or two before you "perform" in front of a group of strangers, but itýs more likely to ruin your toast than help it. If you're really nervous prior to delivering your toast, grab a bit of fresh air and down a glass of water instead. Save the extra drinks for when you celebrate the fact that you wonýt have to give another wedding toast until your next friend or family member gets hitched.