I’m not saying it should literally only be 3 words long. But if it was, then this would be your toast: “We love you.”

When you stand to make a wedding toast, you’re speaking for the folks who are still sitting down. Your job is to sum up their good wishes and express them to the bride and groom. There are 100 ways to pull this off. And when you’re done, if guests can nod and say “yep, I agree with that sentiment” – then you did it right.

In 15 years as owner of Backthird Entertainment, I’ve served as MC for a lot of weddings. I’ve seen perfect speeches, awkward moments – and enormous snooze fests. But in the end, writing a great toast is simple. Here are three words to guide you on your way.

1. Us.

You’re speaking on behalf of all the guests – so it might help if they know who you are. As succinctly as possible, introduce yourself and say something to establish a link with the rest of the wedding guests. This can be as simple as, “Hi everyone, I’m Mike’s good friend from college, and I’ve really been honored to be a part of this day. I’m sure many of you feel the same way.”

2. You.

Most of your toast should be spent talking about the bride or groom. Say something unique and personal about them, or tell a story that reminds us all how special they are. You could aim for “funny” or “sweet” – just don’t go for “embarrassing!” Consider addressing the wedding couple directly: “Kristen, one of my favorite things about you is your welcoming smile. You always put me at ease to be myself.”

3. Short.

Ready for a real secret? Being brief is more important than being brilliant. A wedding crowd is the most generous audience you could ask for – they’ll love anything you say, as long as it’s (a) from the heart and (b) not keeping them from their dinner. So limit your toast to a couple of flashcards, then raise that glass and say, “I think I speak for everyone when I say we love you and we wish you all the best.” Clink! And you’re outta there.

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