Brazilian Wedding Toasts: Cheers, Speeches, and Customs

Who speaks, and when

• Formal speeches are rare. The padrinhos and madrinhas, several couples who stand with the bride and groom, are honored but not expected to speak.
• A parent may toast, and the couple thanks the guests, often from the dance floor.
• The room calls 'Viva os noivos!' at the cake and whenever it feels right.

How long

A sentence and a glass. The dancing is the evening and it starts early and ends late.

What you’ll see

• Bem-casados, 'well-married,' small sweet cakes wrapped in paper, are given to every guest as a wish for the couple.
• The padrinhos often wear matching colors or ties and dresses chosen by the couple.
• The groom's tie may be cut into pieces and sold to guests to pay for the honeymoon.
• A late-night snack and the dance floor still full at four in the morning is normal.
• The bride may take a short break for a dessert table that is a work of art in itself.

If you’re the guest from somewhere else

• Dance. There is no sitting out at a Brazilian wedding.
• 'Viva os noivos' when the room says it. 'Saúde' for the glass.
• Do not plan anything the next morning.

A toast you could give

Short, warm, specific to the couple, and ending on the phrase. Swap in your own names and your own detail; the shape is what matters.

Beatriz taught me to samba in her kitchen and I am still bad at it, but she still invites me. Rafael, you are marrying the most generous teacher in Brazil. Viva os noivos! Saúde!