Clink, Sip, Celebrate: How to Say “Cheers” Around the World at Your Melrose Wedding
There is a distinct magic to the sound of clinking glasses. It’s the universal signal that a room full of people is united in pure joy, celebration, and love.
Whether you’re hosting an intimate rehearsal dinner, a grand wedding reception, or a milestone corporate gala, the toast is often the emotional heartbeat of the night. At Melrose Knitting Mill, our historic urban chic space has seen thousands of glasses raised beneath our soaring ceilings, dramatic arched windows, and warm exposed brick.
If you want to bring a little international flair or honor your heritage during your Downtown Raleigh wedding, why not change up the standard “cheers”? Here is how to share a celebratory toast in seven different languages, along with the unique traditions that go with them.
Seven Ways to Toast Your Guests
1. Santé (French)
- Pronunciation: Sahn-tay
- Meaning: “To your health.”
- The Tradition: In France, eye contact is absolutely mandatory while clinking glasses. Breaking eye contact—or crossing arms with someone else while reaching across the table—is said to bring seven years of bad luck!
2. Salute (Italian)
- Pronunciation: Sah-loo-tay
- Meaning: “Health.”
- The Tradition: Much like the French, Italians value looking each other in the eye. It’s also customary to tap your glass on the table after clinking but before taking your first sip.
3. ¡Salud! (Spanish)
- Pronunciation: Sah-lood
- Meaning: “Health.”
- The Tradition: A common festive chant often accompanies Spanish toasts: “Arriba, abajo, al centro, pa’ dentro” (Up, down, to the center, inside!). You move your glass in each direction before taking a drink.
4. Prost (German)
- Pronunciation: Prohst
- Meaning: “May it do good.”
- The Tradition: Used primarily for beer, a hearty Prost! requires a firm clink. If you are drinking wine, you would say Zum Wohl (To your health) instead.
5. Kanpai (Japanese)
- Pronunciation: Kahn-pie
- Meaning: “Dry the glass” (similar to “bottoms up”).
- The Tradition: In Japanese culture, it is considered polite to pour drinks for others rather than yourself. When toasting, if you are clinking with someone of higher status or an elder, ensure the rim of your glass touches slightly below theirs as a sign of respect.
6. Sláinte (Irish Gaelic)
- Pronunciation: Slawn-cha
- Meaning: “Health.”
- The Tradition: Perfect for a lively, energetic reception crowd. It’s often followed by spirited storytelling or a traditional Irish blessing for the newlyweds.
7. Geonbae (Korean)
- Pronunciation: Gahn-bae
- Meaning: “Empty the glass.”
- The Tradition: Similar to Japanese custom, turn your head slightly away from elders or superiors when taking your sip after the toast as a sign of respect.
Cheers to Every Moment of Your Raleigh Wedding
Instead of just saying the words, we love seeing our couples and their guests put them into action. Here are a few of our favorite ways to raise a glass throughout the big night at Melrose Knitting Mill:
Cheers to the Happy Couple
There is nothing quite like that first quiet breath—and first shared sip—after saying “I do.” Our historic bricks have witnessed countless couples taking a moment to toast to their new beginning together.
Cheers to the Wedding Party
For the friends who helped you get to the altar, a big, energetic ¡Salud! or Sláinte! is entirely necessary. The open layout at Melrose gives your wedding party plenty of room to mingle, laugh, and kick off the night right.
Cheers to Family & Friends
When the room fills with the sound of clinking glasses under our hanging chandeliers, you can feel the history and warmth of the mill come alive. This is what a Downtown Raleigh reception is all about—bringing everyone you love into one beautiful space to celebrate.
Bringing Global Traditions to a Historic Raleigh Venue
Every culture has its own beautiful way of marking life’s greatest milestones. At Melrose Knitting Mill, we pride ourselves on being a versatile, all-inclusive Raleigh wedding venue that accommodates diverse traditions, cultural customs, and unique personal touches.
Located on the active, vibrant edge of Downtown Raleigh, our multi-story historic building blends industrial soul with timeless elegance. The open floor plan gives you total creative freedom to design a layout that keeps the energy high, the drinks flowing, and the toasts echoing beautifully off our original wood beams.
Ready to click, sip, and celebrate?