But what does Wine Etiquette say about it? Is it acceptable to take photos while toasting? Can you take a selfie during the toast? In this article, we give a definitive answer to these questions.

Toasts and selfies: what does Wine Etiquette say?

Modern etiquette, faced with the widespread popularity of selfies, must inevitably adapt and offer guidance on this practice as well. The world changes quickly, and with it come new trends that call for attention and proper rules. Taking a selfie during a toast is one of these phenomena: a gesture that takes place within a ritual, traditional, symbolic moment.

Below, we explore what Wine Etiquette has to say on the subject.

Why have selfies during a toast become so common?

With the rise of social media, the desire to share every moment of the holidays has grown significantly. Instagram, TikTok and Facebook have almost turned it into a “duty” to document every detail, from Christmas lunch to a toast with friends. The toast-selfie trend comes from two main motivations:

• Remembering the moment: taking a photo allows you to preserve a memory of the festivities.

• Sharing the experience online: for many, capturing the toast means showing the taste, style and atmosphere of the holidays, sharing the emotion of the moment with others.

However, before grabbing your smartphone, it’s important to ask yourself: can this practice be reconciled with the symbolic value of the toast? This gesture, after all, represents conviviality, respect and togetherness. Interrupting it or turning it into an opportunity for photos risks weakening its symbolic power...

According to etiquette, can you take a selfie during a toast?

Let’s answer the key question of our article: according to Wine Etiquette, taking selfies during a toast is not recommended.

The main reasons why a selfie at this moment is discouraged are:

• Distraction: the smartphone distracts and draws the participants’ attention away from the gesture, the looks, and the smiles shared with others.

• Interruption of eye contact: looking into the eyes of the people beside you is essential, it’s one of the key elements of a proper toast. A selfie can break this connection, which is fundamental to conviviality.

• Awkward or forced postures: posed smiles or artificial expressions look unnatural and compromise the elegance of the toast.

• Disturbance to others: the act of taking a selfie or trying to find the right angle can annoy those around you.

• Loss of the symbolic value of the gesture: a toast is not just a formal gesture, it is a genuine moment of sharing, unity and mutual respect. Interrupting it or turning it into a photo opportunity risks reducing its depth and original meaning: from a gesture of conviviality and attentiveness toward others, it becomes a moment to capture, losing part of its elegance and symbolic value.

In any case, in certain situations, an exception can be made...

When it’s acceptable to take a selfie during a toast

For selfie enthusiasts, this paragraph is essential. Modern Wine Etiquette does leave some “room” for flexibility, identifying a few situations in which taking a selfie during a toast is acceptable and the specific moment in the ritual when it is most appropriate. The key is to find a balance between the desire to capture the moment and the respect for the symbolic value of the gesture.

The most suitable contexts for taking a selfie during a toast are:

• Informal celebrations with family and friends: when everyone knows each other and the atmosphere is relaxed and cheerful, a selfie can be a fun way to remember the evening. The goal is to share the moment without interrupting conviviality, keeping smiles natural and spontaneous.

• Social events, group parties: these are meetings, parties, or moments of socializing organized for convivial or recreational purposes, often with colleagues or groups of people, where the social dimension is more important than formality. These settings, less rigid than weddings, formal dinners or institutional events, allow for selfies as long as they are taken discreetly and respectfully.

Wine Etiquette also indicates the ideal moment for taking the photo: a selfie is allowed only right after the official toast, only after everyone has raised their glass, made eye contact and taken a sip (and before setting the glass back on the table). This way, the photo does not interfere with the ceremony and the symbolic value of the toast remains intact.

When not to take a selfie during a toast

Not every toast is suitable for a photo. In some situations, taking a selfie can be inappropriate or inelegant. It’s best to avoid it in the following cases:

• Formal or ceremonial toasts:

• weddings

• official dinners

• corporate events

• meetings with authorities

In these contexts, the toast is a gesture of courtesy and shared respect: using a phone can distract participants from the ceremony and give the impression that you value social media content more than the meaning of the occasion.

• People who do not want to appear in photos: if someone is reserved or does not wish to be featured on social media, it’s essential to respect people’s privacy. Forcing someone to be photographed can create discomfort, spoil the atmosphere and appear disrespectful.

How to take a selfie during a toast (while respecting etiquette)

Here are the key points for taking a selfie without breaking etiquette and while preserving the symbolic value of the toast. These are simple rules, but essential to combine elegance and modernity:

• Toast first, snap later: fully experience the moment of the toast. Raise your glass, make eye contact with the other participants, smile and savor the sip. Only after completing the symbolic gesture should you pick up your phone to capture the scene. This way, you respect the ritual and do not interrupt its magic.

• Prefer group selfies: a selfie that includes everyone is more elegant. Avoid focusing solely on glasses or individual hands. The selfie should highlight the conviviality of the moment.

• Always ask for permission: before taking the photo, make sure everyone agrees to appear in it. Not everyone likes being photographed, especially if the image will end up online. Asking for consent is a gesture of attention, courtesy and respect that reinforces the positive atmosphere of the toast. If consent is not given, no photo!

• Be quick and discreet: the selfie should be a small detail, not the focus of the toast. Avoid long poses, framing experiments or multiple repeated shots. An elegant selfie is quick, natural and doesn’t monopolize attention.

By following these simple rules, it is possible to combine the pleasure of capturing the moment with the elegance of traditional etiquette, making the toast memorable without turning it into a photo show.