Bridal Club Magazine
Father of the Bride speeches
Father-of the-bride speeches should be memorable for all the
right reasons. It can be touching or lightly humorous, and is often
a combination of the two. Here's everything you ever needed to know
about the father-of-the-bride speech.
Speech Tips
Traditionally, the father-of-the-bride speech comes first,
followed by the groom and finally the best man. The speeches come
after the wedding breakfast and finish with the toasts to the happy
couple. The speech doesn't need to last more than just a few
minutes and is often simply filled with amusing anecdotes of
your daughter's childhood. Add in a mention of how she met her new
husband and how he has been welcomed into the family.
If the thought of making a speech in public is a little
daunting, please do remember that you will only be standing up
before mainly friends and family, and everyone there will want you
to feel comfortable. Just relax, you don't have to be a stand-up
comic on the day, you can leave that role to the best man and just
say what you feel.
The most enjoyable speeches come straight from the heart,
with honesty and sincerity. It's also good to remember to -
- Speak slowly so everyone can hear what you are saying.
- Use cue cards to remind you of each main point you want to
cover but don't read your speech word for word if you can help
it.
- Practice your speech in front of an audience before the big
day.
- Be sober - it will not help you to have that extra drink to
'calm your nerves.'
- Keep it short - ten minutes is enough.
The father of the bride speech is also made on behalf of
the bride's mother. If she has died, then this may be the moment to
say a few words in her memory. You could be very modern and have a
mother of the bride speech instead or as well.
Sample Speech Template
Here's a simple father of the bride speech you could stand
up and deliver. It has everything you need to say and is touching
and humorous in just the right amounts. All you need to do is
change the names in italics and add in anything else you want to
say such as personal anecdotes about your daughter:
'This is an important day for me… a special day when we
welcome John into our family. I am
overwhelmed by how many of you came today, and some have travelled
a great distance to be here. I want you to know how much my
wife/husband/partner and I appreciate you all being here to share
this day with us.
I have looked forward to this day for
years. Jane makes a stunning bride, and we all
know she is a kind and wonderful girl, just
as John is a good man, who has already impressed
us with his thoughtfulness and unshakeable love for our
daughter. I wish them every happiness for the future. If they are
even half as happy as my wife/husband/partner and I, then they will
be very happy indeed.
Marriage is an important commitment and it takes more
than just falling in love to make a marriage work. It needs
patience and compromise, and I should know - I've been patiently
compromising for years!
Seriously, it is wonderful to be able to celebrate with friends
and loved ones. and Julia and I are so excited
forJane and John as they embark on
this adventure called life together. You will no doubt face some
challenges along the way, but if you both pull together and are
always kind to each other, you will get through anything and enjoy
many, many happy, joyous times together. Our only advice to you
both is to always put the other one first and to talk about
everything openly and honestly. If you both do that, you will
always be happy.
Ladies and gentlemen, please be upstanding. I give you… the
bride and groom.'