Writing a father of the bride speech is a cherished honor that carries with it a blend of emotions. It’s a unique opportunity to express your joy, pride, and love for your daughter on one of the most important days of her life. As the father of the bride, you’re not just a proud parent but also a key figure in the celebration, tasked with welcoming guests and setting a heartfelt tone for the event. Whether your aim is to evoke laughter, tears, or both, this speech is your moment to share personal stories, celebrate your daughter’s journey, and embrace her new beginning with her partner. Here, we’ll guide you through crafting a memorable and impactful father of the bride speech that resonates with every guest and, most importantly, makes your daughter feel cherished.
What is Father of the Bride Speech?
Father of the Bride Speech Examples Bundle
Father of the Bride Speech Format
Introduction
Begin by introducing yourself and thanking the guests for attending. Acknowledge important people, especially the groom’s parents and other family members.
Reflections on the Bride
Share fond memories and stories about your daughter’s life, emphasizing her qualities and the special moments you have shared.
Welcoming the Groom
Express your happiness in welcoming the groom into your family. Share your impressions of him and any anecdotes that reflect your relationship or your thoughts when you first met him.
Couple’s Future
Offer your blessings and advice for the couple’s future together. This can be a mix of heartfelt wisdom and light-hearted hopes.
Closing
Conclude with a toast to the bride and groom, wishing them love and happiness for their life together.
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Things You Can Talk about in Your Speech
If your daughter’s wedding ceremony will follow the traditional sequence of general speeches, then you, as the father of the bride, will be the first one to talk, and your speech’s main content is what people will be waiting for. So, of course, aside from a few niceties and congratulations, people are expecting at least one or two special stories from you about your baby girl.
1. Your daughter’s best childhood stories.
Since you and your wife are the only two people who have known the bride for literally all her life, people expect you to have an extensive archive of childhood stories. From the bride’s infancy, to the slow shaping of her character into becoming a little lady, and, eventually, a young woman ready for a new life, you have witnessed it all. You may also see how do you write a speech.
The rest of the audience didn’t. So they would appreciate it if you share some of the beautiful bride’s diaper stories. In fact, even the bride would want to hear you talk about that part of her life as well. It would not only be entertaining, it would also be a great chance to walk down memory lane and reminisce the days when you were the only man in your little girl’s life. You may also like thank-you speech examples.
2. Your new son-in-law.
This is a classic subject in father of the bride speeches. People just want to hear you talk about the man with whom your daughter is going to spend the rest of her life with. People would also want to see the groom squirm as you tell the tale of the first time he’s been introduced to your family, and your first impressions of him. (Although he and your daughter have tied the knot, there’s still a big chance that he’s at least a little intimidated by you. Use that to your advantage.) You should also acknowledge your in-laws who, whether you like it or not, are now a part of your family. You may also check out speech examples for students.
3. Your own love story.
Since you are one of the more experienced men in the crowd, having already settled down with a woman and reared amazing kids along the way, people would want to hear your perspective on love, life, and marriage. Share stories about your personal struggles as a married man, or just as a man in love. You might be interested in orientation speech examples.
Teach the innocents in your audience about the real world that they’ve gotten themselves into by getting married. Give them pieces of advice on how to not only survive the married life but also to enjoy it.
4. A few funny stories.
An unwritten rule about wedding speeches tell us that we must start our talk with something funny. A little joke can already help us gain the full attention of the crowd (probably because we’ve said or done something they think is funny and they’re waiting for us to do it again) and set the mood of your simple speech. Also, being successful at making a whole crowd laugh is an effective way of calming your nerves and boosting your confidence to deliver the rest of your talk.
5. A few serious ones too.
Weddings are a roller coaster ride of emotions, especially for you and everyone close to the couple. People will laugh, they’ll cry, they’ll be overwhelmed, and then they’d cry again. Your speech should have the same element too. It should be able to elicit different feelings and reactions from the audience and the couple. Also, your daughter would appreciate it if you do more than joke around on her wedding day. You may also see campaign speech examples.
Use your speech as a chance to say the thing’s you’ve always wanted to say to your baby girl, even if it means you’d cry a little (especially if it means you’d cry a little). She’d love to see the sincerity.
6. Your desire to bond with your in-laws.
As we’ve mentioned above, these people are going to be a part of your family now.
Which means that this is not going to be the last event that you’d all attend. There are a lot of issues stemming up from in-laws who just can’t get along. Keep that from happening to you by starting your relationship with them with the best foot forward. And there’s nothing like a speech, witnessed by more than a handful of people, to show your genuine intentions in wanting to get to know them. You may also like acceptance speech examples.
Things You Can’t Talk about in Your Speech
You may be thinking why there are, let’s just call it, wedding speech taboos included in this article. The answer is simple, really. If you want to know all that there is to know about the father of the bride speeches, simply knowing what to include is not enough. You must also be aware of the things that your basic speech shouldn’t contain.
So prepare a pen and start taking notes because, in line with that, here are some of the things that your speech will do better without:
1. Profanity
First of all, your speech does not need profanity. Also, don’t you think it’s important that we stick with the wholesome, inspiring dad for at least 5 minutes? You are only given a couple of minutes up on that stage. Let’s not waste even a second on a single profane word. You may also see launch speech examples.
2. Anecdotes of sexual escapades
Have you ever heard of the grandma rule? Because we just found the most perfect setting for it—your speech. The grandma rule states that if you don’t want your grandma to hear a particular story about you and what you did, perhaps the whole wedding reception shouldn’t hear about it either. Great rule, right? Now, picture sweet old grammy listening to your speech, and go edit it.
3. Badmouthing the family name
Because why would you? Especially on such a special occasion. It’s uncommon for families to have a little misunderstandings, but a wedding is not the place to talk about it. Get over your differences for once and celebrate this momentous occasion. You may also see welcome speech examples.
4. Racist remarks or jokes
As a general rule, just don’t say anything that may offend anyone.
5. Really long stories that aren’t very important to the event
We know. You have a lot of stories prepared up your sleeve. However, not all of them are wedding speech-worthy. It would be best if you just choose the cutest, or the funniest, or the most tear-jerking story out of your extensive pile. The others could wait until the next family dinner. You may also like tribute speech examples.
6. Blabbering
Sometimes, when we talk, we can’t help digressing from the main topic that we are supposed to be discussing. But since you’re only going to have a couple of minutes on the stage, it’s best if we try to focus on the real reason why you’re going to be standing up there. You may also check out middle school speech examples.
Even when you are just practicing your speech, try to time your performance. If it’s longer than necessary, cut off some bits to give way for the really important ones. By doing so, your speech will have more content, less nonsensical talk.
7. Tales of the couple arguing, or any particularly nasty embarrassing story
First of all, this is supposed to be a perfectly happy moment with nothing but pure bliss and a lot of happy tears on the couple’s faces. Let’s not dampen their moods by reminding them of a fight from histories ago. Also, although embarrassing stories are highly encouraged, we should know what is too much and what isn’t. Extremely derogatory anecdotes will not make anyone happy. You might be interested in leadership speech examples.
How to Write a Father of the Bride Speech
- Start with Gratitude: Begin your speech by thanking the guests for attending, acknowledging the special people in the room, and appreciating anyone who helped make the day possible.
- Reflect on Your Daughter’s Life: Share memorable stories or milestones about your daughter. This is your chance to highlight her journey, her qualities, and the special bond you share.
- Welcome the Groom: Express your feelings about welcoming the groom into your family. Include personal anecdotes or qualities you admire about him to make your welcome feel genuine and warm.
- Offer Advice: Share some words of wisdom with the newlyweds. This could be marriage advice based on your own experiences or a hopeful message about their future together.
- Conclude with a Toast: End your speech by raising a toast to the couple. Wish them happiness, love, and a prosperous future together, encapsulating your good wishes in a heartfelt toast.
How to Give a Father of the Bride Speech
- Prepare and Practice: Write your speech well in advance. Practice it several times to ensure you are comfortable with the content and the flow. Rehearsing in front of a mirror or a small audience can help build confidence.
- Keep It Brief: Aim for a speech that lasts about 5 to 7 minutes to maintain the audience’s attention and keep the wedding program moving smoothly.
- Stay Personal and Positive: Focus on positive anecdotes and heartfelt messages. Personal stories about your daughter and your relationship with her will resonate with the audience.
- Incorporate Humor Wisely: A touch of light humor can help engage the audience, but be mindful of the tone and keep it appropriate to the setting.
- Connect with the Audience: Make eye contact and speak clearly. Connecting with the audience will make your speech more effective and memorable.
Tips for Writing Father of the Bride Speech
- Start with a Strong Opening: Begin with a heartfelt welcome and thank the guests for attending. This sets a warm tone and engages the audience from the start.
- Include Personal Touches: Share personal stories or fond memories of your daughter. These anecdotes should highlight her personality, achievements, or your special bond. It personalizes the speech and makes it more engaging.
- Express Emotions Openly: Don’t shy away from expressing genuine emotions. Whether it’s pride, joy, or even a bit of sadness as you ‘give her away,’ these emotions will connect deeply with your audience.
- Welcome the Partner: Speak kindly and warmly about the groom. Acknowledge your happiness at welcoming him into the family and express your support for their union.
- Offer Wisdom or Advice: Share some wisdom about marriage and relationships, perhaps drawing from your own experiences. This can be insightful and adds a meaningful layer to your speech.
- Keep It Concise: Aim to keep your speech under 10 minutes. A concise speech holds the audience’s attention better and respects the flow of the wedding day’s events.
- Practice Delivery: Rehearse your speech multiple times to ensure smooth delivery. Practice helps manage nerves and improves your timing and delivery.
- End with a Toast: Conclude by inviting the guests to raise a glass in celebration of the newlyweds. This provides a natural and celebratory end to the speech.
Tips for Delivering Father of the Bride Speech
- Practice Makes Perfect: Rehearse your speech multiple times to become familiar with the flow and content. This helps reduce nerves and ensures smooth delivery.
- Keep It Concise: Aim for a speech that lasts about 5 to 7 minutes to maintain the audience’s interest and keep the event on schedule.
- Connect with Your Audience: Make eye contact with various guests throughout your speech. This engagement makes your words more impactful and personal.
- Speak Clearly and Slowly: Ensure that your speech is audible and understandable to all guests, regardless of where they are seated. Speaking slowly helps with clarity, especially during emotional parts.
- Use Notes Sparingly: It’s okay to bring notes to help you remember key points, but try to keep your delivery as natural as possible. Over-reliance on notes can disconnect you from the audience.
- Add a Touch of Humor: Light humor can ease your nerves and entertain the audience, but make sure it’s appropriate and respectful.
- Show Genuine Emotion: It’s perfectly acceptable to show emotion during your speech. This authenticity often resonates with the audience, making your words more memorable.
- End with a Toast: Conclude your speech by asking guests to join you in a toast to the newlyweds. This is a traditional and celebratory way to end your speech.
FAQs
How long should a father of the bride speech be?
Typically, a father of the bride speech should last about 5 to 7 minutes, keeping it concise to maintain the audience’s attention.
When is the father of the bride speech given?
The speech is usually given during the reception, after the meal but before the cutting of the cake.
Can the father of the bride use notes during his speech?
Yes, using notes is acceptable to keep the speech on track, but try to maintain eye contact with the audience for a more engaging delivery.
How can a father of the bride calm his nerves before speaking?
Practice the speech multiple times, take deep breaths before starting, and remember that the audience is supportive and understanding.
What’s the best way to end a father of the bride speech?
End with a heartfelt toast to the happiness and future of the newlyweds, inviting all guests to raise their glasses.
