sample father of the bride speeches short and sweet

How to Write a Father of the Bride Speech From Start to Finish

• Lauren is a contributor for The Knot covering topics such as music, cakes, venues and speeches.
• She has been published in a wide array of lifetsyle-oriented publications including SELF and Allure.
• Lauren is a proud graduate of Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School of Public Communication.

If you're the father of a bride-to-be, you've probably dreamed of (or dreaded!) your daughter's wedding since she was a little girl. Now that the big day is finally here, you'll be tasked with presenting a heartwarming father of the bride speech. Yes, the father of the bride is expected to give a speech—and it's usually a central moment during the wedding reception . So, bring a pack of tissues along for the emotional roller coaster ride and use our helpful father of the bride speech examples and tips to write your own tribute . Plus, we've created an easy-to-follow checklist that you can screenshot or print to make sure you've hit all the important points.

In this article:

Printable Template | How to Write | Examples | Tips | FAQs

Printable Father of the Bride Speech Template

In a pinch? Use our step-by-step father of the bride speech outline to quickly write something in just a few minutes.

How to Write a Father of the Bride Speech Step-by-Step

"This, without a doubt, is one of the most emotional speeches, so there will surely be many tears," says Fátima Falcon of Momentos Weddings and Events in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Emotions are sure to run high on the day of your daughter's wedding, which can make it difficult to deliver a heartfelt wedding toast to your daughter and her new spouse. We've compiled expert public speaking and wedding speech tips to help you write an authentic, tear-jerker father of the bride speech that's sure to wow everyone in the crowd.

1. Start with a welcome greeting.

Begin the speech by introducing yourself as the bride's father (or father figure), including your name.

2. Thank the guests for coming.

Share a few words of gratitude for everyone who attended the wedding—you can even include a brief mention of how much you've been looking forward to this day, especially if you were part of the planning process.

3. Talk about your bond with your daughter.

Consider incorporating memorable moments from years past into your speech to paint a picture of your daughter, like examples of what makes her special and how she's evolved into the person she is today. "Use this writing opportunity to express your love for your daughter and the special bond that you share now and will always share," says wedding planner Lynne Goldberg of Ms. Wedding Planner in South Florida, New York and Las Vegas. "Let her know that even though she is starting a new life, you will always be there for her."

If you're stuck on what to mention, Falcon recommends writing about how it felt when you first found out you were having a little girl, what moments you've most enjoyed with her and the times you felt especially proud of your daughter.

4. Welcome your daughter's partner to the family.

"Make sure you include the person she has chosen to marry in your speech," Goldberg says. Falcon adds: How did you feel when your daughter first met her now-spouse? How has your affection grown for her partner over time? Address your new in-law directly and share a few words about something that's unique to your connection with them.

5. Speak about the couple's relationship.

Take a moment to talk not just about your daughter's partner, but about their relationship with each other. Mention something positive you've noticed about their partnership and congratulate them for taking this next important step. You can also share a few words of encouragement for their next chapter or your best piece of marriage advice.

6. Raise your glass for a toast.

This one's obvious, but it's just as important. Conclude your father of the bride speech by inviting all of the guests to join you in a toast to the newlyweds.

Father of the Bride Speech Examples

Before you begin writing, decide if you want your speech to be short and sweet (check out the one below if you're looking for a shy father of the bride speech example), charming and funny, or simple and to the point. Once you're ready, follow these fill-in-the-blank options.

Find your kind of venue

Simple father of the bride speech example.

"Welcome everyone. I'm [insert your name] , Danielle's dad. On behalf of her mother and I, thank you for joining us tonight. We're incredibly grateful to celebrate the beautiful marriage of Danielle and John. We raised Danielle to be kind, independent and to embrace everything that life has to offer, but we could only hope that she'd someday find her match who embodies all of that and more. John, I'm so happy to say that you're that person, and we're thrilled to welcome you into our family. I admire [insert a characteristic about her partner] most about you, and I know that you're going to be a wonderful lifelong partner for Danielle. If I had one piece of advice for both of you, it's this: 'Whenever you are wrong, admit it. Whenever you are right, shut up!' But seriously, life is too short, so do your best not to sweat the small stuff. Danielle, I'm looking forward to celebrating many more happy moments in the future for you and John. Now, I'll ask that you all join me in raising your glasses for the newlyweds. Here's to a lifetime of love."

Short Father of the Bride Speech Example

"Hello, and thank you everyone for joining us to celebrate Jennifer and Melissa. I'm [insert your name] , Jennifer's dad, and I'm so excited for her as she and Melissa take their next step in life together. When Jennifer was a little girl, one of the things I loved most about her was [share a favorite memory or characteristic from her childhood] . I could only hope that someday she'd find a partner who cares about her as much as I do, and Melissa is that person. Melissa, we are so thrilled to have you join our family, and I'm looking forward to many more years of [insert a common interest that you both share] . Cheers and congratulations to you both!"

Funny Father of the Bride Speech Example

"I've long been ridiculed by my wife, family members and now-adult children for my so-called 'awful' dad jokes, so bear with me as I try to keep those to a minimum. As the father of the bride, the pressure is on me to deliver a poignant, powerful speech. Hopefully, I live up to your expectations. If not, there's the door.

I've been picturing Alex's wedding day in my head since we first brought her home from the hospital. Honestly, I'm having trouble wrapping my head around how fast Alex has grown up. It's hard to believe I'm standing here today, in front of you all, giving this speech. When I look into my daughter's eyes, I am amazed. Instead of the little girl who'd force me to play dress-up, watch Disney movies, and host fake tea parties with her stuffed animals, I now see a beautiful bride and an all-around exceptional young woman. And although I will miss being the man you always run to for guidance, I won't miss getting the bills for your designer handbag obsession.

When Alex brought Sam home for the first time, I was terrified at the thought of her leaving the nest. And, I almost didn't want to like Sam—after all, dads aren't supposed to like their daughter's significant others (or, so I've been told by my much-older, less-wiser friends.) But as soon as Sam walked through our door and began chatting me up about the Mets, he nearly swept me off my feet just as they did with Alex. Over time, our casual conversations evolved and our bond became much stronger. She loved Sam, and I did, too.

Sam, you make the perfect addition to our family, and I'm so excited to call you my new [son/daughter/child]. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness. Now that I'm all puffy-eyed, please join me in toasting to this incredible couple before we get back to the dance floor!"

Father of the Bride Speech Tips

Now that we've shared the basics, the next step is to start writing your own father of the bride speech. Here are a few final tips to make note of (and the wedding speech mistakes to avoid ).

Kick it off with an anecdote or heartfelt comment.

Figuring out how to start a father of the bride speech can feel like a lot of pressure—you want to capture guests' attention from the start without seeming like you're trying too hard. Once you've introduced yourself, sharing a short anecdote about your daughter or a touching comment about how proud she's made you are two father of the bride speech icebreakers. Whether you mention a funny wedding planning moment that happened leading up to the day, or you share a fond childhood memory that captures her personality, guests will love the personal touch. Not only will this give them a glimpse of your daughter's character, but it will double-down on just how special your relationship is.

Avoid sensitive or embarrassing comments.

Err on the side of caution by avoiding any embarrassing—or potentially awkward— memories, moments or mishaps that could make your daughter, her new spouse or wedding guests feel uncomfortable. This includes past relationships/breakups, mentions of future grandchildren and any other topics that are private or personal.

You'll also want to avoid jokes related to your bank account. "You may have spent a ton on this event, but joking about your now empty bank account will only make people feel awkward," says Katelyn Peterson of Wedding Words , a wedding vow and speech writing service. And while you're at it, steer clear of cliches as well. "We've all heard the line about how you're not losing a daughter, you're gaining a son," Peterson says. "Instead, express how you feel about your new son-in-law or daughter-in-law in your own words."

Conclude with a short and sweet message.

When it comes time to end your speech, think short, sweet and sentimental. "When the father of the bride inspires guests to wipe a tear away, that's when you know you've hit speech writing gold," says Peterson. Alternatively, end with a toast to the couple followed by a "wish for their future together," says Parks.

Father of the Bride Speech Frequently Asked Questions

Are you new to writing father of the bride speeches? No problem. Here's what's expected when it comes to timing and who you should thank once you take the mic.

How long should a father of the bride speech be?

A father of the bride speech can be about three minutes on the short side, and up to 10 minutes long for a more in-depth speech.

According to Falcon, the best father of the bride speeches last around six minutes. She continues, "The tone should be more formal at the beginning and, as the minutes go by, more emotional." But, beware: "Anything over 10 minutes will lose the attention of the guests," advises Joanna Kwok of Honour and Blessing Events in Vancouver, Canada.

When does the father of the bride give a speech?

The father of the bride can expect to make the speech at the start of the wedding reception, "just before dinner is served," says Peterson.

Alternatively, you can also give the father of the bride speech right before the father-daughter dance, says Goldberg. "That way, the very last line in the father of the bride speech can be: 'My beautiful daughter, may I have this dance?'" (I'm not crying—you are!)

Who does the father of the bride thank in his speech?

It's important to thank your wedding guests for attending, especially anyone who traveled from out of town to be present. You can also mention your wife or partner and reflect on how you've bonded as a family throughout the wedding planning process. Lastly, it's nice to give a special shout-out to your new in-laws and anyone else who contributed significantly to the wedding.

However, Peterson warns, "Long thank-yous are boring and not necessary." Instead, she recommends "focus[ing] on the main folks who it would make sense for them to receive a dedicated shout-out."

Samantha Iacia contributed to the reporting of this article.

How to Give the Best Father of the Bride Speech

This guide includes everything from father of the bride speeches and examples, to how to write your own corker of a father of the bride speech

Danielle Smith Photography

The day your daughter gets married is likely to be one of the proudest of your life, but that can sometimes be clouded by the pressure of writing a father of the bride speech . After all, it is one of the main father of the bride duties !

But we're here to tell you that there's  nothing to worry about. With our guide to writing and delivering a killer father of the bride speech, putting it together will be an absolute breeze.

With expert tips from a professional speech writer, and real father of the bride speech examples to use as inspiration, you can't go wrong with advice like this. And the best news? Being yourself, using your real life experiences and smiling are almost all you need to do. 

Simple, right? And on that note, we also have a short guide on how to write a father of the bride speech in just six simple steps - does it get much better than that? We think not.

The 30 Best Father of the Bride Speeches, Tips & Ideas

Whether you're feeling super nervous and aren't sure where to start, or you're confident and raring to go, this father of the speech guide will help you craft and deliver a speech that your daughter will be so proud of, and ensure you feel confident doing so. 

We've also included expert advice and tips from Heidi Ellert-McDermott, founder of Speechy and author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches - if there's anyone who can give expert insight into writing the perfect father of the bride speech, it's Heidi. 

What is a Father of the Bride Speech?

What should father of the bride speeches include.

• How to Structure a Father of the Bride Speech?

Dos and Don'ts for Writing a Father of the Bride Speech

Father of the bride speech examples.

A father of the bride speech is a speech given by the bride's father during the speeches section of the wedding ceremony. 

Traditionally, the father of the bride gives a speech about his daughter on her wedding day, but it's not uncommon nowadays to have mother of the bride speeches in lieu of, or as well as a father of the bride speeches. 

Within the speech, you'll want to include a mixture of happy and funny memories about your daughter, as well as some advice for the couple, and welcoming your new son or daughter-in-law. Fore more on the specifics of what to include in a father of the bride speech, scroll on! 

Mark Horton P hotos

Though each one will be completely different to the other, when it comes to writing a father of the bride speech, there are some things we always recommend including. 

1. A Tribute to the Bride

Every father of the bride speech should include some touching words about just how brilliant your daughter is. Be specific and avoid anything too generic - you want to ensure these things could  only  be said about  your daughter. 

This is also the time to talk about some of her achievements, and the things that make you proud, but you don't want it to turn into a CV so stick to fewer but better for this part. 

If you and your partner are together, or are on good terms, this is also a nice moment to give a compliment to the bride's other parent and how they have helped you raise such a great daughter. 

2. Anecdotes & Special Memories

An introduction of your daughter and her brilliance leads perfectly into you talking about some poignant and special memories. Think about the moments that shaped who she is as a woman, and some funny stories that'll get the room giggling. 

You may also want to share moments that solidified your bond as father and daughter, and some slightly embarrassing tales, of course! 

3. Welcome Their Partner

Any good father of the bride speech will include a special mention of their daughter's partner.

It's important that you take some time out of your speech to welcome them to the family, or perhaps explain why there's no need for a welcome, and why they've already cemented their place in your family. 

Talk about why they make such a brilliant partner for your daughter, speak to their character and perhaps even give a special mention to their family as well. 

4. Advice for the Couple

Most father of the bride speeches will include some advice or marital anecdotes for the couple. This doesn't have to be hard-hitting advice, but it's always a nice touch to end on something of a gift in terms of words of wisdom.

You could go heartfelt and sweet, or light-hearted and funny - the choice is completely up to you! 

How to Structure a Father of the Bride Speech

Ensuring you include all of the above in a father of the bride speech is step one, but step two is knowing how to structure it. Once you have the structure of father of the bride speeches down, writing it will feel like a piece of cake! 

Below is the traditional structure of a good father of the bride speech, including tips from industry expert Heidi Ellert-McDermott.

1. Introduction

Use the beginning of a father of the bride speech to introduce yourself to the guests and welcome everybody to the wedding of your daughter and her partner. 

Heidi explains why this part is such a biggie: "If following a traditional wedding speech order, the father of the bride speech tends to be the first of the day, so dads should start by welcoming all the guests that have attended the wedding.

"Make the welcome heartfelt but try to include a touch of humour too. This will help you and your guests relax into the speech."

2. Say Thank You

In line with the introduction, it's also a good idea to thank everyone for coming, and those in particular who helped plan or fund the wedding. This is usually where you will thank your new in-laws as well as members of your own family. 

3. About Your Daughter

Once you have done a short introduction and a few snappy thank yous, it's time to get to the heart of your speech and talk about your daughter.

Using the tips below, spend this part of the speech celebrating your daughter for the wonderful woman she is. 

Adding to this, Heidi explains that no father of the bride speech would be complete without a bit of praise for your daughter on her wedding day, "Whether it’s towards the end or at the beginning of the speech, a dad should always remember to publicly acknowledge how beautiful the bride looks.

"It can be easily forgotten by fathers sitting down to write their speeches months before the day but it’s not something you want to miss out."

4. Talk About the Couple

Once you've spoken about your daughter, pivot to talking about her partner, and welcome them and their family into yours. 

Heidi gives her take on how you can make this tribute special: "Again, this should be a mix of entertaining and meaningful.

"Pinpoint the unique characteristics that make them the ideal partner for your daughter. Do they both have equally appalling music taste? Or is one of them ridiculously clumsy and the other great at DIY?"

5. Your Words of Wisdom

After you've talked about the merging of two families, this is when you can offer a few words of wisdom and advice to the happy couple.

6. The Toast

The best way to end any father of the bride speech is, of course, with a wedding toast ! Whether it's funny, poignant, light-hearted or deep, getting everyone to raise a toast to the happy couple is the best ending to any father of the bride speech. 

Heidi explains, "The conclusion of the speech should reiterate your pride and love for your daughter, and share your hopes for the couple’s marriage. It’s no longer necessary to offer the newlyweds ‘marriage advice’ per se, but many dads still opt to; sometimes the advice is humorous and naughty, sometimes it's meaningful and heartfelt.

"A father’s toast at the end of the speech should be directed towards the newlyweds. The style is up to you, but we are seeing many fathers increasingly opting for a more personal sentiment over the traditional ‘health and happiness’ option."

Sally Rawlins Photography

Now you have the structure and 'must includes' down, it's time to start putting pen to paper.

But how do you write a cracking father of the bride speech? Heidi shares her insight on the biggest do's, and her top tips on how to write a father of the bride speech to be proud of. 

1. Do: Give Yourself Plenty of Time

Start thinking about your speech  at least a couple of months before the wedding date. 

2. Do: Crowdsource Stories & Ideas

You don't have to do this alone! Pick the brains of the rest of the rest of your family when it comes to thinking about stories or anecdotes. Ask people for their funniest and fondest memories of your daughter - siblings are great for intel.

3. Do: Choose a Narrative

Once you have all of the material together, see if there's a theme that links multiple stories together. Is she always right? Or remarkably clumsy? Or so devoted to her pups, you couldn't believe it when she found a human she liked as much?

Having a strong narrative is a great way of ensuring your speech has depth, and isn't just a list of unlinked observations.

4. Do: Be Ruthless

When you've got everything written down, go through your speech and edit it. We usually recommend people cut down their speech by about a third. Be ruthless. A speech is  always better when it's punchy and has pace to it. 

5. Do: Test it Out & Rehearse

Once you've made edits, test the speech out on your partner or someone you trust to give  honest feedback - that's the key here. You want someone who will tell you the truth - if they don't get a joke about your daughter, no one else in the room will, so take on any advice they give. 

Ensure you have at least a couple of weeks ahead of the big day to memorise your speech and feel confident in your delivery.

We always try and encourage our fathers to try and memorise the speech so they feel comfortable with the flow on the day, and use their notes as a reference as opposed to reading directly from them. 

6. Do: Smile!

It sounds so simple, but looking happy while you deliver your father of the bride wedding speech makes  all the difference. Ensure you make eye contact with the guests on the day and smile throughout - it's literally infectious. 

7. Don't: Use Common Wedding Jokes

Whilst all speeches need humour and a few jokes, please avoid the tired, old (and  really common) wedding jokes and googled gags. They will only result in groans or sympathy laughs, and that's not what you want.

If in doubt, remember the phrase, "It's funny because it's true," and use that when you're writing any jokes.

Think about your daughter at her naughtiest. What were her embarrassing habits as a child? Which of those  still happen to her as an adult? Any guilty pleasures she  should have grown out of, but absolutely hasn't?

8. Don't: Use Crude Language

On that note, when writing jokes or including humour in your father of the bride speech, avoid anything crude or inappropriate that could cause people in the room, specifically your daughter, to be embarrassed.

No exes. No mention of things you know she'd rather you didn't share. If it's the kind of story she'd kick you under the table for at a dinner party, it's definitely not wedding-appropriate. 

And that goes for money as well - it's better to not talk too much about finances. 

9. Don't: Tell Her Life Story

Of course, you love your daughter, and you probably have hundreds of stories and memories you'd like to share, but many dads make the mistake of trying to chronicle their daughter's entire life story and every achievement that's ever occurred into the speech, and it's really not necessary. 

Yes, you want your guests to get the sense of what a wonderful person she is, but no one needs to know that she played Annie in her Year 6 play - unless there's a funny story in there, of course. 

10. Don't: Let it Drag On

For the stories you are including, make sure they aren't too complicated and don't go on for too long. Much like the length of your speech, no one has ever listened to a story and thought, "God, I wish that went on for longer!"

If your stories are too complicated and long-winded, you'll lose the room. Land the plane, quickly and with a punch.

The length of your father of the bride speech absolutely matters and how long yours is will depend on how confident of a speaker you are, how many speeches are being made, and the timing of the day. But for a guide, Heidi advises on the perfect length and how to measure it.

She says, "When it comes to speeches, size matters. All speeches should be delivered within ten minutes, and that includes pauses for laughter.

"Generally, a father of the bride should aim for eight minutes or around 1,000 words. I'd say the maximum it should be is 1,300 words, but that's for a speech that's pacey and funny to justify the additional length."

11. Don't: Get Negative

Hopefully you're in a situation where you are really pleased with who your daughter has chosen to marry, but if for any reason you aren't, and you don't  completely approve - do, not, mention, it. At all!

Your father of the bride speech is not the time to suggest anything other than overwhelming happiness for your daughter's choices. It also isn't a roast of their new partner, so play nice, please. 

12. Don't: Be Generic

The biggest mistake you can make when writing your father of the bride speech is not making it unique to your daughter, and resorting to clichés and googled anecdotes and jokes.

Once you've written it down, read back through your speech and ask yourself how many lines could be said by another father - and get rid of any that could.

Make it personal - every baby doesn't sleep through the night and poos a lot, so think of things that are unique to her. 

Leslie Choucard Photography

Here’s some examples of simple, real father of the bride speeches from our father of the bride speech section that can inspire you.

As you already know, we're not about a 'copy and paste' job when it comes to writing a father of the bride speech, but there is nothing wrong with using father of the bride speech examples to inspire you. You can even use these as templates to build your own speech from.

A lot of father of the bride speeches and examples will refer to a bride and groom, but you can alter the references to your daughter's partner if you are giving a speech at a LGBTQ+ wedding.

1. Sweet Father of the Bride Speech Example

This father of the bride gave a sweet speech about his daughter Leah and her new partner, explaining how proud he and Leah's mum were of her life choices and welcoming her new partner to the family. 

Welcome! To the family and friends, and friends that I’ve yet to meet. 

For those of you that don’t know me, I am the very proud father of this beautiful bride, Leah. As the father of the bride, I have the dubious pleasure of making the first speech: I am therefore the warm-up act for the star speakers – the groom, Clive and best man, Tim. 

Your mum and I are aware of just how blessed we’ve been to have you in our lives Leah. It has been an absolute joy to watch a very talkative and extremely inquisitive little girl blossom into the very beautiful, clever, compassionate and extremely loving young lady that I had the privilege of walking down the aisle today.

Leah has been like a ray of sunshine since the day she was born. Now, as she begins married life, Clive will be whom she will turn to for love and protection. And I know, that she knows, her mum and dad will always be there for her, too.

You often wonder as a parent just how your children will turn out. You wonder what sort of life decisions they will make, especially those that you have no control over. What friends will they choose, who they'll pick as a partner to share their life with. Will that person love and care for them as well as you would? Will you approve?

Well for what it’s worth Leah, your Mum and I think you have made an excellent choice in Clive!

I was honoured when Clive approached me to ask for Leah’s hand in marriage, but I wasn’t at all surprised. Today they are embarking on their greatest adventure together, and it gives me much pleasure to be here with them. I’m very happy to formally welcome Clive into our family today. He’s become like a son to us and he’s an absolute credit to you, Jane and John.

Leah, there is so much more I’d like to say about you. But I believe that my time is up. You look incredible today. You are a beautiful woman and a wonderful daughter. You have married a terrific man. And you will make a perfect wife. I won’t bore you with lengthy pieces of paternal advice, regarding marriage and life together, as I understand your hens have already done that for you.

So here's my piece: This world is entirely yours, and it is only you who will determine its rules. I am sure that you will build a reliable family home, your safe haven where you’ll feel at ease, which will give you strength to withstand the storms and challenges of life ahead. On this journey, let me wish you only love and good fortune.

You can read the full speech here .

2. Traditional Father of the Bride Speech Example

When making a gesture to your daughter's new partner, a sweet story about them is a lovely way to show your appreciation for them. This father of the bride decided to share the story of his daughter's partner asking for her hand in marriage, a tradition they decided to celebrate. 

Hello everyone.  First of all, thank you so much for joining us tonight to celebrate [bride] and [groom] wedding.

Before I offer a toast to these newlyweds please allow me to say a few words about these two special people.

I'll start with the groom.  Kim and I have known [groom] for a few years now.  In our short time together we've been able to witness and appreciate many of his great qualities.  We've learned that he's thoughtful and good natured.  He's creative, industrious, and tackles projects with an artistic flair.

But better yet we've learned that [groom] has strong character.  For example, 18 months ago [groom] came to our house and asked permission to marry [bride]. While Kim and I were anticipating an engagement…asking permission demonstrated a level of character that you don't see every day.

It was a very special moment for us, and it really tested our capacity to keep a secret.  But best of all during our time together, Kim and I have learned that [groom] is the one for [bride].  This not based on one single thing, but on the many little things.

I think anyone who has spent any time with this couple would agree they connect in a special way.  And for these reasons, and the many more to come, we are delighted to call [groom] family today.

3. Funny Father of the Bride Speech Example

Adding just the right amount of humour to your father of the bride speech is guaranteed to go down well. It doesn't have to feel like a stand-up comedy routine, but a few jokes here and there can really bring it to live. This father of the bride did just that with his speech. 

Hello, for those of you who do not know me, I am Gillian's dad, Charlie.

As the father of the bride it's my privilege to give the first speech and, as I get to go first, you will have nothing to compare it to, so look to me at the warm up act for Kenny and David. This is an important day for my wife Lesley and I, a special day, when we officially welcome Kenny into our family.

Our welcome to him is not forced or a hardship, but something that we are happy to do, as we have known Kenny for so long now that it would have been sad if he didn't become part of our family one day. So today, both Lesley and I are delighted Gillian made it official and he is now one of us.

Time flies by so quickly, it doesn't seem that long ago since Gillian was born, and here I am today speaking or trying to toast her wedding. Gillian is a very caring person and has a lovely warm nature that has given her mother Lesley and I so much joy and happiness over the years, even in spite of her expensive tastes as she was growing up.

I could tell you a thing or two and who knows, later on, when I've had a few drinks I just might - but for now I can give you a small example, like when she used to ask me to upgrade her mobile phone, on what seemed like a weekly basis. So much so that I was sure I was getting a bigger discount from the manufacturers than Carphone Warehouse was.

Every father and mother wishes their daughter the best of luck for the future and worries about her finding the right person, one who will make her happy, cherish, and look after her forever.

During the time we have known Kenny, we have come to realise how special he is to Gillian, how much of a kind, caring, pleasant and genuinely nice man he is and what a great son in law he will be, IF  he finishes my tiling. It's almost a yellow card for you Kenny.

Gillian, you are a very pretty woman and looked stunning in your wedding dress and as you know, your dad tends to state the obvious. Today, you really looked beautiful when I saw you in your wedding dress. You looked like a princess who has now found her prince charming!

I'm not saying Kenny looked like a frog before you kissed him but... Oh no, I see Kenny is starting to go into a bit of a sulk…OK Kenny, you look really handsome and very smart too. Almost but not quite as good looking as Gillian.

Lesley and I will always be there for you if you ever need anything. But I need to clarify something, that by anything, I mean if you both want to talk, not borrow money, because that would be something different and nigh on impossible. It's good to talk but I can only lend you an ear.

And can I just remind you both, that you signed a contract. For richer, for poorer etc, remember? I have witnesses and it's on tape! That, in legal terms, is called good admissible evidence.

Finally, I would like to propose a toast to the happy couple, and know that everyone here will want to join me in wishing this pair a very long, happy, and healthy future together.

4. Sentimental Father of the Bride Speech Example

This father of the bride gave a sentimental toast to both his daughter and her new partner. He used beautiful stories and words to narrate how he felt and we just love the sentiment here. 

Laura, both me and your Mum are both aware of just how blessed we have been to have you in our lives and we hope you know exactly how much we love you and how very proud we are of the lovely young lady you have become.

It has been an absolute joy for both your mum and me to watch a very talkative, extremely inquisitive - and often clumsy - little girl develop into the beautiful, young lady that it was my absolute privilege to escort down the aisle today. After all it doesn't seem all that very long ago that you were dancing around in front of the mirror, hair brush in hand belting out some Spice Girls hit, or was that last week.

I first became aware that Laura had found herself a young man when suddenly our dinner discussions that had been on subjects such as reduction labels, stock levels, queue lengths and the amount of overtime left in the Tesco budget, suddenly became about groceries and a certain young manager by the name of James.

I know that tradition dictates that it is at this point that I am supposed to welcome James today into our family, but the truth is that we have known him for some eight years now and from day one he has always been a member of the family. He's happy to join in with what's going on, an expert in assembling gazebos and an excellent cook when it comes to looking after BBQs. Just not much of a rally driver.

For what it's worth Laura your Mum, Barney and I think you have made a great choice. From the first day we met James he has been an absolute credit to both Tracy and Lee. At this point I can only apologise to both of them for the additional workload that Laura joining their family may cause.

Laura and James, may your marriage be a truly happy one and may you have a long and wonderful life together. It is my very great pleasure to propose the first toast to the happy couple. So could I ask you please be upstanding and raise your glasses to the bride and groom.

You can read the full speech here . 

5. Funny & Heartfelt Father of the Bride Speech Example

This father of the bride speech example has the perfect balance of humour and sentiment, as it touches on funny stories and anecdotes, as well as some more hard-hitting roadblocks the couple have had to navigate through. 

Good afternoon everyone. On behalf of Moira and Ellen and myself, I would like to start by welcoming you all and to thank you for coming here to celebrate this very special, happy occasion, the marriage of our daughter Marie to Stephen.

Every wedding is special, of course. But to see your daughter get married is something else. Marie, our walk down the aisle this afternoon is a memory I shall cherish. You looked absolutely beautiful in your stunning wedding dress.

When the date was set for the wedding I thought that was plenty of time to get my father of the bride speech sorted or maybe just wing it! As you can imagine, that suggestion didn’t go down well. In fact, it should be called mother of the bride speech as Moira kept crossing out things I couldn’t say about Marie to embarrass her.

Growing up, Marie was stubborn and moody, don’t know where she got that from, but always there for friends and family. Always helping around the house, cooking and cleaning – NOT! I know where she got that from.

Marie went to Australia for a year, she left right after her 21st birthday not able to boil an egg, hopefully she has got better Stephen.

After they had been together a while I got a call from Marie, in tears saying she just found out something terrible about Stephen. I calmed her down and that’s when she told the news. Stephen was a Rangers supporter and what should she do. At the time they were in the 3rd division so I told Marie he was probably embarrassed to tell you.

When Stephen asked Marie to move in the first thing she asked was, “Do you have Sky Sports?” He must have thought it was xmas, a girlfriend who will watch footy instead of Corrie. She’s a keeper.

Anyone who knows the two of them and saw them together will know how much in love and how well suited they are, especially when they got the horrible news of Stephen’s cancer.

Stephen gave Marie the option to walk away, but that was never going to happen, as I saw first hand with Marie and Ellen being at his bedside during the chemo how close Marie was to the whole of Stephen's family and him to ours.

You only have to be in their company for a few minutes to realise they are best friends as well as soul mates.

After Stephen got the all clear I invited him to play golf having heard he was a pretty decent junior player, I thought this was a great chance to see how he reacts to me. With only one eye and difficulty hitting all his shots properly he let me win. I thought then “You will do for me”. We haven’t played since, thankfully.

Ladies and gentlemen, family and friends, could you please raise your glass to the bride and groom: Marie and Stephen.

6. Short Father of the Bride Speech Example

This short father of the bride speech example is concise and to the point, proving that you can make a brilliant speech with everything needed inside, without it having to last ages and ages. 

Good afternoon everybody on behalf of Sharon and myself, I would like to start by welcoming you all and to thank you for coming here to celebrate.

Now if you want to get an inkling of what Bex was like as a small child then look no further than her lovely daughter Raina, a child full of energy like Bex and always on the go.

Never sleeping when she should just like Bex, irritating her brother whenever possible like Bex, but always a wonderful happy little soul.

Bex was very talkative as a small child and when she wasn't forming long sentences she would gabble away in a language only known to herself.

You are a wonderful daughter; and have provided us with so much joy and happiness over the years.

It has been a joy for both your mum and me to watch you develop from our gorgeous baby daughter into the very beautiful, clever, compassionate and extremely loving daughter, mother, and now wife, that you have become.

And it was my honour and privilege to escort you down the aisle today.

I know that tradition dictates that it is at this point that I am supposed to welcome Paulo today into our family, but he has been part of it for a while now, with exceptional BBQ's whenever the weather permits, so we have had quite a few this year.

Also I have always thought that Paulo and I have had a mystic connection from the very start.

It seems that we both share a very strong interest in the spirit world.

Two spirits to be precise.

Gin and whiskey.

Together we have quite a substantial collection.

It only remains for me to say – Bexy and Paulo, happy marriages begin when you marry the one you love, and they blossom when you love the one you married.

May your marriage be a truly happy one, and may you have a long and wonderful life together.

Ladies and gentlemen, I have one final very pleasurable responsibility to fulfil.

It is my very great pleasure to propose the first toast to the happy couple. So, could I ask you please to be upstanding and raise your glasses to the Bride and Groom.

7. Father of the Bride Speech Example With Advice

In this father of the bride speech example, the dad gives some really personal, funny and sweet advice to his daughter and her new partner. 

Louisa and Steve not only found and booked this amazing house for their big day they also provided us with the fantastic meal we're all about to enjoy.

In fact, in a welcome break from tradition, today is virtually all courtesy of Steve and Louisa themselves. So thank you both, very much, for your generosity and hard work.

Every wedding is special, of course. But to see your first-born daughter get married is something else.

Louisa, our walk down the aisle this afternoon is a memory I shall cherish: you looked absolutely beautiful in your stunning and elegant wedding dress.

Although to be honest part of me expected to see you in your jeans and Converse and Steve in his purple Warwick University hoodie. That wouldn't have surprised anybody.

Louisa; Mum and I have always been extremely proud of you; and never more so than today. You're clever, independent, modest, thoughtful and fun-loving. What's not to like?

Now, I know what some of you are thinking; how on earth can such a beautiful, intelligent and modest young lady be his daughter? Well she is. It's just that, apart from the ginger gene, she's much more like her mother than she is me…which means she can be a bit secretive at times.

Now, at this point it would be customary to spend a few minutes bragging about the qualities of our new son-in-law…and that would be very easy for me indeed; in fact, I've got two pages of notes here listing Steve's good points and the many reasons why he's a perfect match for our number one daughter. Unfortunately Steve, I can't read your handwriting…

Suffice to say, Ali and I are delighted Steve met Louisa that fateful night; they're obviously a very well suited couple and make each other very happy.

Finally, it was suggested to me that I should sign-off today with my thoughts on what makes for a successful, long and happy marriage. Well, I'm not sure I can put a finger on it, to be honest; and I'm sure it's different for every couple.

In my case, it's been very easy. I've just done exactly what I've been told for the last 36 years and that works for us. Other than that, all I can really offer is some advice to Steve, based on my experience, for a continued happy time living with Louisa:

Always have Louisa on your side in any quiz or board game especially if it involves numbers. Never gloat if, in the unlikely event, Wales should ever beat England at Rugby Union. Most importantly, never, ever, eat the last piece of chocolate without Louisa's permission. More seriously, stay best friends, don't sweat the small stuff, do lots of everything while you both can, have fun and try to laugh every day. I wish you both much love and happiness in your new married life together.

8. Shy Father of the Bride Speech Example

I would like to begin by welcoming you all, and thank you for coming to this very special occasion to celebrate the marriage of my beautiful daughter Jennifer to Christopher

I would like to start by extending a very warm welcome on behalf of my wife Gill and myself to the parents of the groom Don and Sue.

I would also like to thank everyone who has helped in the lead up to the wedding in whatever way possible big or small, you have all played your part to make this day very special.

I would also like to give a huge thank you to the bridesmaids. These occasions don't just happen, they take a lot of thought, time, planning and preparation - y ou have done Jenny and Chris proud. 

Gill and I must also give a big thank you to Rhys the best man, h e's done such a great job so far and t he hardest bit is over Rhys, you got the groom here.

I am a bit nervous today as I am not used to speaking in public, but I am sure we will get by.

Writing this speech was a real worry at first. What do you say, what do you write?

Then it dawned on me, just say it how it is from the heart, s o here is the other copy my wife gill did not get to read or edit.

Every father knows that one day their offspring will find a partner and fly the nest. You worry about that day. Now that day has arrived. No longer am I worried, because Jenny has found and chosen her partner for life.

Your children are very special to you and you never stop worrying about them.

So this is the bit where I get Jenny worried about me embarrassing her.

When Jenny was tiny I remember she had a little knitted boots and a special little walker seat we sat her in.

It was round with casters on the bottom and she used to scoot round the house in it with those little knitted boots on trying to get whatever she wanted be for she could even walk.  So she earned my loving nickname of Scoot Boots.

Then she started to grow up. I remember watching Jenny trying to climb up the stairs on her little wobbly legs struggling on every step. Worried that my little girl might fall I went over to her and said you want some help Scoot. She was just about able to talk at this stage. She said noooo I can do it dad. Just hold this glass of vodka for me.

They grow up so quick don't they.

Well my little Scoot Boots has not flown the nest but has scooted off into another man's arms, the arms of a man she has chosen to help hold love and support her up and down the staircases of life.

Over the time we have got to know Chris we realise how special he is to Jenny. He is a real genuine nice guy who wears his heart on his sleeve and loves and cares for Jenny. They are both so happy together. As a son in law I couldn't have asked for better.

Don and Sue, your son Christopher is an absolute credit to you both.

If I try and put my emotions into words, I cannot express enough how I am the proudest father in the world today. Seeing my daughter all grown up looking so beautiful, happy and radiant is such an amazing sight.

Jenny and Chris I know you will both be very happy and forge a great life together. Enjoy and remember this moment forever. You are amongst people today who love and care about you very much. Gill and I will always be there for you.

Finally I would like to propose a toast to the happy couple, and I know everyone here will want to join me in raising your glasses in a toast to a very long healthy and happy future together.

So, there's your complete guide. Now, if you want to add some extra sentiment to your speech, here's our selection of emotional father of the bride speech quotes and toasts for you to use. 

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Father of the Bride Speech: A Complete Guide + 15 Tips in 2024

Discover how to craft the perfect Father of the Bride speech with our guide. Tips, templates, and heartfelt advice await! Dive in now

By Juan C Olamendy · Updated: April 6, 2024

Introduction

What is a Father of the Bride Speech? A father of the bride speech is a heartfelt address delivered by the bride's father at the wedding reception. It is a cherished tradition that allows the father to express his love, pride, and well-wishes for the newlywed couple.

Importance of the Father of the Bride Speech The father of the bride speech holds immense significance on the wedding day. It is a poignant moment when the father can publicly acknowledge the journey of his daughter's life and welcome the new spouse into the family. This speech sets the emotional tone for the celebration and creates lasting memories for all in attendance.

Overview of the Speech Writing Process Crafting a memorable father of the bride speech involves a thoughtful process. From gathering meaningful memories and stories to structuring the speech for maximum impact, there are several key considerations. The goal is to create a speech that is both heartfelt and entertaining, capturing the unique relationship between the father and the bride.

Key Elements of a Successful Father of the Bride Speech A successful father of the bride speech typically includes elements such as welcoming the guests, acknowledging the couple, sharing cherished memories, offering advice and well-wishes, and concluding with a toast. The balance of emotion, humor, and personal touches can make the speech truly resonate with the audience.

Tips for Delivering a Memorable Speech Delivering the father of the bride speech with confidence, poise, and genuine emotion is crucial. Practicing the speech, speaking from the heart, and embracing the emotions of the moment can help ensure a heartfelt and impactful delivery.

Useful Links

• Get your Personalized Wedding Speech
• Crafting a Heartfelt Maid of Honor Speech for Sister in 2024 - Real World Example
• Crafting Your Memorable Best Man Speech in 2024 Ultimate Guide
• Conquering the Stage: How To Write a Maid of Honor Speech in 2024 - Comprehensive Guide
• The Ultimate Father of the Bride Speech Guide: Craft Your Perfect Message

Understanding the Role

Significance of the father's speech The father of the bride speech holds a special significance on the wedding day. It is a time-honored tradition that allows the father to publicly express his love, pride, and well-wishes for his daughter and her new spouse. This speech sets the emotional tone for the celebration and creates lasting memories for all in attendance.

Emotional and traditional aspects For the father, the speech is a deeply emotional moment, as it marks the transition of his daughter into a new chapter of her life. The speech allows him to reflect on the journey they've shared and to welcome the new spouse into the family. This tradition is deeply rooted in the cultural and familial significance of the father-daughter relationship.

Setting the tone for the wedding The father of the bride speech is often one of the first speeches delivered at the reception, and it sets the tone for the entire celebration. A heartfelt and well-crafted speech can create a warm and celebratory atmosphere, setting the stage for a joyous occasion.

Planning Your Father of the Bride Speech

Gathering material.

Brainstorming Memories and Stories The first step in planning your father of the bride speech is to reflect on your cherished memories and meaningful stories from your daughter's life. Grab a pen and paper and start jotting down key moments, anecdotes, and special memories that you can weave into your speech.

Identifying Themes and Messages As you review your memories and stories, begin to identify the overarching themes and messages you want to convey. Consider the values, qualities, and life lessons you hope to highlight about your daughter and her relationship with her new spouse. Reflect on the values and messages you want to convey. Consider what themes resonate most with your daughter's journey and her relationship.

Organizing thoughts and structuring the speech Once you have a collection of stories and themes, start to organize your thoughts and structure the flow of your speech. Decide on a logical progression, such as welcoming the guests, sharing fond memories, welcoming the new spouse, offering advice, and concluding with a toast. Incorporating humor and personal touches will make your speech memorable and unique.

Writing tips for a heartfelt message As you craft your speech, focus on using clear and concise language that captures your genuine emotions and sentiments. Avoid overly complex phrasing and instead, aim for a conversational tone that resonates with your audience.

Including Humor Incorporating subtle humor and lighthearted moments can help balance the emotional nature of the speech and keep the audience engaged. Look for opportunities to share amusing anecdotes or playful jokes that celebrate your daughter and her partner.

Incorporating Personal Touches Adding personal touches, such as inside jokes, shared experiences, or sentimental details, can make the speech feel more intimate and meaningful. Consider including elements that only you and your daughter would understand, creating a deeper connection with the audience.

Structuring Your Speech

Opening with a Warm Welcome Begin your speech by warmly welcoming your guests and acknowledging the special occasion. This sets an inviting tone and prepares the audience for the heartfelt moments to come. Greet your guests warmly. Express your gratitude for their presence on this special day.

Sharing Fond Memories of Your Daughter Reflect on cherished memories and meaningful moments from your daughter's life. Share anecdotes that showcase her character, personality, and the special bond you share. Select a few heartwarming stories that highlight your daughter's qualities. These memories will add a personal touch to your speech.

Welcoming Your New Son/Child-in-Law Extend a heartfelt welcome to your new son or daughter-in-law, expressing your joy at their union and the addition to your family. Acknowledge and welcome your new family member. Express your joy and acceptance.

Offering Advice and Encouragement Share words of wisdom, advice, and encouragement for the newlywed couple, drawing upon your own experiences and the values you hold dear.

Expressing Love and Best Wishes Conclude your speech by expressing your unconditional love and heartfelt wishes for the bride and groom's future together.

Closing with a Toast End your speech with a toast, raising your glass to the happy couple and inviting the guests to join you in celebrating their union.

Key Elements to Include Icebreakers and father of the bride jokes Incorporating lighthearted icebreakers or gentle father of the bride jokes can help to break the tension and engage the audience.

Gushing about the bride and welcoming the groom Dedicating a significant portion of your speech to expressing your love and admiration for your daughter, while also warmly welcoming the groom into your family, is a key element.

Offering marriage advice Sharing a few words of wisdom or advice for the newlywed couple can be a meaningful and insightful addition to your speech.

Writing Your Speech

Using Clear and Concise Language When crafting your speech, focus on using clear and concise language that conveys your emotions and sentiments effectively. Avoid overly complex phrasing or jargon, and instead, aim for a conversational tone that resonates with your audience.

Maintaining the Right Tone Striking the right balance between heartfelt emotion and lighthearted moments is crucial. Ensure that your speech maintains a tone that is appropriate for the occasion, celebrating the love and joy of the day.

Sample Father of the Bride Speeches

Traditional Speech

In a traditional speech, you might start by expressing your deep emotions about your daughter's big day. Highlight her qualities, share a couple of fond memories, and warmly welcome the groom into your family. Conclude with wise advice for the couple's future together and a heartfelt father of the bride toast.

"Welcome, family and friends, to this joyous occasion. Today, we celebrate the union of my beloved daughter, [Bride's Name], and her new husband, [Groom's Name]. As the father of the bride, I am filled with immense pride and love for my daughter. [Bride's Name], from the moment you were born, you have been the light of my life. I've watched you grow into a kind, compassionate, and remarkable young woman, and I couldn't be more honored to welcome [Groom's Name] into our family. [Groom's Name], thank you for loving my daughter with all your heart. I know that together, you will build a life filled with endless love, laughter, and adventure. To the newlyweds, may your journey be blessed with all the happiness in the world. Please join me in raising your glass to the bride and groom!"

Humorous Speech

Inject humor by sharing amusing anecdotes or jokes about your experiences with your daughter and the groom. Humor can lighten the mood and make your speech more engaging. End on a high note with a funny yet touching toast to the couple.

"Good evening, everyone. As the father of the bride, I'm thrilled to be here today to celebrate the marriage of [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]. Now, I must admit, when [Bride's Name] first brought [Groom's Name] home, I was a little skeptical. I mean, the guy showed up in a beat-up old truck, wearing ripped jeans and a t-shirt. And let's not forget the terrible haircut. But, over time, I've come to see that [Groom's Name] is not only a kind, caring, and hardworking young man, but he also truly adores my daughter. [Bride's Name], you've always had a knack for finding the diamonds in the rough. And [Groom's Name], well, you've certainly proven yourself worthy of my little girl. So, please join me in raising your glasses to the happy couple – may your marriage be filled with laughter, love, and a few less questionable fashion choices!"

Short and Sweet Speech

Sometimes, less is more. A concise speech that expresses your love and best wishes for the couple can be just as impactful. Highlight the key points—your pride in your daughter, your welcome to the groom, and your blessings for their future.

"Friends and family, thank you all for being here today to celebrate the marriage of [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name]. [Bride's Name], from the moment you were born, you have filled my life with joy and pride. [Groom's Name], I am grateful to welcome you into our family. Together, you have found a love that is true and pure, and I know that you will continue to cherish and support one another for the rest of your lives. To the bride and groom, may your love for each other grow stronger with every passing day. Cheers!"

Speech for a Blended Family

Address the unique dynamics of a blended family with warmth and inclusiveness. Share your journey of blending families and express your happiness at the union that strengthens these bonds. Acknowledge the love and support of all family members.

"Today, we gather to celebrate the union of [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name], but this is more than just a wedding – it's the joining of two families. [Bride's Name], you have always been the light of my life, and I am overjoyed to welcome [Groom's Name] as your partner. [Groom's Name], you have not only won the heart of my daughter, but you have also become a cherished part of our family. Together, we will create a new, beautiful blended family, built on a foundation of love, understanding, and respect. To the bride and groom, may your marriage be a testament to the power of love to unite us all. Cheers!"

Tips for Delivering Your Speech

1- Practice Makes Perfect Effective delivery of your father of the bride speech begins with thorough preparation. Spend time practicing your speech, both out loud and silently, to ensure a smooth and confident presentation. This will help you become comfortable with the flow of your speech and allow you to focus on connecting with your audience.

2- Speak from the Heart When delivering your speech, it's important to speak from the heart. Let your genuine emotions and love for your daughter and her new spouse shine through. This heartfelt approach will resonate with your audience and create a truly memorable moment.

3- Project Your Voice Clearly Ensure that your voice is clear and audible to all your guests. Speak slowly, enunciate your words, and adjust your volume as needed to maintain a strong, confident presence. This will help your message be heard and understood by everyone in attendance.

4- Embrace Emotions It's natural to feel a range of emotions during your speech, from joy to pride to even a few tears. Embrace these emotions and allow them to shine through, as they will only add to the sincerity and impact of your words. Your guests will appreciate the authenticity of your sentiment.

5- Avoiding Redundancy Review the content of other speeches to identify any potential overlap, and adjust your own speech accordingly. This will help create a cohesive and engaging overall program.

6- Ensuring a Smooth Flow Work with the other speakers to establish a logical order and transition between speeches, creating a natural progression for the audience.

7- Dealing with Stage Fright It's perfectly normal to feel nervous or anxious about delivering your father of the bride speech. Embrace these feelings and use them to fuel your delivery.

8- Relaxation Techniques Try incorporating relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises or visualization, to help calm your nerves before taking the stage.

9- Focusing on the Couple When you're feeling nervous, shift your focus to the happy couple. Imagine yourself speaking directly to them, and let your love and pride for them guide your delivery.

10- Incorporating Cultural or Religious Traditions If your family has specific cultural or religious traditions associated with the father of the bride speech, be sure to incorporate them respectfully.

11- Maintaining Respect for All Beliefs Ensure that any cultural or religious elements you include are inclusive and respectful of all beliefs represented among your guests.

12- Including Meaningful Elements Look for opportunities to incorporate meaningful cultural or religious traditions that reflect your family's values and the couple's beliefs.

13- Addressing Challenging Situations In some cases, you may need to navigate challenging personal situations, such as second marriages or strained family relationships, when delivering your father of the bride speech.

14- Second Marriages If this is a second marriage for either the bride or the groom, be sensitive and inclusive in your speech, acknowledging the unique circumstances with grace and compassion.

15- Strained Relationships If there are any strained relationships within the family, approach the speech with tact and diplomacy, focusing on the love and joy of the occasion rather than airing any grievances.

How long should a Father of the Bride Speech be?

The optimal length for a father of the bride speech is typically between 5 to 10 minutes. This allows enough time to share meaningful stories, express heartfelt sentiments, and offer well-wishes, without overwhelming the audience.

What are some common mistakes to avoid?

Some common mistakes to avoid when delivering a father of the bride speech include:

• Rambling or going on for too long
• Using overly complex or formal language
• Focusing too much on personal anecdotes that the audience may not relate to
• Forgetting to welcome the groom and his family
• Avoiding emotional expression or appearing uncomfortable

Can I write the speech with my wife?

Absolutely! Collaborating with your wife or the mother of the bride can be a great way to ensure the speech represents both of your perspectives and captures the family's collective sentiments. This can also help alleviate the pressure of having to write the entire wedding speech on your own.

What if I get emotional during the speech?

It's completely normal and understandable to become emotional during your father of the bride speech. Embrace these feelings and let them shine through, as they will only add to the sincerity and impact of your words. Your guests will appreciate the authenticity of your sentiment.

Do I need to thank everyone?

While it's not strictly necessary to thank every single guest, it's a nice gesture to acknowledge the important people in attendance, such as close family members, the wedding speech , and the hosts. This helps create a sense of inclusivity and gratitude.

What are some good closing lines?

Some effective closing lines for a father of the bride speech include:

• "To the bride and groom, may your love for each other grow stronger with every passing day. Cheers!"
• "Raise your glass with me to the happy couple – may your marriage be filled with endless love and adventure."
• "Please join me in wishing [Bride's Name] and [Groom's Name] a lifetime of happiness and love. Congratulations!"

Where can I find additional resources for writing my speech?

There are many online resources available to help you craft the perfect father of the bride speech, including sample speeches, writing tips, and inspiration from other fathers. Additionally, you can reach out to experienced wedding planners or etiquette experts for personalized guidance.

In this comprehensive guide on crafting the perfect Father of the Bride speech, we've delved deep into the essence, preparation, and delivery of this pivotal wedding moment.

From understanding the significance of the speech and gathering heartfelt material to structuring your message with warmth, humor, and wisdom, we've covered the pillars of creating a memorable tribute.

The article highlighted the importance of speaking from the heart, practicing for confidence, and embracing the emotional weight of the day. Key takeaways include the value of personal anecdotes, the balance of sentimentality with light-heartedness, and the lasting impact of well-wishes and advice for the newlyweds.

In essence, the Father of the Bride speech is more than a tradition; it's a father's loving farewell to his daughter and a welcoming embrace to a new chapter in her life.

With careful planning and the courage to speak from the heart, fathers can leave a lasting impression and forge an even stronger bond with the newlywed couple. As you embark on this journey, remember that your words have the power to create cherished memories that will be treasured for a lifetime.

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Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

Father of the Bride Speech [With Outlines and Examples]

Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

You’ll want your speech to strike the perfect tone for the big day. Whether you decide to talk about your daughter’s childhood, how proud you are of the happy couple today, or anything in between, an outline will help make sure your speech is just right. A good outline organizes your speech for you in a step-by-step guide. You’ll get an idea of where you might want to put stories or quotes, and you can easily move things around before drafting the final version.

In this article:

Father of the Bride Speech Examples

Father of the bride speech template.

Once you have the perfect outline in front of you, take some notes. Jot down the stories, jokes, or quotes you might want to include. It’s a good idea to run them by the bridesmaids or other members of the wedding party if you’re not sure what is best to include. Your speech will start to take shape in no time.

The best wedding speeches are those that were outlined ahead of time. Create yours with one of the speech outline examples below, and it will become a memorable part of the wedding.

Traditional Father of the Bride Speeches

This father of the bride speech outline has plenty of room for compliments, advice, and family memories. It also has reminders to mention your affection for the groom and to end with words of wisdom about love or marriage.

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For a nice, traditional speech that falls between 5 and 7 minutes long , follow this outline. You’ll start with a story, end with how proud of her you are, and add your favorite memories with your daughter in the middle.

This outline reminds you to start by introducing yourself and welcoming guests to the celebration. Next, tell some of your favorite memories with the bride, and don’t forget to show the groom some love too. Wrap it all up with a bit of wisdom, and you’ll have a winning, classic speech.

Short Father of the Bride Speeches

There are many weddings where keeping your speech short and simple is the way to go. Use this easy outline to make sure you don’t miss anything important. It covers everything you need in a step-by-step format, from the intro to the parting wisdom and toast.

This outline shows that you don’t need to be on the mic for more than a few minutes to say everything you need. This short, sweet speech template begins with a brief memory of the bride as a child. From there, it transitions into thank-yous and kind words and ends with a quick but heartfelt toast.

Simple Father of the Bride Speeches

The best speeches don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Just follow this outline’s easy four-step format , which you can easily make your own by telling the audience about your unique experiences with your daughter and her new husband.

Try this simple four-part template when writing your father of the bride speech for the wedding day. Don’t forget to add personal touches such as creative storytelling, genuine emotion, and advice from your own life experiences.

With a five-step outline and plenty of advice for how to approach each section, this wedding toast format won’t let you down. The outline has reminders to give credit to those who made the wedding possible, to speak highly of the groom, and to show pride in your daughter on her big day.

Detailed Father of the Bride Speeches

Sometimes, the speech you want to give might be a little more detailed. This template encourages you to write a thoughtful and unique speech for your daughter’s wedding. Relive touching memories, mention any family members who couldn’t be there, and add a quote if you have the perfect one for the occasion.

If you feel you have a lot to say, try this speech outline, which suggests a length of about 7 minutes. This gives you plenty of time to add everything you want to include, such as humor, thank yous, and a shout out to the bride’s mother.

Father of the Groom Speech

The groom’s father also may be asked to give a speech. This simple outline suggests highlighting the bride and groom as individuals before talking about them as a couple. Then end on a classy note with thank-yous and a quote or word of advice.

Ready to Write?

If you’re asked to give a father of the bride speech, it’s important to start drafting the speech well before the big day.

After some brainstorming, it will become more clear which anecdotes or bits of advice are perfect for your speech. Add your content at the appropriate places in the outline you chose. Don’t forget to write down how you will transition between each part of the speech, too.

And remember, you don’t have to read your speech strictly word-for-word at the wedding. A few mistakes or some appropriate improvising can show your most heartfelt emotions!

There’s no need to stress about the speechwriting process. With these outlines in hand, you’re now ready to start creating a lovely, memorable father of the bride speech.

WELCOME AND WISHES

1. Start by telling briefly who you are, not everybody knows that; collegues or friends of the bridal couple or the groom’s family members. Tell how long you know them – there will be something that can serve as icebreaker.

2. Welcome and thank the guests for coming and sharing this day if you are the host and there is no Master of Ceremonies. Especially guests who have come a long distance.

3. Mention humorous incidents this very day so far, and highlight beautiful moments.

4. Wish all a happy day or night.

SPEECH TOPICS ABOUT THE BRIDE

5. Compliment the bride: e.g. say that she is a beautiful, elegant or lovely woman.

6. Tell the guests about your daughter, emphasize very special relationship the two of you have. Talk about your love and pride. Say how much you care about her. Avoid cliches. Talk affectionately. Tease a bit, make funny remarks of her character, job, study, hobbies, passions, skills or achievements. Be a gentleman.

7. Tell some little silly stories about the bride.

8. Reflect on her prewedding years.

9. Tell about how you and your partner saw her growing up.

10. Tell about your hopes for her. Tell how she has surpassed some expectations of you and your partner.

Be gentle when you come up with the ups and especially the downs! E.g. don’t mention previous boyfriends …

11. Conclude this part of your father of the bride speech with telling how proud you are.

YOUR NEW SON IN LAW

12. Tell funny stories about your daughter and the groom.

13. Tell how the groom was introduced for the first time to you. That always work in a father of the bride speech.

14. Tell what your first impressions were. E.g. his looks.

15. Tell about shared interests, your relationship, surprises.

16. Tell what you’ve learned from him.

17. Tell how you see he makes your daughter happy.

18. Tell about his character, job, study, hobbies, passions, skills, achievements.

19. Conclude this chapter of your father of the bride speech with welcoming the groom into your family. Tell that you are delighted he has become a part of your family.

20. Welcome the joining together and the family of your new son in law.

21. Tell you’re looking forward to get to know each other better. Mention something both families have in common.

THANK YOU’S

22. Thank everyone who made this party success, for their generous help.

23. Thank the mother of the newly spouse and the mother of the groom for their efforts in organizing all things.

24. Mention the maids of honor/bridesmaids, say how beautiful they look and thank them for supporting your daughter.

25. Thank the clergyman, clergywoman or minister.

26. Thank anyone (family members and friends) who have helped with the party and reception.

27. Thank the florists by saying everything in the church, the town hall and in this room look wonderful.

28. Thank everybody who made financial contributions. Bring this part of your father of the bride speech with humorous remarks.

29. If your partner has passed away, then speak a few words in her memory. Tell she should say the same warm things. Welcome to the bride and groom on her behalf too. Look forward, this is a happy day!

30. End with a loving toast to their health, success and happiness.

E.g.  Ladies and gentlemen, please be upstanding and raise your glasses, please join me in the traditional toast, I give you… the bride and groom!

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Father of the Bride Speech Template (Fill in the Blanks)

If you’re feeling at all daunted by the prospect of putting together your speech, the good news is that a solid structure will help keep you on track.

The exact structure you use will depend on whether you want to give a super short speech that only covers the bare essentials, or a slightly longer speech that covers all the traditional points.

But for a comprehensive speech, that covers all the expected topics you can use the following handy template.

Creating a perfectly structured speech is simply a case of painting by numbers when you use my comprehensive eight-part template.

1) Opening words (Icebreaker)

The opening words of any speech are important, and this is particularly true for the first speaker.

It’s often recommended to start with an “icebreaker” to start your speech on a high note.

So briefly introduce yourself and then follow up with a few words designed to grab people’s attention and signal the start of your speech. You could say something funny or a little surprising. The main purpose is to shift the guests’ focus from each other to you.

Even if you’re not naturally funny, it’s worth spending some time crafting a few words likely to raise a smile.

But try to avoid any cliches or wedding speech jokes borrowed from elsewhere.

2) Thank the guests for coming

Most guests will have travelled at least a short distance to the wedding and incurred some expense so it’s important to express your appreciation on behalf of the couple.

Try to keep things general here – you don’t want to thank individual attendees since that’s more often done by the Groom in his speech and you don’t want your speech to run too long.

You could say something simple like: “Thanks to all of you for being here. I know it means a lot to Richard and Debbie for you to share their special day.”

3) Mention other important people

Say a quick thank you to the key people who helped pull everything together behind the scenes in the lead-up to the wedding.

Typically, you’d mention your wife or partner for their help and support during the preparations and also thank the Groom’s parents and welcome them into the family.

Traditionally, you’d also mention people who weren’t able to make it to the wedding.

For instance, if someone close to the couple has passed away you could say something like: “I know Debbie’s Nana would have been so proud to see her today looking so amazing in her dress.”

4) Say something complimentary about the event

It’s good to say something briefly about the day itself. Doing this helps the speech feel less scripted since it’s not something that you could easily prepare weeks in advance.

You could mention the weather (good or bad) or say something about the venue or the ceremony or just refer to something notable that happened or made it particularly memorable for you.

Obviously you can’t script this upfront (that’s the whole point!) but you can leave a place for it in your speech and decide what to say on the day.

5) Tell stories about the Bride

Next you should shift your attentions to your daughter, the Bride.

This is really the core of your speech – talking about the Bride from your perspective as her father. In fact, I recommend spending around half of the total length of your speech on this section.

Stories from your daughter’s childhood are a reliable source of material. Try to pick stories that are memorable and reflective of her character, particularly her most positive traits.

There are a few different ways of structuring your stories:

• Life stages : pick stories from distinct phases of her life, e.g., her as a small girl, her as a teen, and her as a young woman.
• Life roles : pick stories that illuminative her various roles as a person, e.g., daughter, sportswoman, student.
• Personal qualities : pick stories that highlight certain specific qualities, e.g., loyalty, tenacity, adventurousness.

Whatever you choose to say, try to leave the guests feeling that they know the Bride a little better by the time you finish.

Who knows, the Groom may even learn a thing or too about his new wife he didn’t know before!

6) Mention the Groom

While the primary focus of your speech should always be the Bride, you’d be neglecting someone very important if you didn’t at least briefly mention her new husband.

You needn’t spend long talking about the Groom and you have a few easy options here:

• Talk about your first impressions on meeting the Groom (assuming they were positive or at least potentially amusing!)
• Praise the Groom’s qualities and/or achievements – why he’s a worthy person to marry your daughter.
• Mention the positive impact he’s on your daughter’s life, e.g., how supportive he is or how happy he makes her.
• Talk about how he complements your daughter’s personality and why they make such a great couple.

Remember, there would be no wedding without the Groom, so spend at least a little of your speech talking about him. And be sure to wrap up by welcoming him to your family!

7) Share words of wisdom

By this point you’re on the home straight and it’s time for some closing words before the final toast.

It’s traditional for you to offer some words of wisdom for the newlyweds. You’ll be able to find some ideas online but a more personal approach is to draw from your own life experience.

Is there some genuine advice from your own relationship with your partner you could pass on to your daughter and her new husband?

You should also wish them health and happiness for the future.

8) Finish by toasting the happy couple!

You’re almost done!

It’s time to wrap things up by raising a toast to the Bride and Groom. This signals the end of your speech and energises the guests by getting them to stand (and drink!)

You could say something like:

“Ladies and gentlemen, please be upstanding and raise your glasses to Debbie and Richard – the Bride and Groom!”

Copy This Template and Get Writing!

Use my Father of the Bride speech template and you can be confident you’re building your speech on solid ground.

Go heading by heading and start writing each essential part of your speech.

Before you know it, you’ll have a well-structured speech that includes all the essential information and flows smoothly from beginning to end.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s get going!

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30 Best Father of the Bride Speeches Examples: Expert Tips and Inspirational Ideas

With the wedding day fast approaching, the father of the bride is tasked with delivering a heartfelt speech that will leave a lasting impression on everyone in attendance. Crafting the perfect speech can be a daunting task, but fear not! In this article, we have compiled a list of the 30 best father of the bride speeches examples, along with expert tips and inspirational ideas, to help guide fathers as they prepare to deliver this special address.

These speeches serve as a wonderful source of inspiration for fathers who may be feeling overwhelmed or unsure about how to structure their own words. Each example showcases a unique and personal touch, offering a glimpse into the emotions, memories, and advice that can be shared during this significant moment. By examining the strengths of these speeches, fathers can gather ideas and insights that will help them create a speech that perfectly captures their relationship with their daughter and celebrates the joyous occasion of her wedding day.

In addition to the speech examples, this article also provides expert tips and guidance on how to create a memorable and impactful father of the bride speech. From structuring the speech effectively to incorporating humor and sincerity, these tips will equip fathers with the necessary tools to captivate the audience and deliver a speech that will be cherished for years to come. Whether a father is seeking advice on overcoming stage fright or looking for creative ways to express his love and pride, this article serves as a comprehensive resource filled with valuable insights, expert advice, and inspirational ideas.## 1. Structuring Your Father of the Bride Speech

Planning and delivering a memorable father of the bride speech is a significant moment during a wedding ceremony. The structure of your speech is crucial for conveying your emotions, celebrating your daughter's special day, and entertaining the guests. Here are some expert tips and ideas to help you craft an exceptional father of the bride speech:

Introduction : Begin by introducing yourself and expressing gratitude for the guests' presence. Delve into your relationship with your daughter, sharing anecdotes and heartwarming stories that highlight her qualities and your love for her. This sets a warm and personal tone for the rest of your speech.

Welcome the Groom : Extend a warm welcome to the groom and his family. Acknowledge their presence and share your joy in welcoming them into the family.

Reflect on Your Daughter's Journey : Take a moment to reflect on your daughter's journey from childhood to adulthood. Share cherished memories, milestones, and achievements, emphasizing her growth and the bond you share.

Compliment the Bride : Shower the bride with compliments, highlighting her beauty, character, and accomplishments. Share anecdotes that showcase her kindness, strength, and determination, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

Acknowledge the Parents : Give a nod to the bride's mother and express gratitude for the support and love she has shown in raising your daughter. Together, you can convey your pride and happiness for the remarkable woman she has become.

Address the Couple : Offer words of wisdom and advice to the newlyweds as they embark on their journey together. Share lessons you've learned throughout your own marriage, emphasizing the importance of love, compromise, and communication.

Toast to the Couple : Raise a toast to the bride and groom, wishing them a lifetime of happiness, love, and prosperity. Encourage the guests to join in the toast, creating an atmosphere of celebration and unity.

Remember, the key to a successful father of the bride speech is to keep it heartfelt, personal, and concise. Keep the speech around three to five minutes long to maintain the attention of the audience. Practice your speech beforehand to ensure a confident delivery, allowing your love and joy to shine through.

By structuring your father of the bride speech using these guidelines, you'll be able to captivate the audience, celebrate your daughter's special day, and create a cherished memory for everyone involved.

2. Choosing the Perfect Opening Line

The opening line of a father of the bride speech is crucial as it sets the tone for the rest of the speech. It's an opportunity to capture the attention of the audience and establish a strong connection with them from the very beginning. Here are some expert tips and inspirational ideas to help you choose the perfect opening line for your speech:

Reflect on your relationship: Start by reflecting on your relationship with your daughter. Consider memorable moments, shared experiences, and what makes your bond unique. Incorporating personal anecdotes or inside jokes can instantly engage the audience and create an emotional connection.

Express gratitude: Begin your speech by expressing gratitude. Thank the guests for attending the wedding and thank your daughter and her partner for inviting everyone to celebrate this special day. Acknowledging the contributions of the bride's family and the groom's family in your opening line can also be a thoughtful gesture.

Inject humor: A well-placed joke or a humorous story can instantly lighten the mood and make your speech more entertaining. However, it's important to strike a balance and ensure that the humor is appropriate for the occasion. Avoid embarrassing the bride or making jokes that may be offensive to some guests.

Set a positive tone: Use your opening line to set a positive and optimistic tone for the rest of the speech. Share your wishes for the couple's happiness and a successful future together. Express your love and support for them, emphasizing the joyous nature of the occasion.

Be confident and authentic: It's important to speak from the heart and be true to yourself. Even if you're nervous, project confidence and speak with conviction. The audience will appreciate your authenticity and sincerity.

Remember, the opening line is just the beginning of your speech. It should flow seamlessly into the main body of your speech, where you can delve deeper into your thoughts, emotions, and well-wishes for the couple. Practice your speech beforehand to ensure a smooth delivery, and don't forget to take your time and enjoy the moment.

By following these expert tips and drawing inspiration from various examples, you can create a memorable and heartfelt opening line that will captivate your audience and set the stage for a remarkable father of the bride speech.

3. Adding Personal Stories and Anecdotes

Including personal stories and anecdotes is a key element in crafting a memorable and heartfelt father of the bride speech. These engaging and personal narratives help to create a connection with the audience and make the speech more relatable. Here are some expert tips and inspirational ideas on effectively incorporating personal stories and anecdotes into your speech:

Choose Relevant Stories : Select anecdotes that have a direct connection to the bride and groom or depict memorable moments shared with them. Highlighting important milestones or cherished memories will create an emotional and touching impact on the audience.

Keep it Light and Humorous : While it's essential to strike an emotional chord, incorporating humor into your speech can add an entertaining touch. Share light-hearted and funny stories that portray the bride's character or her relationship with the groom. This will not only amuse the guests but also ease any tension in the room.

Short and Concise : To maintain the flow and engagement of your speech, ensure that your stories are concise and well-structured. Avoid lengthy narratives that might lose the audience's interest. Instead, focus on impactful moments that you can succinctly convey.

Use Vivid Descriptions : Paint a vivid picture with your words by including specific details that help the audience visualize the scene. This will make your stories come to life and create a lasting impression.

Emphasize Meaningful Lessons : When sharing personal stories, try to derive meaningful lessons or advice that can be imparted to the newlyweds. These insights can serve as valuable guidance and reflection, leaving an impactful message for the couple on their special day.

Practice and Time Your Stories : Rehearsing your speech is crucial to ensure a smooth delivery. Time your stories appropriately and ensure they fit within the allocated speaking time. This will help you manage the pacing of your speech and prevent it from becoming overly long or repetitive.

By adding personal stories and anecdotes to your father of the bride speech, you can create a captivating and emotionally resonant experience for your audience. Remember, each story should contribute to the overall message of love, joy, and well-wishes for the newlyweds, making it an unforgettable and cherished moment for everyone involved.

4. Incorporating Humor into Your Speech

Adding humor to a father of the bride speech can not only lighten the atmosphere but also make it memorable and entertaining for everyone in attendance. Here are some expert tips and ideas on incorporating humor into your speech:

4.1 Start with a Funny Anecdote or Story

Humor can be introduced right at the beginning of the speech by sharing a funny anecdote or story about the bride or the groom. This lighthearted opener helps set a positive tone and engages the audience from the start. Consider mentioning amusing childhood memories, humorous dating experiences, or any other funny incidents that highlight the couple's personalities.

4.2 Use Jokes and One-Liners

Well-timed jokes and one-liners can inject laughter into your speech. However, it's important to tread carefully and choose jokes that are appropriate for the occasion. Avoid jokes that may offend anyone or embarrass the couple. Keep the jokes light, clean, and relatable to ensure everyone can enjoy them. Consider the groom's hobbies, the couple's shared experiences, or any humorous mishaps during the wedding planning process to find inspiration for jokes.

4.3 Playful Teasing and Roasting

A little bit of playful teasing or roasting can add a fun element to your speech. Light-hearted jokes about the groom's quirks, the bride's preferences, or even your own experiences as a father can generate laughter and create a lively atmosphere. However, be cautious not to go too far and hurt anyone's feelings. The aim is to entertain, not offend.

4.4 Use Visual Aids or Props

Incorporating visual aids or props can amplify the humor in your speech. Consider showing funny photos, displaying humorous posters, or using props that relate to the couple's story or themes. Visual aids enhance the comedic effect and provide a visual element that lingers in the audience's memory.

4.5 Timing and Delivery

Delivery is crucial when it comes to humor. Practice your speech with the appropriate pauses, intonation, and facial expressions to maximize comedic impact. Be aware of the audience's reaction and adjust your timing accordingly. Remember, the key to successful humor is not only in the content but also in the delivery.

Remember to keep the humor tasteful, respectful, and inclusive. Tailor your jokes to suit the couple's personalities and the overall tone of the wedding. A well-placed, well-received joke can make your father of the bride speech an unforgettable highlight of the celebration.

5. Expressing Your Love and Emotions

When delivering a father of the bride speech, it's essential to express your love and emotions for your daughter and her new spouse. This heartfelt section of the speech allows you to convey your joy, pride, and affection. Here are some expert tips and inspirational ideas for expressing your love and emotions in your speech:

Speak from the heart : Tap into your emotions and speak genuinely about your love for your daughter. Express how she has grown into a remarkable woman and how proud you are of her accomplishments.

Share cherished memories : Take a trip down memory lane and share some heartwarming and funny anecdotes about your daughter. Mention special moments you've shared together to illustrate your strong bond.

Compliment the couple : Extend your love and emotions to the newlyweds by complimenting their relationship. Talk about their compatibility, shared values, and how they make each other better individuals.

Express excitement for the future : Show enthusiasm for the couple's future together. Discuss the adventures and milestones they will experience as they embark on this journey as lifelong partners.

Acknowledge the groom's qualities : Take a moment to acknowledge the groom and express your appreciation for the man he is. Highlight his kindness, loyalty, and love for your daughter, emphasizing how fortunate she is to have found such a wonderful partner.

Avoid clichés : While it's important to express your love and emotions, try to avoid using clichés or overly sentimental language. Instead, be authentic and use your own words to convey your feelings.

Remember, delivering a heartfelt and emotional speech is a beautiful way to honor your daughter on her special day. Embrace the opportunity to share your love and pride, leaving an everlasting impact on the couple and everyone present.

6. Offering Heartfelt Advice and Wishes

A crucial element of any father of the bride speech is the inclusion of heartfelt advice and well wishes for the newlyweds. This portion of the speech allows the father figure to impart wisdom, encourage the couple, and express his hopes for their future together. Here are a few tips and inspirational ideas for offering heartfelt advice and wishes in your father of the bride speech.

Reflect on your own experiences : Draw upon your own experiences as a husband or father to provide valuable insights. Share anecdotes that demonstrate the importance of love, trust, and communication in a successful marriage. This will add a personal touch to your speech while making it more relatable to the couple.

Emphasize the significance of commitment : Highlight the importance of commitment and dedication in a marriage. Encourage the couple to always remain committed to each other, especially during challenging times. Remind them that love is not only an emotion but also a choice to be made every day.

Encourage open communication : Stress the significance of open and honest communication in a marriage. Advise the couple to listen to each other attentively, express their feelings openly, and work through conflicts together. Communication is the foundation of a strong and lasting relationship.

Celebrate individuality : Remind the couple that while they are embarking on a journey together, they should also celebrate and respect each other's individuality. Encourage them to support each other's dreams, passions, and personal growth.

Express confidence in their future : Share your genuine belief in the couple's ability to build a beautiful life together. Express your confidence that they have found their perfect match and will create a loving and harmonious home. This will uplift and inspire them as they embark on their matrimonial journey.

End with a heartfelt wish : Conclude your advice section with a heartfelt wish for the couple's future. You could wish them a lifetime of happiness, love, and prosperity. Alternatively, you could offer a blessing or quote a meaningful poem or passage that holds special significance to you and your family.

Remember, the advice and wishes you share should be sincere, authentic, and tailored to the couple's unique circumstances and relationship. By offering heartfelt guidance and expressing genuine hopes for their future, your father of the bride speech will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on the newlyweds and those in attendance.

7. Acknowledging and Thanking Important People

During a father of the bride speech, it is essential to express gratitude towards the individuals who have played significant roles in the lives of the bride and groom. This section focuses on acknowledging and thanking important people, including family, friends, and others who have contributed to the couple's journey.

Immediate Family:

• Expressing appreciation for immediate family members is paramount in a father of the bride speech.
• Mention the bride's mother, legal guardian, or step-parent and highlight their support, love, and guidance.
• Acknowledge the groom's parents and express gratitude for their support and acceptance.

Extended Family:

• Recognize the contributions of extended family members who have made a difference.
• Thank grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and other close relatives who have played important roles in the couple's lives.
• Show appreciation for close friends who have been there through thick and thin.
• Share heartfelt memories and anecdotes that showcase the friendship bond.
• Thank friends for their continuous support, encouragement, and the joy they have brought into the couple's lives.

Wedding Party:

• Acknowledge and thank the groomsmen, bridesmaids, and other members of the wedding party.
• Highlight their efforts, time commitment, and assistance in making the wedding day special.

Other Important People:

• Mention individuals who have had a significant impact on the couple's lives.
• This could include mentors, teachers, coaches, or colleagues who have provided guidance and support.

Service Providers:

• Express appreciation to the professionals who have helped plan and execute the wedding.
• Thank the wedding planner, caterer, decorator, photographer, and other vendors for their hard work.

Special Guests:

• Recognize any special guests or dignitaries attending the wedding.
• Extend gratitude for their presence and acknowledge their role in the couple's lives.

Remember, the key is to personalize these acknowledgments and thank you messages, making them sincere and heartfelt.

8. Handling Nervousness and Stage Fright

When it comes to delivering a father of the bride speech, many fathers find themselves dealing with nervousness and stage fright. However, with proper preparation and the right mindset, these feelings can be overcome. This section will provide expert tips and strategies to handle nervousness and stage fright effectively.

1. Preparation is Key : Taking the time to thoroughly prepare and practice your speech can help reduce nervousness. Familiarize yourself with the content, structure, and flow of your speech. Practice delivering it out loud several times to build confidence and become more comfortable with the material.

2. Embrace Positive Visualization : Visualize yourself delivering a successful speech. Picturing positive outcomes can help boost your confidence and reduce anxiety. Imagine yourself speaking with clarity, engaging the audience, and receiving warm applause.

3. Deep Breathing Techniques : Deep breathing exercises can help calm nerves before and during your speech. Taking slow, deep breaths in through your nose and exhaling through your mouth can help regulate your heart rate, relax your muscles, and clear your mind.

4. Focus on the Message and Connection : Instead of worrying about how you are being perceived, shift your focus to the emotional connection you have with your daughter and the significance of the moment. Concentrate on conveying your love, support, and well wishes to the newlyweds, allowing the genuine emotions to shine through.

5. Use Proper Body Language : Maintaining good posture and confident body language can help project confidence to the audience. Stand tall, make eye contact, and gesture naturally to engage with your listeners.

6. Start with a Strong Opening : Begin your speech with a strong and engaging opening line or anecdote. This will capture the attention of the audience and boost your confidence right from the start.

7. Practice with a Friendly Audience : Before the big day, try practicing your speech in front of a trusted friend or family member. Their feedback and encouragement can help alleviate nervousness and provide valuable insights for improvement.

8. Take Breaks and Stay Hydrated : Remember to take breaks and hydrate yourself appropriately before your speech. This will ensure you remain calm, composed, and focused throughout the event.

By following these expert tips and strategies, fathers of the bride can effectively manage nervousness and stage fright, allowing them to deliver heartfelt speeches with confidence and grace. Remember, the most important thing is to focus on the love and joy surrounding the occasion and to speak from the heart.

9. Using Props and Visual Aids

Incorporating props and visual aids can add an engaging and memorable element to a father of the bride speech. By utilizing these tools effectively, the speaker can enhance the overall impact of their words and captivate the audience even further. Here are some expert tips and inspirational ideas on how to use props and visual aids in a father of the bride speech:

Photographs : Displaying sentimental photographs can evoke emotions and help the audience connect with the memories being described. Selecting images that showcase the bride's relationship with her father throughout the years can create a touching visual narrative.

Family Heirlooms : Bringing forth cherished family heirlooms during the speech can symbolize the passing of traditions from generation to generation. It can also serve as a reminder of the strong bond between the father and the bride.

Gifts and Tokens : Presenting small gifts or tokens can add a personal touch to the speech. These gifts could be sentimental items, such as a handwritten letter, a piece of jewelry, or even a symbolic object that holds special meaning to the bride and her father.

Video Montage : A carefully crafted video montage can be a powerful addition to the speech. Combining meaningful images, videos, and music can help convey heartfelt messages and create a truly impactful moment.

Props of Shared Interests : If the father and daughter share a common passion or interest, incorporating props related to that interest can enhance the speech. For example, if they both love sports, displaying a jersey or a signed item related to their favorite team can add a personal touch.

Visual Metaphors : Using visual metaphors can evoke strong emotions and effectively communicate the intended message. For example, presenting a compass can symbolize the father's guidance and support throughout the bride's life journey.

Illustrations : Employing simple illustrations or diagrams can help explain complex stories or experiences in an engaging and accessible manner. This visual aid can help the audience visualize the narrative shared by the speaker.

Remember, while using props and visual aids can be impactful, it is crucial to ensure they complement the speech rather than overshadow it. Practice with the props beforehand and consider their relevance to the overall theme and tone of the speech. By using props and visual aids effectively, a father of the bride can create a touching and unforgettable speech that resonates with both the bride and the entire audience.

10. Adding a Touch of Creativity and Originality

When it comes to delivering a memorable father of the bride speech, one surefire way to stand out is by adding a touch of creativity and originality. By infusing your speech with unique elements, you can captivate the audience, leave a lasting impression, and create a truly heartfelt experience for both the bride and groom. Here are some expert tips and inspirational ideas that can help you add that extra flair to your speech:

Personal anecdotes : Share funny, heartwarming, or insightful stories that highlight the special bond between you and your daughter. These personal anecdotes make the speech intimate and relatable to everyone in the room.

Humor : Injecting humor into your speech can lighten the mood and make it more enjoyable for everyone. Including a well-timed joke or funny anecdote can bring smiles to the faces of the guests and make your speech memorable.

Poetry or quotations : Incorporating a well-chosen poem or meaningful quotation can add a touch of eloquence to your speech. It can also convey deep emotions and reflect the love and pride you hold for your daughter.

Props and visual aids : Consider using props or visual aids to enhance your speech. This could be a photo slideshow, a memorable item, or even a letter or symbolic object that holds significance. These visual elements can add a unique dimension to your speech and create a visually compelling experience.

Interactive elements : Engage the audience by including interactive elements in your speech. This could involve asking them to participate in a toast, sharing a moment of silence, or inviting them to join in a special gesture or tradition.

Musical accompaniment : If you have a talent for singing or playing a musical instrument, incorporating a musical element into your speech can be incredibly touching. Whether it's a song that holds sentimental value or a composition created specifically for the occasion, music can elevate the emotional impact of your speech.

Remember, the key to successful incorporation of creativity and originality lies in finding the right balance. Ensure that your unique elements complement the overall tone and message of your speech while keeping the focus on the bride and groom. By adding a touch of creativity and originality to your father of the bride speech, you can make it an unforgettable moment for everyone involved.

In conclusion, the father of the bride speech is a momentous occasion for any father who is entrusted with the responsibility to deliver a heartfelt and memorable speech on his daughter's big day. It is a chance to convey love, pride, and well wishes in front of family, friends, and loved ones. Throughout the article, a comprehensive collection of 30 best father of the bride speeches examples has been provided, along with expert tips and inspirational ideas, to help fathers craft a remarkable speech that resonates with the audience.

The examples presented in the article showcase a diverse range of styles and themes, allowing fathers to find inspiration and adapt the speeches according to their own unique relationship with their daughters. From sentimental and emotional speeches filled with cherished memories, to funny and lighthearted anecdotes that bring laughter to the room, there is something for every father's style and personality.

By incorporating expert tips, fathers can elevate their speeches to the next level. Tips such as knowing the audience , staying genuine and authentic , and keeping the speech concise and well-structured are crucial for creating an impactful delivery. Furthermore, the importance of rehearsing cannot be underestimated, as it helps to build confidence and familiarize oneself with the flow of the speech.

It is worth emphasizing that a great father of the bride speech is not solely about the words spoken, but also the emotions conveyed. By complementing the speech with body language, tone, and expression , fathers can establish a deeper connection with the audience and make the speech truly memorable.

In closing, the father of the bride speech is a remarkable opportunity to celebrate the love between a father and his daughter, while also expressing gratitude and offering well wishes. Through the 30 best father of the bride speeches examples , expert tips, and inspirational ideas provided in this article, fathers can create a speech that truly reflects their unique relationship and leaves a lasting impression on all who hear it.

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A Memorable Father-Of-The Bride Speech: Tips, Tricks, And Examples

We know you’re nervous about making a father-of-the-bride speech at your little girl’s wedding. We won’t mince words here. You should be. 

This is why you’re probably furiously Googling “father of the bride speech examples,” so someone will tell you what to say. 

Make it funny, but short. Make it moving, but not too personal. 

Your job is to make everyone laugh and cry tears of joy. As the head honcho of your household (ok, second to your wife), it falls on your head to get it right, or you’ll ruin everything. 

All of that is hooey, of course, but you probably feel that way all the same. 

We want to help, so we’ve put together a father-of-the-bride speech outline to help you decide what to say and remember when to say it. 

Step Four: Practice

Simple father of the bride speech template, step one: know the rules and etiquette.

Before you get to writing, there are some basic speech rules and etiquette you should consider to avoid disaster and embarrassment. 

• Do Your Homework

Call in the cavalry. There are no rules that say your speech can’t be a collaborative effort. If you’re unsure what to talk about, ask those who know her best for stories and anecdotes. 

Find out who’s invited that you may not know so well. It helps to keep in mind who your audience will be. 

• Watch Your Time

Seven. Minutes. That’s the maximum time a father-of-the-bride speech ought to last. Anything more prolonged, and you’ll lose them. If you can, aim for six. 

• No Cliches, Find Ways To Be Unique

Talk about the qualities your daughter has that set her apart. Of course she’s brilliant and talented and beautiful. Anyone who knows her knows that. 

Avoid a resume-like list of her career or education, unless you can link that to a funny story or something that pertains to her new husband.

• Avoid Talking About Money, Religion, Or Politics

Just like at dinner parties (because let’s face it, that’s kind of what a wedding reception is), the rule is to avoid talking politics, religion, or money. 

Of course, it’s entirely appropriate to thank God and, by all means, prayers up. But use good judgment and keep it PC. 

• Keep It Clean

We probably don’t have to mention it, but we will anyway. Nothing will suck the air out of the room like a tasteless joke or inappropriate anecdote from Dad. Gross. 

• Aim For Funny, But Avoid Inside Jokes

Yes, you want to be funny, that’s a given. Remember, you are the master of the Dad Joke. Work it. Just avoid inside jokes, it may alienate some of the guests. 

• Don’t Get Too Emotional, Keep It Light

Just like you want to make ’em laugh, making your audience tear up is gratifying, too. But make sure you don’t go overboard and make it awkward. 

• Keep Your Family Strife Out Of It

It’s unbelievable how often people give speeches like this and veer off onto a tangent about family quarrels. 

If you and your daughter’s mother are no longer together and aren’t on the best of terms, keep it out of the speech. If you and her mother’s new significant other don’t get along, now is not the time. 

If someone’s not speaking to Aunt Tilly or the bride’s cousin ruined another family wedding by getting drunk and hitting on the groom’s mother: Do. Not. Make it a thing. 

Seems like common sense, but people are mysterious creatures.

Step Two: Brainstorm

Crafting an unforgettable father of the bride speech requires a bit of preparation, and the most important part of that preparation is brainstorming your ideas and outlining your speech. Here are some tips to get you started:

• Find your Voice

Every father has a unique personality and relationship with his daughter. While it can be tempting to emulate speeches found online, it is essential to infuse your own authentic voice and personal anecdotes into your address.

• Think of personal anecdotes

Reflect on your relationship with both the bride and groom, and write down any memories, jokes, or stories that you think would be relevant or entertaining.

• Consider the structure of your speech

Your speech should have an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. The introduction should capture the audience’s attention and set the tone for the rest of your speech. The body should be divided into several sections, each highlighting a different aspect of your relationship with the bride and groom. The conclusion should tie everything together and leave a lasting impression..

Step Three: Make An Outline

OK, with etiquette out of the way (but not out of mind), it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty — the fun part! When you make your outline, by all means, write it all on cue cards and use them. Whatever you need to keep focused.

• Opening Line/Introduce Yourself 

Every good speech needs an opener, but it doesn’t have to be stand-up material. A quick introduction and welcoming the guests will do nicely. 

• Thank Your Wife, The Groom’s Parents, The Officiant, etc.

This is another part you can get through quickly. It’ll be tempting to spend a lot of time on this one, but keep in mind that you can thank everyone more thoroughly and one-on-one throughout the reception. 

Unless there’s something particular you feel the need to say, a quick thanks will do. 

• Share A Story Or Two and Don’t Forget The Groom

The moment everyone’s been waiting for: dad making fun of his daughter and her new husband. Gently, of course.

Seriously, though, this is the time to be funny. Mention the first time you met your new son-in-law and what you thought of him (if it’s not seriously negative). Talk about funny things from her childhood, as long as they’re not mortifyingly embarrassing.

The material for this part is rich, mine it. 

• Impart Some Fatherly Wisdom

So you’ve made them laugh, now make them say “awwwww.”

Pass on what you’ve learned about life, love, and happiness – things that worked for you, and maybe things that didn’t work so well if you can keep it light. 

If there’s a deceased family member that your daughter was particularly fond of, now is an excellent time to hand down any wisdom they imparted to you. 

• Raise A Toast 

The toast can stay short and sweet, all you have to do now is invite everyone to raise a glass to the newlywed’s happiness. Done and done. 

When it comes to giving a memorable father of the bride speech, practice is key. You don’t want to be reading from a script or stumble over your words on such an important occasion. Here are some tips to help you practice and deliver your speech with confidence:

• Write out your speech

Before you begin to practice, make sure that you have a draft of your speech. It does not have to be perfect at this stage, but it should have all the key points that you want to make. Writing out your speech will help you organize your thoughts and ensure that you have covered all the necessary elements.

• Practice in front of a mirror

Practicing in front of a mirror allows you to see your facial expressions and gestures. It also helps you to work on your eye contact and body language, which are important when delivering a speech.

• Record yourself

Another way to practice is to record yourself giving the speech. This allows you to listen to your tone of voice, pacing, and areas that need improvement.

• Get feedback

Ask a trusted friend or family member to listen to your speech and give you feedback. They can offer suggestions on delivery, pacing, and content.

• Practice in the wedding venue

If possible, practice your speech in the actual wedding venue. This will give you a sense of the acoustics and how your voice will carry. It also helps you visualize the setting, which can help calm nerves and build confidence.

Remember, the more you practice, the more comfortable and confident you will be when delivering your father of the bride speech. Trust in yourself and your message, and enjoy the moment.

Father-Of-The-Bride Speech Examples 

If this whole speech thing has been on your mind (obviously it has. otherwise, you wouldn’t be reading this), you’ll probably want an example or two for how to do it like a boss. 

Prepare to get educated…

BEST Father-of-the-Bride Speech. Ever. (According to the person who uploaded the Youtube video)

We love the way he includes the groom the whole way through, and his toast is perfect.

You’ll notice this guy incorporates money and religion in his speech and manages to make it not at all awkward, but fabulous. Shows how bendable the rules can be if you’re on your game…

Heartwarming Father-of-the-Bride Speech (Get Out the Hankie!)

This father offers up a funny and heartwarming speech, along with a few props that take this speech to another level.

Hilarious Father-of-the-Bride Speech That Includes the Groom’s Family 

He’s included the groom’s family in this speech in the best way ever. Not to mention the hilarity of his son-in-law story! We’re dyin’ over here!

Some Parting Advice

The speeches are arguably the best part of the reception, next to the open bar and dancing. Ahem.

Although it may feel like it, no one expects the world from the father-of-the-bride when he toasts the happy couple. 

It’s your job to be sincere, remind everyone of what makes your daughter so wonderful, and tell the room why you’re thrilled to gain a son-in-law. 

Do that, and the rest will fall into place. Next thing you know you’ll be grabbing a martini, loosening your tie and breathing a sigh of relief that you nailed that speech. Now to nail those dance moves you’ve been practicing!

Wedding Planning

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Father of the Bride Speech Examples and Templates

by Ryan Hart | Updated on September 21, 2023 | Post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

When it comes to a wedding, one of the most anticipated speeches is the father of the bride’s.

It’s a moment for the father to express his love and pride for his daughter, offer advice and well wishes for the newlyweds, and thank everyone for being a part of this special day.

But for many fathers, the idea of giving a speech can be intimidating . You want to make sure you come across as confident, clear, and knowledgeable, but where do you start?

Brainstorming and planning ahead can help you organize your thoughts and ensure you hit all the key elements. From there, you can start writing and incorporating techniques to make your speech stand out.

What should you say in a Father of the Bride speech?

When it comes to delivering a memorable father of the bride speech, there are several key elements that you should incorporate. These elements will help you to create a speech that is heartfelt, emotional, and memorable for all the right reasons.

Introduce Yourself

Firstly, it’s important to introduce yourself and welcome the guests . This will help to set the tone for your speech and make everyone feel at ease. You can also take this opportunity to thank the guests for coming and for their support.

Share a Short Story

Next, it’s time to share stories and memories about your daughter. This is the perfect opportunity to reminisce about happy times and to highlight the qualities that make your daughter so special. You can also use this time to welcome your new son-in-law or daughter-in-law and to express your happiness for the happy couple.

Offer Words of Wisdom

It’s also important to offer some words of wisdom and marriage advice. This can be done in a concise and meaningful way, and can include quotes or anecdotes that have special meaning to you and your family. You can also share your hopes and wishes for the future of the couple.

End with a Toast

Of course, no father of the bride speech would be complete without a toast. Raise a toast to the happy couple and their future together, and share your pride and joy in their union. You can also take this opportunity to thank the maid of honor and the master of ceremonies for their contributions to the wedding.

Examples and Templates

When it comes to writing your father of the bride speech, having some examples and templates to draw inspiration from can be incredibly helpful. Here are a few resources to get you started:

"Ladies and gentlemen, I stand here as a proud father to [DAUGHTER'S NAME] . It feels like just yesterday that she was [SHARE A MEMORABLE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCE] . Today, I can hardly believe she's marrying [GROOM'S NAME] , a man who [POSITIVE TRAIT OR ANECDOTE ABOUT GROOM] . As I raise my glass, I want to thank everyone for being here to celebrate this special day with us. To the happy couple, may your future be filled with love and joy."

"When [DAUGHTER'S NAME] was little, we used to [A SHARED ACTIVITY OR STORY] . Now as I watch her with [GROOM'S NAME] , I see a similar bond of [SHARED QUALITY] . I could not be happier for them. So here's to my beautiful daughter and her wonderful new husband. May your love continue to grow stronger with each passing day. Cheers!"

"As a father, you dream of the day your little girl finds someone who [VALUES OR QUALITIES YOU HOPED FOR] . Today, [DAUGHTER'S NAME] married [GROOM'S NAME] , a man who embodies all of these qualities. To my daughter and her new husband, I wish you a lifetime of happiness and love. May your marriage be as strong and beautiful as the love you share today."

"They say a father is his daughter's first love. Well, [DAUGHTER'S NAME] was my first true love. Seeing her today with [GROOM'S NAME] , I know she's found her [TERM OF ENDEARMENT: e.g. forever love, true match] . As I look at my daughter and her new husband, I am filled with pride and joy. Here's to a lifetime of love, laughter, and happiness. Cheers!"

"Raising [DAUGHTER'S NAME] has been my life's greatest joy. She's [POSITIVE QUALITIES OR TRAITS] . Today, as she marries [GROOM'S NAME] , I see those qualities reflected back at her, and it fills my heart with joy. To the newlyweds, may your love for each other only grow stronger with each passing year. Here's to a lifetime of happiness and joy together."

"I always knew [DAUGHTER'S NAME] would grow up to be [QUALITY, ACHIEVEMENT, OR TRAIT] . I am proud to say that [GROOM'S NAME] is the kind of man who values that about her. As a father, there is no greater joy than seeing my daughter so happy. To my daughter and her new husband, may your love for each other never fade. Cheers!"

"There are many moments in a father's life that he cherishes, but this moment, seeing [DAUGHTER'S NAME] marrying a man who is [POSITIVE TRAITS OF GROOM] , is truly special. To my beautiful daughter and her handsome husband, may your love story be filled with adventure, laughter, and endless joy. Congratulations and cheers to a lifetime of happiness together."

"As [DAUGHTER'S NAME] 's father, I've seen her grow and accomplish so much. Her marriage to [GROOM'S NAME] , a man who [COMPLIMENT ABOUT GROOM] , is another proud moment in a long list. As I raise my glass, I want to thank my daughter and her new husband for giving me the greatest gift of all - the gift of seeing my little girl so happy. Here's to a lifetime of love and joy together."

" [DAUGHTER'S NAME] has always been the [ADJECTIVE: e.g. light, star] of our family. Today, as she joins hands with [GROOM'S NAME] , I know she has found her perfect [COMPLEMENT TO PREVIOUS ADJECTIVE: e.g., beacon, constellation] . To my daughter and her new husband, may your love for each other be as strong and unbreakable as the bond between a father and his daughter. Cheers to a lifetime of happiness together."

" [DAUGHTER'S NAME] , from your first steps, to this walk down the aisle, I've had the privilege of being there. Now, as you step into a new journey with [GROOM'S NAME] , a man who [POSITIVE TRAIT OR QUALITY OF GROOM] , I know you will make beautiful memories together. As I look at my daughter and her new husband, I am filled with hope and happiness for their future together. To the happy couple, may your marriage be blessed with love, joy, and endless happiness. Cheers!"

Understanding the Role

As the father of the bride, you have a special role to play in your daughter’s wedding. Your speech is one of the most anticipated and memorable moments of the wedding reception, and it’s an opportunity to express your love and pride for your daughter and your new son-in-law.

Your speech should be heartfelt, sincere, and personal. It’s a chance to share your thoughts and feelings about your daughter, her new spouse, and their future together. Your words should be chosen carefully to reflect the love and support you have for the couple.

Remember that your speech is not just about your daughter, but also about your family. It’s a time to acknowledge and thank the guests who have come to celebrate this special occasion with you and your family. You should also take a moment to welcome your new son-in-law into the family and express your happiness at having him as part of your family.

When preparing your speech, it’s important to keep in mind the overall tone of the wedding. Is it a formal, traditional affair, or a more casual, relaxed event? Your speech should fit the tone of the wedding and reflect the personality of the couple.

Finally, don’t forget to practice your speech before the big day. This will help you feel more confident and ensure that you deliver your message clearly and effectively. With a little preparation and a lot of love, your father of the bride speech is sure to be a highlight of the wedding reception.

Brainstorming and Planning

Before you start writing a father of the bride speech, it’s important to take some time to brainstorm and plan. This will help you structure your speech and make sure you include all the important elements. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Step 1: Gather Ideas

The first step in planning your father of the bride speech is to gather ideas. Think about your daughter and her relationship with her new spouse. What are some of their shared interests? What are some of your favorite memories with your daughter? What advice do you want to give the newlyweds?

Write down all your ideas on a piece of paper or in a document. Don’t worry about organizing them yet, just get everything down.

Step 2: Organize Your Ideas

Once you have a list of ideas, it’s time to organize them. Look for common themes or topics that you want to cover in your speech. For example, you might want to talk about your daughter’s childhood, her relationship with her new spouse, and your hopes for their future together.

Create an outline for your speech, with each idea or topic as a separate section. This will help you stay organized and make sure you cover everything you want to say.

Step 3: Write Your Speech

With your ideas organized and your outline in place, it’s time to start writing your speech. Use your outline as a guide, and fill in the details for each section.

Remember to keep your speech concise and focused. Aim for a length of around five minutes, and avoid rambling or going off on tangents.

Step 4: Practice Your Speech

Once you’ve written your speech, it’s important to practice it. Stand in front of a mirror and read your speech out loud. This will help you get comfortable with the material and make sure you’re speaking clearly.

You might also want to practice in front of a friend or family member. Ask for their feedback and make any necessary adjustments to your speech.

Step 5: Deliver Your Speech

On the day of the wedding, take a deep breath and deliver your speech with confidence. Remember to speak slowly and clearly, and make eye contact with the audience.

End your speech with a heartfelt congratulations to the newlyweds, and a toast to their future together.

Writing Tips and Techniques

When it comes to writing a father of the bride speech, there are a few helpful tips and techniques that can make the process easier and ensure that your speech is a success. Here are some pointers to keep in mind:

• Be yourself: The most important thing to remember when writing your speech is to be yourself. Don’t try to be someone you’re not or use language that doesn’t feel natural to you. Speak from the heart and let your personality shine through.
• Practice public speaking: If you’re not used to speaking in public, it’s a good idea to practice beforehand. You can do this by rehearsing your speech in front of a mirror or recording yourself and watching it back. This will help you build confidence and get used to the sound of your own voice.
• Know your audience: When writing your speech, it’s important to keep your audience in mind. Think about who will be listening to your speech and what they might be expecting to hear. Tailor your speech to your audience and try to make it relevant and engaging for them.
• Keep it concise: While you might have a lot to say, it’s important to keep your speech concise and to the point. Aim for a speech that is around five minutes long, as this will keep your audience engaged without dragging on too long.
• Use humor: A little bit of humor can go a long way in a father of the bride speech. Try to include some lighthearted jokes or anecdotes that will make your audience smile and help to break the ice.

Practicing the Speech

Now that you have written your father of the bride speech, it’s time to start practicing. Practicing your speech will help you deliver it confidently and avoid any last-minute jitters. Here are some tips to help you practice your speech effectively:

• Practice in front of a mirror: Practicing in front of a mirror will help you see your facial expressions and body language. This will help you identify any nervous habits or gestures that you might want to avoid.
• Practice with a timer: Timing is crucial when it comes to delivering a speech. Practice your speech with a timer to ensure that you are not going over the allotted time. This will also help you pace yourself and avoid rushing through your speech.
• Practice in front of a friend or family member: Practicing in front of a friend or family member will help you get feedback on your speech. They can also help you identify any areas that need improvement.
• Record yourself: Recording yourself while practicing your speech will help you identify any areas that need improvement. You can also listen to your speech to get a feel for your pacing and tone.

Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you practice your speech, the more confident you will be when it’s time to deliver it. So, take the time to practice your speech and you’ll be sure to deliver a memorable speech that your daughter and her new spouse will cherish forever.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should the father of the bride say in his speech.

As the father of the bride, your speech should be heartfelt and sincere. You should start by welcoming the guests and thanking them for coming to celebrate this special day with your family. Then, you can share some personal anecdotes about your daughter and her relationship with the groom. You can also express your love and pride for your daughter and offer some words of wisdom for the newlyweds.

How long should a father of the bride speech be?

Your speech should be long enough to cover everything you want to say, but not so long that it becomes boring or tedious. A good rule of thumb is to keep your speech between 5-7 minutes. This will give you enough time to say what you want to say without losing the attention of your audience.

What should a dad say to his daughter on her wedding day?

As a father, your daughter’s wedding day is a very emotional and special day for you. You should take this opportunity to express your love and pride for your daughter. You can tell her how much she means to you and how proud you are of the person she has become. You can also offer some words of advice and encouragement for her future with her new spouse.

Is it OK to read the father of the bride speech?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to read your speech from a written copy. In fact, it may even be preferable if you are nervous or worried about forgetting what you want to say. However, it is important to practice your speech beforehand so that you can deliver it with confidence and emotion.

Ryan Hart is a certified relationship coach and writer. His mission is to help make connections between people better, stronger, more meaningful, and longer lasting using technology.

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Father Of The Bride Speech Examples

February 10, 2017 By Kate

If you are the Father of the Bride, then you will already have many responsibilities for your daughter’s upcoming wedding. These responsibilities might include walking her down the aisle and dancing with her at the wedding reception. You might even be helping to pay for the wedding.

At the same time, you might want to do even more. If you feel inclined to give a speech, then it is something that everyone will appreciate, especially the bride. When you give a speech that is straight from the heart, you cannot go wrong.

Below are some Father of the Bride speech examples to help you get started. These speeches can inspire you to put together your own personal speech that everyone at the wedding will love.

1. I remember the day that [bride] was born like it was yesterday. The second I laid eyes on her and held her in my arms, I was in love. There is nothing like the love that a parent can have for their child. You feel like you love them more than anything in this world and you would do anything to protect them. As their guardian, you do your very best to nourish them and give them a happy home for them to grow in.

[Bride’s] mother and I always hoped that we could teach our daughter to love others. To be kind and compassionate and thoughtful. We are beyond proud of the woman she is today. While she was an amazing little girl, as a woman, she is a force of nature. And we are so happy that she was able to find love.

2. When I met [bride’s] mother, I knew in the back of my head that this would be the girl that I was going to marry. It didn’t happen right away, but eventually it did happen. A seed was planted that sprouted, grew, and blossomed into the type of love you only read about in books. Through all of these years, my wife and I have always loved each other very much.

So it makes us happy beyond words that our daughter was able to find a love like ours. One that makes you a better person, that makes you happy and fulfilled. [Groom] is a truly amazing person and we could not have picked a better husband for our wonderful daughter.

3. Hello everyone, I am [bride’s] father. There is a saying that when parents find true love, their parents find true joy. If you are a parent, then you know that when your child is sad, you feel sad too. And when they are happy, you cannot help but feel happy too. So you can just imagine how I felt when I discovered how happy and in love [bride] was.

I want the two of you to know how happy I am for you. [Bride,] I can rest easy knowing that you have found the right one, and [groom,] thank you for making my daughter so happy.

4. When my wife and I found out that we were going to have a little girl, we were excited beyond belief. We loved her before she was even brought into the world. The sound of her name and the thought of soon being able to hold her was already enough to put smiles on our faces.

Ever since she was born, [bride] was a happy baby, and a happy child. From cooing as an infant to always giggling as a little girl, it was always easy to make her smile and laugh. Her smile could put a huge grin on anyone’s face. And yet, I have never seen her happier than when she is by [groom’s] side.

5. As most of you will know, I have a little experience when it comes to knowing about marriage. There is a saying that love does not consist of gazing at each other. Rather, it consists of looking outward in the same direction. Part of making a marriage work is making sure that you have the same goals. If you do not work together, then how will your marriage be successful?

That is how you have a good marriage. Never forget to be on the same page. Always communicate with each other, even when it’s not always easy to do so. You will be much happier for it. Congratulations to the two of you on your new marriage and I wish you the best of luck.

6. For as long as we both can remember, [bride’s] mom and I always knew that she was destined for great things. She is a smart girl, talented, focused, and hardworking. But happiness? That is not something that can be easily guaranteed.

[Bride] was always accomplishing amazing things, even as a young girl. But that was not everything to her mother and myself. We also wanted her to be happy. That was the most important thing to us, that our daughter would find happiness in life. Because success without happiness does not mean very much.

When [bride] met [groom,] happiness started to seep into her life. It was like she was seeing everything in brighter colors. She smiled more and we knew how much this guy meant to her. To find happiness can be very difficult and my wife and I are both very grateful and happy that these two were able to find each other.

7. As a happily married man and as [bride’s] father, I would like to offer up some advice to [groom.] We are often used to seeing romantic gestures like cards, chocolates, and bouquets of flowers. But marriage is not always about such big romantic overtures.

Marriage is all about sharing, and sometimes that even means sharing the housework. Sometimes, taking it upon yourself to do the dishes can mean a whole lot more than buying flowers. Sure, romantic gestures are nice, but things like doing a load of laundry or vacuuming the house can be even more romantic in the right circumstances.

8. [Bride,] how the years have flown by. But I guess it is true what they say. Time flies when you are having a great time. Being your father has been and continues to be a joy. One day you are setting up your baby’s nursery, painting it and assembling the crib. Another day you are finally holding your baby in your arms for the first time. Then, the next thing you know, you are seeing her take her first steps.

Many more milestones and many more memories pass by. The first day at school, graduation, the day that little girl moves out of her parents’ house, her going away to college, her first job, and so on. And then, of course, her wedding day. I am so lucky to be able to share all of these memories with you, my sweet, darling daughter. I love you with all of my heart forever and always and I wish you and [groom] all the best memories in your new life together.

9. Many people will refer to a wedding day as the happiest day of their life. I have to say from my own experience that I do not find that expression to be true. My wedding day was a happy day for sure, but was it the happiest day of my life so far? Not by a long shot.

Yes, I was marrying the woman I loved and all of our beloved friends and family were there to celebrate our love with us. But the two of you might find that the happiest days of your life are the simple ones, the quiet days that the two of you sure together. And if you one day grow your family, you might share some of your happiest days with your children.

To me, some of the happiest days of my life include sitting in the house with the woman that I love. Sometimes we are talking, other times, no words need to be said. But you will have days and moments where you will ask yourself, how did I get to be so lucky with this person?

For me, those are the happiest days of my life. I hope for the two of you, that your happiest days together are yet to come.

10. [Bride] and [groom,] as I look at the two of you in your beautiful dress and your nice suit, I am reminded a bit of my own wedding day where there was plenty of excitement, love, and of course some nervousness as well.

Take it from someone who has been married for many years. Being in a successful marriage requires falling in love many times, and always with the same person.

11. Today is only the beginning for [bride] and [groom.] With each passing day and every year that goes by, you will create many more memories together. To my lovely daughter and my wonderful son-in-law. May you prosper together, grow old together, and make each other happy.

12. When you are a parent, you always want the best for your child. My daughter was no different. So it should come as no surprise now that I am thrilled that she has met the person of her dreams. Someone who is her equal, her better half, and a wonderful person. [Groom,] I welcome you into my family and I know the two of you will keep each other very happy.

13. Our family is very close-knit and sure, our family tree has some nuts on it, I won’t say who. But I have to say that [groom] fit right in with us from the moment we met him. And I am glad to say that we did not scare him away. He is still here and now he is family.

14. I have always wanted the best for [bride.] From the best teachers and schools, to friends that were a good influence on her, you can be sure that I always wanted my daughter to have the best things in life. But she found [groom] all on her own. You can call it fate or pure luck, but whatever the cause, I am glad that they have found each other.

15. I have seen many years in my life. And I have a small handful of favorite days that I remember and cherish fondly. One of the best days of my life was the day that [bride] was born. Or at least I thought that it was the best day of my life at the time.

Over the years, there were many other days with my daughter that were memorable and wonderful in their own unique way. She has brought me many smiles and laughs over the years. And today, is another one for the books.

Today has been an absolutely wonderful and beautiful day that I will always remember fondly, and I know that [bride] and [groom] will remember their wedding day fondly as well. From the stunning ceremony to this delightful reception, surrounded by all of the people that mean the most to my daughter and new son-in-law, I cannot believe how much my beautiful daughter has grown.

She has matured into someone that I am very proud of. [Bride] and [groom,] I wish you all the best and I hope that you will make your own happy memories so that you will have beautiful days to look back on when you are both old together.

16. While this special day has surely meant the world to [bride] and [groom,] it has a lot of significance for me too. It is a day that I have always looked forward to with anticipation and excitement.

Today, the world has changed a bit, and while we still decide to keep some of the old traditions, they do not carry the same meaning that they used to. Take for instance walking my daughter down the aisle. It is something that I was honored to do.

At the same time, I did not see it as giving my daughter away to the man that she would marry. But I did see it as a special moment between the two of us.

You see, kids grow faster than you realize. From the moment they are born to the minute they start walking, things do not slow down from there. They grow up right before your very eyes. For a short while, my daughter relied on me to carry her and hold her hand.

And then one day, you find that they do not need you as much as they used to. Sure, sometimes you feel a little sad about it but at the end of the day it is a wonderful thing to have an independent daughter or son that does not need your help every step of the way anymore. Because then you know that you raised them right.

I know that I prepared my daughter for adulthood. And yet, I am still her father, no matter how old she gets I will always be there for her when she needs me. So walking her down the aisle was a chance for us to reconnect once more, a girl and her father as she is about to marry the man she loves.

[Bride] and [groom,] I know that I do not need to tell you two to take care of each other. I know you both will to the best of your abilities. I can only wish you many happy years together.

17. We live in a world where people can be very self-centered. Everything now is so fast paced and technology is advancing more and more each day. It is a trap that is hard to avoid. Sometimes people miss out on real opportunities and connections as a result of this.

If any you know [bride] and [groom,] which you all do otherwise you would not be here right now, then you know how wonderful these two people are. Both of them are selfless and caring. They never ask, “what can this person do for me?” Instead they are always asking what they can do for other people, including each other.

I can see the devotion that [bride] and [groom] have for each other. It warms my heart and restores my faith in people, that too people can be so deeply in love in a world where so much can often go wrong. When these two are a team, they can do anything that they set their minds to.

18. Beautiful, loving, smart, generous, strong, and kind. Treasured and loved by anyone who is lucky enough to really know her. These are just a few words that I would use to describe my daughter. I used to wonder how someone could ever compete with such a lovely person. Would she ever meet her match? Who would be deserving of the wonderful person that she is?

I am glad to say that she did finally meet someone who perfectly complements her. [Groom] is someone I would have been happy to call my son and now I can call him my son-in-law. Congratulations to you both and thank you, [groom,] for making my daughter so happy.

19. When you are a parent, the greatest thing that you will ever have in your life is your children. I always wanted my daughter to be the happiest that she could be. I thought that I knew the happiest version of her, but I never saw her at her happiest until she met [groom.]

20. In your marriage, remember to encourage rather than criticize and to forgive instead of keeping score of all the hurts.

21. There are two lasting gifts that we can give to our children. The first one is roots and the second one is wings. We always wanted to give [bride] a strong foundation and a support system that would always be there for her never what. But we also wanted her to have wings so that she could one day go and build a life of her own.

22. Marriage cannot be summed up in just one picture or one sentence. It is a lot more complex than that. Think of your marriage together as hundreds and hundreds of threads that you will sew together over the years.

23. To see your children happy is the best blessing that a parent can every receive. So thank you, [groom,] for making my daughter so happy.

24. If God has made anything better than a woman, than he must have kept it for himself.

Funny Father Of The Bride Speeches

25. I would like to take this time to thank my daughter, [bride] for the 23 years of pure joy that she gave to me and her mother. I don’t count the first 2 years because there’s nothing fun about changing a dirty diaper every other hour.

26. A happy marriage consists of finding the right balance between giving and taking. The husband give while the wife takes.

27. I would like two take the opportunity to thank 2 people for getting [groom] here today. And no, I do not mean the limo driver and the Best Man. Thank you two the parents of [groom,] who made such a wonderful young man.

28. I can say without a doubt that [groom] will be a wonderful, doting husband. But I have yet to determine what kind of son-in-law he will turn out to be. Will he come around to mow the lawn and help wash the car, or will I have to do it myself?

You may also enjoy our Bridesmaid Speech Examples. 

29. They say that marriages are made in heaven, but so are thunder and lightning. All of these things have something else in common. They are all powerful. Two people in a strong marriage are a force to be reckoned with. [Groom] and [bride,] take it from someone who knows, you are better and stronger together.

30. There are two times in a man’s life when he cannot understand a woman: before marriage, and after marriage. But if you want to make a marriage work, then you must communicate. Try to understand. That is how you will stay happy together. Congratulations to you both.

Reader Interactions

March 10, 2018 at 3:26 pm

How will my daddy say his speech at my wedding.

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Father Of The Bride Speech | What To Say (With Examples)

The father of the bride speech is an essential part of any wedding ceremony, allowing the bride’s father to express his love, pride, and support for his daughter as she embarks on a new journey with her partner. This speech serves as an opportunity to welcome guests and share heartfelt memories, wisdom, and blessings to the newlyweds. Crafting the perfect address requires striking the right balance between emotion and humour, ensuring it resonates with everyone present at the celebration.

To create a memorable father of the bride speech , it is crucial to understand the role and expectations associated with this particular address. Typically, it should include a warm welcome, a few fond memories and anecdotes about the bride, and some well-wishes for the couple’s future. Furthermore, it is essential to plan and structure the speech in advance to ensure it flows seamlessly and conveys the intended sentiment.

Incorporating emotional elements while maintaining a sense of poise and composure is key to delivering a successful father of the bride speech. One must also pay close attention to practical tips and advice to create a speech that is engaging, heartfelt, and captivating for the wedding guests. There are numerous samples and templates available, as well as frequently asked questions that can provide valuable guidance and insights for crafting the perfect address.

What to write on – Flash cards are a great idea to give you prompts and look better than a tatty sheet of paper.

Key Takeaways

• The father of the bride speech is an opportunity to express love, pride, and support for the bride
• Create a memorable speech by understanding the role, planning, and incorporating emotional elements
• Practical tips and examples can provide valuable guidance for crafting the perfect address

Understanding the Role

Responsibilities of the father of the bride.

The father of the bride plays a vital role in the wedding festivities. As part of the family’s support system, he offers emotional and financial support throughout the wedding planning process. Additionally, his presence and guidance during the celebrations help to create memorable moments for both the bride and other attendees.

In traditional weddings, the father of the bride has several responsibilities, such as:

• Hosting and/or contributing to the wedding expenses
• Walking the bride down the aisle and giving her away to the groom
• Preparing and delivering the father of the bride speech at the reception

Significance of Father of the Bride Speech

The father of the bride speech carries significant weight during the reception. It sets the tone for the remainder of the event and provides an opportunity to share heartfelt sentiments about the bride and her spouse.

A well-crafted speech should:

• Welcome the guests and express gratitude for their attendance
• Share fond memories of the bride’s upbringing, highlighting her character traits
• Offer heartfelt blessings and advice to the newlywed couple
• Toast the couple as they embark on their new journey together

Utilising a combination of emotion, humour, and sincerity, the father of the bride speech reinforces his role in the wedding and creates a warm atmosphere for the celebrations. It is an honour and responsibility that the father of the bride cherishes, as it represents a crucial milestone in both his and his daughter’s lives.

Planning the Speech

Brainstorming ideas.

When planning a father of the bride speech, it’s essential to begin by brainstorming ideas. Reflect on the memories and anecdotes that showcase the relationship between the bride and her father. Consider including instances of personal growth, achievements, challenges, and humorous moments. Family members, friends, and the bride herself can also provide inspiration for ideas. Remember, the objective is to generate a genuine and heartfelt speech that resonates with the audience.

Structuring Your Speech

For a well-organised father of the bride speech, it’s crucial to establish a speech template and structure. A helpful structure might consist of the following segments:

• Introduction: Introduce yourself and express gratitude to the guests for attending. Acknowledge the hosts and organisers of the event.
• Bride’s Childhood: Share stories from the bride’s early years, focusing on her personality, hobbies, and family experiences that shaped her.
• Meeting the Groom: Describe the first time you met the groom and how the relationship between the bride and the groom blossomed.
• Tribute to the Couple: Offer thoughtful words about the couple’s union and attributes that make them perfect for each other.
• A Father’s Advice: Impart some wisdom or guidance for the couple as they embark on this new journey together.
• Closing and Toast: Wrap up the speech by proposing a toast to the newlyweds and wishing them a lifetime of happiness.

Remember, while it’s important to have a structure for the speech, there’s room for improvisation and adapting it to suit your unique father-daughter relationship. Keep the tone confident, knowledgeable, neutral, and clear to engage the audience. By incorporating brainstormed ideas, following a speech template, and utilising proper formatting, you’ll be well-prepared to deliver a memorable father of the bride speech.

Speech Content

Opening remarks.

The father of the bride speech should begin with confident and welcoming opening remarks. Extend a warm welcome to all the guests gathered on this special day. Acknowledge the love and happiness that fills the room, and express gratitude to everyone for joining in the celebrations. If appropriate, feel free to include an ice-breaker or a light-hearted joke to set the tone and evoke laughter from the audience.

Celebrating the Daughter

This part of the speech is dedicated to the father’s beloved daughter. Speak about her qualities that make her a wonderful person. Share heartfelt expressions of love, and recall cherished memories that highlight her journey to this day. Don’t shy away from mentioning her accomplishments, as this is a moment to celebrate her. Be sincere in your words, ensuring they reflect the deep bond between father and daughter.

Welcoming the Son-In-Law

As the bride’s father, it is essential to warmly welcome the new son-in-law into the family. Speak about the qualities you admire in him and how he complements your daughter. Emphasize the happiness you feel knowing they have found love and support in each other. By extending a genuine and heartfelt welcome, you’ll help create a strong foundation for their future as a couple.

Sharing Anecdotes

To inject some humour and relatability into the speech, share funny stories or anecdotes from the bride’s life. These can also involve the son-in-law, showcasing their compatibility and love for one another. Be mindful of the audience and choose stories that are appropriate and entertaining, evoking laughter and fond memories. Sharing anecdotes not only adds a personal touch to the speech; it also serves to humanise the father of the bride, making him more relatable to the guests.

Throughout the speech, remember to maintain a confident, knowledgeable, neutral, and clear tone of voice, ensuring a well-rounded presentation that resonates with the audience. By following these guidelines, a father of the bride speech can be both touching and memorable for all present at the celebration.

Emotional Elements

Incorporating emotion.

A father of the bride speech should be heartfelt and evoke emotions in the audience. Sharing personal memories of the daughter and expressing the love and pride felt for her will make the speech more emotional. Touching on the bond between father and daughter can bring tears to the audience’s eyes and make the speech memorable.

Remember to balance emotions by also focusing on the happiness and excitement of the wedding day. Connecting emotional elements to the love between the couple will resonate with everyone present.

Using Humour

Besides the emotional aspect, incorporating funny anecdotes or memories into the speech can provide some lighter moments. Humour can make the speech engaging while also allowing the audience, especially the bride and groom, to feel more relaxed.

By blending heartfelt emotions with humorous moments, the speech will be both emotional and enjoyable. This balance will leave a lasting impression on everyone present at the wedding and create a memorable experience for all.

Practical Tips

Managing speech length.

When preparing the father of the bride speech, it’s essential to keep the length in check. Ideally, the speech should be between 5 to 10 minutes long. This ensures that the audience stays engaged without feeling overwhelmed.

• Plan your speech and decide on the key points you’d like to convey
• Time yourself and refine the content, if necessary
• Keep it brief and to the point, while covering important details

Public Speaking Skills

Public speaking may not be everyone’s forte, but with some practice and guidance, one can develop the relevant skills. Here are a few tips to help you deliver a memorable father of the bride speech.

• Practice your speech multiple times before the event
• Maintain a steady pace and clear enunciation
• Use eye contact and engage with the audience
• Utilise gestures and body language to convey emotions

Dealing with Pressure

As the father of the bride, you may experience some pressure during the speech. It’s important to remain composed and handle the nerves effectively.

• Focus on your breath and maintain a calm demeanour
• Remind yourself that your speech is a meaningful part of the celebration
• Visualise success and keep a positive attitude

By following these practical tips and honing your public speaking skills, you’ll be able to deliver a captivating and heartfelt father of the bride speech, making the occasion even more memorable for everyone.

Samples and Templates

In this section, we will provide some helpful examples and template formats for Father of the Bride speech to guide you through the process. By using these resources, you can confidently and effectively deliver your speech on the big day.

Speech Examples

Here are some Father of the Bride speech examples to inspire you:

• [Name]’s journey to this day has been filled with love, laughter, and many cherished memories. As her father, I’ve been honoured to play a part in her life, and I stand here today with pride as she begins a new chapter with her loving partner, [Spouse’s name].
• I would like to begin by welcoming everyone in this room to the beautiful celebration of love between [Name] and [Spouse’s name]. It is a privilege to be standing here as the Father of the Bride, and I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to the newlyweds.
• As [Name]’s father, I have had the pleasure of watching her grow into the accomplished, intelligent and compassionate woman she is today. As she embarks on this new journey with [Spouse’s name], I am confident that she will bring those same qualities to her marriage, and I wish them both a lifetime of happiness.

Template Formats

To help you build your own speech, here is a basic Father of the Bride speech template that can be modified to suit your needs:

• Introduction and Welcome: Begin by welcoming all the guests and thanking them for attending the wedding. You may also want to acknowledge any special friends or family members who could not be present.
• Acknowledge the Bride: Share some of your favourite memories or qualities about your daughter, recounting any moments that stand out from her childhood or describing the person she has become.
• Talk about the Groom: Briefly discuss your first impressions of the groom and the positive attributes he brings to the relationship. You may also want to share a humorous anecdote or story about him.
• Offer Advice and Wisdom: As a father, share any life lessons or words of wisdom you believe will benefit the newlyweds as they navigate their life together.
• Toast: Conclude your speech by raising a toast to the couple, wishing them love, happiness, and a lifetime of memories.

By working with these examples and templates, you can develop a Father of the Bride speech that is heartfelt, memorable, and unique to your relationship with your daughter. By being clear, confident and knowledgeable, your speech will surely have a lasting impact on the special day.

Giving Thanks

In the conclusion of the Father of the Bride speech, it is essential to express gratitude to everyone involved in the journey leading up to the daughter’s wedding. This includes thanking the wife for her support, expressing appreciation to the son-in-law for making the daughter happy, as well as acknowledging the combined efforts of both families in making the wedding celebration a success.

A simple way to structure the thank yous is:

• Thank the wife for her love and support throughout the years.
• Acknowledge the son-in-law and share good wishes for his life with the daughter.
• Gratitude towards the wedding planner, caterers, photographer, and anyone else who contributed to the wedding.
• Address the guests that have joined the celebration and thank them for being there.

Concluding Message

To conclude the speech on a positive and memorable note, the father of the bride can share a piece of advice or impart wisdom gleaned from his own experiences. This can be about married life, commitment, or the importance of love and partnership. Offering heartfelt blessings to the happy couple will leave a lasting impression on them, as well as the guests.

Finally, propose a toast to the newlyweds to celebrate their union, wishing them a lifetime of happiness, love, and laughter. This marks the end of the speech with a warm, confident, and clear tone, honouring the significance of the occasion and expressing genuine happiness for his daughter and son-in-law.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you start a father of the bride speech.

A good way to start a father of the bride speech is by thanking everyone for attending the special occasion. You can also express your gratitude to the groom’s parents for hosting the event. It is important to share your happiness and pride for your daughter, welcoming her new spouse into the family.

What is the best father of the bride speech?

The best father of the bride speech is one that strikes a balance between heartfelt sentiments and lighthearted humour. It should include thanking the guests, complimenting the bride and groom, and sharing personal anecdotes about the bride’s upbringing and growth. Connecting these elements with a consistent theme will make the speech memorable.

What should I say in my daughter’s wedding speech?

In your daughter’s wedding speech, share fond memories and stories that illustrate her character and qualities. Highlight significant events and milestones in her life, and express how happy and proud you are to see her starting this new journey with her spouse. Offer advice and well-wishes for the couple’s future together.

What are some funny examples for a father of the bride speech?

Humorous examples can include lighthearted anecdotes about your daughter’s childhood or teenage years or gentle teasing about her quirks. It could also involve recounting amusing incidents from the couple’s relationship or funny memories from the wedding planning process. Remember to keep the humour appropriate and avoid embarrassing stories.

What are some great icebreakers for the father of the bride speech?

Effective icebreakers for a father of the bride speech can include a short, funny joke or a relatable anecdote. You may also start with a humorous or surprising statement about yourself or your relationship with your daughter. Ensure the icebreaker sets a welcoming and light atmosphere for the rest of the speech.

How can a shy father give a memorable speech at his daughter’s wedding?

A shy father can give a memorable speech by preparing well in advance, practicing regularly, and focusing on what he wants to convey to his daughter and her spouse. Being genuine, heartfelt, and connecting with the audience through eye contact can make the speech engaging. Sharing a meaningful story or a piece of heartfelt advice can also leave a lasting impression.

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10 best father of the bride speech examples

As the father of the bride, your speech holds a unique power to move hearts, spark laughter, and create memories that will last a lifetime. But finding the right words to express the love, pride, and joy you feel for your daughter on her wedding day can be a daunting task.

Don’t worry, we’re here to help. We’ve gathered 10 of the best father-of-the-bride speech examples, along with expert tips and guidance to help you craft a speech that will leave a lasting impression.

Key Elements of a Father of the Bride Speech:

While every speech is unique, here’s a general structure to follow:

• Welcome and Introduction:  Greet guests with warmth and express your gratitude for their presence. Introduce yourself and your connection to the bride.
• Memories and Sentiments:  Share heartwarming stories and anecdotes that showcase your daughter’s personality, strengths, and the special bond you share. Highlight her accomplishments and the qualities that make her an incredible woman.
• Welcome the Groom or Bride’s Partner:  Express your heartfelt welcome to the new member of your family. Share your thoughts on their relationship and express your confidence in their future together.
• Words of Wisdom and Marriage Advice:  Offer genuine advice for a happy and fulfilling marriage, drawing from your own experiences or observations. Keep it heartfelt and relatable.
• Well Wishes and Toast:  Conclude with heartfelt wishes for their future happiness and raise a toast to the newlyweds.

Tips for Writing an Unforgettable Speech:

• Start Early:  Don’t leave it to the last minute. Give yourself ample time for brainstorming, writing, and practicing.
• Speak from the Heart:  Authenticity is key. Share genuine stories and emotions that resonate with you and the guests.
• Keep it Concise:  Aim for a speech that’s around 5-7 minutes long to maintain attention and impact.
• Practice Makes Perfect:  Rehearse your speech aloud to ensure smooth delivery and comfort with the content.
• Add a Touch of Humor:  Lighthearted moments can make your speech more engaging and memorable. Just keep it tasteful and appropriate for the occasion.
• Don’t Forget the Tissues:  Embrace the emotions of the day. It’s okay to get a little teary-eyed as you express your love for your daughter.

10 Speeches Examples

Looking for inspiration to craft a father-of-the-bride speech that captures the love, laughter, and unique bond you share with your daughter? Here are 10 examples to spark your creativity and set the stage for a truly unforgettable moment:

Speech Example 1: The Heartfelt Tribute

Good evening everyone! For those who don’t know me, I’m [Your Name], [Bride’s name]’s dad, and the luckiest man in the room to be standing here witnessing the blossoming of a love story that began even before she could walk.

(Bride’s name), my little hummingbird, your wings have always fluttered with an infectious energy. I remember you twirling through the house in princess dresses, convinced you were destined for fairytales. And look at you now, radiating radiance that rivals any enchanted castle. You haven’t just found your prince charming, you’ve created your own happily ever after with the kindness, resilience, and adventurous spirit you’ve carried since your first wobbly steps.

Remember when you used to climb every tree in the backyard, declaring yourself queen of the squirrels? Your tenacity was always breathtaking, even if it did give me a few heart attacks. Today, I see that same unwavering spirit in the way you chase your dreams, your eyes holding a fire that can’t be dimmed.

And [Groom’s name], seeing you standing beside her fills me with a peace I haven’t known since she started raiding my toolbox for “princess knight tools.” You possess a quiet strength that complements her vibrant energy, a gentle hand that calms her storms and a laughter that echoes hers in perfect harmony. You see her not just as a princess, but as the warrior queen she truly is, and in that, you show her a love that mirrors the boundless one she deserves.

My dear [Bride’s name], as you embark on this new chapter, remember the lessons we shared under the starlit sky, the dreams we whispered in the garden, and the laughter that filled our home. Carry them with you, alongside the unwavering love of the man you’ve chosen.

And to you both, may your journey be paved with sunshine and moonlight, your laughter echo through valleys and meadows, and your love bloom brighter than any fairytale rose. Now, raise your glasses, as I propose a toast to the queen and her king, to [Bride’s name] and [Groom’s name], may your reign be long and joyous!

Speech Example 2: The Funny Anecdote

Ah, where do I even begin? To say [Bride’s name] had an interesting childhood might be the understatement of the century. She was a firecracker disguised as a princess, a whirlwind of elbows and glitter who managed to turn every tea party into a full-blown pirate battle.

Remember that time she “borrowed” my car keys at 16 for a “joyride” that ended with a traffic jam caused by a runaway pony named Buttercup? Or the incident with the neighbor’s prize-winning tulips and the very convincing “grasshopper infestation” story? We learned a lot about insurance adjusters that year!

But through it all, there was this incredible spark in her eyes, a mischievous glint that mirrored the one twinkling at you now, [Groom’s name]. You, my friend, have a spirit that matches hers, a smile that can cure a monsoon, and a patience that surpasses all human understanding. You’ve found a way to tame the pirate queen, not with chains, but with laughter and love.

Now, don’t be fooled by the princess dress, [Bride’s name] is as fierce as a dragon if crossed. Just ask the toaster that met its maker after failing to produce the perfect golden brown bagel. But her fire is fueled by passion, by a fierce loyalty that will leave you feeling like the most treasured knight in her kingdom.

So, to you both, I say embrace the chaos, revel in the laughter, and remember that true love thrives on a good sprinkle of sprinkles and a side of adventure. May your life be a whirlwind of joy, a never-ending quest filled with the treasures of discovery, and, for heaven’s sake, lock up the car keys!

Speech Example 3: The Wise Counsel 

Marriage, like a good bottle of wine, requires patience, understanding, and a willingness to let the flavors mingle and mature. Today, I offer you, [Bride’s name] and [Groom’s name], a few vintage pearls of wisdom, polished by the years:

Communication is the elixir of love: Talk, listen, and truly hear each other. Speak with kindness, even when the grapes of wrath feel like stomping their feet. Remember, silence isn’t golden, it’s just awkward and leaves room for misunderstandings to ferment.

Respect is the soil where love blooms: Cherish each other’s dreams, support each other’s stumbles, and celebrate each other’s victories, big and small. Never let weeds of criticism choke the fertile ground of your love.

Laughter is the sunshine that keeps it all growing: Find joy in the mundane, share silly jokes, and let playful banter dance through your days. Remember, sometimes the best fertilizer for love is a well-timed giggle fit.

Patience is the key to the cellar: Life will throw curveballs, storms will brew, and there will be days when the vinegar of frustration threatens to overwhelm the sweetness. Practice patience, remember the reasons you fell in love, and weather the storms together.

Compromise is the art of the blend: No two wines are alike, and neither are any two people. Learn to blend your preferences, your wishes, and your dreams, creating a unique vintage that reflects both of you. Remember, compromise isn’t a defeat, it’s a waltz where both partners lead and follow.

Growth is the journey, not the destination: Don’t get so caught up in building the perfect life that you forget to nurture the love that built it. Embrace change, grow together, and remember that the most beautiful vineyards are those constantly evolving with the seasons.

And finally, never underestimate the power of a simple “I love you,” whispered over coffee in the morning or shared beneath a starlit sky. These are the vintage varietals that keep the love strong, the flavor complex, and the marriage eternally delicious.

So, raise your glasses, dear [Bride’s name] and [Groom’s name], and toast to a love story that matures with grace, weathers every storm, and leaves a taste of happiness on the lips for generations to come. To your love, your laughter, and the beautiful vineyard you’ll create together. Cheers!

Speech Example 4: The Welcome to the Family

[Groom’s name], son, welcome to the circus! Just kidding, though I wouldn’t rule out a rogue juggling squirrel at some point. You see, our family isn’t your typical sitcom crew, we’re more like a well-loved ragtag band, each member playing a unique, if slightly off-key, tune.

[Bride’s name], our free-spirited firecracker, is the lead vocalist, with a voice that can melt glaciers and raise the roof. Now, you might find yourself tempted to turn down the volume occasionally, but trust me, her passion is what makes the music sing.

My wife, [Bride’s mom’s name], is the rhythm section, keeping us all grounded with her practical wisdom and endless supply of baked goods. She might seem quiet at first, but don’t underestimate her ability to drop the beat on any argument.

The rest of us, well, we’re the percussionists, adding a little chaos and a lot of laughter to the mix. We’re loud, we’re opinionated, and we love fiercely. Be prepared for impromptu game nights that turn into furniture re-arranging extravaganzas, holiday dinners that resemble performance art, and enough stories to fill a library (most of them true, I swear).

But through it all, one thing remains constant: our love for each other. And now, [Groom’s name], you’re not just joining a family, you’re becoming part of its melody. We embrace your quirks, your passions, and the unique notes you bring to our song.

So, raise a glass, let the music play, and welcome to the beautiful, messy, and undeniably heartwarming symphony that is our family. We can’t wait to see what kind of harmony you’ll add to the chorus.

Speech Example 5: The Shared Journey

They say the journey matters more than the destination, and for [Bride’s name] and me, that journey began the moment she entered this world, eyes wide with wonder and lungs filled with the loudest cry I’d ever heard.

From wobbly first steps to scraped knees and triumphant pigtails, I watched her blossom into the extraordinary woman she is today. Remember that time you convinced the neighborhood kids to stage a “mermaid rescue” in the sprinkler, complete with cardboard fins and glitter scales? Or the science fair volcano that erupted with enough baking soda to rival Mount Vesuvius?

Through it all, there were scraped knees, broken hearts, and moments of teenage rebellion that turned my hair a shade whiter than it is now. But through every tear and tantrum, every triumph and misstep, I saw the strength of her spirit, the fire in her heart, and the unwavering love that made my little girl into the incredible woman standing before me now.

[Groom’s name], as you take her hand and embark on this new chapter, remember the girl who built fairy houses in the backyard and dreamt of galaxies beyond the stars. She carries those dreams within her, along with the love and lessons learned along the way.

And [Bride’s name], my dearest daughter, as you step into this new adventure, never forget the laughter that filled our home, the values we shared, and the unwavering love that binds us. Carry them with you as you build your own happily ever after, a love story that surpasses even the wildest fairytales we shared under the starlight.

You’re absolutely right, the previous version captured your genuine sentiment beautifully. Let’s finish it with a heartfelt toast that honors both the memories and the future:

So, raise your glasses, dear guests, to the journey that is life, a story written in scraped knees and fairy houses, in triumphant laughter and whispered lullabies. Let’s toast to [Bride’s name] and [Groom’s name], two souls embarking on a new adventure with hearts woven from shared dreams and laughter. May their love be a compass that guides them through uncharted territories, a fire that warms them on chilly nights, and a song that fills their lives with everlasting joy. To forever, to love, to the beautiful tapestry of their shared journey! Cheers!

Speech Example 6: The Poignant Reflection

Good evening everyone. For those who don’t know me, I’m [Bride’s name]’s father, and today, I feel like the luckiest man on the planet. Watching my little girl transform into this radiant woman standing before me, it feels like yesterday she was chasing butterflies in the garden, her laughter echoing through the air.

Time might fly, memories might fade, but the love we share remains an eternal constant. I remember holding her tiny hand for the first time, a fragile promise of life nestled in my palm. Witnessing her first steps, shaky yet determined, taught me the power of resilience. Each milestone, from her first wobbly words to her triumphant graduation, filled my heart with a pride that words can barely express.

But today, a new kind of pride blossoms within me. It’s the pride of seeing her choose a partner who reflects her own kindness, strength, and zest for life. [Groom’s name], your gentle gaze and unwavering support speak volumes about the man you are. Seeing you both standing side-by-side, two souls dancing to the same melody, fills me with an overwhelming sense of peace and joy.

[Bride’s name], my dearest daughter, as you embark on this new chapter, carry with you the lessons whispered in the hush of bedtime stories, the echoes of laughter shared beneath the summer sky, and the unwavering love that has always been your guiding light. Remember, you are capable of anything you set your mind to, and no dream is too grand for your brave and beautiful spirit.

To the bride and groom, may your journey be paved with sunshine and moonlight, your laughter a symphony against the backdrop of life’s adventures. May you forever find comfort in each other’s arms, strength in each other’s dreams, and joy in the tapestry of love you weave together. Now, raise your glasses as we toast to forever, to [Bride’s name] and [Groom’s name]!

Speech Example 7: The Lighthearted Toast

Good evening everyone! For those who haven’t had the pleasure of meeting me, I’m [Bride’s name]’s dad, and I’m here to confess… I used to dream of the day I’d walk her down the aisle. Not because I wanted to get rid of my laundry fairy (because frankly, those socks never folded themselves), but because I always knew she’d find someone incredible to share her life with.

And [Groom’s name], believe me, you are incredible. You managed to tame our resident whirlwind, the girl who once convinced me a pet raccoon was a “necessary addition” to the family. You not only survived the chaos, but thrived in it, adding your own brand of humor and patience to the mix.

Now, [Bride’s name], I know I haven’t always been the easiest person to live with. My penchant for leaving socks on the floor and questionable dance moves at family gatherings might have tested your patience on occasion. But remember, my love for you has always been a constant, a warm fireplace on a snowy night, a cheesy joke guaranteed to elicit groans and eye rolls (which secretly I find hilarious).

[Groom’s name], welcome to the family! We’re loud, we’re opinionated, and we love fiercely. Be prepared for impromptu game nights that become furniture-rearranging marathons, holiday dinners that resemble performance art (you’ve been warned about Aunt Martha’s singing!), and enough stories to fill a library (most of them true, I swear). But through it all, know that you’re not just joining a family, you’re becoming part of its heart.

So, raise your glasses as we toast to the beautiful mess that is our family, to [Bride’s name] and [Groom’s name], and to a future filled with laughter, love, and maybe just a few rogue raccoon encounters (don’t tell your mother I said that!). Cheers!

Speech Example 8: The Ode to Adventure

They say home is where the heart is, and for [Bride’s name], her heart has always yearned for adventure. From building forts in the living room to scaling backyard mountains (or at least the molehills that resembled them), she’s always dreamt of chasing horizons and conquering uncharted territories.

[Bride’s name], my fearless daughter, I remember the day you told me you wanted to climb Kilimanjaro. Your eyes sparkled with a fire that no mountain could extinguish, a determination that fueled every step you took on that ascent. And today, as you embark on this new adventure with [Groom’s name] by your side, I see that same flame reflected in his gaze. You’ve found a partner who doesn’t just share your adventurous spirit, but celebrates it, fuels it, and walks hand-in-hand with you into the unknown.

[Groom’s name], from the moment you stepped onto our deck with a worn backpack and a smile brighter than the morning sun, I knew you were made for this journey. You understand her need to wander, her thirst for new experiences, and you match her pace step for step, with a laugh that echoes her own and a heart that beats to the rhythm of discovery.

This marriage isn’t just a union of two souls, it’s a launchpad for a thousand expeditions. So pack your bags, darlings, for your map is filled with destinations yet to be explored. Climb mountains together, sail uncharted seas, and lose yourselves in the wonder of the world. And every time you reach a summit, every time you stand on the edge of a new frontier, remember the love that brought you here, the unwavering support that fuels your journey.

To the bride and groom, may your compass always point towards adventure, your laughter fill the canyons, and your love be the beacon that guides you home. Now raise your glasses, and let’s toast to the most epic love story, a tale written in footprints on foreign soil and whispers shared under starlit skies. Cheers to [Bride’s name] and [Groom’s name]!

Speech Example 9: The Unexpected Wisdom

Good evening everyone. I’m [Bride’s name]’s father, and if I’m being honest, this whole “giving-my-daughter-away” business feels a bit like letting go of a kite you’ve spent years meticulously crafting. You watch it soar, knowing you can’t hold the string forever, but hoping it carries the love and lessons woven into its fabric with it.

[Bride’s name], my precious daughter, you were never one for conventional paths. Remember the time you declared yourself “Queen of the Sandbox” and refused to leave, armed with a plastic shovel and a crown made of dandelions? You’ve always questioned, explored, and carved your own way, your spirit a defiant spark in a world enamored with straight lines.

And [Groom’s name], seeing you by her side is like watching that spark ignite into a bonfire. You, too, embrace the unconventional, chase dreams with a glint in your eye, and laugh in the face of conformity. Together, you are a storm brewing in the most beautiful way, ready to change the world with your passion and audacity.

But remember, darlings, even the wildest storms need anchors. Love is your anchor, a tether to hold you steady amidst the winds of change. Be each other’s rock, the lighthouse guiding you home through choppy waters. Listen to each other’s whispers, respect each other’s silences, and always, always cherish the laughter that binds you.

Marriage isn’t a fairytale, it’s a messy, magnificent adventure. There will be storms, detours, and moments when you question if you can see the stars through the clouds. But hold onto each other, remember the love that brought you here, and embrace the imperfections that make your journey unique.

To the bride and groom, may your love be a constellation guiding you through the darkest nights, your laughter a symphony resonating through life’s valleys and peaks. Now raise your glasses, to [Bride’s name] and [Groom’s name], may your story unfold like a masterpiece, with love as your brush and life as your canvas. Cheers!

Speech Example 10: The Legacy of Love

Good evening everyone. I, for one, am thrilled to finally hand over the reigns of the “chief sock-folding officer” position to a more than capable successor. But jokes aside, today isn’t just about giving [Bride’s name] away, it’s about celebrating the legacy of love that brought us all together.

[Bride’s name], my dearest daughter, you are the culmination of generations of laughter, shared stories, and unwavering support. I see my grandmother’s fierce kindness and wit in your smile, my father’s unwavering work ethic and gentle humor in your eyes. You carry within you the tapestry of love woven by those who came before, a legacy you now honor by building your own beautiful chapter.

And [Groom’s name], you, too, bring your own threads to this tapestry. Your family’s warmth and loyalty echo in your actions, your adventurous spirit a reflection of their love for life. Together, you weave a new pattern, a vibrant blend of old and new, tradition and innovation.

This marriage isn’t just about two families joining, it’s about the threads of love continuing to stretch through generations. Pass down the stories, share the laughter, and keep the legacy of love burning bright. Remember, the greatest inheritance you can leave behind is not wealth or status, but the unwavering love that binds you together.

To the bride and groom, may your love story be the next verse in this beautiful family poem, a chapter filled with laughter, adventures, and unwavering support. Now raise your glasses, to [Bride’s name] and [Groom’s name], may your love weave a tapestry of joy that spans generations. Cheers!

These are just a few examples, and the possibilities are truly endless. Remember to personalize the speech with your own anecdotes, emotions, and the unique bond you share with your daughter. Make it authentic, heartfelt, and memorable, and you’ll create a speech that not only touches your daughter, but becomes a cherished part of your family’s story.

Here are some frequently asked questions about father of the bride speech examples

How to start a father of the bride speech?

Start by welcoming the guests and thanking them for celebrating with you on this special day. You can also share a brief anecdote about your daughter or your relationship with her.

What are some things to talk about in the body of the speech?

Share some heartwarming stories about your daughter growing up, her personality, and her achievements. You can also talk about how you feel about her marrying her partner and offer some words of advice for their future together.

How to make the speech funny?

Humor is a great way to connect with the audience and make your speech more memorable. However, it’s important to avoid jokes that are offensive or embarrassing to your daughter, her partner, or any of the guests.

How to end the speech?

End the speech with a toast to the happy couple and express your well wishes for their future together. You can also thank your daughter for being such a wonderful daughter and for making you so proud.

What should I do if I get emotional during the speech?

It’s perfectly normal to get emotional during your father of the bride speech. If you start to tear up, take a deep breath and pause for a moment. The guests will understand and appreciate your sincerity.

How long should the speech be?

The ideal length for a father of the bride speech is 3-5 minutes. You don’t want to be too short or too long, as you want to keep the audience engaged.

Do I need to memorize the speech?

It’s generally best to have some notes or cue cards to help you stay on track, but you don’t need to memorize the entire speech word-for-word. Speaking from the heart will make your speech more genuine and heartfelt.

What should I wear to give the speech?

Dress in something that is appropriate for a formal occasion, but also something that you feel comfortable and confident in. You want to look your best for your daughter’s wedding day.

What if I’m not a good public speaker?

Don’t worry if you’re not a seasoned public speaker. The most important thing is to be yourself and speak from the heart. The guests will appreciate your effort and sincerity.

Where can I find more tips on writing a father of the bride speech?

There are many resources available online and in libraries that can help you write a father of the bride speech. You can also find sample speeches and templates that you can use as inspiration.

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Father of the Bride Speeches That Knocked It Out of the Park

When these fathers of the bride (and groom) took the mic, they delivered toasts that wowed the crowd. Watch and learn, then use our tips to draft your own masterpiece.

As the father of the bride or groom, one of the biggest roles you have on your child's wedding day—besides escorting them down the aisle—is to give a toast. The dad's speech is a beloved tradition that sets the tone for the festivities ahead (whether that's the rehearsal dinner or the remainder of the reception). Figuring out what to say in your toast can feel overwhelming. After raising your child to the person they are today, you literally have a lifetime of knowledge to condense into one heartfelt speech . If you find yourself stuck or simply in need of a little brainstorm, these top-notch examples will inspire your own.

Create an Outline

Come up with a rough list of the points you'd like to make. Either stick to our no-fail template—deliver an opening line, thank those involved, tell an anecdote, and wrap it up—or come up with your own formula to keep things fresh. This dad structured his speech around his prayers to God for his daughter over the years. First, "Make her like her mother," and "Make her like me," then "Make her like you," and finally, "Make her happy."

Be Creative

Is there a fun way to tuck a tale into your toast? This FOB narrated the story of the groom asking for his blessing to propose. When it comes to anecdotes, though, keep these conditions in mind: The story should be positive (don't embarrass the bride or groom) and something everyone can appreciate (inside jokes won't translate to outside listeners).

At some point in your spiel, express gratitude for those who were involved in the planning of the day, as well as friends and family who made the trip. People appreciate being acknowledged, and they'll feel more included and therefore more interested in what you have to say. At the beginning of his toast, this dad recognized his wife, the groom's parents, the officiant, and the guests.

This dad articulated the qualities he adores in his daughter and welcomed his new son-in-law. He mixed in some lighthearted jokes, but most importantly, he spoke clearly, confidently, and at a steady pace, so that no one missed a moment of his sweet sentiments, including: "I loved and lived more deeply because of what you brought to my life." All together now: Awww!

Entertain the Masses

Mixing in humor , whether through jokes or comical stories, will surely be appreciated. Don't alienate anyone, though, and be sure to stop cracking people up long enough to get across a more serious message of well wishes. At the beginning of his toast, this father of the bride—a trial lawyer and clearly no stranger to public speaking—told the story of how the hard-working groom had once used a toothbrush to detail his bride's car. Later in the speech, he gifted the groom a new toothbrush with a note reading, "For John's car," hinting that he'd like his own car cleaned as well.

Give the Groom Some Love

Though it may be tempting to talk on and on about your little girl (or guy), spend some time welcoming your new family member and reflecting on how the two complement one another. After all, it is a union you're there to celebrate .

Keep It Short and Simple

Though you undoubtedly have a lot to say about your child's next chapter, remember that you're probably one of a handful of speeches, and if it goes too long, listeners will start to get antsy. Focus in on a few key points and aim to talk for no more than three to five minutes. The message this groom's dad delivered was one of open arms to his son's bride—a classic choice.

Impart Wisdom

Lastly, while you have the floor, use it to offer sage advice for life and love. "Every day should count," this bride's pop urged at the end of his speech. "Make it special. Make it real."

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Home » For You » Relationships

Your Ultimate Guide To A Moving Father Of The Bride Speech

Bring your daughters to tears as you let her know just how much you love her.

Ricardo Cruz is a certified wedding planner and has over 15 years of experience in the service industry, including hotels, restaurants, and travel agencies. He aims to create unforgettable memories for couples and families on their wedding,... read full bio

Shivani Chandel is a postgraduate in English literature from Panjab University, Chandigarh and a certified relationship coach. She has four years of experience in copy editing and writing about entert... read full bio

Subhrojyoti is an associate editor at StyleCraze with four years of experience. He has a master’s degree in English from Presidency University, Kolkata, and has also done a post-graduate certificate c... read full bio

Image: Shutterstock

According to tradition, the bride’s father delivers the first speech at the wedding reception. Thus, the ‘father of the bride’ speech sets the tone for the evening and is one of the most anticipated events of the evening. As the bride’s dad, it is your responsibility to formulate a well-rounded speech that speaks volumes about your love for her and conveys your good wishes for the couple. To help you write the perfect speech, we have compiled a list of things to mention and avoid, with some examples. Keep scrolling!

In This Article

Father Of The Bride Speech Template

1. introduce yourself and welcome the guests.

Most people in the room will know who you are, especially if you walked the bride down the aisle, but it is worth a quick introduction. You can start with a joke to break the ice. However, you don’t need to thank all the guests; it is the groom’s job. It will suffice to convey your gratitude in a sentence or two.

2. Reminisce Stories From The Bride’s Childhood

As a father, delivering a heartfelt father-of-the-bride speech is not only a special moment among celebrations on the wedding day but also a way of showing support and expressing gratitude for the journey of fatherhood.

It is your daughter’s day. So, she should also dominate your speech. Think about some fond memories from her childhood that reflect her personality today. For example, she was sensitive and caring as a child and has grown into a kind-hearted individual. Yes, you can roast her, but avoid tales that can be too embarrassing for her.

3. Praise Your Daughter

Building on the memories from the golden days of her childhood, you can elaborate on how she has always and still makes you proud. The wedding reception is not the time to hold back your admiration for your daughter but shower her with all the love and praises that she can handle. You can expect a tear or two; keep tissues handy!

4. Acknowledge Your Daughter’s Spouse

The father of the bride speech is the ideal occasion to welcome your son-in-law to the family. If you know them well, focus on the positive aspects of their personality. If you are not too close to your daughter’s new spouse yet, you can base your speech on how your daughter feels about them.

5. Add A Funny Story About The Couple

At this point, you can include a humorous story about the couple. It could be a funny take on how they met or your first meeting with your daughter’s spouse. Remember not to make it too uncomfortable or humiliating for the newlyweds.

6. Thank Bride’s Mother And New In-Laws

It is a good practice to include the bride’s mother and in-laws in your speech. You can thank the mother for playing an important role in raising a daughter who makes you so proud. Thank the in-laws for being a part of the wedding and welcome them to the family.

7. Sprinkle Some Parting Wisdom

It doesn’t matter if you are married, divorced, or happily single. As the eldest of the speakers, you may include some wisdom and marital advice for the newlyweds. It could be about maintaining a healthy marriage or living a happy life. It is the ultimate moment for dad talk, so enjoy it to the hilt.

If you are somewhat au fait with public speeches, take cues from the above template and formulate your piece. Otherwise, head to the next section for some engaging and well-structured father of the bride speeches.

Father Of The Bride Speech Examples

Traditional speech.

“Hi, I am (your name), (bride’s name) father, and waiting for this moment is one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do. Although it is overwhelming to give my daughter away, knowing that she is marrying a great man is reassuring.

(Bride’s name) has always found good qualities in everyone. Even as a little girl, her compassion blew me away. From the time she was old enough to go to school, (bride’s name) made friends with every person in her class. It didn’t matter if someone was popular or too quiet; she found the best in every classmate.

Since she has always had that quality, it didn’t surprise me when she became a nurse. She took pride in how she could help people and save their lives. But she worked more for her patients than herself. So, I always wished she would find a husband who could help her pay attention to herself.

When I introduced (groom’s name) to (bride’s name), he had just started working for my company. I found him just as warm-hearted as her. He also had a great work ethic and a sense of determination. So even though (bride’s name) was appalled that I, her father, had set her up on a date, I think she can thank me for it now. After all, I am the perfect matchmaker!

(Bride’s name), although I have been nervous about letting you go, I could not be happier for my little girl. I have watched you go through school, around-the-clock internships, and emotional turmoil, and now I know it was all worth it. I only wish the best for both of you, and I know you will have a beautiful marriage that will never once waiver.

(Groom’s name), I am confident that you will take care of my daughter. You have been a dear friend and co-worker for years now. Thank you for treating my daughter like gold. I know in my heart that he is her perfect match, regardless of what happens later in life.

For this reason, I would like to make a toast. (bride and groom’s names), may the future bring you happiness, wisdom, and children so I can be a grandfather! But in all seriousness, I give you my wholehearted blessing, and I know you two will last a lifetime. I am so happy that this day has finally come.

Congratulations, (bride and groom’s names)!”

Short Speech

“As (bride’s name) proud father, it is my honor to give the first speech. I am a little anxious today, so please bear with me.

What a magnificent venue (bride and groom’s name) have chosen today. It was impossible to get her out of her Cinderella dress as a kid, so it is a dream come true for her to marry at this beautiful castle today.

(Bride’s name) will always be my princess, but I am grateful she found her prince charming. The bravery with which he handles her demands for chicken nuggets at 1 A.M. and his polite acceptance of all her Amazon deliveries at his work told me he was the one! And thankfully, (bride’s name) realized it too!

(Groom’s name), welcome to the family. You are joining a large, loving, and loyal family. I am not losing a daughter, but instead, I am gaining a brawny son-in-law who will clean my car and cut my grass when I get older.

I don’t want to embarrass my daughter any further — it is reserved for the dance floor — so please raise a glass with me to the new Mr and Mrs!”

Funny Speech

“Welcome, everyone, and thank you so much for joining us on this incredibly happy day as I walked my daughter down the aisle.

When (groom’s name) asked permission to marry (bride’s name), I went to his local police station to carry out some background checks and asked if he was well-behaved. And the sergeant was very reassuring. Apparently, he never bothered them whenever he spent the night there. Of course, I am joking, (groom’s name) is a great man, and (bride’s name) makes a beautiful bride, and I wish them every happiness for the future.

Marriage is an important commitment, and I was looking forward to the day (bride’s name) finds the person who makes her happy. Marriage takes love, trust, and respect. It needs patience and compromise, and I should know; I have been patiently compromising for years! Still, if they are any bit as happy as my wife and I, they will be very happy. So, ladies and gentlemen, please be raise your glasses for the bride and groom!”

In keeping with tradition, your speech should end with a toast. Just say a few short sentences congratulating the newlyweds and wishing them a happy life together. Then, ask everyone to stand with you and raise glasses to the couple. In the next section, we have listed some examples of wedding toasts.

How To End Father Of The Bride Speech

Please stand with me and raise your glass to toast the happy couple. (Bride’s name) has been the light of my life, and today I hand her over to (groom’s name). I know he will love and cherish her every bit as much as I do. Here is a toast to a happy and healthy life full of endless love and laughter!

Please join me in a toast to (bride and groom’s name). (Groom’s name), you have become like a son to me, and I am entrusting (bride’s name) to you. Cherish every moment you have together. Let us all wish the happy couple a lifetime of joy!

When (bride’s name) was only 13, she told me she wanted to marry (groom’s name). I watched them grow from carefree teenagers to loving and caring adults. Let us offer a toast to many years of wedded bliss!

When (groom’s name) first showed up at our door, I couldn’t have known he would be the one to steal my baby’s heart. But here we are today, and I couldn’t be happier for them. Let us raise our glass to (bride and groom’s name) and wish them a lifetime of happiness!

Please join me as I raise my glass to the beautiful, kind, and loving couple. (Groom’s name), we welcome you to our family and look forward to many years of holiday dinners, family vacations, and late-night phone calls. Cheers to (bride and groom’s name)!

Naba Barkakati, a YouTube vlogger, shared the video of his speech at his daughter’s wedding. It was fun and entertaining, gaining a lot of laughs from the audience. He ended the speech on a sweet note, saying, “Take vacations every year and that should see you through a long and happy life. Before I close, may I propose a toast to the most important couple in the room… Ladies and gentlemen, Emily and Anran. May you both have a long and happy married life (i) .” How sweet is that!

We understand you must be all jittery about the father of the speech. However, you must follow the dos and don’ts mentioned in the next section, and you will be set for a heart-warming speech.

Father Of The Bride Speech: Dos And Don’ts

• Include a brilliant anecdote. Brainstorm with your wife and family members and fish out a gem from the best memories.
• Practice makes perfect. Rehearse your speech repeatedly before a mirror or audience.
• A simple and honest speech will be easy to remember and will feel more natural.
• Speak slowly and allow time for laughs.
• Use cue cards or a prompt, but don’t read your speech. Instead, just look at them for reference points.
• You must hold on to your emotions during the speech. Otherwise, all that guests will be able to hear is some gibberish.
• Cut out the clichéd jokes but be funny. Serve unique humor with funny takes on personal memories.
• Speak about the love you have for your daughter, but also include some compliments for the groom. It’s his wedding, too!
• Leave the big jokes to the best man and stick with short quips or one-liners.
• Avoid anything too embarrassing. Now is not the time to discuss ex-boyfriends or crude and inside jokes.
• You may not adore the groom much, but don’t include anything negative about him in the speech.
• You may be a key element of the wedding, but it’s their show. Try not to steal the spotlight!
• While you may be tempted to make a joke about how you lost your life saving on organizing the wedding, do not talk about money. It will only make guests uncomfortable.

Infographic: 4 Essential Sections In The Father Of The Bride Speech

Preparing a speech for your daughter’s wedding can be exciting and scary. You may be confused about what to include and what to pass off as an off-hand remark. Do not fret! As you take a deep dive into the ocean of memories with your loving daughter, here is a map to help you navigate the complete breakdown of your speech. Check out the infographic below to know more.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Final Thoughts

We hope you find the above suggestions useful and deliver a moving father of the bride speech that all will remember for years to come. However, if you get stuck, use a moment to clear your throat, take a sip of water or kiss your daughter. This pause might seem like a lifetime to you, but it will feel like a natural pause to your audience, giving you a much-needed breather. Take your time, don’t panic, and try to enjoy your moment of fame.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to read a father of the bride speech?

Yes. It is alright to read a father of the bride speech if you aren’t confident about memorizing it. However, you should familiarize yourself with the script beforehand to some extent.

How long should a father of the bride speech last?

A father-of-the-bride speech should ideally be 6-8 minutes long, with 3 minutes being the lower and 10 being the upper threshold.

Who speaks first at weddings?

According to the formal order, the bride’s father should speak first at the wedding.

What are a few top tips for delivering a brilliant father-of-the-bride speech?

Writing a good father-of-the-bride speech is only one part of the effort; a perfect rendition requires practice. Reading it out loud will help you get the pronunciations and pauses right. You can also consider recording yourself to evaluate your performance and make the necessary changes. Make sure you are not cramming in the words. You do not have to memorize, but make sure that you are acquainted with the speech and that each word comes from the heart.

Where is the mother-of-the-bride when the father-of-the-bride gives his speech?

The mother-of-the-bride may choose to stand beside the father while he is giving the speech or be seated. Usually, if the mother is giving a speech following the father’s, she may choose to stand next to her partner. It is the personal choice of the mother-of-the-bride and the daughter to decide if she wants to give a speech or not.

Key Takeaways

• It is a good idea to begin your speech with a quip to break the idea. However, stay away from embarrassing or elaborate jokes.
• It will be a confidence-booster to memorize your speech instead of reading it from a cue card.
• Focus on your daughter, praise her, and reminisce adorable stories from her childhood.
• Keep the speech crisp and short, but don’t forget to mention the groom and the in-laws.
• It’s OK if you need to take a pause. If emotions get in the way, just take a deep breath and keep going.

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Personal Experience: Source

StyleCraze's articles are interwoven with authentic personal narratives that provide depth and resonance to our content. Below are the sources of the personal accounts referenced in this article.

Ricardo Cruz Certified Wedding Planner

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Perfect Short Wedding Speech Examples To Guide You

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Wedding speeches are a long-time tradition of weddings. And, if you have an important role at a wedding, such as best man, father of the bride or maid of honor, you would be expected to give a speech. While the thought of giving a speech might be nerve-wracking, it might comfort you to know that the best speeches are short and sweet. So, don’t feel any stress or pressure, because short wedding speeches are not only the best, they are easy to deliver.

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For your inspiration, we’ve put together a guide as well as some short wedding speeches examples to help you on your way to give the best wedding speech.

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Short Wedding Speeches Examples

Bride’s wedding speech.

“ Hello, everyone! Thanks for sharing this special day with us. A big shoutout to my amazing parents for making my dream wedding a reality. To my incredible groom (name), your joy fills my heart every day. I’m beyond grateful to have you as my husband, and today marks the start of countless joyous celebrations together. Cheers to love and a lifetime of happiness!”

Groom’s Wedding Speech

There are many ways to give groom short wedding speeches. Use this example as a guide to inspire you when writing your own.

“Hello, everyone! Thank you for celebrating this special day with us. A big thanks to our parents for making today possible. Today is beyond special, and we’re overflowing with gratitude. To my love, you’ve been my rock and best friend. Thank you for accepting me, flaws and all. I promise to be there for you always and to love you forever. Cheers to a lifetime of love and joy together!”

Father’s of the Bride Wedding Speech

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us on this special day. As (bride’s name)’s father, I’m overjoyed and grateful. Today, we gain a son and a supportive family. Thanks for making our dreams come true. I’m confident that (name of groom) will bring endless happiness to my daughter. Here’s to love, security, and many more joyous days ahead! Cheers!”

Father’s of the Groom Wedding Speech

“Thank you all for being here to celebrate with us. I am the happiest man today welcoming a new daughter into my family. Also, I am grateful to her family as well for being the best in-laws ever and supporting us in putting all of this together. I could not have asked for a better day for them, and all I can say is that I wish them the best. To you both, may this day be the beginning of a long and fruitful journey together. My wife and I love you both. Once again, thank you all. Cheers.

Wedding speech for mother of the bride

“Hello everyone. Thank you all for being here. My heart is full today, as you all must know. Watching my daughter take this important step in her life has made me very happy. We are all so happy to support them both in starting this new chapter in their lives. I have dreamed of this day so much; I am grateful to finally be able to see it. (Groom’s name) has been an excellent son-in-law and I am beyond happy to welcome him into our family. I am extremely proud of my daughter and happy to give her to someone who loves her just as much as we do. As we celebrate with you two today, may the sounds of celebration never leave you. All our love.”

Wedding speech for the mother of the groom

Another one of our short simple wedding speeches examples for the mother of the groom.

“Warm greetings to you all. I appreciate the time that you have taken to join us in celebrating (bride and groom). From the day my son introduced me to (name of bride), I have grown to love her as my own daughter, and it has been a joy to watch them grow in love with each other. I used to have a lot of anxiety about my son’s relationships in the past, but when I met (bride), I knew that he had met his match. I am happy to celebrate you both today in not just your union, but the union of our families too. Much love to you both. Cheers everyone!”

Best Man Speech

“Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention, please. Today, I stand beside an extraordinary couple, [Couple’s Names], on their special day. To [Bride’s Name], you look absolutely stunning, and [Groom’s Name], well, you clean up pretty well too! Here’s to a lifetime of laughter, love, and countless adventures. May your journey together be as incredible as this celebration. Cheers!”

Maid Of Honor Speech

Ladies and gents, let’s talk about the dazzling duo we’re celebrating today, [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name]. To my gorgeous bestie, you’ve found your lobster! And to the lucky guy who snagged her, good luck – you’re stuck with us now! Here’s to a love that’s as endless as the dance floor tonight. Cheers to the newlyweds!

One-Line Wedding Speech Examples

Crafting the perfect wedding speech is an art. Here are five examples that blend sentiment, humor, and celebration for your inspiration.

Today, we not only witness the union of [Couple’s Names] but also the merging of two hearts that beat as one. Here’s to a love story that transcends time and space.

As I stand before this extraordinary couple, I can’t help but marvel at the love between [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name]. Today, we celebrate not just a wedding but a promise of forever.

In the grand storybook of love, [Couple’s Names] have written a chapter filled with laughter, tears, and endless love. Here’s to turning the page to a beautiful new beginning.

To [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name], may your marriage be the masterpiece of a lifetime, painted with strokes of joy, understanding, and boundless love.

As witnesses to the love between [Couple’s Names], let us raise our glasses to a journey that begins today and unfolds into a lifetime of shared dreams and cherished moments.

A toast to love and laughter—here are five heartfelt expressions for raising your glass to the happy couple.

To the couple, may your love be as timeless as the vows you share today and as joyous as the celebration we’re all a part of!

Here’s to love, laughter, and a happily ever after for [Couple’s Names]. May every day be an adventure filled with shared dreams and endless love!

To [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name], may your journey together be as sweet as the cake we’re about to devour! Cheers to a lifetime of love and happiness!

Let’s raise our glasses to [Couple’s Names], whose love story is as enchanting as today’s setting sun. May your love glow brighter with each passing day!

A toast to [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name], may your marriage be as perfect as today’s weather, and your happiness as everlasting as the memories we’re creating!

How To Write a Short Wedding Speech

With this guide, you can create short and sweet wedding speeches that will just flow organically. Write a killer speech that would be easy to read and will convey your love for the couple perfectly.

• Remember who is in the audience: Whether you are giving short wedding speeches as the best man or groom, it is important to keep your audience in mind. Introduce yourself and acknowledge them. Focusing on the audience and engaging them will help you speak from the heart.
• Avoid alcohol: While getting some liquid courage can be tempting, it is best to lay off the alcohol until after your speech. Alcohol could turn short funny wedding speeches into something long and nonsensical. This is because you might slur or forget your words under the influence, and this is something you absolutely do not want.
• Use note cards: Although you are not encouraged to read out your short wedding rehearsal dinner speech completely, note cards are encouraged. With these cues, you can glance at your notes from time to time to help you remember your lines and keep you on track. The audience might not even notice, and your speech would be better for it.
• Structure your story: Structure your speech in a way that focuses on the bride and groom. Fine one, two or three points about them that you can elaborate upon and stories in which they are the hero. This will keep your message in the right direction, and you can be sure to end on a positive note.

In the next part, we have a list of some of the best short wedding speeches that can help inspire you to write your own.

Example of a Short Wedding Toast

“Cheers to [Couple’s Names]! May your days be filled with love, laughter, and countless joyous moments. Here’s to a lifetime of happiness together!”

How to Make a Short and Sweet Wedding Speech

Focus on key points like expressing happiness for the couple, sharing a brief anecdote, and offering a toast. Keep it concise, heartfelt, and light-hearted for impact.

Is a 1 Minute Wedding Speech Too Short?

No, a 1-minute wedding speech can be perfect. A concise speech ensures guests stay engaged and leaves a lasting impression. Focus on the essentials – expressing joy, sharing a quick story, and toasting the couple.

Not many people are trained public speakers, but it is hard to go wrong with short wedding speeches. Allow these tips and examples to guide you in making the best wedding speeches ever.

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