After many months of saving, working, and dreaming, the big day has arrived. Everything for your wedding, from the reception hall to the bride’s attire to the food, is planned and prepared. Nothing will prepare you for the overwhelming sense of pride you’ll feel as you accompany your daughter down the aisle to the guy she’s chosen to spend the rest of her life with. The ceremony, though, is only the beginning.
The Father of the Bride is customarily the first speaker at the reception. Next up after the best man and the groom is the father of the bride, who is typically viewed as more of a warm-up act and something to be endured rather than appreciated. In spite of this, with some work, you can guarantee that your time in the spotlight will be memorable for the right reasons.
The father of the bride traditionally gives the first speech at a wedding reception, followed by the groom and the best man. The speech given by the groom’s father is usually considered to be the opening act before the speeches given by the bride’s parents and the groom.
During his speech, the father of the bride typically thanks guests for arriving, pays tribute to his daughter’s new in-laws, and warmly welcomes his new son or daughter-in-law into the family.
It’s a speech similar to the best man’s, but it’s meant to warm the audience rather than make them laugh. But with proper planning and preparation, the Father of the Bride may make his speech and moment in the spotlight truly unforgettable.
Father-Of-The-Bride Speech Tips
Remembering your role as the father of the bride is an important piece of advice for any father-of-the-wedding speech. One common mistake that fathers do is to try to express gratitude for others when it is actually the groom’s responsibility to do so.
Nonetheless, it’s appropriate to make a passing reference to the wedding guests and your daughter’s new in-laws. It’s also appropriate to thank the bride’s mum for everything she’s done for her daughter.
The politics of what you say can get more complicated if you and your daughter’s mother have split up and you both have new partners. Even if your relationship with your ex is tense, strive to be kind in your acknowledgement of your daughter’s mother and stepfather. After all, the situation is most difficult for your daughter.
Do not fall for the trap of thanking the wedding venue, the caterers, or the out-of-town guests. It’s not your day, and to be honest, saying “thank you” over and over again becomes old. Keep your expression of appreciation brief (and save the dancing for later; the groom and best man will thank the bridesmaids, too).
Rules for Father-Of-The-Bride Speech
The traditional constraints on the father of the bride at a wedding have been lifted, but this has just increased the expectation that you fathers of the bride and groom will make a good impression.
Research
Gather information and request assistance. Gather up the rest of the family and have a discussion about it. Consider the wonderful (and amusing) memories you have made with your daughter. Consider the reasons she is so funny. There’s no doubt that your daughter’s mother and siblings will provide her with plenty of interesting stories to tell.
If you want to know who is actually attending the wedding, you should ask your daughter. Sure, her yoga comrades and the groom’s rugby pals will be present. You can pick and choose which anecdotes you tell, and adjust the level of humour to fit the audience.
Naturally, there are increasingly guests who have English as a second language, so be careful not to offend them with a speech full of wordplay.
Avoid Clichés
Every father thinks his daughter is smart and pretty, so instead, focus on what makes your daughter special. No one cares about her resume or credentials as much as they care about the qualities that make her a wonderful person and friend. Instead of trying to mould your kid into a perfect version of yourself, take pride in the unique and wonderful person she is, flaws and all.
No Money Talk
Don’t bring up, even in joke, how much money you’ve given to help pay for the wedding.
Consider the Groom
Your daughter will be the focus of your speech, but you should also make sure to compliment her new husband. In spite of any lingering doubts, today is the day to appreciate him for whatever qualities he possesses. You can be playful with him, especially when recalling your initial meeting, but remember to keep it friendly.
Be Funny
All presentations today need to be humorous and engaging. The pressure to be the best man is off, but you still need to make them laugh right away. Find something humorous about your daughter and son-in-law.
You want to be the centre of attention all the time? Perfect. Everyone is looking at you. What if you’d rather have a small group of close pals than a large network of acquaintances? Do not appear as though you are going to faint from fear; instead, inject some lightheartedness. Make sure you are prepared with at least one witty joke or anecdote to share if the situation calls for it.
How to Make the Best Speech as the Father of the Bride
Practice
Practicing your speaking is essential. Don’t try reading it aloud for the first time when everyone is watching you. If you can, try practising your speech the morning of the wedding or the day before in the same location as the actual ceremony. When the moment comes, you’ll be able to relax a little bit more knowing that you’re prepared.
Timing Matters
When giving a wedding speech, it’s easy to go on for too long. As the first speaker at a wedding, the Father of the Bride can severely spoil the mood with a protracted speech. Speeches are like curtain calls; they set the stage for what’s to come. Don’t go carried away, but be sure to cover the basics (welcoming guests, praising those who deserve it, etc.) before moving on to the exciting details about your daughter and her partner. Time yourself while you’re performing these vital drills so that you can identify unnecessary steps and eliminate them. We recommend setting a time limit of no more than eight minutes.
Be Real
You shouldn’t put any stress on yourself to crack jokes. With that in mind, all eyes are on the best man. A piece of advise is to just be yourself. You can add props and technology if you like, but if you think it will cause undue anxiety on the big day, don’t bother.
It’s fine to make jokes if that’s how you feel most comfortable communicating, but don’t be afraid to get serious if that’s what you’re drawn to doing instead. As Father of the Bride, you are given free rein to use any and all cheesy old standbys when playing for laughs.
Be Calm
Feeling nervous is perfectly normal. Speaking as the Father of the Bride is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We recommend not dwelling on it too much in advance, as doing so will just make you more anxious and tense before the big day. Anxiety can be eased with a pre-show drink of champagne or beer, but limit yourself to one to perform at your best.
What Should You Include in Your Speech?
It doesn’t matter if you want to keep it short and simple or take full advantage of the spotlight; either way, there are some essentials that should be included in your speech if you want to do it justice.
Introduce yourself, but don’t make it sound like you’re at an Alcoholics Anonymous gathering. Introduce yourself and make a joke to loosen up the situation.
Give a warm greeting to everyone there and express gratitude for their attendance. Make sure to give special thanks to the bride’s mum and the groom’s dad.
Your young girl has made you suffer, and now you may exact some measure of revenge. Share a hilarious memory from her younger years, or just let her know how proud you are of the woman she has become.
The bride’s family should formally welcome the groom into the family in whatever way the bride’s family deems fitting. You can talk about your first impressions of him or a time when you were really grateful to have him in your life.
If you are the most senior guest at the wedding, you have an opportunity to provide some parting advice with the newlyweds. Jokes about spouses, nuptials, and life in general are welcome here as long as they won’t make your own wife angry.
Lastly, have everyone stand and toast the newlyweds. Sure, the best man will do the same thing when he finishes his speech, but that’s how it’s always been done, so stick to tradition.
Tips for Delivering Your Speech
Just Keep It Short
You know how some speakers can go on and on until their listeners’ eyes start to glaze over? No? Yes, that’s the truth. Your guests will remember this day for a long time, so don’t waste their time or you risk being left out of future family wedding invitations.
Never Drink Before a Speech
No one should give a speech while under the influence of alcohol. Because alcohol lowers inhibitions and self-control, you may wind up spilling the beans on some private family business. There’s a risk of injury if you trip over the microphone cable or a table leg. Don’t risk loose lips and spilt drinks by drinking beforehand.
Take a Look at Your Daughter
The chances of forgetting part of a speech when you’re in front of an audience are high, but that’s no excuse to read verbatim. Examine your beautiful little girl. Take a good look at her husband. Use your eyes to convey your affection and make them feel unique. You can easily connect with your listeners by making eye contact, and you’ll feel more at ease knowing that your words are having an effect.
FAQs About Father’s Wedding Speech
What do you say in a wedding speech?
Wedding Speech Template- Open with a startling statement or question. Don’t lead with a joke or a reference to how nervous you are.
- Address your audience.
- Zero in one to three points.
- Rehearse.
- Record yourself practising.
- Lay off the booze.
- Let nerves work to your advantage.
- Be yourself.
How do I write a wedding speech?
How to Write a Bride Speech- Welcome and thank wedding guests. Kick-off your bride speech by first welcoming your guests and thanking them for showing up to celebrate your wedding day.
- Thank the VIPs.
- Share a brief story.
- Connect the story to your wedding day.
- Close with a wedding toast.
What to say at the beginning of a wedding?
Generic. Dear friends and family of the Bride and Groom, we welcome and thank you for being part of this important occasion. We are gathered together on this day to witness and celebrate the marriage of Name Of Bride and Name Of Groom. Every one of us has a deep desire to love and to be loved.
What should father of the bride speech say?
Father of the Bride Speech Template- Welcome the guests.
- Give thanks.
- Pepper in some fond memories.
- Share your pride.
- Talk about the present.
- Acknowledge your daughter’s new spouse.
- Tell your daughter you love them.
- Look to the future.
How do you start the father of the bride speech?
The father of the bride speech usually begins by thanking the wedding guests for attending and acknowledging his daughter’s new parents-in-law, while welcoming his new son or daughter-in-law to the family. It’s traditionally a speech that’s a bit more heartwarming rather than funny, like the best man speech.
Conclusion
At a wedding celebration, the groom and best man typically give speeches after the father of the bride. The Father of the Bride has the opportunity to deliver a memorable speech and steal the show if he puts in the time and effort. This address sets the stage for the remarks given by the bride’s parents and the groom. Even though you fathers no longer have to adhere to the old rules, the bar has been raised for making a positive impression on the bride and groom. Have at least one amusing anecdote or joke ready, too.
The Father of the Bride’s speech is a once-in-a-lifetime honour. If you really want to wow your audience with your speech, there are few things you need to cover. Pre-concert champagne or beer is a great way to relax before the event. Being the oldest guest at a wedding can give you the chance to give some parting words of wisdom. You shouldn’t have a few drinks before giving a speech, because you might reveal some sensitive family information.
Content Summary
- The Father of the Bride is customarily the first speaker at the reception.
- The father of the bride traditionally gives the first speech at a wedding reception, followed by the groom and the best man.
- Remembering your role as the father of the bride is an important piece of advice for any father-of-the-wedding speech.
- It’s also appropriate to thank the bride’s mum for everything she’s done for her daughter.
- Do not fall for the trap of thanking the wedding venue, the caterers, or the out-of-town guests.
- The traditional constraints on the father of the bride at a wedding have been lifted, but this has just increased the expectation that you fathers of the bride and groom will make a good impression.
- There’s no doubt that your daughter’s mother and siblings will provide her with plenty of interesting stories to tell.
- Your daughter will be the focus of your speech, but you should also make sure to compliment her new husband.
- If you can, try practising your speech the morning of the wedding or the day before in the same location as the actual ceremony.
- lYou shouldn’t put any stress on yourself to crack jokes.
- A piece of advise is to just be yourself.
- Feeling nervous is perfectly normal.
- Speaking as the Father of the Bride is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
- It doesn’t matter if you want to keep it short and simple or take full advantage of the spotlight; either way, there are some essentials that should be included in your speech if you want to do it justice.
- Introduce yourself and make a joke to loosen up the situation.
- Make sure to give special thanks to the bride’s mum and the groom’s dad.
- If you are the most senior guest at the wedding, you have an opportunity to provide some parting advice with the newlyweds.
- Sure, the best man will do the same thing when he finishes his speech, but that’s how it’s always been done, so stick to tradition.
- No one should give a speech while under the influence of alcohol.
- Don’t risk loose lips and spilt drinks by drinking beforehand.
- Take a good look at her husband.
- Use your eyes to convey your affection and make them feel unique.
