Father Of The Bride Wedding Speech

The opening greeting should be informally spoken without script. However, you don't need to memorise your speech word for word. Take it with you as it is perfectly acceptable to read from it, but do look up at the guests as often as possible.

When writing your wedding speech, visualise how it will work. For this reason, you will find below examples of text and hints on toasting and leading applause, etc. Include these notes in your written speech in brackets, to remind you what to do.

Greeting
E.g:
"I would just like to welcome everyone and thank you all for coming."
Add a special welcome where applicable:
(1 Travelled a long way) "Particularly (e.g.) Uncle Joe and Auntie May who have come all the way from Australia to be here." (Give a little clap)
(2 Old or Infirm) "A special hello, too for (e.g.) Grandad & Grandma Jones" (Give a little clap)
(3 Special mention / local dignitary, etc) "and we are honoured that (e.g.) our Mayor is also able to be here, in spite of his many commitments." (Give a little clap)


General Chat

Begin by welcoming the Groom into the family

E.g:-
"Firstly, I would like to welcome (e.g.) Steve (bridegroom) into our family" -
- then add one or two amusing quips:-
e.g:
" - even though he is a United fan!"
" - I've been looking for someone to help out with the gardening!"
" - I gave my blessing to this marriage when he answered 'Yes' to the vital question: 'Are you (e.g.) a Chelsea supporter!"

then say something like:-
" - I know he will make (e.g.) Julie (the bride) very happy."

Go on to say something amusing:-
E.g:
"It can be a bit difficult for a father to accept that his little girl is now a woman...."
then add one or two quips:
e.g:-
" - particularly as she is still a (e.g.) McFly fan!"
" - particularly as she still borrows her mothers clothes!"
" - it doesn't seem long since she had a tantrum to get her own way - last Wednesday, in fact!"

then go on to say something like:-
" - but I know she will be successful in her new role."

At this point you can talk about the bride or bride & groom. This should be warm, complimentary to the couple and can be nostalgic without being too emotionally sentimental. Or, you could tell some wedding / marriage related story: e.g: "But on the subject of marriage, some couples lead strange lives, don't they? I heard about this man who had a visit from Camelot, confirming that he'd won 2 million on the lottery and, when asked what he was going to do he said the first thing would be a month's holiday in The Seychelles - alone. When asked why his wife wasn't going with him, he gasped in amazement and said: "Don't tell me she's won the lottery as well?"

or:-

"You know, marriage can be about making some sacrifices for each other. I heard about this man who had a heart condition and went with his wife to see the doctor. The doctor asked to speak to the wife in private, telling her that her husband's health could improve if he could spend a few months completely stress-free. He advised her to let him relax, while she did all the work, take him breakfast in bed, never ask for money or ever complain, and that should do it. On the way home, the man asked his wife what the doctor had said and she replied: 'You're not going to make it' "



Closing

This should include a toast to the Bride & Groom.
E.g:-
"But seriously, I'm sure we all agree that Steve and Julie are the perfect couple, so let's all raise our glasses to give them our best wishes for good health, good fortune and a really happy life together as 'Mr & Mrs (e.g.) 'Brown'."
(Raise your glass and take a drink, then put down your glass and lead the applause. The guests will follow suit and this will avoid any embarrassing silence following the end of your speech as you sit down.)

Go to Wedding Speech Tips.