how to write a tear jerking father of the bride speech

30 Emotional Father of the Bride Quotes & Toasts

There won't be a dry eye in the room when you deliver your father of the bride speech if you include a few of these quotes and toasts

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As well as jokes and some humour, you need to have a sentimental aspect to your father of the bride speech , and that's where emotional father quotes and toasts come in. 

Whether you pepper in some emotional dad quotes in the body of your speech, or end with a tear-jerking father of the bride toast, it's important that you include some sweet words about your daughter (as well as the embarrassing stories, that is!). 

If emotional quotes for father of the bride speeches don't come naturally to you, and you're having a bit of writer's block on what to say, this selection of father of the bride quotes and toasts is bound to help. 

30 Emotional Father of the Bride Toast & Quote Ideas

Split into quotes for father of the bride speeches and emotional toasts to end on, you can skip to the section you need, or browse both in the hopes of finding some emotional father quotes to get the room welling up. 

Grab your tissues before reading, it's going to be a heartfelt few minutes! 

Emotional Dad Quotes for a Father of the Bride Speech

• Emotional Quotes for a Father of the Bride Toast

1. I don’t think any amount of preparation can ever leave you feeling ready to give your daughter away, but if I had to choose a person to hand her to, I would choose you every time.

2. Of all the amazing qualities that you possess, my favourite of all is that you always make those around you smile.

4. When you and I shared that moment earlier - that glimpse of the eye as I walked you down the aisle - please just know that’s a moment I will cherish forever.

5. Being the father of the bride today has made me feel more pride than I ever thought a person could feel.

6. I have to commend my daughter on her impeccable taste, because now's the time where I’m supposed to officially welcome [partner’s name] into our family, but the truth is you’ve been a part of this family since the day we met you.

7. Despite having 34 years to prepare a father of the bride speech for my daughter, I am still left standing here today, speechless at how beautiful she looks.

8. Of all the things I’ve done in my lifetime, being your father and caring for you is by far my biggest achievement yet.

9. Seeing your daughter looking so happy and radiant is a truly amazing experience, but it is tinged with a little sadness because it’s also the moment you realise she’s all grown up.

10. There's no relationship quite as special as the one a father has with his daughter, but if any bond was going to top ours, it's the one you have with [partner's name].

11. Fathers, be your daughter’s first love and she’ll never settle for anything less. Here's to my daughter's high standards and the incredible partner who's met them. 

12. A father holds his daughter’s hand for a short while, but he holds her heart forever.

13. I know [child's name] will be an amazing partner, and I know that because if she’s anything like her mother, she’ll still be making you smile even 50 years on.

14. Now my daughter begins a new life and there will be another person who she’ll turn to for love and protection, but I want her to know that as her father I will always be there for her.

15. A successful marriage is not about finding a person you can live with, but finding a person that you can’t live without and I know you’ve found that with each other.

Emotional Father of the Bride Toast Ideas

Sally Rawlins Photography

16. To the happy couple, neither of you will ever be perfect, but you can be perfect together.

17. May your love be modern enough to survive the times and old-fashioned enough to last forever.

18. [Bride] and [partner], your life together is just starting and it will take many turns along the way. You’ll have your glory days and you’ll have your sad days. However, if you have each other, you will have all you need.

19. I don’t know what your future holds for you, and I know that twenty years from now many things will have happened that we can’t predict. But whatever happens, and wherever you go, your mum/dad and I know you’ll always have each other’s love, and you’ll always have ours.

20. It’s said that when your children find true love, parents find true joy, and that couldn't feel more true as I stand here today. Here’s to your joy and ours!

21. Raise your glasses to both [her partner] and me as we’ve each gained something this fine and blessed day. He/she gains a wife and a companion for life – and I gain the reassurance that my daughter will have someone incredible by her side for the rest of her life. 

22. To my daughter. Today, [daughter] is the most beautiful bride I’ve seen since her mother 30 years ago.

23. There are two lasting bequests we can give our children. One is roots. The other is wings. Cheers to both!

24. To [partner's name], the day you asked me for my daughter’s hand in marriage was the day I finally stopped worrying about who will look after her when I no longer can.

25. To you both, may you always prioritise each other and remember what's important. 

26. Here's to the happy couple, remember that a successful relationship 

27. As Dr. Seuss once said, "You know you're in love when you don't want to fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." - So please raise a glass to a life filled with less sleep and a dreamy reality. 

28. Before I take a seat I have one last task to perform, and it’s a task that is both my honour and my privilege. Ladies and gentlemen, please raise your glasses and join with me in wishing the newlyweds a long, healthy and very happy future together. To the happy couple!

29. A toast: may all sweethearts become married couples, and may all married couples remain sweethearts.

30. Here’s to the past, for all that you’ve learnt. Here’s to the present, for all that you share. Here’s to the future, for all that you’ve got to look forward to.

Be sure to check out our collection of father of the bride speech examples if you’re in need of more inspiration or a template to follow.

Related Hitched articles

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.

Welcome to Poetic Wedding Creations! We are here to help you create the perfect words for your special day.

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20 tear-jerking father of the bride speech quotes and toasts.

The quotes and to asts in this article offer some great insight into the special bond between fathers and daughters and how it can provide a lifelong source of protection , support , and love . These tear - jer king quotations are perfect for the occasion , and will be sure to draw a few tears from the audience . Whether you ’ re the father of the bride or the groom , these quotes are sure to be a hit and will help make the wedding day even more special .

1. “The greatest thing a father can do for his daughter is to love her mother.” – Unknown

2. “My father didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.” – Clarence Budington Kelland

3. “A father’s love is like a shield, it will protect you from the world.” – Unknown

4. “A father’s love is irreplaceable and will stay with you forever.” – Unknown

5. “A father’s hug lasts long after he lets go.” – Unknown

6. “You don’t raise heroes, you raise sons. And if you treat them like sons, they’ll turn out to be heroes, even if it’s just in your own eyes.” – Walter M. Schirra, Sr.

7. “A father’s love is the greatest of all loves.” – Unknown

8. “The greatest gift I ever had, came from God; I call him Dad!” – Unknown

9. “My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.” – Jim Valvano

10. “A father holds his daughter’s hand for a short while, but he holds her heart  forever.” – Unknown

11 . “ The heart of a father is the masterpiece of nature . ” – Ant oine François Pr é v ost

12 . “ A father ’ s smile has been known to light up a child ’ s entire day . ” – Unknown

13 . “ My father didn ’ t tell me how to live ; he lived , and let me watch him do it . ” – Clarence Bud ington Kell and

14 . “ The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother . ” – Theodore Hes burgh

15 . “ A father ’ s love can never be replaced by anything else . ” – Unknown

16 . “ A father ’ s love is always there , even when we cannot see it . ” – Unknown

17 . “ A father ’ s love is the only thing that can make a daughter feel truly safe and secure . ” – Unknown

18 . “ A father ’ s hug is like a lifetime of reass urance in one moment . ” – Unknown

19 . “ A father ’ s love is like a lighthouse , guiding us through the storms of life . ” – Unknown

20 . “ A father ’ s love is more powerful than any other force in the universe . ” – Unknown

If you are looking for a unique and personal way to express your love and appreciation to your daughter on her special day, look no further than Poetic Wedding Creations . Our custom poems and speeches are designed to capture the essence of your relationship with your daughter and are sure to bring a tear to the eye of all in attendance. We also offer a variety of other services to make your daughter’s wedding day even more special, including custom wedding songs and personalized wedding gifts. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help make the most of your daughter’s special day.

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• Who Gives a Speech at a Wedding Reception? How to Write a Wedding Toast Tips for the Father of the Bride Speech How to Write a Best Man Toast Advice for the Maid of Honor Speech What to Know About a Newlywed Toast Public Speaking Experts' Wedding Speech Tips 60 Quotes to Use for Your Wedding Toast

How to Write a Father of the Bride Speech

You're going to want to flag this for your dad.

Photo by Tanya Menoni

In This Article

The father of the bride toast is one of the most highly anticipated speeches of any wedding reception. If you're a dad, you've likely looked forward to (or dreaded) giving this speech for a very long time. Now that the moment is growing closer, it's important to sit down and write a toast that not only you're proud of, but that your daughter will remember for a lifetime. While it might seem difficult to find the right words to express the endless love you have for your daughter, it's those very emotions that are often the star of the show. So, feel free to let those feelings flow through your speech—you'll likely see most of the guests grab their tissues.

With that said, even the most eloquent dads can struggle with getting those words down on paper. To get you started, we created an easy guide to follow when you're sitting down to frame your thoughts into a full-fledged speech. We've compiled some top-notch tips for writing that sure-to-be epic father of the bride speech, plus a list of brainstorming ideas to jump-start the creative process.

Read on for advice on how to write and deliver your father of the bride speech—the most memorable toast of the day.

Father of the Bride Speech Template

Here's a general outline for writing a father of the bride speech that’ll have everyone reaching for tissues.

Welcome the guests.

Typically, the parents of the couple are the first to speak at either the rehearsal dinner or the wedding reception. If you're the first toast-maker of the night, this would be the time to welcome all of the guests to the reception or whichever event you are delivering the speech at. You can do this welcome speech with your partner, on your own, or followed by your child's fiancé's parents. Of course, feel free to skip this step if you're not the first speech and the guests have already been welcomed.

Give thanks.

Since you have the mic, don't forget to express gratitude. Be sure to thank your friends and family for coming to the wedding, and the parents of your daughter's new spouse for anything and everything that they did.

Pepper in some fond memories.

Nothing gets the waterworks started like some heartfelt anecdotes from the bride's lifetime through the eyes of their beloved dad . Choose some especially warm memories from her childhood that always stick out in your mind or some funny (not embarrassing) trials from adolescence. If one of those special memories includes their S.O., definitely be sure to share that with the guests.

Share your pride.

As the father of the bride , you're entitled to be a very proud papa. Mention some especially big moments of pride for you and how much you cherish your daughter's achievements. Don't confuse this with an excuse to spout off their résumé, though. Only pick a couple of standout highlights that really speak to their character.

Remember that half the guests in attendance probably won't know your daughter all that well, so this is an excellent time to low-key introduce them to their best qualities and character traits.

Talk about the present.

Try not to live completely in the past, Dad! Discuss notable things that are occurring presently, on this momentous day as it's unfolding. While everyone is experiencing the events from their own perspective, your special POV provides a unique lens on the significance of the occasion.

Acknowledge your daughter's new spouse.

While you have so much to say about the bride, remember to mention and acknowledge their new spouse , too. Take this time to welcome them into your family and share what it means to you. You can also share some anecdotes of their relationship and what stood out to you most.

Tell your daughter you love them.

That's your baby right there, and this is the moment to tell them just how much they mean to you. Express how much you love and cherish your daughter. Remind them of how you've treasured your relationship together and how you think that relationship may be evolving or staying exactly the same.

Look to the future.

You've covered the past and present, now move on to the next chapter and speak about the shared future of the newlyweds. While you can always get creative with the flow of the speech, breaking things down in a classic chronological order is always easy for the guests to follow.

Add some parting wisdom.

Whether it's a piece of marriage advice or just your most heartfelt wishes for the newlyweds, include some sage wisdom for the happy couple. This is pinnacle dad-talk time, so be sure to really relish the moment. Just don't forget that there are other people present, and it's not just you and your daughter.

Father of the Bride Speech Tips

Okay, dads. Now that you have a general idea of what to include, take note of these essential tips for giving the best father of the bride speech anyone has ever heard.

Consider a theme.

Having an overarching theme from the get-go will set a tone for the speech as a whole. This should make it easier for you to succinctly organize your thoughts and choose relevant examples to showcase. Utilizing this type of framework will result in cohesive and meaningful content that will come across as inspired and have the audience hanging on every word.

Keep it short.

Though you've been waiting for this day to come for many years, try to keep your toast short and sweet. The ideal length is about five or six minutes with the three-minute mark being your lowest threshold for a proper speech. There may be a lot you want to say, and if that's the case, consider writing some of those heartfelt sentiments down beforehand and giving it to your daughter in a card to read privately the morning of the wedding.

Don't be too embarrassing.

Skip the stories that may make your daughter cringe or those memories that they wish you would just forget already. Remember, the speech is a toast and not a roast. Keep in mind that along with their newly minted spouse, a whole new family of in-laws and possibly even a few work colleagues will be present. So, if there's something you're on the fence about saying, consider if you would think the information appropriate for your in-laws and colleagues to learn about you.

Skip ex mentions.

If you have an urge to call out how terrible some ex-boyfriends or girlfriends were in the past, skip that little tidbit and keep it to yourself. There's never any good that can come from name-dropping old lovers at your daughter's wedding, no matter how much you really disliked old what's-their-name. Stick to positive anecdotes and memories that showcase your daughter's good side, not mistakes.

Don't push for laughs.

Oftentimes, you'll get laughs when you're not trying hard for them. Don't feel like you have to color your toast with joke line after joke line—it may come off as forced, especially if you're not normally the jokester in the bunch. The most important person in the room, your daughter, will definitely know if you're not being yourself, and all they really need is their dad—not a comedian.

Embrace your emotions.

It's an absolute given that this is an emotional day for you, so don't feel the need to act stoic and put up a façade. Stay genuine and admit to how difficult it is to let your child go. These admissions make for a touching moment, and we guarantee there won't be a dry eye left in the room. And we mean you, too, pops. Today is the day when it's perfectly okay to shed a tear or two.

Practice, practice, practice.

And then practice some more. It's important that you attempt to memorize your speech, and at the very least, have everything written down and a general idea of what you want to say. If memorizing the whole speech is a little too difficult to do in such a short amount of time, be sure to practice it enough beforehand so that you can make eye contact with the couple and the other guests.

Get Brainstorming!

If you're still drawing a blank, here are some questions to ask yourself to start brainstorming.

• Who is speaking directly before or after me? (You may want to introduce the next speaker or reference whoever spoke previously.)
• What emotions do I experience when I think of letting my daughter go?
• What do I wish for their marriage and life together, and how can I prepare them for that?
• Is there anything I would like to say to their in-laws or newly acquired family?
• Is there something in the order of events that the audience needs to know, prepare for, or be aware of? (Your role can also assume that of master of ceremonies, so be mindful of the flow of upcoming events and if you need to alert the guests.)

Traditionally, the father of the bride gives the first speech at a wedding. But, of course, couples can choose any order they want speeches to take place in. 

If the mother of the bride is speaking directly after the father of the bride, they may choose to stand next to their significant other during the speech. In other cases, the father will be standing alone with the bride's mother being at her seat. 

Whatever you do, don't feel stressed out by the idea of giving a speech. Keep it short, speak from the heart, and don't embarrass the couple (okay, don't embarrass them too much) and you'll be well on your way to the perfect toast.

A Guide to Wedding Reception Toasts

Who Gives a Speech at a Wedding Reception?

How to Write a Wedding Toast

Tips for the Father of the Bride Speech

How to Write a Best Man Toast

Advice for the Maid of Honor Speech

What to Know About a Newlywed Toast

Public Speaking Experts' Wedding Speech Tips

60 Quotes to Use for Your Wedding Toast

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Tear Jerking Father of the Bride Speech

The toast of the father of the bride is one of the most anticipated speeches of any wedding celebration. If you are a father, you probably waited (or feared) for this speech for a very long time. Now that the moment is approaching, it is important to sit down and write a toast that you are not only proud of, but that your daughter will remember all her life. While it may seem difficult to find the right words to express the infinite love you have for your girl, it is precisely these emotions that are often the star of the show.

So feel free to express these feelings in your speech — you will probably see how most of the guests grab their handkerchiefs.

That being said, even the most eloquent fathers may have difficulty putting these words on paper. To help you get started, we have created a simple guideline that you can follow when you sit down to put your thoughts into a full-fledged speech. We’ve put together some top-notch tips for writing this epic speech from the bride’s father, as well as a list of brainstorming ideas to get the creative process going.

Keep reading for tips on how to write and deliver your speech to the father of the bride — the most memorable toast of the day.

Speech model of the father of the bride

Here is a general overview of writing a speech to the father of the bride, in which everyone is looking for it.

1. Welcome guests. As a rule, the parents of the couple are the first to speak at the rehearsal dinner or at the wedding reception. If you are the first toaster of the evening, now is the time to welcome all the guests at the reception or at an event you are talking about. Of course, you can skip this step if you are not giving the first speech, and the guests have already been greeted.

2. Thank you. Since you have the microphone, don’t forget to express your gratitude. Thank your friends and family for coming to the wedding and the parents of your daughter’s new spouse for everything you have done.

4. Pepper in pleasant memories. Nothing makes the aqueduct work like a few heartfelt anecdotes from the life of the bride through the eyes of her beloved father. Choose especially warm memories from your little girl’s childhood, which you will always remember, or funny (not embarrassing) experiences from adolescence. If one of these special memorabilia contains your S. O., be sure to share it with the guests.

5. Share your pride. As the father of the bride, you have the right to be a very proud father. Mention some moments of pride that are especially great for you and how much you appreciate your daughter’s achievements. However, do not confuse this with an excuse to distribute your resume. Select only a few outstanding highlights that really speak to your character.

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Father Of The Bride Speech Guide

This one's for the dads who have likely been looking forward to this day for their whole life! And yet, now that the day looms closer - you're probably feeling the pressure as the father of the bride speech sits with you. This is one of the most highly anticipated, and often most tear-jerking speeches at any wedding, and one that your daughter will likely remember for a lifetime - no pressure then! Father of the bride speeches are known for being. Fear not, we've got you covered. This father of the bride special wedding blog is packed with tips.

1. Prepare your thank yous!

2. Don't forget the in-laws

You should devote part of the speech to the groom's parents. Remember that although they don't traditionally get to make a speech, today is just as special for them as it is for you. Try to find something personal to say about everything they do for their son, and the bond that's developing between you and them. This all adds to the feeling of warmth that the father of the bride's speech should create.

3. An ode to your daughter

Once the thank yous are behind you, it's time to dedicate the majority of your speech to the star of the show – your daughter. Rather than pulling some generic soppy words that could have come from a romantic comedy, it's down to you to dig deep and find something personal and unique about her. Talk about her as a little girl and the woman she has become. What stories can you share that highlight her most special qualities? Pick the ones that have always stood out in your memory, and that are likely to get the rest of the room nodding along in agreement, laughing out loud or reaching for the tissues. As the father of the bride, you're fully entitled to be the proudest guy in the room. Without turning on the embarrassing dad mode too much, mention some of the moments you're most proud of. This doesn't have to mean listing off her educational and career achievements - it's the little moments of pride that you think really highlight her character. It's possible that half of the room know the groom far better than they know your daughter, so now's the time to introduce them to her best qualities. 

Keep in mind that along with their new partner, a whole new family of in-laws and possibly a few work colleagues will be present, so now's now not the time to remind your daughter of moments passed that she'd like to forget about, however humorous they might seem to you. If there's something you're on the fence about saying, put yourself in her shoes - would you want your   in-laws and colleagues to learn that about you?

4. Welcome to the family

Although you might have a million things to say about your daughter, don't forget to say something about their new partner. This is a chance for you to officially welcome them to the family. Be positive and offer your thoughts on them as a couple, and what the next chapter brings for them as newlyweds. 

5. Closing the speech

So there you have it - a quick guide for your father of the bride speech. Remember to be yourself and don't force anything. If you're a natural comedian, you'll probably get a few laughs, but don't try hard for them - there's no need to pepper your entire speech with punchlines. The most important person in the room, your daughter, wants her dad to be his genuine self rather than putting on a show. 

Most of us are not natural public speakers, so there is no shame in admitting that you are nervous and don't know where to start when it comes to writing your father of the bride speech. If you'd like some extra support and learn to be a more effective c ommunicator, check out our  bespoke wedding speech course packages

Other content you might like:

• How To Overcome Nerves In Public Speaking
• What Can We Learn From Cinematic Wedding Speeches?
• How To Write A Speech: The Secret Recipe
• How To Warm Up Your Voice Like A Professional

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How to Write the Perfect Father of the Bride Speech, in 7 Easy Steps

Here are some tips for how to floor your daughter (and the wedding guests!) with your father of the bride speech.

Vitaly M Photography

Your daughter is getting married. It’s a monumental day for not only her, but also for you, her father. She’s asked you to present a father of the bride speech (on of the traditional  father of the bride duties ), and you’re probably honored, but also a bit apprehensive. You want this father of the bride toast to floor her, like she’s floored you so many times in her life. Traditionally, father of the bride speeches either starts off or concludes the wedding reception toasts , so you’ll have everybody’s attention. You, as the father, have a unique perspective on this woman standing in front of everyone. Whether you're bursting with ideas or have a serious case of writer's block, it can be tricky to sit down and figure out how to write a father of the bride speech. 

It’s time to write the father of the bride speech you’ve always dreamed of giving. We’re here to help.

1. start your father of the bride speech with a few thank-yous..

As with any wedding toast, it's extra important that you kick off your father of the bride speech by introducing yourself and thanking whoever needs to be thanked in your early sentences. Many father of the bride speeches thank the guests for attending, as well as those who were instrumental in planning the big day (this may include your spouse). Introduce yourself as the father of the bride and feel free to make a joke about yourself. You can make a “dad joke,” or a pun, if that’s your style.

2. Mention any loved ones who you are remembering. 

If it feels right to you, mention any family members who aren't physically present at the wedding in your father of the bride toast. “I keep thinking of your mom, who would have absolutely loved to be here.” You can keep this sweet and simple. You don’t have to include it at all, but it could be a nice tribute to loved ones .

The Secret Garden at Rancho Santa Fe

3. Share any special memories of your child. 

Unless her older sibling or mother presents a speech, you have a plethora of memories to include in your father of the bride speech from a time in her life that no one else has tucked away. People love hearing stories from childhood, and you should capitalize on that . It can be sentimental or embarrassing – though, not too embarrassing. It is her day, after all.

Recall the day you brought her home from the hospital, and what you were thinking and feeling. Remember the time she brought a wounded bird into your house and demanded, through tears, that you two nursed it back to health? That was one moment out of many that you realized just how caring and generous your daughter has always been. Bring up the time she broke a bone (for the sixth time), because she was always so incredibly adventurous. You’ve always worried about her, but you know she can take care of herself. Our favorite father of the bride speech examples are ones where the giver uses an anecdote to share something about the bride's personality or his relationship with her. 

4. Talk about your new in-law.

Your daughter is the light of your life, but you have a new “child” in your life now. It would be nice to address her partner directly in your father of the bride speech, and thank them for making your daughter so incredibly happy. However you feel appropriate doing this, depending on your relationship with your new in-law , is up to you.

Use your father of the bride speech reminisce about the time when you first met him/her. If you’re particularly close with your daughter, maybe she called you after their first date – what were you thinking? Has there been a time you were particularly glad to have them around? This can be sentimental or funny, but it should be genuine – regardless of your true feelings. Maybe, on a family vacation, the car broke down, and her partner’s handy skills in a crisis made you really appreciate their presence. This is a funnier story, but can lead into a genuine appreciation. Most importantly, they have made your daughter incredibly happy, so definitely make sure to express gratitude and a warm welcome to the family.

Christy Renee Photography

5. Give some advice in your father of the bride speech.

You are older and wiser, so if it makes sense for you, give the new couple a piece of advice toward a happy marriage — or just happiness in general — in your father of the bride speech. Whether you’re married, divorced, or happily single doesn't matter. If you don’t feel equipped to offer advice, then don't force it. But, considering how many dads love to offer unsolicited advice to their children, this is a great opportunity.

If you are married, offer your secret . It can be real or a joke. But try to avoid sexist tropes, if you can. Jokes like, “Married men always have the same boss,” are tired and overused. More importantly than that, it presents an image of marriage to the new couple that isn’t ideal. If you do have genuine advice, though, feel free to offer it – even if you aren’t married. Don't joke about the divorce rate, though. It will only succeed in ensuing awkwardness for everyone present.

6. Use a quote, but don't force it.

This won't necessarily work for all father of the bride speeches. But, if it feels natural to work a quote that particularly speaks to you in your toast, you shouldn't feel like you have to shy away from it. It can be a sweet way to end your speech. Also, it doesn't have to be some profound quote — and this is what I mean about not forcing it. Don't use a quote just for the sake of using one. But, if there’s a quote that speaks to you on a personal level, it can be great. It doesn’t have to be serious. If you and your daughter have a special bond over something, like, The Simpsons , a comedic quote can be great provided you deliver it with confidence.

7. End with a toast.

If you're unsure of how to end your father of the bride speech, a toast is a crowd-pleaser. Offer up your congratulations and invite everyone to toast to the happy couple. Remind your daughter that you are proud of her, that you love her, and that you're so happy for her that she found someone who treats her well. Welcome your new in law to the family one last time, take a sip of your drink, and go hug your daughter – who may very well be crying .

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Father of The Bride Speech: The Ultimate Guide

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Traditionally the father of the bride is the first to speak at a wedding and so unless you’re a seasoned speech giver, it can feel like a daunting task.

Add to that the fact that alongside walking your daughter down the aisle it’ll probably be one of the proudest moments of your life and suddenly writing this special speech seems almost impossible.

Just how do you sum up your feelings in a few hundred words?

The good news is that father of the bride speeches are meant to be heart-warming and full of emotion, so no-one is expecting you to give a performance to rival a stand-up comedian. That said, no-one wants to sit in awkward silence while the father regales countless stories of the bride as a baby.

It’s important to get the tone and content of this much-anticipated wedding speech exactly right to ensure both your daughter and all the guests find it entertaining, uplifting, touching, and most importantly not at all embarrassing!

If you’ve got no idea where to start when it comes to writing a fantastic father of the bride speech, we’ve got some top tips and dos and don’ts to help you put pen to paper and create a standout wedding speech that your daughter will never forget.

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Father Of The Bride Speech Template

While you’ll want your wedding speech to be completely unique, it can help to follow a tried and tested template when you start to write and then let the original ideas start to flow from there…

1. Introduce Yourself

Introduce yourself and welcome all the guests to the special day (ask the bride for any special mentions she might want to include here like friends who have traveled from overseas).

2. Talk About The Bride

Talk about how proud you are of her achievements etc. and also provide funny (but not embarrassing) anecdotes about her as a little girl that are relevant to who she is today.

3. Pay Tribute To The Woman She Has Become

Talk about her job or anything she does that makes you proud now as well as any relevant stories about her as an adult.

4. Talk About How The Bride Met Her New Spouse

Make sure to include any funny stories from when you first met him or her. For example, is he/she normally full of bravado but was nervous as hell asking you if he/she could marry your daughter? Talk about the groom (or other bride) and their family and how happy you are to have them join your family.

5. Give Some Advice On Marriage

Best not to do this if you’ve been divorced 4 times, although you could joke about this in your speech, or just give some general advice about life. Perhaps you were told something on your wedding day that you’ve always remembered and want to pass on.

6. Raise A Toast To The Happy Couple

Try and make this as personalised as possible and unique to the couple. You could just toast their happy marriage or come up with a list of a few specific wishes that you want the guests to toast to.

What Should A Father Of The Bride Speech Include?

A traditional father of the bride speech includes a few key elements such as welcoming the guests, anecdotes and compliments about your daughter, a welcome to your new son-in-law or daughter-in-law, words of advice and a toast to the new couple.

How Do You End The Father Of The Bride Speech?

It always works well to end a father of the bride speech with a few words of wisdom for the newly married couple, followed by a strong heartfelt toast that you invite all the guests to take part in.

The Dos And Don’ts Of A Good Father Of The Bride Speech

1. ask for help.

Before you even think about writing your first draft, it can really help to have a brainstorm with a few key people.

Ask the bride’s mother, any siblings, or really close family to come together to reminisce about the bride, as they may remember some absolutely hilarious or key stories that you’ve forgotten.

You can go back and forth to this family group while writing too for extra details and clarification on facts, plus it’ll help you feel a lot less pressure than you would if you were going solo.

2. Focus On A Good Introduction

As you’re opening the speeches section of the wedding, it’s important not to just go straight into your speech at 100mph and instead to introduce yourself. While most people in the room will know who you are, there may be a few who don’t.

Plus, it’s a nice easy way to confidently ease yourself into public speaking. Try not to sound too robotic by just saying your name and that you’re the bride’s dad! Think of a more heartfelt way to say you’re her father.

You can also really quickly put wedding guests at ease by making them laugh. It doesn’t have to be a silly gag or a hilarious joke, but just something cute and quirky about the bride or perhaps an observation about the day that can really help get the ball rolling.

3. Don’t Spend Ages Thanking People

The father of the groom speech is not the time to go through everyone that needs thanking – this often happens during the groom’s speech and you can be sure that if you go down this route that you’ll massively wrong-foot the groom and make his speech rather difficult to deliver without major repetition.

Confine your thanks to a general one – simply thank everyone for coming to the wedding and watching the proudest moment of your life as your daughter gets married.

4. Use Clever Quotes

If it feels suitable for your speech, you can use famous quotes to get your point across and provide a bit of pace to the delivery. Some fathers like to open with a quote from someone famous and use it as a way to introduce an overarching theme that’ll carry on through the speech.

If you’re known for being a showman or a bit of a character, a dramatically delivered quote can get the guests laughing straightway. If not, find a quote that sums up exactly how you feel about the bride and use it instead of your own words if you can’t quite get the sentiment right.

5. Don’t Embarrass Your Daughter

There’s a fine line between a funny and sweet anecdote and one that’ll make your guests cringe.

You don’t want to make anyone, especially the bride, feel uncomfortable, so stick to stories that are heartfelt and meaningful rather than too graphic. No one needs to hear that she wet the bed until she was 11!

You can still take the mickey out of her though, but in a much more charming way.

Choose stories that are relevant to who she is today. Perhaps she was obsessed with animals from the moment she could talk and brought all manner of horrible bugs into your house – now she’s a vet it all makes sense.

Maybe she was the clumsiest little girl you’ve ever known so it’s incredible that she’s now a successful dancer.

Perhaps she had a crazy imagination that got her into all sorts of trouble (insert funny anecdotes here), but she’s now managed to harness it into a successful career as a novelist.

6. Make Your Speech Different

When talking about your daughter and how much you love her it’s important to avoid clichés and words that could apply to any bride.

We’re talking about “beautiful”, “amazing”, “kind” etc.

Think about what makes her who she is and celebrate these traits.

Remember no-one is perfect, and just because it’s her wedding day doesn’t mean you have to make her sound like the ideal woman. The guests want to hear about all the good bits as well as the slightly less so, as it’s much more real and will represent the person they know and love.

7. Don’t Mention Any Exes

This is a key one that shouldn’t be broken – DO NOT mention any exes. No-one wants to remember a time when the happy couple weren’t together or imagine the bride with another partner so just don’t go there, even if there’s a funny anecdote! It’s the quickest way to alienate the new in law to the family.

8. Spend Time Talking About Her New Husband Or Wife

On the other hand, not mentioning your new son-in-law or daughter-in-law in your wedding speech is almost as bad as the groom forgetting to mention his new wife in his wedding speech. While the father of the bride speech is predominantly about your daughter, you have to dedicate at least a sentence or two to her chosen partner.

Make sure to say how happy you are that the bride met their partner and how much happiness he/she clearly brings into her life.

You can talk about what your impressions were the first time you met him/her and how your relationship has grown or include funny stories about the early years of their relationship.

9. Mention The Bride’s Mother And New In-Laws

It’s important not to single-handedly take credit for your amazing daughter in your speech (unless of course, you raised her all alone).

Spend time talking about any good traits she has inherited from her mother and how special their relationship is. Even if you’re divorced from her mother, a line or two acknowledging her part in your child’s life will be very well appreciated.

10. Impart Some Wisdom For The Newlyweds

Once you’ve run out of anecdotes and have said all the beautiful words about how you feel, it’s time to impart some advice.

This can go one of two ways.

Perhaps you’ve had a successful and long marriage and therefore you can draw inspiration from both the wonderful and hard times to pass on some key bits of advice. If you’re known for being a bit hapless when it comes to marriages and relationships you can make this section funny and tell the couple not to do anything you did!

If this is the case you can also always ask other successfully married couples from within the guests for their advice before the big day and then impart this. Your daughter will appreciate the effort you’ve gone to, to ensure that you had something meaningful to pass on to her at such a huge stage in her life.

11. Don’t Make The Speech About You

Remember this speech is meant to be about your daughter and the person she is marrying today.

If once you’ve written the speech and are reading through it and you find yourself repeatedly saying “I” or “me” more than “she” or “her”, then chances are you’ve made the speech too much about you.

Yes, the anecdotes are your stories to tell, but they should focus on your daughter and why they are relevant to who she is today rather than how they made you feel or how they impacted you.

12. End With A Toast

As the first speechmaker, you can’t just tail off.

A strong end is key to the overall success of the speech and helps draw a line under your words and the start of the next speech.

So, make sure you have a really good finishing sentence, followed by a clear call to the guests to stand and toast. You need to make sure the guests know exactly what you want them to do otherwise you’ll end up with a half-hearted end with some standing up and some not and a mish-mash of words. Clearly state the words you want them to toast with and invite the guests to stand to ensure a resounding toast!

Now all that’s left to do is practise reading out your father of the bride speech, in a confident – and slow – manner and make sure you smile while doing it.

It can also be a really good idea to ask your wife or partner to read through the draft speech too. Just to make sure you’ve remembered the anecdotes properly (we’re all prone to the odd embellishment!) and also to check that you’re not veering off into embarrassing territory.

Father Of The Bride Speech Examples

Take some inspiration from fathers who have been there, done that and got the t-shirt with these brilliant father of the bride speech examples from real weddings.

Heartfelt father of the bride speech

A heartfelt speech is always a winner and this father  covers all the main points in a meaningful and heartwarming manner.

Father of the bride speech full of funny anecdotes

The extract from this hilarious speech shows how to weave anecdotes into your speech while also ensuring it focusses on your daughter and not you.

Alternative father of the bride speech

If you want to wow guests and your daughter consider pulling something alternative and wow-factor out the bag like this funny and entertaining video speech .

Emotional father of the bride speech

Emotional speeches don’t have to be embarrassing to watch. This father delivered a perfectly eloquent speech that focuses on the emotion and real meaning of the day.

Funny poem father of the bride

This father manages to keep the guests’ laughing and involved with his witty speech delivered in poem format .

Short but sweet father of the bride speech

This speech is only a few minutes long, but the father of the bride covers the two most important points – talking about his daughter and complimenting his new son-in-law.

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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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Other Ideas ▪ Wedding Planning

Father of The Bride Speech Guide, Tips & Examples 2022

Here's the ultimate guide to writing a flawless father of the bride speech for your daughter on her wedding day, complete with speech examples, tips, and advice.

What should be included in a father of the bride speech?

Welcome the guests, tales, and praises about your daughter, a welcome to your new son-in-law or daughter-in-law, words of advice, and a toast to the new pair are all part of a typical father of the bride speech.

What is a good way to end a father of the bride speech?

Ending a father of the bride speech with a few words of advice for the newlywed couple is always a good idea, followed by a strong passionate toast that you invite all of the guests to end in.

Father of the Bride's Speeches Guide 2022

The bride's father typically delivers his speech first at the wedding reception, followed by the groom's speech and the best man's speech. The father of the bride's speech is typically seen as the warm-up act in this order.

The father of the bride's speech typically begins by thanking the wedding guests for attending and recognizing his daughter's new in-laws, as well as welcoming his new son or daughter-in-law into the family.

See also: 10 Touching Father-Daughter Wedding Moments

It's customarily a more heartfelt speech than hilarious, similar to the best man speech. With a little planning, though, you can ensure that your father of the bride's speech and moment in the spotlight is memorable.

1. Introduce yourself

You should introduce yourself and welcome all the guests coming to the special day with you (ask the bride for any special mentions she might want to include here, like friends who have traveled from overseas).

2. Welcome the guests

The next step is to welcome the guests. You can skip this step if you're not giving the first speech and the guests have already been welcomed. The couple's parents are typically the first to speak at either the rehearsal dinner or the wedding reception, but this isn't always the case. To welcome all of your guests at the reception or whatever event you are giving a speech at, you would say something like, “Welcome to the reception.”

3. Thank everyone

Don't forget to say thank you because you have a microphone, so don't forget. During the wedding, thank everyone who came. Also, thank the parents of your daughter's new husband for everything that they did for her and her husband.

See also: 18 Must Have Getting Ready Wedding Photo Ideas for Groom and Groomsmen

4. Share some memories

Nothing makes people cry more than hearing heartfelt stories about the bride's life through the eyes of their dad. Choose some memories from your little girl's childhood that you always stick or some funny (but not embarrassing) things that happened to her when she was a mind. If one of those memories is with their partner, be sure to share the guests.

5. Share your pride

To be the father of the bride, you should be very proud. Mention sure to talk about how proud you are of your daughter and how much you cherish her pride. Make sure you don't think this is an excuse for them to show off their résumé, though. Only choose a few things that really show off their personality.

5. Talk about the present

Dad, don't live your whole life in the past. Discuss important things that are happening right now, as this important day is unfolding. Everyone sees the events from their own point of view, but your unique point of view gives you a new way of looking at the event's significance.

6. Welcome your son-in-law.

Make sure to talk about the bride and talk about their new partner. Take this time to welcome them into your family and share with them how it makes you feel. You can also tell some stories about how they were together and what made you most happy.

7. Express your love

Your baby is right there. This is the moment to tell them how much they mean to you. You should tell your daughter how much you love and cherish her. Tell them how much you love your relationship with them and how you think it will change or stay the same in the relationship.

8. Share the future

You've talked about the past and the present in the past and now. Now talk about the future together as a married couple, and you'll be done. As long as you don't go too crazy with the flow of the speech, breaking things down in a simple chronological order is always easy for the guests to follow.

9. Share some wisdom

People who are getting married should get some wise advice from their friends and couple. This is the best time to talk to your dad, so make the most of it. It's not just you and your daughter there. There are other people there, too.

7 Tips for the Father of the Bride's Speech

There you go, dads. Here are some important tips on how to give the best father of the bride speech anyone has ever heard.

• Think about a theme. Make sure you have a main point from the start. This will help set the tone for your whole speech. This should make it easier for you to quickly organise your thoughts and choose examples that are relevant to showcase off. People who use this type of framework will write coherent and meaningful content that will sound like it was written by an inspired person and keep the audience interested.
• Keep it short. Keep your toast short and sweet, even though you've been waiting years for this day to come. The best length for a speech is about five or six minutes, with the three-minute mark being your lowest point for a good one. Before the wedding, write down some of the things you want to say and give them to your daughter in a card that she can read on her own the morning of the wedding.
• Don't be too weird. Skip the stories that might make your daughter feel bad or the memories that they want you to forget. Remember that the speech is a toast, not a roast. With their new spouse there will also be a whole new family of in-laws and maybe even some coworkers. It's also a good idea to think about whether your in-laws and coworkers would be happy to learn about you in this way.
• Don't talk about your ex. If you want to talk about how bad some ex-boyfriends or girlfriends were in the past, don't do it. Keep it to yourself. When you name-drop old lovers at your daughter's wedding, no matter how much you hated old what's-their-name, there's no good that comes from it. Stick to stories and memories that showcase your daughter's good side, not her mistakes.
• Don't try to make people laugh. Often, you'll get laughs even if you don't try very hard. It might look like you're trying too hard if you're not the jokester in the group. Don't feel like you have to add joke lines to your toast all at once. When your daughter sees you not being yourself, she'll know right away. All they really need is their dad, not a stand-up comic.
• Accept your feelings. It's a given that this is going to be a very emotional day for you, so don't try to be stoic and put on a front. Stay real and say that it's difficult to let your child go. They make for a heartfelt moment, and we're sure there won't be a dry eye in the place. Also, pops. To shed a tear or two: Today is the day.
• Practice, practice and Practice. Then, practice some more, as well as some more. Try to remember your speech or write down what you want to say. If you can't remember the whole speech in a short amount of time, be sure to practice enough so that you can look at the couple and the other guests.

Let your imagination run wild!

If you're still stuck, here are some questions to ask yourself to get your creative juices flowing. Before or after me, who is speaking directly? (You might want to introduce the next speaker or make a reference to the previous speaker.)

• What feelings do I have when I think about releasing my daughter?
• What do I want for their marriage and future together, and how can I wish them to prepare for it?
• Is there anything I'd like to say to their newly acquired family or in-laws?
• Is there anything the audience needs to know, prepare for, or be aware of in the sequencing of events? (Be aware that your function may also include that of master of ceremonies, so be aware of the flow of upcoming events and whether you need to notify the visitors.)

The Do's and Don'ts of Giving a Good Father-of-the-Bride Speech

1. get some help.

Seek help before you think about writing your first draft, a brainstorming session with a few key people might be really beneficial. Invite the bride's mother, siblings, or other close relatives to reminisce about the bride, as they may remember some humorous or key stories that you've forgotten.

You may refer back to this family group while writing for further details and clarity on facts, and it will relieve a lot of the pressure you would feel if you were working alone.

2. Give a simple introduction

Think of a more heartfelt approach to introduce yourself as her father. It's vital to introduce the speeches segment of the wedding by introducing yourself rather than launching into your speech at full speed. While the majority of the individuals in the room will recognize you, there may be a few who do not.

You may also put your wedding guests at ease fast by having them giggle. It doesn't have to be a funny joke or a ridiculous gag, but something nice and unusual about the bride or an observation about the day can really help get the party started.

It's also a simple and effective approach to ease yourself into public speaking. Just sound your name and that you're the bride's father to avoid seeming robotic!

3. Do not waste time thanking guests

The father of the groom speech is not the time to thank everyone who deserves it – this is something that frequently happens during the groom's speech, and you can bet that if you do this, you'll throw the groom off and make his speech impossible to deliver without substantial repetition.

Thank everyone for attending the wedding and witnessing the proudest moment of your life as your daughter marries.

4. Use one of your witty quotes

You can use renowned quotes to get your message through and lend a bit of pace to your delivery if it feels appropriate for your speech. Some fathers like to begin with a famous quote and use it to introduce an overall theme that will run throughout the speech.

A powerfully delivered quote can get the guests laughing right away if you're renowned for being a showman or a bit of a character. If you can't quite get the sentiment perfect, find a quote that sums up exactly how you feel about the bride and uses it instead of your own words.

5. Be honest and meaningful

Between a hilarious and sweet anecdote and one that will make your guests grimace, there's a narrow line to walk. Stick to stories that are heartfelt and meaningful rather than excessively detailed if you don't want to make anyone, especially the bride, feel uncomfortable. Nobody wants to hear that she didn't wet the bed till she was 11 years old!

You can still make fun of her, but this time in a much more pleasant way. Select stories that are relevant to her current today. Perhaps she's been preoccupied with animals since she was able to speak, bringing all kinds of nasty pests into your home – now that she's a vet, it all makes sense.

It's unbelievable that she's now a successful dancer after being the clumsiest tiny girl you've ever known. She may have had a wild imagination that got her into all kinds of problems (insert amusing anecdotes here), but she's turned it into a lucrative author career.

6. Be unique in your delivery

It's vital to avoid clichés and words that may apply to any bride while talking about your daughter and how much you love her. We're talking about words like “beautiful,” “wonderful,” and “kind.” Think about what makes her unique and praise those characteristics.

Remember that no one is perfect, and you don't have to make her sound like the perfect woman just because it's her wedding day. The guests want to hear about all of the nice things as well as the little less so since it makes the person they know and love seem more real.

7. Forget about your exes

DO NOT MENTION ANY EXES. This is a key rule that should not be disregarded. No one wants to remember a time when the happy couple wasn't together or image the bride with another partner, so don't bring it up, even if it's an amusing story! It's the quickest method to make the family hate the new in-law.

8. Talk about her new husband (or wife)

Not mentioning your new son-in-law or daughter-in-law in your wedding speech, on the other hand, is nearly as awful as the groom forgetting to mention his new wife in his wedding speech. While your daughter is the focus of your father of the bride's speech, you must dedicate at least a phrase or two to her chosen partner.

Make a point of expressing how delighted you are that the bride met her partner and how much joy he or she provides to her life. You might discuss your first impressions of him/her and how your relationship has progressed, as well as share amusing stories from their early years together.

9. Mention the bride's mother as well as the bride's new in-laws.

It's critical not to take sole credit for your wonderful daughter in your speech (unless of course, you raised her all alone). Spend time discussing any positive attributes she acquired from her mother as well as how unique their relationship is. Even if you and her mother are divorced, a line or two noting her role in her life will be very appreciated.

10. Share some advice with the newlyweds

When you've exhausted your anecdotes and stated all the lovely words you want to say about how you feel, it's time to impart some advice. Perhaps you've had a long and happy marriage, and you can draw inspiration from both the good and bad times to pass some key advice. You can make this portion hilarious by telling the pair not to do what you did if you're renowned for being a bit haphazard when it comes to marriages and relationships.

If this is the case, you can always impart advice from other successful married couples among the guests before the big day and then pass it on. Your daughter will appreciate the time and work you put in to make sure you left her with something meaningful at such a pivotal point in her life.

11. Don't make the speech about you

Keep in mind that this speech is about your daughter and the person she is marrying today. If you find yourself saying “I” or “me” more than “she” or “her” more than “she” or “her” after you've written the speech and are reading it, you've made it too much about you.

Yes, the anecdotes are your stories to share, but they should focus on your daughter and why they are relevant to who she is today, rather than how they made you feel or how they affected you.

12. It's time for a toast

A strong end is key to the speech's overall success and helps to draw a line between your words and the start of the next speech. As a result, make sure you end with a strong line, followed by a clear invitation to the guests to stand and toast. You must make that the guests understand exactly what you want them to do, otherwise, you will end up with a half-hearted conclusion, with some guests standing and others not, and a mishmash of words. To ensure a booming toast, clearly explain the words you want them to toast with and urge the guests to stand.

You can't just walk away as the first speaker.

All that's left is to practice reading your father of the bride's speech confidently – and slowly – while smiling.

It's also a good idea to have your wife or partner read over the draft speech with you. Just to double-check that you make remembered the anecdotes correctly (we're all prone to embellishment!) Also, make sure you're not going off on an embarrassing tangent.

Good luck, father!

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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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Amazing Tips & Themes For Your Magical Wedding

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How to Write a Father of the Bride Speech + 3 Examples

• Posted by by Rosie Liliy
• Last updated: April 14, 2023

Fathers of the bride have more to do than just hand over the ring at a wedding – they also get to give one of the most significant speeches of their lives.

Giving a father of the bride speech is an incredible honor and a great way to show your appreciation for your daughter on her special day. However, knowing how to write this important speech can be tricky, and the occasion can also be filled with nerves, as the father talks to the microphone in front of a crowd to deliver their speech.

But don’t worry – we’re here to help! This post will provide you with easy tips on how to craft an unforgettable father of the bride speech that will bring joy and tears from everyone in attendance.

Using our tips and examples, you’ll be able to craft an address that expresses your love for your daughter on her special day through celebration, humor and warmth.

Related:   Unforgettable Mother of the Bride Speeches: Writing Tips + Examples

Introduction to the role of the father of the bride

As the father of the bride, you have a special role to play on your daughter’s big day.

Not only are you responsible for walking your daughter down the aisle and giving her away, but you also have the opportunity to deliver a heartfelt and memorable speech at the wedding reception.

Your speech is your chance to express your love and pride for your daughter, and to welcome the groom and his family into your own.

You may also want to share personal anecdotes or memories, and offer words of wisdom or advice for the happy couple.

Tips for writing a memorable and heartfelt speech

Here are some tips to help you craft a memorable and heartfelt speech that will leave everyone in tears (of joy, of course).

Start by brainstorming your main points

What do you want to say to your daughter and son-in-law on their big day? What messages do you want to convey to your guests? It might be helpful to jot down some ideas on paper before you start organizing your speech.

Make it personal

Your speech is a chance to share your own memories and experiences with your daughter and the rest of the wedding party.

Consider including personal anecdotes or special moments that you’ve shared over the years. This will help to make your speech more meaningful and memorable. Bonus points if you can find a way to make everyone laugh!

Keep it concise

While it’s important to include all of your main points, it’s also important to be mindful of your time.

A good rule of thumb is to aim for a speech that’s about 5-7 minutes long. This will give you enough time to say what you need to say without boring your guests (or making them check their phones).

Practice, practice, practice!

The more you practice your speech, the more confident and comfortable you’ll be when it comes time to deliver it.

Practice in front of a mirror, or better yet, have a friend or family member listen to you and give feedback.

And don’t forget to keep a glass of water handy – it’ll help to calm your nerves and keep your throat lubricated.

Structuring your speech: a step-by-step guide

Alright, so you’ve brainstormed your main points and practiced your speech a million times. Now it’s time to put it all together and give the most epic father of the bride speech ever.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you structure your speech and keep it on track.

Begin with a greeting. Start off by greeting the guests and thanking them for coming to celebrate your daughter’s special day. You might also want to thank the groom’s parents for raising such an amazing son.

Introduce yourself. If you’re not already well-known to the wedding party, take a moment to introduce yourself and your relationship to the bride.

You could even throw in a little humor here by making a self-deprecating joke about how you’re not sure how you ended up with such an amazing daughter.

Share your memories. This is the perfect opportunity to share some personal anecdotes or special memories that you’ve shared with your daughter over the years. Make everyone laugh (or cry) with a funny or heartwarming story.

Express your love and pride for your daughter. Let your daughter know just how much she means to you, and how proud you are of the person she has become. You might want to get a little sappy here – it is a wedding, after all.

Welcome the groom and his family. Now is the time to extend a warm welcome to the groom and his family, and to express your happiness at their joining together.

You might want to give the groom a little ribbing here by talking about how lucky he is to be marrying into such an amazing family.

Share your hopes and wishes for the future. Finish off your speech by expressing your hopes and wishes for the couple’s future together. This is your chance to get a little sentimental and give some advice on how to have a happy and successful marriage .

Father of the Bride Speech Examples

Example 1: a traditional and emotional father of the bride speech.

Dear friends and family,

I stand before you today as the proud and emotional father of the beautiful bride. My daughter [bride’s name] has grown into an amazing young woman and it brings me immense joy to give her away to the love of her life, [groom’s name].

I still remember the day [bride’s name] was born like it was yesterday. She arrived in this world with a head full of dark hair and the most stunning blue eyes I had ever seen. From the moment I held her in my arms, I knew I would love her with every fiber of my being.

As [bride’s name] grew, I was constantly in awe of her kindness, intelligence, and determination. She has always put others before herself and has a heart of gold. I have no doubt that she will make a wonderful wife to [groom’s name] and an amazing partner in life.

When [groom’s name] entered our lives, I knew immediately he was the perfect match for my daughter. He is loving, caring, and adores [bride’s name] with all his heart. I have no doubt that he will make a wonderful husband and support [bride’s name] in all her endeavors.

I am overjoyed to welcome [groom’s name] and his family into ours and am thrilled to see the love [bride’s name] and [groom’s name] share. I have no doubt they will have a long and happy life together filled with love and laughter.

[Bride’s name], [groom’s name], I am so proud of both of you and wish you all the happiness in the world. May your marriage be a beautiful and blessed union. I love you both with all my heart.

Example 2: A lighthearted and humorous speech

Hello everyone,

As the father of the bride, it is my pleasure to welcome all of you to this joyous occasion. And let me just say, I am so relieved that [bride’s name] has finally found someone willing to put up with her stubbornness and her love of always being right.

But seriously, I am truly blessed to have a daughter like [bride’s name]. She has always been there for me and I am grateful to have her in my life. She has brought so much joy and love into my life, and I am so proud of the person she has become.

[Groom’s name], you are one lucky guy. Not only do you get to marry the love of your life, but you also get to join our crazy family. Just be prepared for late night game nights and impromptu dance parties. You’ll fit right in, I have no doubt.

But seriously, I am overjoyed to see the love [bride’s name] and [groom’s name] share and have no doubt they will have a long and happy marriage. I have no doubt that [groom’s name] will always be there for [bride’s name] and support her in all her endeavors.

So let’s raise a glass to the happy couple – may your love continue to grow and thrive for many years to come. I am so grateful to be a part of this special day and wish you both all the happiness in the world. Cheers!

Example 3: A personalized and sentimental speech

It is an honor and a privilege to stand here today as the father of the bride. My daughter, [bride’s name], has always been the light of my life and it brings me great joy to see her marrying the man of her dreams, [groom’s name].

[Groom’s name], you are a truly special person and I am grateful you have come into our lives. Your love for [bride’s name] is evident in everything you do and I have no doubt you will be a wonderful husband to her. I am so happy to welcome you into our family and know that you and [bride’s name] will have a long and happy marriage.

[Bride’s name], from the moment you were born, you have brought so much love and joy into my life. I am so proud of the person you have become and am grateful to be a part of this special day. Watching you grow into the amazing woman you are today has been one of the greatest joys of my life.

One of my favorite memories with [bride’s name] is the summer we spent traveling through Europe together. It was a wonderful opportunity for us to bond and make lasting memories. We visited so many incredible places, but my favorite was the week we spent in Italy. The food, the culture, the history – it was all just incredible. And while we may have gotten lost a few times and had to navigate some difficult language barriers, it was all worth it to spend that quality time with my daughter.

[Groom’s name], I know you and [bride’s name] will create many more special memories together in the years to come. I am confident you will always be there for each other, through the good times and the bad. You are the perfect match for each other and I am so excited to see what the future holds for you both.

So let’s raise a glass to the happy couple. [Bride’s name] and [groom’s name], may your love continue to grow and thrive as you embark on this new journey together. I love you both with all my heart.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i make my speech memorable.

A: The key to a memorable speech is to be yourself and let your love and pride for your daughter shine through in your words.

Consider including personal anecdotes or special memories that you’ve shared with your daughter over the years. This will help to make your speech more meaningful and memorable.

Incorporating a little bit of humor can also go a long way in making your speech stand out.

What should I avoid in my speech?

A: First and foremost, try to avoid using any offensive language or telling inappropriate jokes. This is a family-friendly occasion, after all!

It’s also a good idea to steer clear of any sensitive topics or controversial issues. You want to keep the mood light and celebratory, not heavy or divisive.

Finally, try to avoid getting too long-winded or going off on tangents. It’s important to stay focused and on-topic to keep your speech engaging and enjoyable for your listeners.

Keep these things in mind and you’ll be well on your way to delivering a smooth and memorable speech.

When does the father of the bride give his speech?

A: The father of the bride’s speech is typically given at the wedding reception, after the meal has been served but before the dancing begins. It is usually given before the best man’s speech and the groom’s speech.

Conclusion: keys to a successful father of the bride speech

The father of the bride speech is a special and important moment on your daughter’s big day. By following the tips and guidelines outlined in this post, and taking inspiration from the examples provided, you can craft a heartfelt and memorable speech that will be remembered for years to come.

Remember to keep it personal, incorporate humor and personal anecdotes, and practice beforehand to ensure that you deliver your speech with confidence and poise. Above all, let your love and pride for your daughter shine through in your words.

Congratulations to the happy couple, and we wish them a lifetime of love and happiness.

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Rosie Liliy

Hey there, lovely couples and fellow wedding fanatics! I’m Rosie, the managing editor at Magical Day Weddings, and I’m here to make your wedding planning journey a blast! As a lifelong lover of weddings, I’ve dabbled in everything from DIY decor to event planning. I believe that every love story deserves to be told in a way that captures its essence. From heartwarming vows to tear-jerking speeches, I’m here to help you create unforgettable memories on your journey to “I do!”

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How to Deliver an Unforgettable Father of the Bride Speech

As a proud father, the wedding day of your daughter is a moment where you get to express your love, pride, and best wishes for your daughter and her partner. However, if you’re a bit on the shy side, the thought of delivering a father-of-the-bride speech may feel daunting. But fear not! In this comprehensive guide, we will provide you with expert tips, inspiring examples, and practical advice to help you deliver an unforgettable father-of-the-bride speech, even if you consider yourself shy. Let’s dive in!

Speak from the Heart

How to thank them, tips for writing a heartfelt father of the bride speech.

As the father of the bride, you have the important task of delivering a speech that honors your daughter and celebrates her special day. Crafting a heartfelt and memorable speech can seem daunting, but with some tips and guidance, you can create a toast that will be remembered for years to come.

• Start with a personal anecdote: Begin your speech with a personal story or memory that showcases your relationship with the bride. This will help establish an emotional connection with the audience and set the tone for the rest of your speech.
• Keep it concise: A lengthy speech can quickly lose the audience’s attention. Keep it short and sweet, aiming for a length of around five minutes. Focus on the most important points and memories you want to convey.
• Balance humor and sentimentality: A good wedding speech strikes a balance between humor and sincerity. Use humor to keep the audience engaged, but don’t forget to express your heartfelt emotions and well wishes for the newlyweds.
• Practice, practice, practice: Practice your speech in front of a mirror, family member, or friend. This will help you feel more comfortable and confident delivering it on the big day. Consider recording yourself so you can review and refine your performance.
• End with a powerful quote or sentiment: End your speech with a powerful quote or sentiment that encapsulates your feelings for the bride and groom. This will make a lasting impression on the audience and leave a memorable impression.

Following these tips will help you deliver a heartfelt and memorable speech that will be cherished by your daughter, her partner, and everyone in attendance.

Structuring Your Father of the Bride Speech

When it comes to delivering a memorable Father of the Bride speech, structuring it in a clear and organized manner is crucial. Here are some steps to help you create a great speech:

• Introduce yourself: Start your speech by introducing yourself and your relationship with the bride. The guests may not know who you are, so this is an important first step.
• Thank the guests: Thank everyone for taking the time to attend the wedding and celebrate this special day with the happy couple.
• Share some anecdotes: Share some personal stories or anecdotes about the bride. Choose stories that are appropriate for the occasion and that highlight her positive qualities.
• Welcome the groom: Welcome the groom to the family and share some welcoming words. Let him know how happy you are that he is joining your family.
• Offer advice: Offer some wedding or marriage advice to the newlyweds. This could be something based on your own experience or something you have learned from others.
• Toast the couple: Finally, raise a glass and toast the couple. Wish them a long and happy marriage and express your love and support for them.

Remember to keep your speech brief and to the point. Practice your delivery beforehand, so you feel comfortable and confident on the big day. By following these steps, you can create a heartfelt and memorable Father of the Bride speech that will be cherished for years to come.

Incorporating Humor into Your Father of the Bride Speech

As the father of the bride, delivering a speech on your daughter’s wedding day is an opportunity to express your love, pride, and appreciation for your daughter and her new spouse. Humor is an effective way to keep your speech engaging, entertaining, and memorable. However, adding humor to your father-of-the-bride speech can be intimidating, especially if you’re not used to public speaking. Here are some tips to help you incorporate humor into your speech:

• Keep it tasteful: Your daughter’s wedding is a momentous occasion, and you don’t want to offend anyone with inappropriate jokes or language. Avoid off-color humor, political jokes, or anything that could be construed as insensitive. Instead, focus on lighthearted anecdotes, clever one-liners, or gentle teasing.
• Target yourself: Self-deprecating humor can be endearing and relatable. Sharing a funny or embarrassing story about yourself can humanize you and make you more approachable. However, be mindful not to make yourself the butt of the joke too often or excessively.
• Know your audience: Different audiences have different tastes in humor. If most of the guests are elderly relatives, they may not appreciate edgy or raunchy humor. Consider tailoring your jokes to the audience’s sensibilities and avoid topics that could be divisive or controversial.
• Use humor sparingly: While humor can be an excellent tool to connect with your audience and break the tension, there is a point when it can be overdone. Avoid cramming too many jokes into your speech, and know when to transition to more sentimental or serious observations.
• Practice, practice, practice: Delivering your speech with confidence and timing is crucial for getting the right audience response. Practice your speech ahead of time in front of friends or family members, record yourself, and make adjustments as needed. The more comfortable you are, the more natural your humor will come across.

Practicing Your Delivery for the Father of the Bride Speech

Congratulations! You’ve successfully written your Father of the Bride speech. Now, it’s time to focus on practicing your delivery. Here are a few tips to help you with your practice sessions:

Rehearse in front of a mirror

Rehearsing in front of a mirror can help you visualize how you look while delivering the speech. This can help you work on your body language, facial expressions, and hand gestures to ensure that you look confident and comfortable.

Record yourself

Recording your practice sessions can be an excellent way to identify areas where you may need improvement. When listening to your recordings, pay attention to your tone, clarity, and pace. This can help you identify areas where you need to slow down, speed up, or change the inflection of your voice.

Practice in front of family or friends

Practicing your speech in front of trusted family members or friends can provide you with valuable feedback. Ask them to provide constructive criticism and feedback. This can help you identify how you can improve your speech and make it better.

Time yourself

Ensure that your speech is concise and to the point. Time yourself while delivering the speech to keep it within the allotted time frame. Be aware of time limits and make sure that you don’t exceed them.

You’ve prepared, practiced, and are now ready to deliver a memorable Father of the Bride speech. Take deep breaths and relax before delivering your speech. Remember that this is a celebration of your daughter’s big day, and speaking from the heart can make all the difference.

Following these tips can help you deliver a memorable Father of the Bride speech that your daughter and the guests will cherish for years to come.

Adding Personal Touches to Your Father of the Bride Speech

As the father of the bride, you play an important role in bringing a personal touch to your speech. It’s vital to connect with your audience and convey your emotions while keeping your speech uplifting and genuine. Here are some tips to add a personal touch to your Father of the Bride speech:

Share Your Memories

Start by sharing your memories of your daughter’s childhood or pivotal moments in her life. It can be memories you both cherish – the day she was born, her first steps, or her first football game. Remember to relate these memories to the love and pride you feel for your daughter and her partner. You can also add a humorous anecdote that reflects how you feel about the couple.

Speak about Your Feelings

Expressing your feelings and emotions is essential. Tell your daughter and her partner how proud you are, how much you love them, and how happy you are for them. Don’t hold back your emotions – let your love and pride shine through your words.

Add Quotes and Poetry

Including quotes and poetry that resonate with you and the couple can add a touch of elegance to your speech. It can be a short and sweet message, such as the timeless quote: “To the world, you may be one person; but to one person, you may be the world.” Or, you can add a favorite poem that reflects your daughter and her partner’s relationship.

Show Gratitude

Take a few moments to show gratitude, especially to your guests who have traveled from near and far to make this day special. Express your appreciation for the love and support that has been given to your family over the years. You can also thank the wedding party and everyone who has played a significant role in making the day a success.

End with Love and Blessings

Finally, end your speech with love and blessings. Whether it’s a simple and heartfelt message like “I love you,” or a prayer or blessing, let your words be a symbol of your love for your daughter and her partner.

Embrace Your Unique Style

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to a father-of-the-bride speech. Embrace your unique personality and style. Whether you’re naturally humorous, sentimental, or reflective, infuse your speech with your authentic self. This will make it more engaging and memorable for both the couple and the guests.

Express Your Love and Pride

One of the main purposes of a father-of-the-bride speech is to express your love and pride for your daughter. Share heartwarming stories, cherished memories, and qualities you admire in your daughter. Let your words reflect the depth of your emotions and the unconditional love you have for her.

Above all, remember that your words are coming from a place of love and affection. Allow yourself to be vulnerable and speak from the heart. Your genuine emotions will resonate with the couple and create a truly memorable experience for everyone.

By following these tips, you can deliver a heartfelt and memorable speech that will be treasured for years to come. Remember, the key is to keep it genuine, real, and from the heart.

Importance of Expressing Gratitude

One of the most crucial aspects of the Father of the Bride speech is the expression of gratitude. This is your opportunity to thank everyone who has played a significant role in your daughter’s life and her special day. Expressing gratitude not only makes the wedding guests feel appreciated, but it also helps to create a positive and memorable atmosphere.

Who to Thank

When expressing gratitude in your speech, start by thanking the guests for attending and acknowledge how honored you feel to be standing up there. From there, you can begin to thank specific people who have played a meaningful role in your daughter and new son-in-law’s lives. This can include:

• Your own family members
• Friends of the couple
• The wedding party
• The venue staff
• Anyone who traveled a long distance to attend

When thanking people, make sure to be specific about why you are grateful to them. It could be for their support, their love, or their contributions to the wedding planning. It’s also essential to keep your speech concise, so try not to get into too much detail about each person you’re thanking.

Another great way to show your gratitude is by presenting them with a small gift or mentioning a specific memory you share with them. These little personal touches are what make a Father of the Bride speech truly special.

Crafting and delivering a remarkable father-of-the-bride speech is an opportunity to honor your daughter, celebrate her marriage, and leave a lasting impression on all who attend the wedding. By embracing your unique style, starting with a heartfelt opening, expressing your love and pride, acknowledging your son-in-law, injecting humor and lightness, offering words of wisdom, raising a toast, and practicing diligently, you can create a speech that surpasses expectations and captivates the audience.

Remember, the key to delivering an unforgettable father-of-the-bride speech is authenticity. Let your love, pride, and genuine emotions shine through your words. Each element of your speech should be carefully crafted to engage the audience, evoke emotions, and celebrate the joyous occasion.

So, take a deep breath, trust in yourself, and embrace this wonderful opportunity to honor your daughter and her partner. Your words have the power to touch hearts, create lasting memories, and leave a profound impact on this momentous day.

Congratulations, and may your father of the bride speech be a cherished highlight of the wedding celebration.

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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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• Father of the Bride , Speech Advice
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(*Of course, if you’re looking for more than ‘advice’, check out all the different ways the Speechy team can help you write & deliver a great speech. Or check out our new AI-powered team member, SpeechyAI .)

STEP 1 – Say Hello

Don’t waffle. Introduce yourself if it’s a large wedding but crack on with it. Depending on the style of the wedding, there’s no need to address friends and family as ‘ladies and gentlemen’.

The main aim is to get guests laughing within the first couple of lines. Guests are on edge till they know they’re in safe hands. A joke will reassure them of this.

But , and it’s a Kardashian sized but, the joke needs to be a good one. It can’t be one that you’ve cut and pasted from a template and it can’t be a ‘wedding joke’ that you’ve googled (even if you found it on the 18 th page where no normal person dares to scroll).

The humour should reflect the wedding and its guests. If your daughter’s invited a load of hipsters, maybe it’s something simple like you ‘haven’t seen this many beards since the ZZ Top Farewell Tour’ (surely they’ve had one?). You’re looking for something inclusive that everyone can appreciate.

Check out our Make Your Wedding Speech Funny blog for more comedy-writing techniques.

STEP 2 -Welcome Everyone

You’re the wedding warm-up man and your job is to welcome all the guests.

Some dads take this too literally; studying the invite list and evaluating who’s worth a namecheck. The trouble with this is once you start mentioning certain people, others wonder why they’re not worthy.

It’s especially dangerous if you start mentioning elderly family members without properly considering your daughter’s partner’s side of the family too.

The best advice is to keep your welcome heartfelt but inclusive & concise.

And of course, remember, it’s actually the newlywed’s job to thank people.

STEP 3 – Tell Everyone How Wonderful Your Daughter Is

The biggest mistake dads make is telling people what they already know. Guests don’t need to hear about your daughter’s career achievements or how dedicated she is to her hobbies, they want to get a better insight into what type of person she is. They also want a laugh.

Start with her childhood. Think about the classic anecdotes that are, not only humorous but also reveal a bit of her character. Certainly include the stories that prove she’s always been caring or ambitious (or whatever unique qualities your daughter may possess) but be sure to include a few ‘naughty’ stories too. Dads are allowed to be sentimental and soppy but you never want to look pompous and you don’t want to be dull.

Of course, as well as her childhood, you need to talk about the woman she is today. Rather than just using adjectives and generic bridal clichés, think of a good story that illustrates her character. Remember, prove don’t tell.

When we work with dads, we try to find a narrative thread so that all the insights and anecdotes flow. You want your speech to sound like a story as opposed to seeming like a list of random thoughts. Check out our FOTB speech templates if you need help with that.

STEP 4 – Welcome Your Daughter’s Partner To The Family

Avoid the usual platitudes and try to pay a tribute to their unique character. Are they a tech-nerd, a deluded West Brom fan, or a closet crossword enthusiast? Find something fun to play with.

As well as appreciating what the groom/bride has brought to your daughter’s life, pinpoint the areas that you two have bonded over too… even if it’s just a mutual appreciation of malt whiskey. And, if you’re still married to your daughter’s mum, make sure she’s included in your endorsement of them too.

Finally, remember to pay a tribute to your new in-laws. Even if you don’t know them that well yet, say you’re looking forward to sharing lots more happy occasions with them in the future.

STEP 5 – Sum Up A Lifetime of Love

Yes, we know it’s easy for us to say but how exactly do you sum up a lifetime of love in less than ten minutes (or 1,300 words at an absolute maximum)?

To reassure you, no one expects Byron and no wants over-the-top declarations of fatherly devotion. Your daughter just wants to know that she’s an extra special person in your life and that she’s still got lifetime membership in your heart.

She wants to know you appreciate her for the woman she is today and the memories you’ve already shared. She wants to know that you approve of her new spouse and that you hope to make more memories with them now included in your family.

Of course, sometimes you’ll find someone is actually better at saying the things you want to say than you are! You may find our father of the bride quotes post helpful.

If you can use a quote that means something to you both then that will add something special. Think of the books you used to read together or the songs you’ve bonded over and see if that inspires the perfect words.

Of course, if you’re looking at creating your own poignant quotes, consider utilising SpeechyAI which can help turn your disparate thoughts into something more meaningful.

STEP 6 – Give a Heartfelt Toast

Conclude your speech with a toast to the married couple .

Traditionally it’s to the ‘ health and happiness of the happy couple’ but try to make it a bit more interesting than that – something that genuinely reflects the character of the couple and echoes the themes of your speech. It doesn’t need to be overly poetic – something simple like toasting ‘a lifetime of dancing on tables’ always works.

If you want more help, you can read three example father of the bride speeches we have written.

The Speechwriting Experts

The Speechy team  are TV-trained scriptwriters/comedians by trade & we’ve helped 1,000s of speakers around the world deliver their dream speech.

Our advice has been quoted everywhere from  The New York Times  to  Grazia  and from Forbes to The Observer . Our founder has also featured on the  BBC Sounds’ Best Men podcast with Jason Manford and written ‘ The Modern Couple’s Guide to Wedding Speeches’ , published by Little, Brown.

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How to Nail Your Father of the Bride Speech

Need help prepping for your moment in the spotlight? We’ve got a few helpful tips and tricks for your father of the bride speech.

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Your little girl is about to get hitched! Now it’s time for you to tell her just how proud you are. Writing a father of the bride speech can be tough, after all, you’ve probably got a lot to say and you’ve only got a few minutes to say it. If you’re having trouble penning your wedding speech, use these rules to guide you.

Here’s how to nail your father of the bride speech.

Introduce yourself.

As with any good speech, yours should begin with a brief introduction. You don’t have to be super formal - remember, you’re speaking to friends and family, not giving a presentation at work – so feel free to crack some jokes. Your father of the bride speech is also the perfect place to throw in a few thank you’s to anyone who helped host the wedding.

Give a shout out to those who couldn’t be there

Some of your nearest and dearest may not have been able to make it to the wedding and you can use your time in the spotlight to give them a little tribute. Say something sweet and sentimental like “[insert name of loved one] would have been so proud to see you on your big day” - your daughter will definitely appreciate it.

Take a walk down memory lane

Chances are you have plenty of tales to tell about your daughter, from her first words to her embarrassing teenage antics, and you probably want to share them all. Keep in mind that while guests would love to hear a few stories, they probably don’t want a twenty-minute presentation on her life. We suggest selecting one or two stand out moments to talk about in your father of the bride speech, that’ll keep everyone engaged.

Say some nice things about your new in-law

You’re being blessed with a new son or daughter (well, son- or daughter-in-law), so you should say some nice things about them, too. If you want to go the anecdotal route, talk about the first time that you met or some of the fun times you’ve shared. Haven’t had the chance to bond just yet? Simply express how excited you are to get to know them and how pumped you are that they’re joining your family.

Pass down some wisdom

Sharing is caring! You’ve got years of experience on them, so give the lovebirds a little bit of advice for their future. You don’t even have to focus on marriage, you could speak about happiness or love in more general terms if you feel like that’s more appropriate. Remember, this part doesn’t have to be super serious, if you’re trying to inspire some laughs, feel free to get a bit goofy and add in a few dad jokes (the audience will love it, guaranteed).

Make a toast

After you’ve told a few stories and blessed the happy couple with your sage wisdom, it’s time to finish off your father of the bride speech. Express your love and congratulate them one last time, then invite the rest of the crowd to raise their glasses and join you in cheersing to the guests of honour.

Don’t hog the mic

You won’t be the only person giving a speech at the wedding, so don’t monopolize the microphone. Yes, you probably have a lot to say, but try to focus on keeping things short and sweet. Wedding speeches should be around the 2-5 minute mark, so do your best to not go beyond that.

Join the “wedding speech” discussions in our community »

Related WeddingWire Articles

How to write a father of the bride speech

Easy Weddings

Writing – let alone actually delivering – your all-important father of the bride speech may seem daunting and, with all eyes on you, it’s understandable you’d be nervous. But you needn’t be because, once the speech is written and the nerves are subdued, it’s actually a wonderful moment that can be a real highlight, especially for your darling daughter.

The father of the bride speech is, usually, the first of the wedding speeches to be delivered, usually towards the end of the main meal . Traditionally, the father of the bride was the host of the wedding, but even where he isn’t, the father of the bride speech usually still includes many host-like aspects such as welcoming the guests and thanking them for their gifts.

Of course, traditionally, the father of the bride also share some words of wisdom or marriage advice – and, sometimes, even a few tears!

The delivery

Standing centre stage, delivering a speech in front of your nearest and dearest on such an important occasion may seem like a difficult, perhaps, terrifying task.

But remember, there is no need to worry at all. You’re surrounded by your friends and family, all of whom want to see you do well!

They know how proud you are and are probably dying to hear what you have to say! Simply take a deep breath and try and enjoy yourself.

Oh, and, if you’re considering steadying your nerves with a little liquid courage, be sparing in how much you drink. You don’t want to have too much courage, after all. You want to enjoy the moment and you want your daughter – and your entire family – to be proud of your performance, not embarrassed by it.

Getting started…

The hardest part of writing a good father of the bride speech is getting started.

A good tip is to break the speech down into headings. Under each heading, jot down some notes, ideas and emotions then expand on them.

Think about how you felt when your daughter was born, what it was like raising her as a child, some of her big milestones such as a graduation or a significant birthday. Then, attempt to put your emotions onto words.

As the speech starts to take shape, practice reading it out loud. Take note of how long it takes to read each section and try not to speak for longer than about five to seven minutes.

Want professional help?

Part 1: The introduction

But keep it clean.

People are expecting a mature gentleman, not a larrikin – that’s the best man’s role!

If joking is not your thing, simply start by introducing yourself and mentioning how beautiful the bride looks.

Say a few words about the wedding day so far, and how perfectly everything has run and, if you have a few funny stories from the lead up to the wedding or the early part of the wedding day itself, you can include those at the start of the speech.

Part 2: Welcome the guests

This is where your role as the father of the bride kicks in. Be sure to thank everyone for coming and give special thanks to those who have travelled to attend the celebrations.

Don’t forget to thank those who helped in the planning and organisation of your daughter’s big day and make sure you write down any names that you feel deserve a mention during this part of the speech.

Also, mention any significant family members or friends who are absent and, if you feel comfortable, those who may recently have passed away.

There are many great ways you can honour deceased loved one’s wedding ceremony. Here, for example, are 10 heart-warming ideas to honour any mothers who may have passed away.

Part 3: Now, it’s all about your daughter

This is the highlight of any father of the bride speech – and everyone’s waiting to hear it.

It’s not often you get to discuss your daughter’s many qualities and achievements so publicly, so make the most of it and indulge yourself. Make sure you compliment her; tell her how wonderful she looks and how proud you are of her. Don’t worry, it’s OK to gush about your darling daughter.

Try to talk a little about your daughter’s early years, perhaps tell a funny story or two about when she was like growing up. Feel free to tease her about some of the things she has done but be kind and don’t say anything that you know will really embarrass her.

Tell a story that reveals her personality: how strong, tough, creative, kind she is, perhaps? Or her love of animals or sports.

Finally, talk about when she met her new husband, making sure you tell the story in a positive way!

This will lead you nicely into the next part.

Part 4: And, don’t forget the son in law or daughter in law

Here, it is customary for the father of the bride to welcome the groom (or, in the case of a same-sex wedding, the other bride) into his family, and to express his happiness at the new connection between the two families that the marriage will bring.

Talk about your first encounter with the groom. Even if the first impression was not positive, it may be fun to mention it, as long as you follow up with how fond of him you are now – and say it

Depending on your relationship with your new son-in-law, it’s probably fine to poke (a little) fun at him, and to joke about what he is getting himself in for marrying your daughter.

Other anecdotes that work well include the first time you realised your daughter was in love with him and your reaction to their engagement.

Think of positive qualities about the groom that will make him a good husband and ways that he has made your daughter happy.

Part 5: Words of wisdom

At the end of your father of the bride speech, you should congratulate the happy couple on a wonderful wedding, and express your confidence in their future happiness together.

Traditionally, your closing should also contain some words of wisdom about life and marriage. This might include tips on how to have a happy marriage and things that are important in life.

This could be humorous or tongue-in-cheek.

Part 6: Toast

Finally, propose a toast to the bride and groom and have all the guests raise their glasses to the happy couple.

There you go. You’ve done it! It wasn’t that hard, was it?

Not sure you can do it? Visit our partners over at Speechform for info on how they can help you!

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