Father of the Groom Speech: Structure, Examples & Ideas 2024

A good father-of-the-groom speech should be personal, humorous, and moving. What makes THIS toast personal is the excellent and heartfelt advice that the father offers to the newly married couple.

Even if the father’s marital history is not that good, the lesson learned element can be very poignant and appropriate when expressed appropriately.

If you want to write your own speech, use this example of a father-of-the-groom speech. If you begin personalizing the words given below, the example father of the groom speech may inspire you with some fresh ideas.

In This Article show

Father of the Groom Speech Outline

The most effective and efficient way to get started on a speech is to follow some sort of guide.

Check out the key parts to our father of the groom speech writing outline:

Introduce Yourself
Thank the Guests
Talk about your Son
Talk about your New Daughter or Son-in-Law
Communicate Why You’re Excited about Their Marriage
End with a Wish for the Couple

Introduce Yourself

Start off your speech by communicating who you are to everyone. While many guests will already know you, there will be plenty of people in the room who do not.

State your name and your relationship to the couple.

Examples of How to Start Your Father of The Groom Speech:

Good evening, everyone. My name is Derek and I’m the father of the groom.

Welcome! To my new family and friends, I’m Joe and I’m the father of the groom.

If this is a same-sex wedding and there are two grooms, be sure to get even more specific than simply stating that you’re the father of the groom.

Addition Introduction Examples:

My name is Charles and I’m Jack’s father.

My name is Kenny and Seth is my son.

Thank the Guests

Next, show appreciation to your guests for celebrating with you.

As the father of the groom, you are seen as a sort of host at the wedding. And a host will give thanks for their guest’s attendance.

Examples of How to Thank Your Guest:

I’d like to thank you all for being here to celebrate with me today.

Thank you all for joining my wife and I as we celebrate this joyous occasion.

Thank you for being here to witness my son as he takes this milestone into marriage.

Talk about Your Son

As the father of the groom, you’ll want to highlight your son right away.

What should this section of your father of the groom speech include?

There are two main things you should be sure to cover:

Qualities and characteristics of your son: Describe his personality and traits that you admire about him
Anecdotal stories: Relive funny and especially memorable stories from his childhood

Once you’ve written about your son and detailed a specific story, then use that concept and tie it to his partner and marriage.

Some things to mention may be:

His childhood: nicknames, school reports, memorable moments, unusual injuries, hobbies, what he wanted to be when he grew up.
Your family: how he used to get on with his siblings, if he’s the first or last to marry, what his mum thinks of her little boy all grown up, did you ever imagine he’d marry.
Marriage advice: any words of wisdom you can offer, favourite or funny quotes.
The couple: how have you interacted with the couple, what happened when he first brought his new partner home, how he’s changed (for the better!) since meeting them, your wishes for their future.
His friends: you may have known them as kids too so what’s it like to see them all grown up.
Grandchildren: if they already have kids, definitely say how proud you are of the them and the couple as parents and if they are planning them, say how excited you are to become grandparents.

Examples of How to Talk About Your Son:

Todd has always been such a hardworking and dedicated person. Even at just 11 years old, he set up an art stand at the end of our driveway to showcase his drawings. He’d ask our neighbors to bid on his work and then he’d happily deliver it to the highest bidder. I guess it shouldn’t have surprised his mother and me when he went on to become an art seller. He knows when he’s found something beautiful and special and that’s what led him to marry Lindsey today.

Jake has always enjoyed the element of surprise. Whether it was jumping out of closets to scare his brothers or planning a “surprise” anniversary party for my wife and me—which occurred every year by the way—he loves a good surprise. Perhaps it’s the excitement of it or the bonding experience that inevitably happens between him and the person he surprises. I hope that Jake and his new wife live a life full of surprises that bring them plenty of excitement and may their bond grow stronger because of these moments.

Talk about Your New Daughter or Son-in-Law

Within your father of the groom speech, it’s important to also highlight details about your son’s spouse.

Follow the same format that we noted above for this section but now, focus on your new daughter or son-in-law.

Examples of How to Include Your Son’s Spouse in Your Speech:

I can remember the first time I met Candace. She came over for a summer cookout. I fired up the grill and before I could put the steaks down, she grabbed the tray from my hands and took over. I can’t lie—those were the best cooked steaks I’ve ever had in my life. And I knew from that moment on, not only would my son be well-fed but he’d always be taken by surprise in the most wonderful of ways.
As a father, all I have ever wanted for Evan was to feel loved. Jason, when we met, I saw a man with the biggest heart and the most compassionate attitude. Here, I thought, is a man that will love my son for all of who he is and for all of his days.

Explain Why Their Marriage Excites You

Everyone from the guests to the new spouse will be curious to know—what do you think of this couple as they enter into marriage? How does this make you feel?

This section of your father of the groom toast is where you’ll answer these questions.

Detail out why you’re happy that they’re married and what hopes and wishes you have for them throughout their entire marriage.

Examples of How to Detail out Wishes for Ther Marriage:

My wife and I have been married for 38 years. Throughout that time, I’ve learned that there are three key ingredients to a happy marriage. Communicate with each other clearly, kiss each other daily, and always—always share your dessert.
I am so grateful you have found each other and can celebrate a lifetime of laughter, happiness, and love together.

End with a Wish for the Couple

The number one way to ensure you have a killer speech is to close with a powerful last line. If you have a strong last line, your guests will remember your father of the groom speech as a winner!

Aim to keep it to one sentence. Try to make it a short sentence. And finally, it should pack a lot of punch.

Examples of Last Lines for a Father of the Groom Speech:

I’m so grateful that my Broadway star has found his leading lady.
May your marriage be full of more love than you can experience in this lifetime.
I’m so thankful and excited to now have two sons in the family.
To my wonderful son and my new daughter—I love you both.

Father of the Groom Speech Jokes

“The couple has requested that I don’t share any embarrassing stories… so that’s it from me. Thanks for listening!”
“[Son’s name], I love you so much, and I really hope you’ll feel the same about me after you hear my speech.”
“I was trying to figure out the perfect wedding gift for you, and it’s this speech.”
“Gosh, what an emotional day it’s been. Even the cake is in tiers.”
“The couple actually had a bit of trouble finding someone to make a speech today. They started by asking their funniest friend, and they said no. Then they asked their most charming friend, and they said no. After that, they asked their best-looking friend and, again, they said no. Then they asked me, and after already turning them down three times, I decided I couldn’t refuse again.”
“I think we can all agree that it’s been a fantastic day. But unfortunately that ends right here with my speech.”
“Loyal. Kind. Honest. Generous… That’s enough about me, I’m here to talk about [son’s name].”

FAQs

Why is the father of the groom speech important?

Generally speaking, the host of the wedding is who presents a toast to the newlyweds which at many weddings is the father of the bride. But as the father of the groom, you are also welcome to break tradition especially if you are paying for a portion of the wedding (cause that makes you a co-host).

Today, the groom’s dad giving a speech is becoming more and more popular. As the father of the groom, it is important for you to share your pride, and love for the couple as well as some well-wishes for their future life together. If you want to say some loving words to the couple make sure to check with them first to get their approval.

How long should a father of the groom speech be?

In order to keep guests engaged during your wedding speech, brevity is key. Aim to speak for no more than 4 to 6 minutes, or less if possible. Expect that there will be some overlap between speeches (like thanking guests for coming). Use funny or touching stories about your son’s childhood in order to make your speech stand out.

When should the father of the groom present his toast ?

The traditional wedding speech order doesn’t include the groom’s dad, the best place for you to present your inspirational toast is after your son and before the best man’s speech. The best man speech is the highlight and you want to make sure you don’t upstage him.

What NOT to say in a father of the groom speech?

Although you can craft your father of the groom speech any way you’d like, there are some things you should avoid saying:
Don’t tell embarrassing or hurtful stories about your son.

Don’t make negative or cynical comments about your new daughter or son; Focus only on the positive.

Don’t over-imbibe before delivering your toast. This could derail your speech and cause you to say things you didn’t intend to say.

Don’t make inappropriate or off-color jokes. You don’t want to offend anyone during your speech.

Tips on what to indlude in the father of the groom speech?

Introduce Yourself (a no-brainer, we know, but the nerves may make you forget too)
Greetings To The Wedding Guests
Comments About The Newlyweds
Thank All The Vendors
Add-In Some Fatherly Wisdom
Tips For A Healthy Marriage
Toast To The Couple

Here is our expertly curated ultimate speech checklist.