As the bride’s father, you will make the first toast at the wedding reception. This may not seem overwhelming if you’ve previously written a father-of-the-bride speech. However, you may feel flustered if this is your first time.
Here are some tips you can take with you in preparing your speech. If you have ever given a best man speech, you might know where to start. However, there are some differences to consider when taking the following 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 2023
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.
Father of the Bride Speech Template
General Outline for Father of the Bride Speech
- Introduce Yourself: Begin by introducing yourself and welcoming all the guests to the special day. You can also ask the bride if there are any special mentions she would like you to include, such as friends who have traveled from overseas.
- Welcome the Guests: If you’re the first toast-maker of the night, this would be the time to welcome all the guests to the reception or whichever event you are delivering the speech at. However, feel free to skip this step if you’re not the first speech and the guests have already been welcomed.
- Give Thanks: Take a moment to express gratitude towards your friends and family for coming to the wedding, and also thank the parents of your daughter’s new spouse for anything and everything that they did.
- Pepper in Some Fond Memories: Share some heartfelt anecdotes from your daughter’s lifetime through the eyes of her beloved dad. Choose some 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 spouse, 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. Only pick a couple of standout highlights that really speak to her character.
- Talk About the Present: 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: Take this time to welcome your daughter’s new spouse 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: Express how much you love and cherish your daughter. Remind her 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: 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: Include some sage wisdom for the happy couple, whether it’s a piece of marriage advice or just your most heartfelt wishes. This is an excellent time to give some dad-talk, but remember that there are other people present, and it’s not just you and your daughter.
Remember to keep your speech appropriate and respectful for the occasion, and practice ahead of time to ensure it flows smoothly. Good luck!
Father of the Bride Speech Tips
As a dad, you now have a general idea of what to include in your father of the bride speech. Here are some essential tips to make it the best speech anyone has ever heard:
- Consider a theme. Having an overarching theme will set the tone for the speech. It will make it easier for you to 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. 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. If you have a lot to say, 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 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. Avoid calling out how terrible some ex-boyfriends or girlfriends were in the past. Stick to positive anecdotes and memories that showcase your daughter’s good side, not mistakes.
- Don’t push for laughs. Don’t feel like you have to color your toast with joke after joke—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 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. 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 having trouble coming up with ideas, here are some questions you can ask yourself to get started with 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.)
What Should A Father Of The Bride Speech Include?
A classic father of the bride speech typically comprises of several important components, including greeting the guests, sharing personal stories and praising your daughter, extending a warm welcome to your new son-in-law or daughter-in-law, offering words of wisdom, and raising a toast to the newlyweds.
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 write your first draft, you can get a brainstorm with a few key people first.
Let the bride’s mother, any siblings, or really close family gather to reminisce about the bride, as they may recall some absolutely hilarious or important stories you have forgotten.
When you write, you can also go back and forth to this family group for extra details and clarification on facts. The result will help you feel less pressure than you would feel if you were going alone.
2. Focus On A Good Introduction
When opening the speeches section of the wedding, you should never just go straight into your speech at 100mph and instead introduce yourself. Most people in the room will know who you are, but a few don’t.
Additionally, it gives you confidence to get ready for public speaking confidently. Don’t sound 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 put your wedding guests at ease by making them laugh. You don’t need to make a silly joke or joke about the bride, but just something cute and quirky about the wedding or maybe an observation about the day that can really help you get started.
3. Don’t Spend Ages Thanking People
It’s important to avoid thanking everyone individually during your father of the bride speech. This is typically done during the groom’s speech, and if you attempt to do so, you’ll likely throw off the groom and make his speech more challenging.
Instead, opt for a more general expression of gratitude. Simply thank everyone who attended the wedding and witnessed one of the best moments of your life as your daughter gets married. This will convey your appreciation without overshadowing the groom’s speech and avoiding repetition.
4. Use Clever Quotes
Incorporating famous quotes into your father of the bride speech can be a great way to add emphasis and keep the speech moving. Some fathers choose to begin with a quote from a notable figure, using it to introduce a theme that will guide the rest of the speech.
If you’re known for your humor or charisma, a dramatic quote can elicit laughter from the audience right away. However, if you’re not naturally inclined towards showmanship, consider finding a quote that encapsulates how you feel about your daughter and using it in place of your own words if you’re struggling to articulate your emotions effectively.
5. Don’t Embarrass Your Daughter
It’s important to strike a balance between humorous and heartfelt anecdotes during your father of the bride speech. Avoid sharing overly graphic stories that may make your guests, especially the bride, feel uncomfortable. For instance, there’s no need to mention embarrassing details like bedwetting incidents.
You can still poke fun at your daughter, but do so in a charming and respectful way. Choose stories that are relevant to who she is today and highlight her growth and achievements. For example, you could share a story about how she was always fascinated by animals and brought all sorts of creepy crawlies into the house, and how this passion led her to become a successful veterinarian. Or, you could mention how she used to be quite clumsy as a child, and it’s amazing to see her now as a successful dancer. Alternatively, you could share a funny anecdote about her wild imagination as a child and how it has now translated into her career as a successful 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 perfect. The guests want to hear all the good bits as well as the less so, because it’s much more real and will represent a 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
It’s important to keep in mind that your father of the bride speech should be centered around your daughter and her partner.
After writing your speech, review it to ensure that you’re not using “I” or “me” more than “she” or “her”. If you find that you’re talking about yourself more than your daughter, then it’s likely that the speech is too self-centered.
While the anecdotes you share are your own, they should focus on your daughter and how they shaped her into the person she is today. Avoid making the anecdotes about your own feelings or how they impacted you, and instead, highlight your daughter’s growth and achievements.
12. End With A Toast
As the first speaker, it’s important to end your speech on a strong note. This will ensure the overall success of the speech and help transition smoothly to the next speaker.
To achieve this, make sure you have a powerful concluding sentence, followed by a clear instruction to the guests to stand and toast. It’s crucial to communicate clearly and precisely to avoid confusion and ensure everyone participates in the toast. State the exact words you want the guests to use and invite them to stand for a resounding toast.
Lastly, practice delivering your father of the bride speech with confidence and at a moderate pace. Remember to smile and engage with the audience. It’s also a good idea to have your spouse or partner review your draft speech to ensure accuracy and avoid any embarrassing moments.
Wishing you the best of luck!
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.
Dear friends and family,
Today is a momentous day for me as a father, as I watch my beautiful daughter marry the love of her life. As I stand here today, I am filled with so much joy and gratitude.
I remember when my daughter was just a little girl, with big dreams and an even bigger heart. She was always so kind and compassionate, with a contagious smile that could light up any room. Watching her grow into the incredible woman she is today has been the greatest privilege of my life.
As I look at her now, standing before us all in her stunning wedding dress, I am filled with pride and admiration. She has accomplished so much, both personally and professionally, and I know that she will continue to achieve great things in the years to come.
To my daughter and her partner, I want to say that I am thrilled to see the love and commitment you have for each other. You are both such amazing individuals, and together, you make a truly remarkable couple. I have no doubt that your love will continue to grow and flourish, and that you will have a long and happy life together.
To everyone here today, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for being a part of this special day. Your presence means the world to us, and we are honored to share this moment with you.
Finally, to my daughter, I want to say that I love you more than words can express. You have brought so much joy and happiness into my life, and I am so proud to be your father. I wish you nothing but love, happiness, and success in all your future endeavors.
Cheers to the newlyweds, and to a lifetime of love and happiness.
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.
Ladies and gentlemen,
As the father of the bride, I have the pleasure of sharing some stories about my lovely daughter on this special day. Now, I know some of you may be expecting a sappy speech, but I promise to keep it light and entertaining.
Let me start by saying that my daughter has always been full of surprises. When she was just a little girl, she had a fascination with bugs. She would bring all sorts of creepy crawlies into the house, much to her mother’s dismay. But, I have to admit, it was pretty impressive to see her fearlessly hold a tarantula in her tiny hands.
As she got older, my daughter’s love for adventure only grew. She was always up for trying new things, even if it meant getting a little bruised and battered. I remember when she decided to take up skateboarding, and let’s just say, it didn’t go so well. She fell off the board more times than I could count, but she never gave up. And now, she’s a pro at snowboarding and surfing.
But, as much as my daughter loves adventure, she also has a wild imagination. When she was younger, she would come up with the craziest stories. I remember one time she convinced her little brother that she had a pet unicorn named Sparkles. Of course, we all played along, and even set a place for Sparkles at the dinner table. It was all fun and games until her brother asked if he could ride Sparkles to school.
All jokes aside, I am so proud of the woman my daughter has become. She is smart, talented, and has a heart of gold. And now, she has found the love of her life in her partner. I couldn’t be happier for the two of them.
To my daughter and her partner, I wish you a lifetime of love, laughter, and adventure. And to everyone here today, thank you for being a part of this special day. Let’s raise a glass to the newlyweds and the start of their beautiful journey together. Cheers!
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.
Good evening everyone. I’m honored to stand here today as the father of the bride. I want to start by thanking all of you for coming to celebrate this special day with us. It means a lot to me and my family.
I also want to take a moment to thank the groom and his family for all they have done to make this day possible. We are thrilled to welcome him into our family and know that he will make a wonderful husband to our daughter.
As I stand here today, I can’t help but reflect on the wonderful young woman my daughter has become. She has always been a joy to be around, and I’m so proud of all she has accomplished. From her academic achievements to her professional success, she has truly made her mark on the world.
But what I’m most proud of is the kind, caring, and compassionate person she has become. She has a heart of gold and always puts others first. I know that she will make an amazing wife and partner to her new husband.
So, to my daughter and her new husband, I want to say congratulations. You are embarking on a new journey together, and I know that it will be filled with love, laughter, and joy. I wish you all the happiness in the world.
And to everyone here today, I want to say thank you again for being a part of this special day. Let’s raise a glass to the happy couple!”
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.
Good luck, father!
Here is our expertly curated ultimate speech checklist.
- 30+ Best Maid Of Honor Speech Examples [Structure & Tips]
- 20+ Heartfelt Maid of Honor Speech for Sister Examples
- Best Man Speech Examples, Tips & Structure
- Father of The Bride Speech Guide, Tips & Examples
- Father of the Groom Speech: Structure, Examples & Ideas
- How to Write Sister of the Groom Speech: Samples & Tips
- Mother of the Bride Speech: Examples, Ideas and Writing Tips
Comments are closed.