Father of the bride speeches

By Catalogs Editorial Staff

This special relationship is reflected in the father of the bride speech

The bond between a father and a daughter is extra special. She will likely base all of her significant others on him and he will likely think no one is ever good enough for her. For this and many other reasons, the father of the bride speech at a wedding is important. What he says in the speech not only affects him and his daughter, but the rest of the family and the guests.

Father of the bride speeches should include a few key topics, but most of all, speak genuinely and from the heart.

When to Give the Speech

Typically, guests arrive at the reception and enjoy a few cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. They then enjoy the wedding menu and have a few moments to rest before the dancing and fun starts.

At this time, the father usually gives his speech. This is a perfect placement, as it’s before people start getting rowdy and it’s a suitable entryway for the fun to begin. The speech is also before the guests have had too much to drink, so everyone will likely be alert and behaved for the speech.

After the speech is given, the parents of the bride typically present the bride and groom with a wedding gift, if they haven’t already done so. This gift is often money or something that is sentimental and pertains to the bride and groom’s relationship. However, if the parents of the bride don’t want all of the guests to see the gift, they may opt to give the present after the reception.

What to Include in the Speech

Although all father of the bride speeches should not be the same, they should include some similar parts.

For instance, the father should welcome all of the guests and thank them for attending the wedding. The father usually talks about how wonderful his daughter is and the accomplishments she’s achieved. He should get into how she makes him and her mother proud and how happy they are that she has found such a great husband. The speech should also include a story or two about the bride and groom and positive characteristics about the groom.

A toast to the bride and groom is given at the end and typically wishes them lots of love, and a long and happy life together.

What Not to Include in the Speech

You know those gorgeous wedding favors that are making the tables look lovely? The father of the bride may find a few of them chucked at him if he happens to mention the wrong things in his speech.

Brides don’t typically appreciate super embarassing bits of knowledge inserted into the speech. Although a few cute jabs are perfectly fine, something that is super awkward for the bride is not acceptable. The same thing goes for the groom; don’t delve into taboo subjects or about that time he sneezed and had an ?accident? in front of the entire family. These anecdotes are funny in the confines of your own home, but not in front of a few hundred of your closest friends.

Father of the bride speeches are meant to be sentimental, comforting, tear-jerking and sweet enough to earn a collective ?awww? from the audience. Don’t ruin your daughter’s special day by delivering an inappropriate specch.

Resources:

Wedding Central Australia: Father of the Bride Speeches

Speech Topics Help, Advice and Ideas: Father of the Bride Speech ? 30 Topic Ideas