How to Write the Best Father of the Bride Speech
As a wedding videographer, I have witnessed many emotional moments, but nothing compares to the father of the bride speech. It is a unique opportunity for a dad to express his love, pride, and gratitude to his daughter and her partner on their special day.
If you’re like most fathers, you know the whirlwind of emotions that comes with your daughter’s wedding. Happiness, sadness, pride, and nervousness are just a few feelings that come to mind. You want to craft a speech that’s both heartfelt and humorous, memorable yet concise. You aim for a speech that will make her smile, maybe even cry, but cherish.
How do you balance heartfelt emotion with entertaining humor? How can you write a speech that’s both personal and memorable, while avoiding overused phrases? It’s a tall order, but you can create a speech that captures the heart and moves the crowd.
Over the years, I have witnessed hundreds of father-of-the-bride speeches. I have seen what works, what makes the guests laugh and cry, and what leaves a lasting impression on the bride and groom.
In this article, I will share some tips and tricks I have learned from my experience, and show you real examples from the weddings I’ve captured to provide the perfect inspiration.
Updated 2, December 2024
Brilliant Father of the Bride Speeches
How do you start the Father of the Bride speech?
Your speech should start by welcoming the guests and thanking the hosts and anyone who helped with the wedding preparations. Then, you should introduce yourself and your relationship to the bride, and tell some personal stories or anecdotes about her. You should also mention how you met or got to know her spouse, and what you like or admire about them.
Next, you should express your feelings about their marriage and your support for their future. You can also offer some advice or words of wisdom for the couple, based on your own experience or values.
Finally, you should end your speech by proposing a toast to the couple, wishing them happiness, love, and success. Remember to keep your speech short, positive, and sincere. You can also add some humor, emotion, or personal touches to make it more memorable and unique.
There are many different ways to start a father of the bride speech. Some fathers like to break the ice with a joke, while others choose a quote or a story. There is no right or wrong way to start your speech, but the most important thing is to be sincere.
Related Article: The Best Father of the Groom Speech Examples
Quick Tips for Starting a Father of the Bride Speech
- Start with a joke. This is a good way to break the ice and get everyone laughing. Just make sure the joke is appropriate for the occasion and doesn’t offend anyone.
- Start with a quote. This is a good way to set the tone for your speech and to share some wisdom with the audience. Choose a quote that is meaningful to you and that reflects your feelings about your daughter and her new spouse.
- Start with a story. This is a good way to share a personal anecdote about your daughter or her new spouse. It can be a funny story, a heartwarming story, or a story that illustrates their character.
- Start with a poem. This is a more creative way to start your speech. Choose a poem you love and think is appropriate for the occasion.
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What Should a Father of the Bride speech include?
Make sure it is sincere no matter what you choose to include in your speech. This is your chance to tell your daughter how much you love her and how proud you are of her. It is also your chance to welcome her new spouse into the family.
Here’s an example:
“As a father of daughters, you tend to believe that you know what’s best for them. You put them in the right direction, you help them out with issues, be the tough man when you have to be. You try and guide them all right and you think that’s going to be your role for life.”
“Well, today the next stage of Kate’s life I’m very proud to say that’s no longer my role. My new son-in-law takes the spot as number one and I know he’ll perform it fantastically as Kate will look after him. So if you could raise your glasses to my son-in-law and Kate. To the bride and groom.”
What should I say in my daughter’s wedding speech?
When delivering a wedding speech to your daughter, it is important to focus on the memories you have shared and the joy you feel in seeing her get married. Take a moment to reminisce about the special moments you shared with your daughter throughout her childhood.
Mention how those memories have shaped her into the wonderful person she is today. Share stories that showcase her unique personality and highlight her achievements while also conveying your deep love and admiration for her.
As you transition into discussing her wedding day express how proud you are of the person she has become and how happy you are to see her marrying the love of her life. Talk about the emotions you felt as you walked her down the aisle and the joy you experienced as you watched her exchange vows with her partner.
Last but not least end the speech with a heartfelt message of love and support for the newlyweds and a toast to their future happiness together. By focusing on memories and emotions you can create a wedding speech that truly celebrates the bond between a father and his daughter on her special day.
Venue: Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove Resort
How long Should a father of the bride wedding speech be?
The ideal length of a good father of the bride speech typically ranges from six to nine minutes. This duration is long enough to express heartfelt sentiments and share meaningful anecdotes without becoming too lengthy and losing the audience’s attention. Keeping the speech concise and well-structured will ensure that it remains engaging and memorable.
Father of the Bride Speech Template & Outline
- Introduction (1-2 minutes):
- Welcome and thank all guests for sharing this special day
- Introduce yourself (remember, not everyone knows you’re the bride’s father)
- Express your emotions about this milestone moment
- Consider opening with a brief touching or humorous comment to set the tone
- Welcome the Groom and His Family (1-2 minutes):
- Welcome your new son-in-law into the family
- Acknowledge and welcome the groom’s family
- Share what impressed you about your new son-in-law
- Mention how you’ve seen your daughter grow happier with him
- Stories About Your Daughter (2-3 minutes):
- Share 1-2 meaningful stories about your daughter growing up
- Include a mixture of touching and lighthearted moments
- Keep stories appropriate and avoid embarrassing anecdotes
- Connect past stories to her present character
- The Couple’s Relationship (1 minute):
- Share when you first knew this relationship was special
- Mention how they complement each other
- Express your confidence in their future together
- Closing Toast (1 minute):
- Offer brief words of wisdom for married life
- Welcome the groom officially into your family
- Raise your glass to the happy couple
- End with a heartfelt wish for their future
Recommended Total time: 6-9 Minutes
Remember, this is just a general father of the bride speech outline and can be adjusted to suit your style. The key is to express genuine emotions, show love and support, and keep the speech focused on celebrating the couple’s love and happiness.
Related Article: How to Write the Best Parents of the Groom Speech
Simple Father of the Bride speech
If you want to keep it simple when writing or giving your father of the bride speech this is the perfect example. In the video above, Reece only spoke for five minutes but in that time he touched on all the main points needed for a great speech while sprinkling in bits of humor.
He talked about meeting the groom for the first time and shared an awkward, but funny story during that initial phase of getting to know Kobe. Reece also described his daughter’s character by telling a short story to convey who she truly is.
He then beautifully explained the couple’s relationship from a parent’s perspective before finally giving some advice for their future.
Overall, this is an ideal example of a short and sweet father of the bride speech.
Related Article: How to Write the Best Mother of the Bride Speech
How do you end the Father of the Bride speech?
The father of the bride can end his speech in a few different ways, but it usually involves a combination of these elements:
- A toast to the couple: This is the most traditional way to end the speech. Invite everyone to raise their glasses and propose a toast to the happy couple’s future happiness and love.
- Words of wisdom (optional): You can offer some brief words of wisdom or advice to the couple based on your own experiences. Keep it light and positive, focusing on important aspects of a happy marriage like communication, respect, and teamwork.
- Expressing love and support: Reiterate your love and support for your daughter and her new spouse. Let them know you’re happy for them and excited for their future together.
In one of the best, and most emotional, closings to a father of the bride speech I’ve ever heard, Grant becomes overwhelmed as he gives a touching tribute to his daughter Rebekah.
“To you Rebekah, I say thank you. For the commitment that you have put into your life, the obstacles you have overcome, the negativity you put aside, but above all the love, the joy, the laughter, and the reason for living that you gave to me.”
