How to Write the Best Parents of the Bride Speech

parents of the bride speech

A wedding day is a monumental occasion, not just for the bride and groom but for their parents as well. As the bride’s parents, you have the unique honor of sharing heartfelt words that capture the joy, love, and pride you feel for your daughter on her special day. Crafting the perfect parents of the bride speech can feel daunting. Still, with a little guidance and inspiration, you can create a memorable and meaningful tribute that resonates with everyone in attendance.

As a wedding videographer, I’m fortunate to witness countless beautiful moments, including many touching speeches from the bride’s parents. In this article, I will share some of the best examples I’ve captured with practical tips to help you write and deliver a speech that reflects your emotions and makes a lasting impression.

Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or someone who can be a bit nervous when speaking in front of a room, these insights will help you genuinely honor your daughter.

Table of Contents

How to start a parents of the bride speech

Here’s how to start your parents of the bride speech in a way that resonates with the audience and sets the stage for a touching tribute.

  1. Warm Welcome: Begin by warmly welcoming all the guests. Express gratitude for their presence and acknowledge any special attendees, such as relatives who traveled a long way.
  2. Introduce Yourself: Introduce yourself and your relationship to the bride. This helps to establish a personal connection with the audience.
  3. Share a Memory: Start with a fond memory or a story from the bride’s childhood. This adds a personal touch and highlights the special bond with your daughter.
  4. Express Emotions: Convey your emotions about this special day. Let your genuine feelings of joy, pride, and perhaps a bit of nostalgia shine through.

Remember to keep it genuine and heartfelt. Your speech is a reflection of your love and pride for your daughter.

Related Article: How to Write the Best Parents of the Groom Speech

What should the parents of the bride say in their speech?

A bride’s parents’ speech should be heartfelt, memorable, and reflect their unique bond with their daughter. Here’s a guide on what to include:

  1. Warm Welcome: Begin by welcoming guests and expressing gratitude for their presence. Acknowledge any special attendees, such as relatives who traveled far.
  2. Introduction: Introduce yourself and your relationship to the bride. Share a brief story or memory that highlights your daughter’s character and your bond.
  3. Reflect on Childhood: Reflect on your daughter’s childhood, sharing cherished memories and anecdotes that illustrate her growth and personality over the years. This can add a personal and nostalgic touch to your speech.
  4. Compliment the Bride: Praise your daughter’s qualities, achievements, and the woman she has become. Share anecdotes that showcase her personality, kindness, and strengths.
  5. Acknowledge the Groom: Welcome the groom into the family and share positive observations about him. Highlight what makes him a great match for your daughter.
  6. Express Emotions: Convey your emotions about this significant day. Whether it’s pride, joy, or a touch of nostalgia, let your genuine feelings shine through.
  7. Offer Advice and Wishes: Share some wisdom or advice for the couple’s future. This can be based on your own experiences or general life lessons. Conclude with heartfelt wishes for their happiness and success.
  8. Toast: End your speech with a toast to the newlyweds, inviting guests to join you in celebrating their union.

In the video above, John and Linda, proud parents of the bride, touch on all of these points as they brilliantly mix sentiment and humor to the delight of the wedding guests.

parents of the bride speech

How long should the parents of the bride speech be?

A parents of the bride speech should ideally be between 5 to 7 minutes long. This timeframe allows you to convey your heartfelt message, share meaningful anecdotes, and express your emotions without losing the audience’s attention.

Here are some tips to ensure your speech stays within the ideal length:

  1. Plan and Outline: Create an outline of the key points you want to cover, including a warm welcome, an introduction, memorable stories, compliments to the bride and groom, and your heartfelt wishes.
  2. Practice: Rehearse your speech several times to get comfortable with the flow and timing. Practicing will help you stay within the desired timeframe and reduce nerves.
  3. Be Concise: Focus on the most important and impactful stories or messages. Avoid lengthy digressions or overly detailed anecdotes.
  4. Time Yourself: Use a timer during your practice sessions to ensure your speech stays within the 5 to 7-minute range.

By keeping your speech concise and well-structured, you’ll create a memorable and engaging experience for everyone at the wedding.

How to balance humor and sentiment in your parents of the bride speech

Balancing humor and sentiment in a parents of the bride speech can create a memorable and heartfelt experience for everyone. Start with a warm welcome and heartfelt sentiments, expressing your love, pride, and joy for your daughter and the significance of the day. This sets a sincere tone and establishes an emotional connection with the audience.

Once you’ve laid the sentimental foundation, gradually introduce light humor. Share funny, endearing stories from your daughter’s childhood or amusing anecdotes that highlight her personality. Make sure the humor is tasteful and appropriate for the occasion, ensuring it adds to the speech without overshadowing the heartfelt messages.

Weave humor and sentiment throughout your speech, creating a natural ebb and flow that keeps the audience engaged and emotionally invested. Gentle, relatable humor works best, avoiding jokes that could be misinterpreted or offend anyone. Light, playful humor that everyone can appreciate is ideal for a wedding setting.

Incorporate humor when highlighting the groom, sharing positive observations about him and his relationship with your daughter. Compliment his qualities and recount amusing moments that show why he’s a perfect match for your daughter.

Conclude your speech on a sentimental note, sharing your hopes and wishes for the couple’s future, emphasizing the love and support you have for them. By thoughtfully balancing humor and sentiment, your speech will be engaging, heartfelt, and memorable, ensuring you connect with the audience while honoring your daughter and celebrating the joyous occasion.

Other FAQs

Both parents of the bride don’t need to give a speech, but it can be a nice touch depending on the family dynamic and the flow of the wedding. Traditionally, the father of the bride is more likely to give a speech, often welcoming guests, offering wisdom, and sharing emotional stories about the bride.

However, modern weddings often break with tradition, and many brides opt for both parents to speak if they feel it represents their family better. Here are some considerations:

  • Family Tradition: In some families, it’s customary for only one parent (usually the father) to speak. In others, both parents might want to share their thoughts.
  • Comfort Level: If both parents feel comfortable speaking in front of a crowd, they can each give a speech, or they can even collaborate on a joint speech.
  • Wedding Timeline: If the timeline is tight, one well-crafted speech by either parent may be more appropriate to avoid prolonging the speeches.
  • Personalization: Some couples may prefer both parents to speak to honor their unique roles in their lives. It also allows both parents to express their individual feelings and thoughts.

To make your parent of the bride speech emotional without being too long, focus on the key moments and emotions you want to express while keeping it concise. Here are some tips:

  1. Start with a Personal Story: Choose one heartfelt memory or anecdote that captures the essence of your relationship with your daughter. Keep it short but meaningful, something that highlights her character, your bond, or a special moment.
  2. Express Love and Pride: Briefly share how proud you are of your daughter and how much you love her. Avoid listing accomplishments; focus on the qualities that make her unique and wonderful.
  3. Acknowledge the Marriage: Share a few warm words about the groom (or spouse) and their relationship. Mention how happy you are to welcome them into the family and your hopes for their future together.
  4. Avoid Clichés: Instead of relying on generic phrases, use specific, personal words that come from the heart. Speak sincerely, and the emotion will come through naturally.
  5. Keep it Positive and Uplifting: Focus on celebrating your daughter’s happiness and this new chapter in her life, rather than dwelling too long on emotional goodbyes or nostalgic sadness.
  6. End with a Toast: Wrap up your speech with a simple, heartfelt toast to the couple, wishing them a lifetime of happiness.

By focusing on a few key sentiments and delivering them with sincerity, your speech will be emotional without being lengthy.

To thank the groom’s family in your speech, keep it warm, sincere, and respectful. Here are a few ways to approach it:

  1. Express Gratitude for Their Role: Acknowledge the love and support the groom’s family has given him over the years. You can say something like, “We are so grateful to [groom’s name]’s family for raising such a wonderful person.”
  2. Welcome Them to Your Family: Extend a heartfelt welcome to the groom’s family, showing that you’re excited to blend with your family. For example, “We feel so blessed to welcome [groom’s family name] into our lives, and we look forward to many happy memories together.”
  3. Show Appreciation for Their Support of the Couple: Mention how much it means to you that they’ve supported the relationship and marriage. “We know that [groom] wouldn’t be the amazing person he is today without the love and support of his family.”
  4. Keep it Simple and Genuine: You don’t need to go overboard—just a few sincere sentences to express gratitude and welcome will go a long way.

Here’s an example: “We’d like to take a moment to thank [groom’s family] for raising such a kind, loving, and thoughtful man. We’re thrilled to welcome you into our family, and we look forward to sharing many wonderful moments in the years ahead.”

By being authentic and warm, you’ll leave a positive impression and make the groom’s family feel appreciated.

Photos in this article courtesy of Mario Colli Photography, Ben & Hope Photography.

Similar Posts