Father of the bride speech help !!

enthusiasticsaver

My husband did a brilliant job of father of the bride speech when our daughter got married almost three years ago now. He dug out some old photos of her, blew them up(and laminated them) and did a funny story about her as she was growing up. She was a bit of a clown as a child so he was spoilt for choice. He then produced one of both her and our son in law pulling funny faces together and said they were made for each other. It was funny but poignant and not embarrassing at all for anyone. I think this is the best balance.

He started by welcoming guests on behalf of him and myself (important not to forget the brides mother although in our case our son in law and daughter acknowledged me in their responses), he then talked a little about our daughter as she was growing up (with the photos which he held up so everyone could see) and then welcomed our son in law and his family into ours.

Grenage

Avoid internet examples of any speeches; that goes more for the best-man's than the father's speech, but it's still relevant Nothing worse than just another speech that's clearly been mashed together from a handful of others.

Feel free to compare your work to others after you've composed the speech.

I agree with the other posters about avoiding jokes; a bit of humour is ok, but the best-man's speech is where it's expected.

firebird082

sillyvixen wrote: »

My dad did not know where to start with his speech at my wedding, so my mum wrote it for him!

My Mum did that, and then she decided to give it as well! Worked a treat

[Deleted User]

All good points above about heartfelt and simple!

The only think I'd add is to check with the other people giving a speech who they are planning to thanks to. I found something online that said in addition to stories and compliments, these are the normal thankyous:

Parents of the bride: thanks guests and the organisers (family and friends who helped, as well as caterers etc).

Groom &/or bride: thank in-laws, new spouse, their own family and best man/bridesmaid for the support.

Best man &/or bridesmaid: thank the couple.

Hope you all have a lovely day!

jozxyqk

Some good advice above. I only wish my FIL and BM had read this thread before my wedding!


Narcissist FIL spent 5 mins droning on about his alleged bad back and then cast 'jokey' aspersions about me hailing from Yorkshire.


BM spent 5 mins telling pretty cringeworthy jokes relating to recent news events, then passed the mic to his young kids when he realised he wasn't getting (m)any laughs.


Neither of them said anything about the bride & groom or thanked anyone so that was all left to me.

pimento

At the end of the short speech my (extremely nervous)dad gave he said "Don't forget that it takes two hands to clap and I hope your marriage is one long round of applause".

Mojisola

jersey200 wrote: »

I hope you guys can help me with a little help with
my Father of the bride speech ?

Primrose wrote: »

Keep it simple.

And keep it short.

samtoby

I didn't have a Father for my wedding day as he died in 2011. My partner was never going to do one and my Mother doesn't have confidence for that.

So I did a powerpoint style speech which was basically pictures of us, parents and friends throughout the years. The pictures were so funny and this caused so much laughter. I wrote a poem about my Mum which was a 'thank you' for my wonderful childhood.

It was simple but the pictures carried it. The wording was short, but it was talked about the whole day and even today someone mentioned it - so it has stuck in peoples minds.

stormymf

You can make your own jokes. Look in sites on joke construction. Think of something nice to say about your daughter, and then turn it upside down to end with an unexpected contradiction of something she has done or said. Not being a comedian, I split the punchline into clauses put onto the next line. The moment that it takes for you to the next, gives that timing. By deliberately exaggerating, or making it up, you can innocently embarrass your daughter as she and everyone else will know it is only a joke. I have done three now with increasing success. I am ashamed that in the last one, I unintentionally upstaged the best man, who had to follow it. Do not offend your daughter or any guest, and try not to be vulgar, or about previous romances etc. The first speech is the most daunting. I went to friends who were not involved, to try it out on, and give a critique, which was a massive help. Good luck!

ManofLeisure_2

Just glad that I had 4 boys

Seriously, short and sincere would be my approach