The Father of the Bride Speech is probably one of the most important speeches at a wedding too. He is the person who is usually the first to speak (after the Priest/s if they wish to speak) and many of the wedding guests look forward to it immensely. They see this person as the person who with his wife / partner brought the Bride into the world and are longing to hear what he is going to say about her. Many people act as Father of the Bride if the Father does not wish to speak, cannot speak, is deceased or is simply not around. People like the Mother of the Bride, Brother of the Bride, Sister of the Bride, Uncle of the Bride, Aunt of the Bride, a Friend of the Bride can all do the duty, but I guess it will never be as good as the actual Father doing it (though know one knows the Bride as well as her Mother). How does a Father of the Bride go about considering what to say about their daughter, a big stage I\’m sure you will agree?
- Address dignitaries i.e. , Reverend Fathers, Sisters, Ladies and Gentlemen and any special guests
- On behalf of your family say how happy and proud you / they are of your daughter
- Talk about groom, personality, what you like about him, what makes him unique and special, his achievements / accomplishments in his life to date, plans for the future
- How did he ask you for your daughter’s hand in marriage
- Formally welcome groom into your family
- Talk about groom’s family and what they mean to your daughter and you
- Formally welcome groom’s family into your family
- Talk about bride (your daughter), memories growing up, personality, what you like about her, what makes her unique and special, her achievements / accomplishments in her life to date, plans for the future (develop stories of memories)
- Talk about your own family
- Talk about your wife (if applicable)
- Compliment wedding ceremony in church and the celebrant
- Formally thank the hotel / event organizers (traditionally you are paying or part paying them)
- Talk about bride and groom as a couple
- Mention bridesmaids, groomsman, flowergirls, pageboys
- Mention own parents (if applicable)
- Mention grandchildren (if applicable)
- Thank people for travelling long distance on your family’s side
- Mention people who were invited, but could not attend on your family’s side
- Mention recently deceased family and friends
- Mention people who are celebrating birthdays, anniversaries around the same time as the wedding
- Final wish and blessing
It really is a significant occasion in a Father\’s life to give away his daughter to another person, a person that they trust will take care of the person that means the world to them. It is a happy occasion, but can also be sad and heartbreaking for a Father. Girls are precious in a family and every father and indeed mother knows this. If and when you do as a Father of the Bride have the pleasure of giving away your daughter at her wedding, prepare a nice Father of the Bride speech…you will probably never get the opportunity to do it again for her.