Aside from walking the bride down the aisle, fathers have a very important responsibility at their daughter's wedding. The father of the bride speech is one of the best highlights of such an event. Your little princess has now grown into a wonderful young woman. As she enters a new chapter in her life, it's a good time to reminisce about the special memories you have with her.
The father of the bride's speech should be heart-warming and uplifting. Invite everyone to celebrate the happiest day of your daughter's life by delivering a memorable statement. To help get you started, here's a comprehensive guideline you can follow to start writing it.
Must-Know Tips for Writing a Heart-Warming Father of the Bride Speech
Writing great statements doesn't have to be complicated. Even if you're not used to speaking in public or composing speeches, these top-notch tips will definitely be helpful for you.
1. Start by welcoming the guests
Generally, the father of the bride's speech would be the first tribute or toast of the night. So, open your statement by welcoming the guests. Also, don't forget to show your gratitude for their presence.
2. Share some fond memories
Nostalgia and fond memories of the past are the core of the speech. Share one or two memorable moments from your daughter's life. Praise her and tell her how proud you are about the wonderful woman she has become.
3. Incorporate funny anecdotes
Laughter can make the wedding party brighter and more entertaining. If you have some hilarious memories from your daughter's childhood or adolescent years, don't hesitate to share them. Make sure not to overdo it, though. One or two jokes here and there should be enough. Also, avoid crude and embarrassing jokes; the last thing you want to do is to embarrass your daughter on the happiest day of her life.
4. Don't embarrass your daughter
While you can incorporate some funny and memorable stories about your daughter, keep the embarrassing and inappropriate stories to yourself. Instead of sharing cringe moments your daughter would prefer to stay a secret, highlight her positive personality aspects. Tell everyone how strong, creative, determined, or kind she is. Make your daughter feel loved and appreciated.
5. Don't forget about the groom
Remember, the wedding isn't just about your daughter. Acknowledge her new spouse and welcome him into the family. Tell him how grateful you are for his loving and taking care of your daughter. Also, don't forget to praise the groom's family and thank them for raising such a wonderful man.
6. Keep it concise
Even though you've been waiting for this day for years, try to keep your speech brief. A short and sweet statement will be more memorable than a boring and long-winded one. The last thing you want is to bore the wedding party's guests and ruin the mood.
If you have a lot to say to your beloved princess, consider writing a letter to her. Write down all your heartfelt sentiments and let her read it before she walks down the aisle with you. This will surely be a touching father-daughter bonding moment.
7. Add some wisdom
The father of the bride speech is a great opportunity to wish for the newlyweds' happiness and bright future. Near the end of it, don't forget to share some sage wisdom about life and marriage as well. Your daughter and her spouse will surely appreciate some tips to start their new chapter in life.
8. Cue cards are your friend
No matter how good you are at public speaking, the wedding of a daughter will definitely evoke a lot of emotions for a father. When the feelings overwhelm you, it's easy to forget what you're supposed to say in your speech. For that reason, keep some cue cards at hand. Write down some main points of your statement to help you gather your thoughts during the event.
9. Practice makes perfect
If you're not used to speaking in public, don't forget to practice your speech at least two weeks before the wedding. Try to memorize the main points of your talk and build up your confidence to avoid getting tongue-tied during the wedding.
Father of the Bride Speech Samples
Need some inspiration to start preparing? Here are some brilliant father of the bride speech ideas to help get you started. Note that these speeches are short and generic, to make it more personal, try incorporating some funny or heart-warming anecdotes about your daughter.
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Ladies and gentlemen, good evening. I'm [bride]'s father. First of all, I would like to thank you for your presence and role in making this beautiful day a reality. Today, we have gathered here to celebrate true love between two amazing people. As a father, my daughter is the source of my happiness. So, you can only imagine my joy to finally see her smile today. I want the two of you to know how happy I am for you. [Bride], I am overjoyed to know that you have found the right person who will love and protect you for the rest of your life. And [groom], thank you for being a part of my daughter's life and making her so happy. I wish you both happiness and luck in this new chapter of your life.
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When my wife and I found out that we were going to have a little girl, we were very excited. We've loved our little princess even before she was born. [Bride], the years have flown by. It feels like yesterday when I cuddled you to sleep. Time sure does fly when you're having a great time. We've gone through many memories and milestones together. I'm glad you have found an amazing person to share a future with. [Groom], please love her and keep her happy for me. I wish you two all the best memories in your new life together.
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[Bride] and [groom], seeing you two in your wedding dress and nice suit truly reminds me of my own wedding day. Weddings are always filled with excitement, love, and some nervousness as well. As a happily married man, I'd like to offer some advice to you two. While chocolates, romantic dinners, and flowers are great romantic gestures, they're not the key to a successful marriage. Marriage is all about sharing and communication. Share your emotions, feelings, thoughts, and responsibilities with each other. Never underestimate the power of good communication and compromise. Congratulations on your new marriage and I wish you the best of luck.
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Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us in our celebrations here today. As for my daughter and her new spouse, thank you for making me the happiest, proudest father in the world today. [Bride], as a child, you were always such a loving and talented girl. I want nothing but the best for you. Seeing you with [groom] today makes me feel relieved. I'm sure he will protect and cherish you forever. No, ladies and gentlemen, let us have a toast to wish the bride and groom all the happiness and love in the world.
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In this fast-paced world, people are becoming more self-centered. It's very easy for us to miss opportunities to connect with each other. For that reason, I am very glad to see [bride] and [groom] be joined in a holy matrimony today. These two people never ask, "what can this person do for me?" Instead, they are always asking what they can do for other people, including each other. To see their love blooms over the years has warmed my heart and restores my faith in our world. So, ladies and gentlemen, today let us celebrate the selflessness of love. I wish for nothing but joy and happiness for the newlyweds, from today until forever.
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Beautiful, smart, caring, generous, dependable, and kind. [Bride] is treasured and loved by anyone lucky enough to really know her. Mere words can't describe the lovely woman my daughter has become. I used to wonder who could ever deserve such a wonderful woman. That is until I met [groom]. [Groom] is someone I would have been happy to call my son. He is selfless, caring, loving, dedicated, and hardworking. He compliments my daughter so well; they are the perfect match. Congratulations to you both and thank you [groom], for making my daughter so happy.
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They say that love and marriages are made in heaven, but so are thunder and lightning. All of these things are strong and powerful. They are a force to be reckoned with. Marriage isn't always full of rainbows and butterflies. Sometimes, thunder and dark skies can also come. But that is up to the two of you to overcome that. Take this advice from a person who has been married for years, never underestimate the power of communication. Always tell each other your feelings, even when it's hard to do so. [Groom] and [bride], always remember that love is a powerful force. Believe in love, and you two will be a stronger couple. From today onwards, I wish you both all the love and happiness in the world.
Takeaway Message
Hopefully, this article has helped you write a brilliant father of the bride speech. Just remember to be sincere; you can't go wrong when you deliver an expression that is straight from the heart.
Before delivering your statement, don't forget to take a deep breath and smile at your daughter. Don't be afraid to make mistakes and laugh to lighten up the celebration. So, raise a toast for the happiest day of your daughter's life and send her off with a memorable speech. Good luck and congratulations!