How to write a father of the bride’s speech
When you come to write a father of the bride’s speech, I am sure that you will find it easier than I do to get your emotions out onto the paper. Primarily because you have the ability to look at your daughter and write down what you see. The easiest way to do this, and a good way to get started on your speech, is when she is doing something normal and everyday, like the washing up or playing with children, look at her. Watch what she is doing and remember what you are thinking. For example, are you feeling proud or happy? Whatever you feel, write it down and save it until you write your speech. The reason behind this is that often when people come to write their mind goes blank. But with your few notes, you have your feelings and an example of when you experienced them.
When writing a father of the bride’s speech there are a few things that are good to include. Firstly, a little about what your daughter was like when she was younger. This could be a short story if you like, but remember that your role is to speak good of the bride not totally humiliate her, although a little joke won’t hurt. If not a story, say what she was like at school, as a baby, or her early working days. I always find these good to include, as some of the groom’s family may not know your daughter and this paragraph could be a good icebreaker.
Secondly, what she was like before she met her husband to be. For instance, was she less confident, not as happy or more in her shell? And what is she like now she has found him. This is just to give us all an insight of how good the couple are together.
Finally, a must-have point. How your daughter makes you feel. Start by how she made you feel when she was younger, was she good at sport or academically for example? Then move through to the present day and how you felt as you gave her away.
These are basically all you need to write your father of the bride’s speech. In total you should be looking to have around 700-1,000 words. Any more than this and the old and young may be tempted to fall asleep. Below is a guideline of how I put a speech together, and what order to write in. You do not have to use it, but I find that with my writing it aids fluency and makes it easier to write.
Finally good luck, and I hope all goes well.
1. Introduction. A quick hello, welcome and thank you for coming. And also introduce yourself.
2. About your daughter. Look back to the above, where I mentioned the short story.
3. What your daughter is like, and how meeting her husband to be has changed her life.
4. How you feel. Again, look at the above where I mentioned that must-have point.
5. Finally, the thank-yous and a toast.
Published On: 4th Aug 2009
Read more about -Speaking Articles,Wedding Speeches , Father of the Bride, Speech Writing
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wow you are lucky you found beautiful man
i wish i could find some one like him -
Speech Tips for the Father of the Bride
This is usually the first speech of the day, and the hardest to get right.
Some fathers go for the tear-jerking public confession of love for their daughter.
Others see this as their chance to do stand up comedy.
The best approach is a combination of the two.Your main subject is your daughter. You’ll probably know instinctively the right balance between sincerity and humour.
Hopefully we’ll provide you with all the ideas you’ll need!
You should also:
1. Thank people who have travelled a long way
2. Mention key elderly relatives who are sharing it with you
3. Stress how delighted you are with the Groom and his family (if you haven’t yet come to blows)DO
Talk slowly. If it takes 12 minutes, not nine, it doesn’t matter at all.
Pause for effect. Your audience need time to digest the story before they get the punchline. So give them time to get it.
Emphasise key words. Imagine you’re telling a story to a friend.
Practise. However well written the speech, you don’t want to be ‘reading’ it. Know it well enough that your notes just become a safety net.
Gesticulate. Body language is vital. Use your arms to emphasise a point.
If you’re addressing someone, look at them. Try to make eye contact with your audience whenever you can.DON’T
Be put off by a heckle. You can pre-prepare a couple of responses to a noisy member of the crowd.
Give in to the shakes. Holding a shaky piece of paper will put you off before you get going. Paste your speech onto card. Or rest it somewhere you can see it. Find out if there’s a lectern.
Get drunk beforehand. It may feel like the easy way to get through it, but it won’t seem so sensible afterwards.
Just read it out. Great material is irrelevant if it’s delivered badly. You’ll be much more natural when you’re not reading straight from the page.
You can build a father of the bride speech for free at chargeyourglasses.com -
Thanks that really was good honest advice. I appreciate that.
Mike P
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Great article, but I don’t think the Father of the bride should even have an index card or ANY type of notes. Enough preparation beforehand and simply speaking from the heart will produce an excellent speech!
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THANKS FOR THE HELP AND TIPS, THEY ROUNDED-OFF WHAT I WANTED TO SAY TO MY DAUGHTER AND FAMILY AND FRIENDS!
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Thanks eight weeks to go and this gives me good basics now to get fair dinkum.
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Great Article!
I admire your honesty; it can be difficult to get your emotions down on paper.
As a useful exercise you may want to take a sheet of paper and write everything that comes into your head.
Put all of you thoughts down on paper without any form of review or criticism. Just keep writing.
Then perhaps a day later look back at what you have written and review, select the promising parts and discard the parts you do not think are suitable. -
this is what i was looking for
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On Sunday I had the opportunity to speak about my daughter. Two things help alot. Preparation and practice with bulletized note cards and remembering that if I leave something out, no one knows. I thought of my daughter and the story I wanted to tell of her maturation, not the words I put together. I was funny (it takes timing to be funny) but I worked in her achievements and topped of with her presentation to Warren Buffet. The folks were rivited because I did not dwell on any area. Even though not everyone presents to Mr. Buffett, everyone achieves a high point that others are not aware of. Finish with that event before your brief toast to good health, good fortune and neverending love and of course, lots of grandchildren.
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Great stuff if your the father of the bride but what if..like me are the uncle who is giving his neice away.Any help with that????
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Great advice, great website – Keep up the good work!
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This is a great site for bride’s father speeches.
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Useful confirmation of what I’ve liked best in other’s speeches and what I’m putting into mine next week – in particular the timing. One extra tip: Towards the end, find a way to slip in a reminder to the guests to have their glasses charged. That way, there’s no awkward fumbling around for the bottle as they stand for your toast to the happy couple.
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Another subject of concern in father of the bride speeches is to warmly welcome your son in law and his family into your family.
You also have to pay tribute to your wife and others who raised your daughter.
Do sprnkle your speech with words of marriage wisdom and end with a toast to the couple.These and many more the secrets of memorable speeches.
Hope these tips help -
could someone give me some ideas on a ‘father of the bride speech’? i am not the father of the bride as he passed away this year. does anyone have any pointers?
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