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Speech Tips for the Father of the Bride

Speech Tips for the Father of the Bride

so you're the Father of the Bride
...and you want to give the perfect speech?

Well the perfect speech is different for every occasion. There are a few pointers below that work everytime. 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:

Thank people who have travelled a long way
Mention key elderly relatives who are sharing it with you
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.

Need further help?

We can refer you to the UK's top wedding speech writers:

Customer Feedback

David Busby

I'm the best man and my m8 is the groom and we did this together over a beer in the pub - now two happy punters with two speeches that work perfectly. Feels a bit too easy!!

Norwich | 26 Mar, 2018
Lenny Briggs

I wasn't sure how this would work but I took a punt on your site and people are still congratulating me!!

Sheffield | 28 Dec, 2017
Tom Walters

I nearly decided to use one of those sites with all the same jokes as all the others and then stumbled on yours. Amazin - don't know how u do it but thanks

Manchester | 17 Apr, 2017
Ajit Patel

Easy to use, great content, brilliant to print out and worth every penny. Thank you again and again.

Johanesburg, SA | 14 Sep, 2017

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