Who Speaks At Weddings? Father Of The Groom's Speech

The father of the groom traditionally does not give a speech at a wedding, but there are plenty of reasons why he might be asked to. If it's an LGBTQ+ wedding, for example, there may be two grooms, and both fathers may be asked to speak. Alternatively, the parents on the other side may not feel confident about public speaking, so the father of the groom may be asked to step in. Or, the groom may simply want to hear from his dad on his wedding day.

If the father of the groom does give a speech, it will usually be at the rehearsal dinner, which is a much smaller audience than the wedding day crowd. It will typically be short and sweet, lasting between three and seven minutes. The speech will usually include an introduction, a thank you to the guests, anecdotes about the groom's childhood, a mention of the groom's partner, and a toast to the newlyweds.

The father of the groom's speech structure

The father of the groom's speech is a chance to share your feelings about the couple and their future together. It is also an opportunity to welcome the bride into the family and offer some words of wisdom. Here is a basic structure for the speech:

Thank the father of the bride (if there is one) and introduce yourself. You can also welcome the guests and thank them for attending.

Acknowledgments:

Briefly thank the guests for coming and share a few short stories or anecdotes about your son. These stories should showcase his positive traits and the man he has become.

About the Partner:

Talk about your first impression of your son's partner and how they met. You can also share a story or two about them, highlighting the love and happiness they share.

Welcoming the Partner:

Extend a warm welcome to your son's partner as a new member of the family. You can also offer some advice or well wishes for the couple.

Toast:

Conclude by raising a glass to the newlyweds and offering some final words of blessing or advice. Try to tie your closing line back to the theme of your speech.

Additional Tips:

• Keep your speech short and sweet, around 3-6 minutes.
• Add a touch of humour to lighten the mood, but be mindful of your audience and keep the jokes appropriate.
• Be aware of your body language and use the microphone effectively.
• Practice your speech beforehand to build confidence.
• If you are nervous about public speaking, you don't have to memorise your speech. Instead, print it out or refer to notes.

Remember to speak from the heart and let your emotions show. This will make your speech more meaningful and engaging for the audience.

How to introduce yourself in the speech

While the father of the groom doesn't traditionally give a speech at the wedding, this is becoming more common, especially at LGBTQ+ weddings. If you've been asked to give a speech, it's likely to be at the rehearsal dinner, but it could also be at the wedding reception.

When it comes to introducing yourself, keep it simple. State your name and your relation to the couple. For example:

> "Hello, everyone. I'm Craig Jones, and I'm the father of the groom."

If it's an LGBTQ+ wedding and there are two grooms, be sure to be more specific. For example:

> "My name is Charles, and I'm Jack's father."

Other Tips for Your Speech

• Thank the guests for celebrating with you.
• Highlight your son's positive traits and share two to three short stories about him.
• Recognise your son's new spouse by detailing what you admire about them and why you're happy to welcome them into your family.
• Share your wishes for the couple's future together.
• Close with a strong, short last line that ties back to the theme of your speech.
• Keep your speech between three and seven minutes long.
• Don't feel like you have to memorise your speech. It's fine to read it from paper.
• If there are other speakers, try to avoid repeating what they've said.

Thanking the guests

Keep it Brief

As the father of the groom, you will likely be giving your speech at the rehearsal dinner or the wedding reception. In either case, it's important to keep your speech concise to maintain the guests' attention. Aim for a speech that is around 3-6 minutes long. If there is a father of the bride speech as well, keep your thanks to the guests brief as he will usually cover this.

Express Gratitude

Show your appreciation to the guests for celebrating this special occasion with you and your family. You can say something like:

> "Thank you all for being here to witness my son as he takes this milestone into marriage."

> "Thank you all for joining my wife and me as we celebrate this joyous occasion."

Make it Personal

Share a funny story or a memorable anecdote about your son and his childhood. This will not only make your speech more engaging but also add a personal touch. For example:

> "I remember when my son was just 11 years old, he set up an art stand at the end of our driveway to showcase his drawings. He'd ask our neighbors to bid on his work and then happily deliver it to the highest bidder. I guess it shouldn't have surprised us when he grew up to become an art seller. He knows when he's found something beautiful and special, and that's what led him to marry his partner today."

Welcome Your New Daughter or Son-in-Law

If you have already met your son's partner's family, it's a thoughtful gesture to welcome them as your new extended family. You can say something like:

> "I'd like to welcome my new daughter or son-in-law's family as our new extended family. We are looking forward to sharing many happy moments together."

Offer a Toast

Finally, raise a toast to the happy couple and wish them a lifetime of love and happiness. Here are some examples:

> "May your marriage be full of more love than you can experience in this lifetime."

> "To my wonderful son and my new daughter/son, I love you both."

Sharing anecdotes about the groom

• Share a funny story from the groom's childhood or teenage years. It could be a light-hearted incident involving the groom and his siblings, or a humorous quirk or habit that he had growing up. For example, "I remember when [Groom's Name] was just a little boy, he used to..." or "One time, [Groom's Name] and his siblings got into trouble for...".
• Talk about the groom's journey from childhood to adulthood. Reflect on his growth, achievements, and the proud moments you've experienced as a father. For instance, "I've watched [Groom's Name] grow from a curious, energetic little boy into an accomplished, kind-hearted man." or "I'm so proud of the man [Groom's Name] has become. He's always been determined, resilient, and committed to his goals."
• Share a story that showcases the groom's positive traits and values. For example, "One thing I've always admired about my son is his unwavering loyalty to those he loves. He's always been there for his friends and family, no matter what." or "Even as a child, [Groom's Name] had a heart of gold. I remember when he used to..."
• If there's a particular hobby or interest that the groom is passionate about, you can incorporate that into your anecdote. For instance, if he loves sports, you could share a story about his dedication to his favourite sport and how it has shaped him.
• Include a story about the groom that ties into the theme of your speech. For example, if your speech is about the power of love and perseverance, share an anecdote about a time when the groom persevered through challenges to achieve something important to him.
• You can also share a light-hearted or embarrassing story about the groom, but be careful not to offend or embarrass him too much. Keep the tone positive and good-natured.

Remember, the key is to choose anecdotes that showcase the groom's personality, values, and the special bond you share. These stories will not only make your speech more engaging but will also leave a lasting impression on the happy couple and their guests.

Welcoming the new daughter or son-in-law into the family

Welcoming a new daughter or son-in-law into the family is a heartwarming and special moment for any father of the groom. It's an opportunity to share your thoughts, feelings, and well-wishes for the couple as they embark on their married life together. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you craft a memorable and heartfelt speech:

Share Your Happiness and Excitement:

Begin by expressing your happiness and excitement about the union of your son and his partner. Talk about how proud you are of your son and how their marriage has brought joy to your life. You can say something like, "I am so proud of the man my son has become, and I couldn't be happier to welcome his partner into our family."

Share Memories and Anecdotes:

Share fond memories and anecdotes about your son's childhood, highlighting his positive traits and qualities. You can talk about his sense of humour, kindness, or any special talents he may have. For example, you could say, "I remember when my son was just a little boy, he used to love drawing and would set up art stands in our driveway. His creativity and determination have always inspired me."

Compliment and Welcome Your New Daughter or Son-in-Law:

It's important to compliment and welcome your new daughter or son-in-law into the family. Share your first impression of them and what you admire about them. You can say something like, "The first time I met my new daughter-in-law, I knew she was someone special. Her kindness and intelligence shone through, and I'm so glad my son has found his perfect match."

Offer Marriage Advice and Well-Wishes:

As the father of the groom, you have a wealth of experience to share. Offer some words of wisdom for a long and happy marriage. You can talk about the importance of love, communication, and supporting each other through thick and thin. For instance, you could say, "My advice to you both is to always communicate openly, listen to each other, and never forget to make each other laugh."

Close with a Heartfelt Toast:

End your speech with a heartfelt toast to the happy couple, wishing them a lifetime of love, happiness, and joy. You can say something like, "To my son and my new daughter/son, may your love continue to grow stronger each day, and may your marriage be filled with endless joy and laughter."

Remember to keep your speech personal, heartfelt, and light-hearted. It's okay to show your emotions and let your love for your son and new daughter or son-in-law shine through. Your speech will be a cherished memory for the couple and the guests, so speak from the heart and enjoy this special moment.

Frequently asked questions