Father Of The Bride's Wedding Toast: A Guide To Success

The father of the bride's speech is one of the most anticipated and emotional moments at a wedding. It is a chance for the father to publicly express his love and pride for his daughter, welcome the new spouse into the family, and offer wisdom and warm wishes for the couple's future. A good father of the bride's toast is heartfelt, personal, and engaging. It should be concise, include a touch of humour, and be practised beforehand for a confident and sincere delivery.

The father's toast typically includes an introduction and welcome to the guests, expressions of love and admiration for the daughter, funny and endearing anecdotes from her childhood, a welcome and positive thoughts about the new spouse, and words of wisdom for the couple. It is important to strike a balance between wit and sentimentality, keep the audience engaged, and capture the love, pride, and hopes for the couple's future.

Welcoming the guests

Keep it Short and Sweet

While it's important to welcome the guests, you don't want to spend too much time on this part of your speech. A simple and sincere welcome will do. Thank the guests for joining you on this special day and express your happiness at having them there. You can also mention any guests who have travelled far to be there.

Set the Tone

As the father of the bride, you are likely to be the first speaker at the wedding. Your speech will set the tone for the rest of the reception, so keep it upbeat, funny, and light-hearted. You can also make the guests laugh by sharing a cute and quirky observation about the bride or the day.

Avoid an Excessive Number of Thank-You's

While it's important to thank the guests for coming, avoid spending too much time on this. A general thank-you will suffice. You don't want to steal the groom's thunder, as he will also be thanking people in his speech.

Mention Special Guests

If there are any special guests that the bride would like you to mention, be sure to include them in your welcome. This could be friends who have travelled from overseas or other important people in the bride's life.

Make it Personal

Share a story or two about the bride as a little girl. These anecdotes should be funny and endearing, but not too embarrassing. Choose stories that showcase the bride's unique personality and the special bond you share. Perhaps she had a passion for animals and used to bring all sorts of bugs into the house, and now she's a vet. Or maybe she was a clumsy child but has grown up to be a successful dancer.

Avoid Clichés

When talking about the bride, avoid clichés and generic compliments such as "beautiful", "amazing", or "kind". Instead, focus on her unique traits and celebrate what makes her who she is. Share specific examples that illustrate her kindness or beauty.

Include a Touch of Humour

Adding a touch of humour to your welcome can lighten the mood and create a warm and engaging atmosphere. Share a light-hearted story or a funny observation about the bride that will make the guests smile. Just be sure to avoid anything too embarrassing or cringe-worthy.

Make it Sincere

While humour is important, don't forget to be sincere. Share your genuine love and joy for the bride and express your pride in her accomplishments. Let the guests see the depth of your emotions and the strength of your bond with the bride.

Thanking the guests

Keep it Simple

A general thank you to all the guests for attending the wedding is sufficient. You can express your gratitude for their presence, love, and support during this special time. For example:

> "I'd like to thank you all for joining me as we celebrate the love of my daughter and her partner."

Call Out Key People

While a general thank you is appropriate, you can also choose to call out specific people or groups. For instance, you can thank those who have travelled far to be there or acknowledge the parents of your daughter's partner:

> "Thank you to everyone who has travelled from afar. Your presence means the world to us. And a special thank you to the parents of my new son/daughter-in-law. Thank you for raising such a wonderful person, who I know will be a fantastic partner for my daughter."

Thank Those Who Helped

It is also a nice touch to thank those who have contributed to making the day special, such as the wedding planner, staff, bridesmaids, and ushers. You can also thank the couple for giving everyone an excuse to dress up and celebrate:

> "Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to make today so memorable. From the beautiful venue to the delicious food, everything has been perfect. And of course, thank you to my daughter and her partner for bringing us all together today."

Keep it Brief

While it is important to express your gratitude, try not to spend too much time on the thank-yous. A few sincere sentences are enough. You don't want to steal the thunder of the newlyweds, who will also be thanking the guests.

Remember, the father-of-the-bride speech is a much-anticipated moment, so focus on sharing your emotions, anecdotes, and well-wishes for the couple.

Sharing memories of the bride

• Recall your daughter's life journey, including funny, endearing, or slightly embarrassing memories. For example, you could mention the time she came home a little tipsy from her first grown-up party, or when she went on holiday and forgot to pack any underwear. However, be sure to choose stories that ultimately highlight the special bond you share.
• Share light-hearted and funny anecdotes that will make the toast special and memorable for everyone present. For instance, you could talk about your daughter's "unique" fashion phases or her brief yet passionate career as a magician.
• Include relevant stories and personal anecdotes that showcase your daughter's character and the person she has become. Talk about her childhood, accomplishments, and the little quirks that make her so special. For example, mention her unwavering belief that "glitter made everything better" or her brief career as a magician.
• Share how proud you are of the person your daughter has become. Talk about her loving relationship with her partner and sprinkle in a genuine compliment about how stunning she looks on her wedding day.
• Recall the first time you met your new son-in-law or daughter-in-law and share your first impressions. Talk about how your relationship has grown and include funny moments you've shared.
• If your daughter has always been a bit of a "whirlwind", mention how her partner balances her out. Talk about how they respect and support her, and how they know how to handle her competitive streak.
• Mention any positive changes you've noticed in your daughter since she met her partner. For example, you could say, "I've seen the way he looks at you, with so much love and admiration.... It's all I could have ever hoped for you."

Welcoming the groom into the family

Welcoming the Groom

Today, I'd like to welcome a new member to our family – [groom's name]. We welcome you with open arms and kind hearts, and we couldn't be happier to see you by our daughter's side. You are a wonderful young man, and we are so glad that you and our daughter have found each other.

A Perfect Match

When I first met [groom], I knew instantly that he was someone special. He is thoughtful, genuine, and has a steady calm about him that balances my daughter's energy. He has brought so much joy and love into her life, and for that, we are forever grateful.

A Warm Welcome

[Groom], we are so happy to have you as part of our family. You have added a new dimension to our lives, and we look forward to seeing the new chapter that you and our daughter will write together. We wish you both a long marriage filled with happiness, love, and success.

A Toast to the Groom

I'd like to raise a glass to the groom, [groom's name]. We are so pleased to welcome you into our family and celebrate the love story you and our daughter are beginning. Cheers to you and the new life you are starting with our remarkable daughter!

A New Chapter

To [groom], it has been a joy to get to know you and see the love between you and our daughter. We are thrilled to officially welcome you into our family and look forward to the future we will share. Here's to many happy years ahead!

The father-of-the-bride speech is a wonderful opportunity to welcome the groom into the family and share your joy and well wishes for the couple.

Offering advice to the newlyweds

As a father, your wedding speech is a chance to offer some heartfelt advice to the newlyweds. Here are some tips to help you craft this section of your speech:

Reflect on Your Own Marriage

If you are happily married, reflect on your own marriage and the key lessons you have learned. What has your marriage taught you? What do you value in your relationship? What have been some of the most challenging parts of your marriage, and how did you and your spouse work through them?

Share Your Perspective on Love and Partnership

Share your thoughts on what love and partnership mean to you. You can also talk about what qualities you admire in your daughter's spouse and why you think they are a good match for your daughter.

Offer General Life Advice

If you are divorced or single, you can still offer valuable advice based on your life experiences. Share some general advice about life and love. You can also talk about what qualities you admire in your daughter and her spouse and why you think they complement each other well.

Keep it Positive and Encouraging

Regardless of your marital status, focus on offering positive and encouraging advice. This is not the time to air any grievances or share negative experiences. Keep your advice light, uplifting, and appropriate for the occasion.

Make it Personal

Share advice that is unique to your relationship with your daughter and her spouse. This could be something you have observed about their dynamic or something you have learned from your own life experiences that you think they can benefit from.

Include a Toast

After sharing your advice, transition into a strong and heartfelt toast. Invite all the guests to join you in raising their glasses to the happy couple. Make it personalized and unique to the couple, perhaps including a few specific wishes that you want the guests to toast to.

Remember, your advice should come from a place of love and support for the newlyweds. Speak from the heart, and your words will surely leave a lasting impression on the couple and the guests.

Frequently asked questions