Dad's Speech At Daughter's Wedding: Perfect Timing?

The father of the bride's speech is a highly anticipated moment and is usually delivered at the start of the wedding reception. It is a heartfelt, tear-jerking speech filled with joy, nostalgia, and bittersweet emotions. The father of the bride traditionally gives the first speech, setting the tone for the rest of the reception. The speech typically lasts between 5 to 10 minutes and follows a clear structure, including an introduction, expressions of gratitude, memories of the bride, a welcome to the new in-laws, words of wisdom, and a heartfelt toast to the newlyweds.

Introducing yourself and welcoming the guests

Good afternoon, friends, family, and neighbours. I’m [name], and I’m the very proud father of the bride. I’d like to welcome you all to my daughter’s wedding and thank you for being here today—whether you’ve come from near or far, or just turned up for the free food and wine, it means the world to us that you’re here to celebrate [bride’s name] and [groom’s name].

I’d also like to thank everyone who’s worked so hard to make today so special. From the beautiful decorations to the incredible food, everything has been perfect. Sincerely, thank you so much.

Now, onto my daughter. [Bride’s name], what can I say? You’re every father’s dream come true. Funny, clever, beautiful, and a dab hand at an oil change. You’ve always been full of surprises—whether it was your ability to beat your brothers at just about anything, or that phase where you insisted you were going to be a pirate and made us all call you Captain [bride’s name] for a month. And honestly, seeing you today, so radiant and happy, I can’t help but think, “Yep, she’s still my little superstar.”

I’d now like to welcome my new son- or daughter-in-law, [name of bride’s partner], and their parents to our family. [Name of bride’s partner], I remember when you first came into our lives. I could see what made you so special. You’re thoughtful, genuine, and you’ve got this steady calm about you that balances [bride’s name] perfectly. You don’t just fit into our family—you’ve added to it in ways we didn’t even know we needed. It’s clear to everyone here that you adore [bride’s name], and as her parent, I honestly couldn’t ask for more.

I’d like to finish by sharing a few pieces of advice for you both as you embark on this wonderful journey called marriage. Be each other’s rocks, the other person’s biggest cheerleader. Stand behind them when they need it, and hold their head up when they can’t. Oh, and never underestimate the importance of a spontaneous bunch of flowers.

And now, please charge your glasses to the new, wonderful Mr and Mrs [surname].

Thanking the guests for coming

Keep It Short and Sweet

While it's important to thank the guests for attending, try not to spend too much time on this. A general thank you to everyone for coming and perhaps a brief mention of how much you've been looking forward to this day will suffice. You don't want to bore the guests by spending too long on thank-yous, and you want to leave plenty of time for the rest of your speech.

Make It Heartfelt

Share a few words of gratitude and let the guests know how much their presence means to you and your family. You might say something like, "We're so grateful to be able to celebrate this special day with all of you. It means the world to us that you're here to support and celebrate with our daughter."

Include a Special Mention

If there are guests who have travelled from far or made a particular effort to be there, you might want to give them a special mention. For example, "A big thank you to those of you who have travelled from near and far to be here today. We're so glad you could make it."

Thank Those Who Have Helped

It's also a nice touch to thank those who have helped with the wedding planning and preparations. This could include your spouse, the wedding party, family members, and any wedding vendors or staff who have gone above and beyond. For example, "I'd also like to thank my wife/partner, the bridesmaids/groomsmen, and everyone else who has worked tirelessly to make today so special."

Remember, the tone of your speech should be warm and welcoming. Keep it light and upbeat, and feel free to inject some humour if that's your style. Most importantly, speak from the heart, and let your love and pride for your daughter shine through.

Sharing memories of your child

Choose stories that showcase your child's personality and character

Perhaps your daughter had a big heart for animals and once snuck a stray kitten into her bedroom. Or maybe she had a "unique" fashion sense and insisted on wearing a purple tutu, a Superman cape, and rain boots together. These stories will not only entertain but also give insight into the incredible woman she has become.

Highlight their defining traits

Talk about your daughter's defining traits, such as her kindness, intelligence, adventurous spirit, or sense of humour. Mention how these traits have always made you proud and how they continue to shape her life.

Share memories from their childhood

Recall specific moments from your daughter's childhood that hold a special place in your heart. It could be her first day of school, a camping trip, or a time when she faced her fears. These memories will not only entertain your audience but also showcase the unique bond you share.

Include recent anecdotes

In addition to childhood memories, include more recent anecdotes that showcase your adult relationship with your daughter. This could be a funny story from dress shopping or a heart-to-heart talk during the wedding planning process.

Express your love and pride

Take this opportunity to express your love and pride for your daughter. Tell her how much she has always meant to you and how proud you are of the person she has become. Let her know that she will always be your little girl, no matter how old she gets.

Incorporate meaningful quotes

If there are any quotes, sayings, or lyrics that hold a special place in your relationship, consider incorporating them into your speech. For example, you could use a line from your daughter's favourite childhood book or a quote that sums up your feelings as you watch her get married.

Remember, the key to this section of your speech is to focus on your unique relationship with your daughter. Share stories and sentiments that are meaningful to both of you, and don't be afraid to let your personality shine through.

Welcoming your new in-law

Start with a Warm Greeting

Introduce yourself as the bride's father and welcome the guests to the special day. You can also thank them for their presence and for being a part of this momentous occasion. This is a great way to ease into your speech and make everyone feel included.

Share Your Thoughts and Feelings

Express your happiness and pride in having your new son-in-law or daughter-in-law as a part of the family. Share your first impressions of them and how your relationship has grown over time. Talk about their positive qualities and how they bring joy and love into your daughter's life. You can also share any funny or heartfelt anecdotes about their relationship, adding a personal touch to your speech.

Offer a Few Words of Wisdom

As the father of the bride, you have a wealth of life experience to share. Offer some advice or words of wisdom to the newlyweds. This can be about marriage, love, or simply about navigating life together as a couple. Draw from your own experiences and offer insights that you think will be valuable for their journey ahead.

Make it Personal

Share stories and memories that are unique to your relationship with your daughter and your new in-law. These can be light-hearted, funny, or sentimental moments that showcase their personalities and your bond as a family. It's important to strike a balance between wit and sentimentality, ensuring that your speech is entertaining, uplifting, and touching.

End with a Heartfelt Toast

Conclude your speech by raising your glass and inviting all the guests to join you in a toast to the happy couple. Wish them a lifetime of love, happiness, and all the best for their future together. This is a beautiful way to welcome your new in-law into the family and celebrate the union of your daughter and their partner.

Offering advice to the newlyweds

Share Words of Wisdom

Share some words of wisdom with the newlyweds, drawing from your own life experience. Speak about love, commitment, and building a strong family. You can also share some general advice about life or use carefully chosen quotes about love and marriage. Here is an example:

> "Marriage isn't about big grand gestures, it's about the small actions you take every day that make their life a little bit brighter. It's about making them a cup of tea without being asked, sharing a laugh after a long day, and never forgetting to say 'I love you'."

Share Your Hopes for Their Future

As the father of the bride, you can share your hopes and wishes for the couple's future. You can talk about their future together, the importance of building a strong family, and offer advice on navigating life's challenges. For example:

> "I wish you the very best on your journey through life together. Marriage is a delicate balance of independence and togetherness. Remember to communicate openly, forgive freely, and never lose sight of the friendship that brought you together."

Give Practical Advice

Offer practical advice on marriage and navigating life as a couple. This can include advice on communication, forgiveness, and maintaining a strong partnership. For instance:

> "Don't sweat the small stuff. Marriage isn't about perfection; it's about showing up for each other every day, even when life gets messy. Be each other's biggest supporters, keep laughing together, and don't let anyone or anything come between you."

Share Your Experiences

If you feel comfortable, you can share your own experiences, both good and bad, as a way of offering advice and perspective. You can talk about what you have learned from your own marriage or relationships, and how those lessons can benefit the newlyweds. For example:

> "Marriage is about being a team. It's about partnership, patience, and supporting each other. Find joy in the little things, like laughing at the same jokes or enjoying each other's company."

Emphasize the Importance of Love and Respect

As the father of the bride, you can emphasize the importance of love, respect, and mutual understanding in a marriage. Speak about the value of cherishing and respecting one another, and offer advice on how to nurture their relationship. Here is an example:

> "Always remember to love, respect, and support each other. Be each other's rocks and biggest cheerleaders. Stand behind each other when times get tough, and always hold your heads up high."

Frequently asked questions