During the reception it is customary for the father of the bride to make a short speech, thanking the guests and those that have helped with the wedding planning, and talking a little about his daughter and new son-in-law. At the end of the speech the father of the bride usually proposes a toast to the happy couple.
The father of the bride should traditionally thank guests for coming and participating in the wedding, thank anyone who has contributed to the cost of the wedding, compliments and praises the bride and welcomes the groom into the family and ends with a toast to the newlyweds.
What Should A Father Of The Bride Speech Include? A traditional father of the bride speech includes a few key elements such as welcoming the guests, anecdotes and compliments about your daughter, a welcome to your new son-in-law or daughter-in-law, words of advice and a toast to the new couple.
The first toast is customarily made by the best man. It's fine for this to be the only one offered, though other people will probably want to express their happiness for the newlyweds. After the best man, the maid of honor may offer a toast, too.
Traditionally, the father of the bride gives the first speech at a wedding. But, of course, couples can choose any order they want speeches to take place in.
As a host, the father of the bride gives a toast to thank guests for attending his daughter's wedding. However, like with many wedding traditions these days, toast etiquette is something you can play with and make it your own. The father of the bride does not need to give a toast.
While the mother-of-the-bride doesn't typically give a toast at the wedding—that honor is often reserved for the father-of-the-bride—there are situations in which a mother may opt to raise her glass to the happy couple, such as when a father has passed away or in the case of a divorced household.
At the end of your father of the bride speech, you should congratulate the happy couple on a wonderful wedding, and express your confidence in their future happiness together. Traditionally, your closing should also contain some words of wisdom about life and marriage.
The person proposing the toast stands, or raises a glass and asks for everyone's attention before launching into the toast. At the conclusion of the toast, everyone except the honoree(s) raises their glasses and drinks. The honoree acknowledges the toast with a smile or nod.
The father of the bride will typically start off by welcoming guests and thanking them for coming. The speech can also include a heartfelt anecdote about the bride and some words of wisdom for the happy couple. The mother of the bride or another close member of the bride's family can also say a few words.
While in some families and cultures, the parents do give a tangible gift to the bridal couple, other families and cultures feel the wedding itself is enough. This means it is completely your choice.
Father-Daughter Dance FAQs
Most brides have the father-daughter dance right after their first dance with their spouse.
How do you end a wedding toast? You end your toast by asking everyone to raise their glasses and saying a charming, funny or meaningful sentiment out loud for everyone to echo – you'd usually end it with 'to the bride and groom/happy couple/newlyweds' or use their names, and the wedding party would say it back to you.
It is okay to read the father of the bride speech. No one is required to get a certificate in public speaking before giving wedding speeches, so it's fine to have notes as long as you have at least practiced beforehand.
What Are the Duties of the Father of the Bride? The traditional roles of the father of the bride include travelling to the wedding with the bride, walking the bride down the aisle, 'giving her away' at the altar and giving a father of the bride speech.
There is a religious tradition that sometimes accompanies the father of the bride giving away the bride. As the father and bride approach the end of the aisle, the officiant will ask, “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” The father will then answer, “I do.”
It was a masterclass in acting to be with her in that movie. Andy Garcia as Billy, left, and Gloria Estefan as Ingrid in “Father of the Bride.” (Claudette Barius / Warner Bros.)
What is the Order of Speeches at a Wedding? The traditional wedding speech order goes father of the bride, groom, best man and other toasts. "In same-sex weddings, it is also common for both partners to speak but sometimes only one does," explains Marc.
"The proper way to offer a toast is to stand and raise your glass. No clinking to get attention. The room will acknowledge you without that," advises Bryant about gaining the guests' attention.
In traditional weddings, the father of the bride walks her down the aisle and hands her off to the groom. If this seems old-fashioned, that is because it is. The practice dates back to the days when women were the property of their father, and he gave her away in exchange for a dowry.
Dad can wear a tie, bow tie, and/or pocket square that complements what the groomsmen are wearing, or he can choose to coordinate his accessories with his partner's attire. "The father of the bride should feel free to experiment with accessories," continues Men's Wearhouse.
Back when most marriages were arranged for convenience or an exchange of wealth, some weddings had the father-daughter dance at the start of the wedding reception. At the end of the dance, the father of the bride would hand his daughter to her new husband for their first dance – an extension of giving her away.