Father of the Bride Speech: Simple Ideas & Inspiration for Shy Dads

The day your daughter gets married will likely be one of the proudest of your life, but that can sometimes feel clouded by the pressure of writing a father of the bride speech.

Thankfully, we’re here to help you realise that – along with your other father of the bride duties – there’s absolutely nothing to fear. With expert tips from professional speech writers to example speeches for father of the bride that you can use as inspiration, we’ve got everything you need to write and deliver a corker of a speech with confidence.

And the best bit? Being yourself, reflecting on your stories and experiences of being a dad, and smiling are almost all you need to do!

So, without further ado, let’s get into how to write a father of the bride speech that you, and your daughter, will truly be proud of.

Father of the Bride Speech UK: Tips, Examples & Ideas

Whether you’re feeling particularly nervous about delivering a speech or you’re just not sure where to start when it comes to writing, our expert tips and tricks will have you wowing the crowd – without breaking a sweat – in no time.

• What is a Father of the Bride Speech?
• How to Write a Father of the Bride Speech
• How Long Should a Father of the Bride Speech Be?
• Father of the Bride Speech Examples
• Tips for Writing & Delivering a Father of the Bride Speech
• Father of the Bride Speech FAQ

What is a Father of the Bride Speech?

Exactly as it sounds, the father of the bride speech is a speech given by the bride’s dad during the 'speeches' part of the day – usually before, during or after the wedding breakfast.

It’s often a series of thank-yous, injected with a few humorous flourishes and a little advice, plus the most vital element: stories and compliments about your daughter – the bride.

It’s always been tradition for the father of the bride to give a speech, but these days it’s not uncommon to have a mother of the bride speech in lieu of, or as well as, a father of the bride speech, or for the parents to do it together.

How to Write a Father of the Bride Speech

So, what should a father of the bride speech include? And what order or structure should it follow? Though every father wedding speech will be different, there are some things we’d always recommend including, which we’ve outlined below with the help of wedding and after-dinner speech writer Marc Blakewill of All Write On The Night:

Introduce yourself

To grab their attention, be confident and keep it simple. You might want to break the ice with a gag or – if in doubt – start with the thank-yous. “You’ll likely be the first speaker so get some audience reaction under your belt early,” suggests Marc. “You’ll relax and the guests will know they are in good hands, too.”

Welcomes and thanks

“If some people have travelled far, briefly mentioning the places or countries they’ve travelled from is always appreciated,” says Marc. “Unless the wedding is being hosted by you, keep any thanks about organisational aspects on the short side.”

Toast to absent friends

Not obligatory, but if some close loved ones are no longer with you, this can be a good moment to pay tribute to them by raising a glass. “If you plan on doing this, check the groom isn’t doing so too,” adds Marc.

Pay tribute to the mother of the bride

“She brought your daughter into the world and helped raise her – what better time to show your appreciation than on your daughter’s wedding day?”

Talk about your daughter

“The main event!” says Marc. “This is where you try to capture your pride and love for her and celebrate her achievements. If you’re struggling with this part, here are some questions to unlock stories and lines:

• What are her best qualities and on what occasions has she shown these?
• What achievements of hers are you most proud of? For example, school, sport, hobbies, work?
• What amusing stories bring her unique personality to life?
• How does she make you feel as a dad?

“The more the above can be woven into stories, the more memorable your speech will be,” adds Marc.

Don’t forget to mention how beautiful she looks and how proud you were to walk her down the aisle, too.

Welcome your daughter’s partner

Although they may well be part of the furniture now, it’s still nice to formally welcome your daughter’s partner into the family with a mix of entertaining and meaningful lines.

“A story about your first meeting could be fun or if they nervously asked for your daughter’s hand in marriage,” adds Marc. ‘You might also praise their parents at this point.”

Final thoughts and wishes

The conclusion of your speech should always reiterate the pride and love you feel for your daughter; however you choose to say it. “Some fathers like to end by sharing wisdom, others like to quote from a writer or poet,” suggests Marc. “Still others like to be more jokey and talk about the importance of always putting the toilet seat down! Matching the tone to your personality is always best.”

End with a toast

After wishing the newlyweds well in their married life, end in traditional fashion with a toast to the happy couple.  

How Long Should a Father of the Bride Speech Be?

“I’d recommend at least five minutes for your father of the bride speech but a maximum of 10,” says Marc. “Five minutes can cover all the key thanks and a story or two about your daughter. Beyond 10 minutes and you’ll need something really special to hold people’s attention.”

When it comes to deciding how long you want your speech to be, Marc advises being led by your material: “If the stories and lines are pouring out of you as you write, it’s usually a good sign that a decent-length speech will work. If it’s a struggle, a shorter speech might be better.

“Also be aware of who else is speaking,” he adds. “Are there more than three standard speakers? Perhaps there are two best men, for example. If so, you might want to keep a keener eye on the length of yours.”

Father of the Bride Speech Examples

We're not ones to recommend doing a ‘copy and paste’ job when it comes to writing wedding speeches for the father of the bride, but there’s nothing wrong with browsing some father of the bride speech examples for inspiration. You might even want to use these as templates to build your own speech from.

While most father of the bride speech examples will refer to a ‘bride and groom’, these can of course be altered to reference your daughter’s partner however they prefer to be known.

Discover some of our favourite wedding speech for dad examples below, and even more in our article on the best father of the bride speech quotes and toasts.

1. Sweet Father of the Bride Speech Example

This father of the bride gave a sweet speech about his daughter, Leah, and her new partner, explaining how proud he and Leah's mum were of her life choices and welcoming her new partner to the family. 

Welcome! To the family and friends, and friends that I’ve yet to meet. 

For those of you that don’t know me, I am the very proud father of this beautiful bride, Leah. As the father of the bride, I have the dubious pleasure of making the first speech: I am therefore the warm-up act for the star speakers – the groom, Clive and best man, Tim. 

Your mum and I are aware of just how blessed we’ve been to have you in our lives Leah. It has been an absolute joy to watch a very talkative and extremely inquisitive little girl blossom into the very beautiful, clever, compassionate and extremely loving young lady that I had the privilege of walking down the aisle today.

Leah has been like a ray of sunshine since the day she was born. Now, as she begins married life, Clive will be whom she will turn to for love and protection. And I know that she knows, her mum and dad will always be there for her, too.

You often wonder as a parent just how your children will turn out. You wonder what sort of life decisions they will make, especially those that you have no control over. What friends will they choose, who they'll pick as a partner to share their life with. Will that person love and care for them as well as you would? Will you approve?

Well for what it’s worth Leah, your Mum and I think you have made an excellent choice in Clive!

I won’t bore you with lengthy pieces of paternal advice, regarding marriage and life together, as I understand your hens have already done that for you.

So here's my piece: This world is entirely yours, and it is only you who will determine its rules. I am sure that you will build a reliable family home, your safe haven where you’ll feel at ease, which will give you strength to withstand the storms and challenges of life ahead. On this journey, let me wish you only love and good fortune.

You can read the full speech here.

2. Traditional Father of the Bride Speech Example

When making a gesture to your daughter's new partner, a sweet story about them is a lovely way to show your appreciation. This father of the bride decided to share the story of his daughter's partner asking for her hand in marriage, a tradition they decided to celebrate. 

Hello everyone. First of all, thank you so much for joining us tonight to celebrate [bride] and [groom] wedding.

Before I offer a toast to these newlyweds, please allow me to say a few words about these two special people.

I'll start with the groom. Kim and I have known [groom] for a few years now. In our short time together we've been able to witness and appreciate many of his great qualities. We've learned that he's thoughtful and good natured. He's creative, industrious, and tackles projects with an artistic flair.

But better yet we've learned that [groom] has strong character. For example, 18 months ago [groom] came to our house and asked permission to marry [bride]. While Kim and I were anticipating an engagement… asking permission demonstrated a level of character that you don't see every day.

It was a very special moment for us, and it really tested our capacity to keep a secret. But best of all during our time together, Kim and I have learned that [groom] is the one for [bride]. This not based on one single thing, but on the many little things.

I think anyone who has spent any time with this couple would agree they connect in a special way. And for these reasons, and the many more to come, we are delighted to call [groom] family today.

You can read the full speech here.

3. Funny Father of the Bride Speech Example

Adding just the right amount of humour to your father of the bride speech is guaranteed to go down well. It doesn't have to feel like a whole comedy routine, but a few jokes here and there can really bring it to life. This father of the bride did just that with his speech. 

Hello, for those of you who do not know me, I am Gillian's dad, Charlie.

As the father of the bride it's my privilege to give the first speech and, as I get to go first, you have nothing to compare it to – so look to me as the warm up act for Kenny and David.

Time flies by so quickly, it doesn't seem that long ago since Gillian was born, and here I am today speaking (or trying) to toast her wedding. Gillian is a very caring person and has a lovely warm nature that has given her mother Lesley and I so much joy and happiness over the years – even in spite of her expensive tastes as she was growing up.

I could tell you a thing or two and who knows, later on, when I've had a few drinks, I just might! But for now I can give you a small example, like when she used to ask me to upgrade her mobile phone, on what seemed like a weekly basis. So much so that I was sure I was getting a bigger discount from the manufacturers than Carphone Warehouse was.

Every father and mother wishes their daughter the best of luck for the future and worries about her finding the right person, one who will make her happy, cherish, and look after her forever.

During the time we have known Kenny, we have come to realise how special he is to Gillian, how much of a kind, caring, pleasant and genuinely nice man he is and what a great son in law he will be, IF he finishes my tiling. It's almost a yellow card for you Kenny.

Gillian, you are a very pretty woman and looked stunning in your wedding dress and as you know, your dad tends to state the obvious. Today, you really looked beautiful when I saw you in your wedding dress. You looked like a princess who has now found her prince charming!

I'm not saying Kenny looked like a frog before you kissed him but... Oh no, I see Kenny is starting to go into a bit of a sulk…OK Kenny, you look really handsome and very smart, too. Almost but not quite as good looking as Gillian.

Lesley and I will always be there for you if you ever need anything. But I need to clarify something, that by ‘anything’, I mean if you both want to talk – not borrow money, because that would be something different and nigh on impossible. It's good to talk but I can only lend you an ear.

And can I just remind you both, that you signed a contract. For richer, for poorer etc, remember? I have witnesses and it's on tape! That, in legal terms, is called good admissible evidence.

Finally, I would like to propose a toast to the happy couple and know that everyone here will want to join me in wishing this pair a very long, happy, and healthy future together.

You can read the full speech here.

4. Sentimental Father of the Bride Speech Example

This father of the bride gave a sentimental toast to both his daughter and her new partner. He used beautiful stories and words to narrate how he felt…

Laura, both me and your Mum are aware of just how blessed we have been to have you in our lives, and we hope you know exactly how much we love you and how very proud we are of the lovely young lady you have become.

I first became aware that Laura had found herself a young man when suddenly our dinner discussions that had been on subjects such as reduction labels, stock levels, queue lengths and the amount of overtime left in the Tesco budget, suddenly became about groceries and a certain young manager by the name of James.

I know that tradition dictates that it is at this point that I am supposed to welcome James today into our family, but the truth is that we have known him for some eight years now and from day one he has always been a member of the family. He's happy to join in with what's going on, an expert in assembling gazebos and an excellent cook when it comes to looking after BBQs. Just not much of a rally driver…

For what it's worth Laura, your Mum, Barney and I think you have made a great choice. From the day we met James he has been an absolute credit to both Tracy and Lee. At this point I can only apologise to both of them for the additional workload that Laura joining their family may cause.

Laura and James, may your marriage be a truly happy one and may you have a long and wonderful life together. It is my very great pleasure to propose the first toast to the happy couple. So could I ask you please be upstanding and raise your glasses to the bride and groom.

You can read the full speech here. 

5. Funny & Heartfelt Father of the Bride Speech Example

This father of the bride speech example has the perfect balance of humour and sentiment, as it touches on funny stories and anecdotes, as well as some the hard-hitting roadblocks the couple have had to navigate. 

Good afternoon, everyone. On behalf of Moira and Ellen and myself, I would like to start by welcoming you all and to thank you for coming here to celebrate this very special, happy occasion, the marriage of our daughter Marie to Stephen.

Every wedding is special, of course. But to see your daughter get married is something else. Marie, our walk down the aisle this afternoon is a memory I shall cherish. You looked absolutely beautiful in your stunning wedding dress.

When the date was set for the wedding, I thought that was plenty of time to get my father of the bride speech sorted – or maybe just wing it! As you can imagine that suggestion didn’t go down well. In fact, it should be called ‘mother of the bride speech’ as Moira kept crossing out things that I couldn’t say about Marie to embarrass her.

Growing up, Marie was stubborn and moody (don’t know where she got that from) but always there for friends and family. Always helping around the house, cooking and cleaning – NOT! I know where she got that from…

Marie went to Australia for a year, she left right after her 21st birthday not able to boil an egg. Hopefully she has got better, Stephen?

After they had been together a while I got a call from Marie, in tears, saying she had just found out something terrible about Stephen. I calmed her down and that’s when she told the news. Stephen was a Rangers supporter and what should she do. At the time they were in the 3rd division, so I told Marie, ‘he was probably embarrassed to tell you’.

Anyone who knows the two of them will know how much in love and how well suited they are… especially when they got the horrible news of Stephen’s cancer.

Stephen gave Marie the option to walk away, but that was never going to happen, as I saw first-hand, with Marie and Ellen being at his bedside during the chemo, how close Marie was to the whole of Stephen's family and him to ours.

You only have to be in their company for a few minutes to realise they are best friends as well as soul mates.

After Stephen got the all-clear I invited him to play golf having heard he was a pretty decent player. I thought this was a great chance to see how he reacts to me. With only one eye and difficulty hitting all his shots properly he let me win. I thought then, ‘You will do for me’. We haven’t played since, thankfully.

You can read the full speech here. 

6. Short Father of the Bride Speech Example

This short father of the bride speech example is concise and to the point, proving that you can make a brilliant speech in a short space of time. 

Good afternoon, everybody on behalf of Sharon and myself, I would like to start by welcoming you all and to thank you for coming here to celebrate.

Now if you want to get an inkling of what Bex was like as a small child then look no further than her lovely daughter Raina ­­– a child full of energy like Bex and always on the go.

Never sleeping when she should, just like Bex, irritating her brother whenever possible, like Bex, but always a wonderful happy little soul.

Bex was very talkative as a small child and when she wasn't forming long sentences, she would gabble away in a language only known to herself.

You are a wonderful daughter; and have provided us with so much joy and happiness over the years.

It has been a joy for both your mum and me to watch you develop from our gorgeous baby daughter into the very beautiful, clever, compassionate and extremely loving daughter, mother, and now wife, that you have become.

And it was my honour and privilege to escort you down the aisle today.

I know that tradition dictates that it is at this point that I am supposed to welcome Paulo today into our family, but he has been part of it for a while now, with exceptional BBQs whenever the weather permits, so we have had quite a few this year.

Also I have always thought that Paulo and I have had a mystic connection from the very start.

It seems that we both share a very strong interest in the spirit world.

Two spirits to be precise…

Gin and whiskey.

Together we have quite a substantial collection.

It only remains for me to say – Bexy and Paulo, happy marriages begin when you marry the one you love, and they blossom when you love the one you married.

May your marriage be a truly happy one, and may you have a long and wonderful life together.

Ladies and gentlemen, I have one final very pleasurable responsibility to fulfil.

It is my very great pleasure to propose the first toast to the happy couple. So, could I ask you please to be upstanding and raise your glasses to the Bride and Groom.

You can read the full speech here. 

Tips for Writing & Delivering a Father of the Bride Speech

Practise, practise, practise!

You know the saying: it makes perfect. “Give yourself plenty of time by writing your speech at least a couple of months before the wedding,” advises author and wedding speech writer Heidi Ellert-McDermott of Speechy.

“When you’ve got everything written down, go through and edit it. We usually recommend cutting it down by a third – a speech is always better when it’s punchy and has pace to it,” she adds.

“Recreate the moment when you practise too,” says Marc. “Will you be holding a mic? Perhaps some cue cards or a sheet of paper? Practise holding something similar.”

Have a strong narrative

“This is a great way of ensuring your speech has depth and isn’t just a list of unlinked observations,” says Heidi.

“Brainstorm more material than you’ll use, then choose the best,” adds Marc.

Follow your instincts

“Choose stories and lines that resonate with you, not what you think you should include,” says Marc. “If the speech makes you smile or joyfully tearful, there’s a very strong chance it’ll do the same to everyone else.”

Have confidence in your words

“As a speech writer, I’ve heard people say countless times: ‘Knowing I had a good speech removed the nerves’,” says Marc. "Do all the heavy lifting in advance and make what’s on those cue cards – or on your phone – the best it can be.”

Hold back on the fizz

Alcohol isn’t the magic bullet! “It might lessen nerves but only at the cost of timing,” says Marc. Consider a one-drink limit before you stand up.

Consider hiring a pro

If you really are stumped, a professional speech writer can help you gather your thoughts and anecdotes and put them into a coherent structure.

Remember to smile

“It sounds simple, but looking happy while you deliver your father of the bride speech makes all the difference,” says Heidi. “Ensure you make eye contact with guests as much as possible and smile throughout – it’s literally infectious.”

Father of the Bride Speech FAQ

What order should a father of the bride speech follow?

Our guide to structuring your father of the bride speech above features everything you should include in your speech in more detail, and in what order. But in short, introduce yourself, thank everyone for coming, talk about how proud you are of your daughter, congratulate her partner, share some entertaining marital advice and toast to the couple to end.

What should I avoid saying in my father of the bride speech?

Alongside the obvious things – including crude language, negativity, stories of exes and things you know she’d rather you didn’t share – both Marc and Heidi have a few don’ts when it comes to your father of the bride speech:

“The biggest mistake fathers make with their speech is not making it unique to their daughter,” says Heidi, “instead, resorting to cliches and Googled gags. Once you’ve written it down, read back through your speech and ask yourself how many lines could have been said by another dad, and consider getting rid of them.”

Marc agrees: “It’s tempting to fill your speech with positive words but too many and they lose their value. Be picky as to when you use them. Each instance will then have more punch.

“Don’t rely on AI either,” he adds. “Yes, it’s quick but it will be generic.”

Secondly, try to avoid making too many jokes. “It’s important to remember that you’re not the best man and so while some gentle humour at the expense of your daughter’s partner can be fun and shows your relationship is on a firm footing, it’s important to save your words for your daughter,” says Marc.

And, of course, never, ever make the bride the butt of a joke.

Finally, don’t feel the need to mention absolutely everybody in your father of the bride speech. “It can turn your speech into too much of a list,” says Marc.

How can I make my speech emotional but not too long?

It’s perfectly fine to share a couple of stories and memories of your daughter but remember this is not a CV and you don’t need to share her life story.

“Of course, you love her and probably have hundreds of memories and achievements you’d like to share, but don’t chronicle her entire life story,’ says Heidi. “Make sure the stories you include aren’t over complicated and don’t go on for too long, otherwise you’ll lose the room.

“Remember, your speech should be delivered in 10 minutes, and that includes pauses for laughter. Aim for around eight minutes as a guide – or 1,000 words,” she adds.

Do I need to include jokes or stories?

Stories or memories of your daughter are an important part of a father of the bride speech, ­­­but jokes aren’t necessarily essential – remember, this isn’t a stand-up routine. Instead, try to inject humour into your father speech with funny anecdotes. “A well-crafted story that paints a picture of your daughter and her partner will get laughs at the same time,” says Marc.

“Also remember, you don’t have to do this alone,” adds Heidi. “Why not pick the brains of the rest of your family for stories and anecdotes? Ask people for their funniest and fondest memories of your daughter – siblings are really great for intel!”

When does the father of the bride speech happen during the wedding?

In a traditional speech line-up, the father of the bride is the one who speaks first.

His speech will usually take place before or after the meal, or sometimes in between courses, depending on the preference of the couple.

Want to add some extra sentiment to your speech? Don’t miss our edit of the best father of the bride speech quotes and toasts.