Father of the Bride Speech: Template & 4 Heartfelt Examples

The structure

1. Welcome the guests and thank them for coming (30 seconds).
2. Thank the people who helped make the day happen (45 seconds).
3. One story about your daughter (90 seconds).
4. Welcome your new son- or daughter-in-law into the family (60 seconds).
5. One line of fatherly advice and the toast (45 seconds).

Example — Traditional (5 minutes)

Good evening. On behalf of my wife Anna and myself, thank you all for traveling to be with Emily and Mark today… Emily, you have been the light of this family since the day you arrived. Mark, we already consider you a son. Please raise your glasses — to Emily and Mark, and to the next chapter.

Example — Modern, slightly funny (4 minutes)

When Olivia was four, she told me she was going to marry a man named ‘Bob the Builder.’ Mark, you are an architect, so this is technically on brand… Welcome to our family. To Olivia and Mark.

Example — Short (90 seconds)

I'll keep this short because Anna keeps tapping my wrist. James, we are so glad you're ours now. Sophia, you have made every day of our lives better since the day you were born. Please join me in raising a glass to my daughter and her husband.

If you're not a public speaker

• Write it all down. Don't try to “speak from the heart” — speak from the page.
• Practice aloud six to ten times. Out loud, not silently.
• One sip of water before you start. None during.
• Look up at three faces only: your daughter, her partner, your spouse.
• End on the toast. The toast is the off-ramp.

What to avoid

• Stories about exes — yours or hers.
• Long thank-you lists. Two or three people, max.
• Speeches longer than seven minutes.
• “I'm not losing a daughter, I'm gaining a son” — overused.