Delivering Groom's Wedding Speeches. Your palms are sweaty, your throat's dry, your heart's beating faster and louder than a marching band - it's quite likely then, that you're about to give the all -important groom's wedding speech. But before you drag your feet to the microphone like a person condemned to the gallows, take a little inspiration from our do's and don'ts that will soon have you leaping onto the stage brimming with confidence.
The Father of the Bride's Speech
Traditionally, the father of the bride's speech is the first speech given. As father of the bride, it's appropriate to welcome all the guests and thank them for attending.
Do
- Welcome your new son-in-law, and his parents into the family
- Let your daughter know proud you are of her and how lovely she looks
- Relate a humourous anecdote about your first impression of your son-in-law
- Offer advice and well wishes to the couple
- Propose a toast to the happy couple
Don't
- Joke about polishing your shotgun or breaking bones if your new son-in-law hurts your daughter. Just remember: Threats (even in jest) + Weddings = Bad Atmosphere - no matter how protective you are of the bride.
The Father of the Groom's Speech
Traditionally the father of the groom's speech occurs after the father of the bride has made his speech.
Do
- Welcome your new daughter-in-law and her parents into the family.
- State how proud you are of your son and how pleased you are to see him married to his bride.
- Tell an anecdote about your first impressions of the couple, an amusing incident involving the wedding preparations or a memorable moment during the bride and groom's courtship.
- Give advice and well wishes to the couple.
- Propose a toast to the happy couple.
Don't
- Embarrass the bride and groom with your anecdote. At best, you'll only get a few uneasy laughs and a whole lot of uncomfortable silence.
The Groom's Wedding Speech
The groom's wedding speech usually comes next and provides him with the opportunity to respond to the wedding speeches already given by his father and father-in-law. Traditionally the groom would speak on behalf of himself and his bride. However nowadays, a bride's speech has become commonplace also.
Do
- Welcome all the guests, with a special mention of those who have travelled a long way to be there.
- Thank the bride's parents for allowing you their daughter's hand in marriage and for welcoming you into their family.
- Give appreciation of the comments made by your father and father-in-law.
- Pay tribute to your own parents.
- Acknowledge all the people involved in the wedding preparations.
- Propose a toast to the bridesmaids and acknowledge their unique role as support to your bride during the wedding and reception.
- Thank your best man and groomsmen for their role during the wedding and wedding preparations.
Don't
- Forget to thank and compliment the bride. It's a common mistake many grooms make. Though many people need to be acknowledged for all the time and effort they've put into the wedding, she's put in many hours too - especially in transforming herself into the vision of beauty that stands before you now!
The Bride's Speech
It's become quite common for the bride to give a speech on her wedding day, particularly if family members or close friends can not be present.
Do
- Thank all guests for traveling to be with you for the occasion.
- Describe the feelings of the day and how happy you are to be married to your new husband.
- Thank the groom's parents for accepting you into their family.
- Pay tribute to your own parents.
- Acknowledge the help of bridesmaids and others for their role in the wedding and preparations.
- Acknowledge anything notable said in previous speeches.
Don't
- Hog the limelight! Whilst it is your special day, the speeches aren't supposed to be your domain.
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