Bit of advice - Father of the Bride speech but from brother
Discussion
So, my older sister's wedding is on Saturday. Our father who will be there on the day is not a good public speaker and it has fallen to me to give the first speech...
I have no ideas at all really, and I'm not really a strong speaker either!
Planning to keep it short and sweet really.
Obviously being the younger sibling I can't remember when she was small, although lots when I grew up a bit.
Had a bit of a search but still struggling! Any advice?
I have no ideas at all really, and I'm not really a strong speaker either!
Planning to keep it short and sweet really.
Obviously being the younger sibling I can't remember when she was small, although lots when I grew up a bit.
Had a bit of a search but still struggling! Any advice?
I had to do this for my sister a few years ago (although our dad had died so slightly different circumstances). I used Google which took me to several pages of ideas and text, was sorted in no time, got the right blend of humour and serious comments and it worked a treat.
Best if luck with it.
Best if luck with it.
Here's the one I used for my daughters wedding a few years ago, feel free to plaigarise
Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen
I did ask for an autocue for my speech today, as I have a memory like a geriatric goldfish, but I was told that the budget had been stretched to capacity and any extras would have to be paid for by myself…( reach for piece of paper) I suddenly realised that this piece of paper is good enough!
[b]INTRODUCTION[/]
For those of you who don’t know me I’m Dave, Tanya’s Dad and on behalf of my wife Jan, we would like to welcome you all here today to celebrate the marriage of our daughter Tanya to Matt.
I would like to welcome Matt’s parents, Mick & Carol, as well as all relatives and friends. I know some of you have travelled considerable distances to be here.
Thank you all for coming to see me, it’s very much appreciated.
THE WEDDING
When I first thought about organising all of this I was quite worried about getting everything right…actually I have found it all very easy…You sit back and everything happens. It was just like my own wedding in 1976! I really don’t know what all the fuss is about. The only thing I must say is that I was most upset that my suggestion of the local scout hall as a venue was dismissed without any consideration, however I must admit the final selection is perfectly acceptable.
MY DAUGHTER TANYA
This is the point where I am supposed to say a few embarrassing things about Tanya when she was younger but unfortunately she has been a perfect daughter. Tanya has more ammunition against me than I have about her so I have called a truce.
Suffice it to say that Jan and I are both very proud of her and how she looks today and how she has grown up and are both delighted that she has found someone who she obviously loves and cares for very much.
I clearly remember my own wedding day being one of the proudest days of my life.
I also clearly remember 14th August 1984…( look at Tanya )… I was just settling down with a few beers when I got a call from Jan it was time to go to the hospital
When she arrived, I couldn’t believe it when was handed an 8lb baby girl…It was my first daughter. She was my first princess in my own Royal Family.
It was a fantastic, memorable day….
As she grew up there were many milestones along the way.
First steps.
First day at school.
First time away from home and a school trip.
Falling off the pushbike and breaking her arm…you get the idea
There is one particular incident that I recall that prepared me for Tanya….
When she was about 6 years old she went out to buy a small ice cream from the ice cream van. She returned with a double cone with strawberry and vanilla flavours, 2 flakes in the ice cream, hundreds and thousands topping sprinkled on top and the whole work of art was covered in strawberry sauce, topped off with some bubble gum inside the cone…I didn’t get any change and it was at this point that I realized my daughter had expensive taste.
I remember not so long ago being told by Tanya…’when I get married it’ll just be a small do’, luckily the ice cream incident prepared me for Tanya’s ideas of small.
Tanya has made us very proud. All parents want their children to have a good education and give themselves a good start in life, this she has done.
Today, I look at my daughter and I see an independent, attractive, elegant, stunning young woman. She obviously takes after her mother.
Of course she inherits other traits from me…
her cooking…
her musical talent…
her allergy to housework…
her appreciation for the finer things in life (DOWN GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE)
MATT
Every Father hopes his daughter will find a reliable, sensible, and considerate partner and as much as you try not to interfere in their lives, you always hope your children will make the right choices in life. Tanya chose Matt.
I have found that Matt is reliable, sensible and considerate, especially when planning a trip to the pub, and as this closely matches my own values I think Tanya has made an excellent choice and I welcome Matt to the King family.
Matt, I hope that you will be able to keep my daughter in the lifestyle in which she has become accustomed. I totally understand why you have chosen to extend your career in the world of gambling!
To help you with your marriage, I thought I would give you some advice based on my 34 year experience of married life.
Marriage will teach you many things… loyalty…self restraint…obedience…I am still in daily training on these matters.
There is no challenge in a marriage that can’t be overcome by one or more of the following:
I was wrong!
You were right!
Yes Dear
I love you!
Finally, Never go to bed in the middle of an argument – be a man stay up and fight and watch some sport…You’ve lost anyway so you might as well get it over with.
I would just like to leave you with this thought…
The actor Richard Burton once said that ‘a woman accepts a man for what he is and then spends the rest of her life trying to change him.’… So, if we can all take one last look at Matt as we know him because he is now under new management and Tanya’s remodelling work starts first thing in the morning.
Finally, if you would all be upstanding, I would like you all to raise a glass for the health and happiness of the bride and groom…Tanya & Matt.
Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen
I did ask for an autocue for my speech today, as I have a memory like a geriatric goldfish, but I was told that the budget had been stretched to capacity and any extras would have to be paid for by myself…( reach for piece of paper) I suddenly realised that this piece of paper is good enough!
[b]INTRODUCTION[/]
For those of you who don’t know me I’m Dave, Tanya’s Dad and on behalf of my wife Jan, we would like to welcome you all here today to celebrate the marriage of our daughter Tanya to Matt.
I would like to welcome Matt’s parents, Mick & Carol, as well as all relatives and friends. I know some of you have travelled considerable distances to be here.
Thank you all for coming to see me, it’s very much appreciated.
THE WEDDING
When I first thought about organising all of this I was quite worried about getting everything right…actually I have found it all very easy…You sit back and everything happens. It was just like my own wedding in 1976! I really don’t know what all the fuss is about. The only thing I must say is that I was most upset that my suggestion of the local scout hall as a venue was dismissed without any consideration, however I must admit the final selection is perfectly acceptable.
MY DAUGHTER TANYA
This is the point where I am supposed to say a few embarrassing things about Tanya when she was younger but unfortunately she has been a perfect daughter. Tanya has more ammunition against me than I have about her so I have called a truce.
Suffice it to say that Jan and I are both very proud of her and how she looks today and how she has grown up and are both delighted that she has found someone who she obviously loves and cares for very much.
I clearly remember my own wedding day being one of the proudest days of my life.
I also clearly remember 14th August 1984…( look at Tanya )… I was just settling down with a few beers when I got a call from Jan it was time to go to the hospital
When she arrived, I couldn’t believe it when was handed an 8lb baby girl…It was my first daughter. She was my first princess in my own Royal Family.
It was a fantastic, memorable day….
As she grew up there were many milestones along the way.
First steps.
First day at school.
First time away from home and a school trip.
Falling off the pushbike and breaking her arm…you get the idea
There is one particular incident that I recall that prepared me for Tanya….
When she was about 6 years old she went out to buy a small ice cream from the ice cream van. She returned with a double cone with strawberry and vanilla flavours, 2 flakes in the ice cream, hundreds and thousands topping sprinkled on top and the whole work of art was covered in strawberry sauce, topped off with some bubble gum inside the cone…I didn’t get any change and it was at this point that I realized my daughter had expensive taste.
I remember not so long ago being told by Tanya…’when I get married it’ll just be a small do’, luckily the ice cream incident prepared me for Tanya’s ideas of small.
Tanya has made us very proud. All parents want their children to have a good education and give themselves a good start in life, this she has done.
Today, I look at my daughter and I see an independent, attractive, elegant, stunning young woman. She obviously takes after her mother.
Of course she inherits other traits from me…
her cooking…
her musical talent…
her allergy to housework…
her appreciation for the finer things in life (DOWN GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE)
MATT
Every Father hopes his daughter will find a reliable, sensible, and considerate partner and as much as you try not to interfere in their lives, you always hope your children will make the right choices in life. Tanya chose Matt.
I have found that Matt is reliable, sensible and considerate, especially when planning a trip to the pub, and as this closely matches my own values I think Tanya has made an excellent choice and I welcome Matt to the King family.
Matt, I hope that you will be able to keep my daughter in the lifestyle in which she has become accustomed. I totally understand why you have chosen to extend your career in the world of gambling!
To help you with your marriage, I thought I would give you some advice based on my 34 year experience of married life.
Marriage will teach you many things… loyalty…self restraint…obedience…I am still in daily training on these matters.
There is no challenge in a marriage that can’t be overcome by one or more of the following:
I was wrong!
You were right!
Yes Dear
I love you!
Finally, Never go to bed in the middle of an argument – be a man stay up and fight and watch some sport…You’ve lost anyway so you might as well get it over with.
I would just like to leave you with this thought…
The actor Richard Burton once said that ‘a woman accepts a man for what he is and then spends the rest of her life trying to change him.’… So, if we can all take one last look at Matt as we know him because he is now under new management and Tanya’s remodelling work starts first thing in the morning.
Finally, if you would all be upstanding, I would like you all to raise a glass for the health and happiness of the bride and groom…Tanya & Matt.
I think your Dad will really regret missing the opportunity, it is one of the key events of the day and a real focus on the day (I imagine all the things that worry him)
My Father in Law is not a confident public speaker but gave it a good old crack, whilst it may not have flowed beautifully, he got across what he wanted to say and despite being very relieved when it was over, he was delighted to have done it.
It is not like a work presentation, everyone will be rooting for him and laugh and clap however crap.
My Father in Law is not a confident public speaker but gave it a good old crack, whilst it may not have flowed beautifully, he got across what he wanted to say and despite being very relieved when it was over, he was delighted to have done it.
It is not like a work presentation, everyone will be rooting for him and laugh and clap however crap.
R6VED said:
I think your Dad will really regret missing the opportunity, it is one of the key events of the day and a real focus on the day (I imagine all the things that worry him)
My Father in Law is not a confident public speaker but gave it a good old crack, whilst it may not have flowed beautifully, he got across what he wanted to say and despite being very relieved when it was over, he was delighted to have done it.
It is not like a work presentation, everyone will be rooting for him and laugh and clap however crap.
Same situation with my father in law. The next time we saw my in-laws after I'd proposed my (then) fiance mentioned the speech and you could see the colour panic wash over him. That was 18 months prior to the day! In the end my mother in law did a section although he still had the majority. I think he'd have regretted not doing it, which was on the cards for a while.My Father in Law is not a confident public speaker but gave it a good old crack, whilst it may not have flowed beautifully, he got across what he wanted to say and despite being very relieved when it was over, he was delighted to have done it.
It is not like a work presentation, everyone will be rooting for him and laugh and clap however crap.
Agree with the above - my father in law is a very nervous public speaker, not used to it at all.
However he gave it a go, he was sweating, shaking and pale as a ghost when he stood up, however his short speech was excellent in content despite the shaky delivery.
I think he'd regret not being able to stand and speak about how proud he is of his daughter.
However he gave it a go, he was sweating, shaking and pale as a ghost when he stood up, however his short speech was excellent in content despite the shaky delivery.
I think he'd regret not being able to stand and speak about how proud he is of his daughter.
It's her big day, and he's her dad, so the audience will be on his side from the start. If he can't bear doing it get him involved in writing it so it at least gets across what he wants to say.
If you end up doing it don't treat it like a best man's speech, the guests expect some ribbing of the groom but not of the bride.
If you end up doing it don't treat it like a best man's speech, the guests expect some ribbing of the groom but not of the bride.
suthol said:
The actor Richard Burton once said that ‘a woman accepts a man for what he is and then spends the rest of her life trying to change him.’… So, if we can all take one last look at Matt as we know him because he is now under new management and Tanya’s remodelling work starts first thing in the morning.
Finally, if you would all be upstanding, I would like you all to raise a glass for the health and happiness of the bride and groom…Tanya & Matt.
That's being stolen for the best man speech! Cheers. I am not looking forward to it.Finally, if you would all be upstanding, I would like you all to raise a glass for the health and happiness of the bride and groom…Tanya & Matt.
Thank you for all the advice, I've posted what I've written in a spoiler below:
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. For those who don’t know me my name is Andrew and I am the very proud brother of Laura, the beautiful bride.
Even though our father is sitting here today I’ve been drafted in for the first speech as he was so happy the responsibility for looking after Laura has been officially passed onto Stephen he’s been at the bar all afternoon celebrating!
I would like to begin by welcoming you all here to today especially those who travelled far to join in the celebration of Laura and Stephen’s wedding, almost 9 years in the making. I hope you all have a great time in these wonderful surroundings
I would like to thank Dave and Judy and welcome them to our family.
Thank you to the bridesmaids, Rachael, Jane and Marina, for making sure Laura made it here. They look beautiful in their dresses, hand picked by Stephen of course, although he struggled to find one that would fit him!
Seeing my sister look as radiant as she does on her wedding day makes both her father and me so happy.
We are so proud of everything she has become, as would our mother, Isla, be, who sadly cannot be with us here today. I know that she would agree that this is a day for happiness and for looking ahead to the future.
We are so pleased that Laura and Stephen found each other. Stephen has been a part of the family for a long time, and has been by Laura’s side though the good times but also the bad.
The only advice I am going to give to you both is to be there for each other no matter what, because after years of seeing how well you two are matched to each other I know that as long as you support each other nothing else will matter.
I don’t want to delay the proceedings any further so I if I could ask you all to be upstanding and join me in a toast.
Ladies and gentlemen, please raise your glasses.
I give you Laura and Stephen, the bride and groom.
As for my dad, I did speak to him again today and he said the real reason he doesn't want to do it is because he'll think of our departed mother and completely choke. Which is fair enough.
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. For those who don’t know me my name is Andrew and I am the very proud brother of Laura, the beautiful bride.
Even though our father is sitting here today I’ve been drafted in for the first speech as he was so happy the responsibility for looking after Laura has been officially passed onto Stephen he’s been at the bar all afternoon celebrating!
I would like to begin by welcoming you all here to today especially those who travelled far to join in the celebration of Laura and Stephen’s wedding, almost 9 years in the making. I hope you all have a great time in these wonderful surroundings
I would like to thank Dave and Judy and welcome them to our family.
Thank you to the bridesmaids, Rachael, Jane and Marina, for making sure Laura made it here. They look beautiful in their dresses, hand picked by Stephen of course, although he struggled to find one that would fit him!
Seeing my sister look as radiant as she does on her wedding day makes both her father and me so happy.
We are so proud of everything she has become, as would our mother, Isla, be, who sadly cannot be with us here today. I know that she would agree that this is a day for happiness and for looking ahead to the future.
We are so pleased that Laura and Stephen found each other. Stephen has been a part of the family for a long time, and has been by Laura’s side though the good times but also the bad.
The only advice I am going to give to you both is to be there for each other no matter what, because after years of seeing how well you two are matched to each other I know that as long as you support each other nothing else will matter.
I don’t want to delay the proceedings any further so I if I could ask you all to be upstanding and join me in a toast.
Ladies and gentlemen, please raise your glasses.
I give you Laura and Stephen, the bride and groom.
As for my dad, I did speak to him again today and he said the real reason he doesn't want to do it is because he'll think of our departed mother and completely choke. Which is fair enough.
Edited by AndrewEH1 on Friday 4th July 23:06
Lovely. It'll go down well. If you really want to, think about the music she liked as a teen bros? westlife? Steps?? Was she a goth? Its friendly ribbing which all he family will remember but not her partners side, and you could always end with saying a few words from her teen band as a love poem
williamp said:
Lovely. It'll go down well. If you really want to, think about the music she liked as a teen bros? westlife? Steps?? Was she a goth? Its friendly ribbing which all he family will remember but not her partners side, and you could always end with saying a few words from her teen band as a love poem
Haha, the only problem is that I really liked Boyzone so that trumps everything for a terrible band!Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff