The giving out of speeches is one of the most awaited moments in a wedding. Wedding speeches such as the father of the bride and the father of the groom speech are heard during the reception, which happens immediately after the ceremony.
Arrangements may vary depending on the local customs and traditions.In most countries, it is usually the father and mother of the bride who are heard first. Next in line are the father and mother of the groom, followed by the other members of the entourage such as the best man and the maid of honor. Afterwards, friends and family may volunteer to take the microphone to congratulate the newlyweds.
Are you a father? Is your son about to tie the knot any time soon? Are you expected to deliver a father of the groom speech? If yes, this article focuses on this particular speech and talks about essential pointers on how to write and deliver a memorable one.
Prepare to Write Your Father of the Groom Speech Writing a speech may prove to be a daunting task for many people. However, you can make this task easier by doing it step-by-step.
Consider the following tips :
Make an outline– It’s a good idea to create an outline first before beginning to write your speech as a whole. Writing a speech is much like writing a personal letter to a friend or to a loved one. You need to make sure that your speech has an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.
Now, think about what you want to say in your introduction. How would you like to begin your speech? For instance, you may start by greeting and welcoming the guests who are present in the occasion. You may also want to personally thank them for being part of your son’s most special day.
Another way to begin a wedding speech is by reciting a line from a famous quotation or a few lines from an appropriate song. You may also consider introducing yourself, as some of the guests may not be aware that you are the father of the groom. Making a formal self-introduction is fitting especially if it is a big wedding.
Next, what would you want to say in the body of your speech? For example, you may consider telling one or two anecdotes that involve the groom or you can share a few things about the groom that you know best, as his father. Don’t forget to give attention to your son’s bride by acknowledging her as well as her family.
In your conclusion, you may direct your personal message to the groom and the bride, publicly giving them your blessings and best wishes.
Brainstorm ideas– After creating your outline, jot down words or ideas that may spark inspiration for each part of your speech. Don’t worry if the words you think of seem jumbled or unrelated. Just write down all the words and you can organize them later. Once you are done with your list, choose the ideas you want to include in your speech and the ideas that you want to omit. By doing this, it would be much easier for you to compose your statements.
Add a touch of humor– Good humor never fails to liven up an audience. This proves to be true even for wedding speeches. Incorporating funny lines in your speech will surely make it even more memorable, not only for your son and daughter-in-law, but even for the guests. However, if you want to tell jokes or funny anecdotes, choose your words carefully and see to it that they are clean, in good taste, and will not cause embarrassment to anyone.
Don’t talk about ex’– This might seem like an obvious advice but it doesn’t hurt to be reminded. Try to avoid stories that are related, even indirectly, to your son’s ex-girlfriend. A statement that is connected – be it remotely, to an ex-girlfriend may upset or bring up unpleasant thoughts to the bride. To be safe, it would be best to steer clear from your son’s past relationships.
Offer fatherly advice– As the father of the groom, it is your privilege to share loving words of wisdom for the newlyweds. Nevertheless, do not over do it. See to it that your father of the groom speech will not turn into a elaborate sermon on how to attain marital bliss. Just one or two reminders should be enough.
Keep it short and sweet– Wedding speeches are meant to be brief. Ideally, father of the groom speeches can be delivered within three to five minutes. However, the speech should never be longer than five minutes as it will prove to be a bore for everyone listening. Also, you are not the only person who wants to give a message to the bride and the groom. Other speakers are waiting for their turn so be mindful about time and avoid irrelevant blabbering.
Image Source : Bryn Pinzgauer
Read sample wedding speeches for the father of the groom– You may read a few father of the groom speech examples online and choose one that is best fitting for the occasion. You can even use a sample as your outline so all you need to do is change the details or add your own lines to adapt the speech as your own. Yes, it is possible to create a speech that sounds unique and original out of a written sample. You can achieve this by drawing from your own memory and from your heart.
Raise your glass and propose a toast– After saying your closing remarks, raise your glass and propose a toast for the couple.
Practicing Your Father of the Groom Speech Now that you have finished writing your speech, it’s time for you to practice. Will it be your first time to deliver a speech for a wedding? If yes, don’t worry if you’re feeling a bit nervous. Even experienced speakers may feel jittery when speaking in front of a big audience. What you need to do is to practice reciting your speech out loud so you can build your confidence until the day of your son’s wedding arrives. These simple tips should help you deliver your speech with confidence.
Don’t memorize– There is no need to memorize all the lines you have written down on paper. If you want to read the entire speech, that is fine too. On the other hand, your speech would be a lot more touching and memorable if you will recite it by heart. Don’t worry if you can’t remember the exact words you’ve written. What’s most important is that you can remember the substance of each line. Although you have composed your speech on paper, let your heart speak out.
Practice in front of people– If you are not used to speaking in public or facing a large crowd, practicing in front of a real audience will surely boost your confidence. You can ask your wife, along with your sons and daughters to listen as you practice reciting your father of the groom speech aloud.
Listen to yourself– Another useful tip is to record your speech so you can hear yourself speaking. Thus, you will know which points you need to work on as you continue to practice the delivery of your wedding father of the groom speech. This is also a great way for you to see how long it would take for you to finish your speech so you can make adjustments if necessary. Once again, don’t forget to make your speech, short and sweet.
Bring a note– Anyone can get lost for words or get tongue-tied when faced with an audience or when overwhelmed with emotion. If you do get lost for words right in the middle of your speech, it is perfectly okay to glance on your note. For this reason, it is recommended that you bring with you an outline of your speech, not the whole speech.
Tears are okay too– Most men are embarrassed to be seen in tears. In many weddings though, many fathers of the groom have been teary-eyed or literally, wiping away tears from their eyes out of happiness in witnessing their dear son’s wedding. In case you get teary as you are giving your speech, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. It is okay to be vulnerable at the right moments. In fact, to see the groom’s father with tears of joy for his son will be a endearing sight for everyone present that day.
Prepare Early, Relax and Enjoy the Moment
Indeed, it is truly a joy and a great honor for the father of the groom to give a speech on his son’s wedding. It is best to prepare your speech ahead of time rather than wait until the week of the wedding.
By considering the tips mentioned in this article, writing and practicing your father of the groom speech need not be difficult. When the day of your son’s wedding finally arrives, you can relax and enjoy the moment as you proudly tell everyone how proud and happy a father you are. click http://www.bestfatherofthegroomspeeches.com for more information.
