Times may change but the speech given by the father of the bride is still as traditional as weddings themselves. After all a wedding day is still a day where old customs have their place, when, for instance, the bride has “Something old and something new.” It is a day where the father will speak of his love for his daughter and tell some stories of her growing years. It will definitely add to the speech if he can tell a funny story about her or indeed about her courtship.
Naturally he should welcome the new groom into his family. That is, of course, if he likes him. However, even if he doesn’t, for his daughter’s sake he should be gracious. He might not like the groom’s manner but he could say something about his generosity or his punctuality. Such graciousness matters because what is said on a wedding day is going to be remembered in the years to come. Certainly his daughter will be happy if he says how well suited the couple are and how much he looks forward to the groom being part of the family.
In today’s age many couple pay or help to pay for their own weddings. Nonetheless most invitations go out in the name of the bride’s parents so her father is nominally the host.
Naturally then one of his main functions on the day is to make the guests feel welcome. He might mention those who travelled great distances to be present or someone who is especially dear to the bride such as a well loved Godmother. He may also wish to mention someone who has helped prepare for the day such as the aunt who baked the cake.
The groom’s parents should get a special mention too. After all without them there would be no wedding. The father of the bride should then say how much he has enjoyed meeting them and that he hopes they will have many other opportunities to get to know one another better in the future.
Most of us have ideas on what helps make a good marriage. The father of the bride will be no exception and he may choose to give the couple some sage advice. He will certainly want his daughter’s happiness so he will end with a sentence that expresses his good luck wishes for the couple before raising his glass in the traditional toast to the bride and groom.
