Best man speech
Best man speech cue cards with a friendly opening, a story or two about the groom, kind words for his partner, thanks to the hosts and a toast that lands.
Speech9 cardsAbout 6 min to speakBeginnerWedding
Father of the bride speech
Father of the bride speech cue cards: welcome the guests, memories of your daughter growing up, welcome her partner and their family, and lead the first toast.
Free to use, edit, print and study. No account needed: your set stays on this device.
The cards
- 1
Welcome everyone
“Good evening. I’m [your name], [bride]’s dad. On behalf of [your partner / our family], welcome, and thank you for being here.”
Mention guests who travelled far: “Some of you have come from [places].”
- 2
Thanks
Thank [partner’s family] for [their welcome / sharing the planning].
Thank anyone who helped: [venue team, organisers, relatives who baked or decorated].
- 3
Remembering
If someone dear is missing, remember them briefly here: “We’re thinking of [name] today, who would have loved this.”
One or two sentences, then move on.
- 4
The day she arrived
“I remember [the day she was born / came home / first called me Dad].”
A short, true detail: [the weather, the car, what you thought].
- 5
Growing up
Two or three quick snapshots:
- [A childhood moment]
- [A teenage moment]
- [A moment you were proud of]
Keep each to a sentence or two.
- 6
Who she is now
“Today [bride] is [qualities]. She [what she does that you admire].”
Say what you have learnt from her.
- 7
Welcome [partner]
“[Partner], I knew you were right for her when [moment]. Welcome to our family.”
Welcome their parents and family too, by name if you can.
- 8
Advice, briefly
One piece of advice from your own life: [what has helped your marriage or your family].
Keep it warm, not a lecture.
- 9
Toast
“Please stand and join me in a toast to the happy couple.”
“To [bride] and [partner]!”
Hand over: “And now, [next speaker].”
How to use this template
In many weddings in the UK, Ireland, Australia and the US, the father of the bride speaks first and acts as the host who welcomes everyone. This template gives you that structure: welcome and thanks, a moment to remember people who are missing, memories of your daughter at different ages, who she is today, a welcome for her partner and their family, one piece of advice and the first toast. The cards suit a dad, stepdad or father figure who wants something sincere without being too long. Fill in the [brackets] with real moments, read it out loud with a timer and trim until you are at five or six minutes. A few true details are worth more than a full life story. Keep the cards in your jacket pocket so they are ready when the MC calls your name.
Tips
- Agree the running order with the couple and MC; the father of the bride often speaks first and then introduces the next speaker.
- Keep the remembrance card short and gentle, and check with the couple that they want it included.
- Avoid jokes about paying for the wedding, giving your daughter away or her past partners; they tend to fall flat now.
- Speak slowly and look up at the end of each card; nerves make most people talk faster than they think.
- Hold the microphone close to your mouth, and if it is on a stand, adjust it before you start rather than leaning.
- Have a glass ready for the toast before you begin so you are not searching for one at the end.
Make it fit
- A mother of the bride, both parents together, or a stepparent can use the same cards; share them out if two of you speak.
- If your daughter is marrying a woman, use her partner’s name throughout and welcome her family in the same way.
- For a second marriage or a blended family, include her children or stepchildren and say how proud you are of the family they have made.
- In cultures where the groom’s family hosts, or where an elder gives the blessing, swap the welcome card for thanks to the hosts and follow local order.
- For a short slot, keep the welcome, one childhood memory, the welcome to the partner and the toast.
Updated October 28, 2026