Home > Weddings & Engagements > Mother of Bride Speech

Mother of Bride Speech

By: Maggie Lonsdale BA (hons) - Updated: 9 Aug 2018 | comments*Discuss
 
Bride Mother Mother Of The Bride Speech

As the ‘average’ family changes, it is becoming more and more popular for the mother of the bride to make a speech at their daughter’s wedding.

This can be because the father of the bride has died, or the mother of the bride has remarried and it is not appropriate for the father or step-father of the bride to make the traditional speech.

Also, as it is becoming increasingly common for the bride and groom to pay for the majority or all of the wedding themselves, if the couple have a difficult relationship with the bride’s parents, or father in particular, it is less necessary for the father of the bride to make a speech.

As the mother of the bride, many people will be keen to see what you are wearing and to compliment you on your beautiful outfit. Your role is rather like that of the bridesmaids – your work was more required prior to the big day and now you need to sit back and look lovely!

However, if you do wish to make a speech at your daughter’s wedding, use the following tips and template to help you make it a success.

Planning the Perfect Mother of the Bride Speech

Everyone will be on your side and will be impressed with your gumption to make a speech, so don’t be concerned that it needs to be the greatest speech ever made. However, if you are wanting to make a serious point about the purpose of your speech (perhaps you have recently lost your husband), do speak to your daughter so you are both happy with the content and will not be too upset to enjoy the occasion.

1. Starting Your Mother of the Bride Speech

If you have decided, with the approval of your daughter, to mention why you are making a speech, this is a good place to start. If you would prefer not to mention this, it is perfectly acceptable to simply start by thanking the guests for coming. If you are making a speech in addition to the father of the bride speech, ensure that you are aware of the content of that speech so there is not too much cross over, although you will both inevitably make some similar comments. If you find yourself getting too emotional, try taking a deep breath and looking upwards - apparently it is impossible to cry when looking up!

  • Thank your guests for coming to the wedding of your daughter and her new husband
  • Say a special thank you to any guests who have travelled long distances
  • Say how beautiful your daughter looks and that your husband would have been very proud, if appropriate
  • Make a positive comment about your new son-in-law, such as how happy he makes your daughter, or an anecdote from when you first met him

Example: I am so pleased to see so many friends and relations with us here today, to help us celebrate the wedding of our daughter, Sally. I am especially pleased to see John and Jenny with us as they have taken a plane and two trains to be with us!

I’m sure you will all agree that my daughter Sally looks especially beautiful today. I’m not the first person to say it and I’m sure I won’t be the last! Her new husband also looks very dapper in his morning suit and I know Sally is very pleased with how well he’s scrubbed up. I am pleased to see him in a suit, too - especially as the first time we were introduced he was wearing oil-covered overalls that made a terrible mess of the sofa!

2. Wish them a Long and Happy Marriage

You do not need to talk for long, so you simply need to say how you hope that your daughter and her new husband will have a long and happy marriage. If you would like to make a comment about the ushers, bridesmaids or best man, now is the time. Similarly, if a family member or friend has provided the cake or flowers, it would be a good time to say thank you and note how lovely they look.

  • Share a positive memory about marriage - read a short quote/poem if you prefer
  • Wish your daughter and her new husband good health and happiness
  • Welcome your new son-in-law and his family into your family
  • Say how impressed you have been with the best man/ushers/bridesmaids

Example: I am sure that today will be the start of a long and happy marriage for Sally and Michael. Even when the wedding day is over, the marriage will reach forward into a strong, mutually supportive partnership. I’m sure Michael’s parents will join me in saying we hope to be a part of the family network that will help you to build your own family.

3. Toast the Happy Couple

You can finish your speech by making a toast to the bride and groom, although you may feel like there have been plenty of toasts already. If the best man has not read out any telegrams or messages, you can do this now, or you can highlight a particular upcoming event in the proceedings, such as the five piece band or fireworks. If you do not want to make another toast, simply say ‘thank you’ and sit down.

  • Read any telegrams or messages, if appropriate
  • Say how you hope everyone will enjoy the evening's entertainment
  • Toast the bride and groom

Example: I hope you all enjoy the rest of the evening, especially the wonderful jazz band we have to help you dance the night away. Please join me in saying a toast to the bride and groom. To the bride and groom!

Professional Low Cost Website

Whether you are a small business, freelancer or entrepeneur, a stunning website doesn't have to break the bank. For just £99 we will design a site that helps you to stand out online. To find our more get in touch here..

You might also like...
Share Your Story, Join the Discussion or Seek Advice..
[Add a Comment]
Viv- Your Question:
Hi My ex sister in law whom I am still very close to, is getting married soon. Her father passed away about 8months ago and she has no contact with her mother since a small child.She has asked me to do a speech at her wedding and I am finding it difficult as I don’t want to mention my brother on her big day. We are very close and I would say I am like a mum to her but I am struggling with the speech

Our Response:
We hope this website offers you some suggestions. Good Luck
GreatSpeech - 10-Aug-18 @ 2:06 PM
Hi My ex sister in law whom I am still very close to, is getting married soon. Her father passed away about 8months ago and she has no contact with her mother since a small child. She has asked me to do a speech at her wedding and I am finding it difficult as I don’t want to mention my brother on her big day. We are very close and I would say I am like a mum to her but I am struggling with the speech
Viv - 9-Aug-18 @ 11:29 AM
My daughter is getting married tomorrow and I need a speech I am mother of the bride and me and her father are divorced and have remarried
Marie - 14-Jul-18 @ 4:48 AM
My daughter is getting married tomorrow and I need a speech I am mother of the bride and me and her father are divorced and have remarried
Marie - 14-Jul-18 @ 4:47 AM
My daughter is getting married tomorrow and I need a speech I am mother of the bride and me and her father are divorced and have remarried
Marie - 14-Jul-18 @ 4:46 AM
HelpI need to make a speech at my daughters wedding. iam giving her away due to her father not been part of her life any more. My daughter is gay so I don't know where to start with regards to writing a speech, ie where do I start
shaz - 2-Mar-17 @ 2:25 AM
My daughter getting married to her female partner. Im doin a .othwr of bride speech even though her father is there but cannot publicly speak. Partners father is doin his speech too. Strugglingvwith content of my speech
Gilly - 23-Sep-16 @ 11:07 AM
I am giving my daughter away shortly and have been asked to make a speech. I have been divorced now for 17 years and my ex husband has not bothered with my 2 children. However he has been invited to the wedding but has not replied.Any ideas?
Jules - 20-Sep-16 @ 6:30 PM
I need help. My husband died 15 years ago and I remarried 8 years ago.My children has never gotten along too well with their step dad but is starting to now that they moved out and now my daughter is getting married in 2 weeks. The guy she is marrying has been arrogant with me so many times and has only come to our house once at Christmas. He doesn't try to be apart of our family at all and now my daughter wants me to do a speech.I don't really have anything good to say of the choice she made for a husband. Do you have any speech samples that can help me out?
Andrea - 28-Aug-16 @ 9:17 AM
Hello, how do I ask for help to wright a mother of the bride speech? thank you
svet - 12-Apr-16 @ 9:15 PM
Message to the wedding if my daughter Kim
Lai - 7-Apr-16 @ 8:08 AM
Thank you. I need more templates of speeches as I prepare for my daughter's speech in dec.
nyiraribwa - 13-Oct-15 @ 9:09 PM
This is very helpful as I prepare for my daughter's wedding in dec.
nyiraribwa - 13-Oct-15 @ 9:05 PM
I suddenly realized that I am expected to give a speech at my daughter's wedding. I did not know where to start.Thankyou for the helpful info.
pam - 24-Jun-15 @ 3:50 AM
Short poem for mother of the bride to include in her speech thankyou
Kate - 29-May-15 @ 11:40 PM
thank yo for your help
mikie307 - 4-Apr-15 @ 2:39 AM
I would like to say thank you for such a helpful site with helping me to write a speech for my daughter's wedding.
sandie - 21-Aug-14 @ 9:11 PM
Share Your Story, Join the Discussion or Seek Advice...
Title:
(never shown)
Firstname:
(never shown)
Surname:
(never shown)
Email:
(never shown)
Nickname:
(shown)
Comment:
Validate:
Enter word:
Topics
Latest Comments