A Mother of the Bride speech isn’t among the age-old traditions, but it is becoming a more popular theme throughout the wedding world. If this seems like something fitting for your family, take a peek at our quick and easy go-to mother-of-the bride speech guide. This guide is sure to get you started on the perfect structure and words of love and wisdom for your mother of the bride speech.
A QUICK OVERVIEW OF A MOTHER OF THE BRIDE SPEECH
The mother of the bride’s speech or toast is becoming more commonplace during weddings in our modern-day times. It may occur at a wedding breakfast/brunch or at the wedding itself and can prove to be quite emotional. And there are many reasons for a bride’s mom to be included in the wedding speeches.
A mother of the bride may be tasked with speaking at a wedding if her husband (father of the bride) may have passed away, or her daughter’s father is absent from her life and won’t be performing a father of the bride speech. It’s important that someone speaks on the bride’s behalf…so here you go, mom – your time in the spotlight.
No matter the reason that you have been asked to present a mother of the bride toast, it is a huge honor. And you need to know what details to include and how to structure your mother of the bride toast, so it flows with ease and grace. Our handy mother of the bride speech guide is here to help. So, dismiss all those nerves and fears, and let’s get you started on a mother of the bride speech for the ages.
TIPS FOR GIVING GREAT MOTHER OF THE BRIDE SPEECH
- Start by welcoming the guests to the wedding.
- Introduce yourself / explain your relationship to the bride and why the speech is taking place (pay homage to a father who has passed, etc.)
- Make it personal and share some incredible memories.
- Gush about the bride in all aspects, from her character to her beauty.
- Speak nicely about the relationship between the couple.
- Finish off with well wishes and a toast.
HOW TO PULL OFF AN UNFORGETTABLE MOTHER OF THE BRIDE TOAST
To give a mother of the bride toast that’s unforgettable you have to prepare. Winging it may work, especially if you are comfortable with public speaking but it may cause you to forget to include important things. We know you want to present a speech that your daughter and her new spouse will be proud of. So, here are some tips on how to plan and prepare for your mother of the bride speech.
- Write it down on paper (or save it in your phone)
- Practice beforehand
- Avoid inside jokes
- Keep it short & sweet (experts say under 5 minutes)
- Don’t worry about crying…it’s kind of expected
- No politics
- Aim for funny but don’t overdo it
Image Source: Shutterstock.comWHO TO THANK IN YOUR MOTHER OF THE BRIDE SPEECH
It’s important to know the ins and outs of wedding speeches to make certain that you follow proper etiquette. For many of the traditional wedding speeches, there are general rules of who to thank. But luckily, the mother of the bride toast is different. Typically, the thank you’s are handled by the father of the bride and the groom himself. So, as the bride’s mom, all you have to do is focus on your daughter, her new spouse and wishes for the future.
But, if you are giving your toast in place of an absent father of the bride, thank you’s will be necessary. And we know that the worst thing you can do during a speech is to leave an important person out of your mother of the bride speech. After all, speeches generally happen in the early part of the reception so you definitely don’t want to skip anyone…that could result in a tense and awkward party.
Here’s a rundown of who you should thank in your mother of the bride speech when presenting it in lieu of an absent father.
IN PLACE OF FATHER OF THE BRIDE SPEECH
- Thank wedding guests for coming
- Thank and acknowledge the groom’s parents
- Thank the wedding vendors
- Mention loved ones who aren’t physically attending
That’s it! The groom is the one that is really responsible for all of the thank you’s, including the bridesmaids and groomsmen. So, keep your mother of the bride short, sweet, sentimental and yes, even a little emotional.
Image Source: Shutterstock.comHERE’S A FEW EXAMPLES OF MOTHER OF THE BRIDE SPEECHES FOR INSPIRATION
SHORT & SWEET MOTHER OF THE BRIDE TOAST
Here is an example of a short mother of the bride speech. It’s quick, to the point and still heartfelt. If you want more examples, check out our “10 Short & Sweet Wedding Toasts” page.
“As a parent, you, of course, want your child to succeed in life—both personally and professionally. But one of the most satisfying rewards is seeing your child experience true love and happiness, which she has absolutely found with Adam. Thank you, Adam, for loving our girl, we’re thrilled you are part of our family.
Please join me in a toast to the bride and groom—congratulations! We all wish you the best for everything this new journey has to offer.” —Marla White
(Source)
HEARTFELT AND SENTIMENTAL MOTHER OF THE BRIDE SPEECH
If you are the sentimental type, you may want to stick to a heartfelt mother of the bride toast. The worst thing you can do when speaking in public is to try to be something you are not. So, embrace your sappy side and give the best heartfelt and sentimental mother of the bride speech. (just make sure to have some tissues handy)
“I’d like to welcome you all here today to celebrate the marriage of my daughter Dawn and James. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m the mother of the bride.
There’s a reason I’m doing this speech today, and that is because Dawn’s father is sadly no longer with us. For those who don’t know…[tell the guests the story]. I know he would be immensely proud of you and James today and would have loved to have been here making this speech and leading you down the aisle.
[If you are separated or divorced, then you might not want to tell the story]
I’d also like to take a moment to welcome James into the family and also his parents [XXXX] and [XXXX].
[Tell a story about their relationship].
[Tell a joke or two about the groom]
This is the proudest day of my life. I’m sure you’ll all agree to how stunning Dawn looks today. She’s grown from a beautiful little girl into a beautiful young woman, and I know she is going to have many happy years together with James.
[Tell a story about your daughter from her childhood and of your relationship with her – for inspiration, see some examples]
Today will be the happiest day of your lives, but you’ve got many more lying ahead of you. You’re heading on an amazing journey together, and I wish you every happiness. I know you are going to have so many happy years together.
[Add some examples and funny stories of your own experience, and some guidance for what might lie ahead – some jokes and funny thoughts are available to use]
I’d like you to be upstanding and toast the happy couple.”
FUNNY AND UPBEAT MOTHER OF THE BRIDE TOAST EXAMPLES
If you are a mom that has a spirited personality and loves to have fun, make sure to let that shine in your mother of the bride toast. Funny mother of the bride speeches are a huge hit with the guests and can help to break up some of the emotional stuff in other toasts. Here are some examples of things you can incorporate to keep your mother of the bride speech light-hearted and witty.
“My late husband would have loved to be here today giving this speech, although he’d be moaning about the cost of everything!
[On your daughter:]
I’ll be sad to see Dawn leave and become a wife, but I’ll be happy knowing my make-up will be where I left it and not where she moved it to.
Now that Dawn is a married woman, I’ll finally get to see the bottom of my laundry basket.
Dawn wasn’t interested in boys for a long time – in fact, she said she hated them. At least we’ve finally got one to take her off our hands.
[It doesn’t have to be about jokes either, funny stories of things the two of you used to get up to or something memorable that happened to work well.]
I remember as a toddler, the time Dawn lost her temper…
[On her husband:]
I was delighted when Dawn met James and brought him home for the first time. We had met all of her previous boyfriends and hated every one of them until James came along.
He might be a bit scruffy normally, but at least he scrubbed up well today.
I always thought Dawn would marry a prince or some form of royalty, but I suppose James will have to do…
[If you’re giving advice on a happy marriage:]
My husband and I have been happily married for 20 years but isn’t bad when you consider we’ve been married for 28 years.
If you need some advice on what to do to make your marriage long and happy, don’t ask me!”
MAKE YOUR MOTHER OF THE BRIDE SPEECH FUN
We love this mom and how she performed a flash mob speech showing her desire for grandkids. Watch this video for inspiration on how you can create an unforgettable mother of the bride speech that is unique to you. If you want a mother of the bride speech that will be unforgettable a song will surely do it!