Here are some tips about father of the bride speech etiquette that will help you prepare for your upcoming wedding. Etiquette is an overlooked topic for most father of the brides and you won’t want to miss these tips.

Often times, father of the bride etiquette is the last thing on the mind of most men.  The attitude is usually “I paid for the wedding so I can pretty much say whatever I damn well please.” Most men spend the majority of their time on the speech structure or outline and not enough time on etiquette.

Here are a few tips to ensure that you do not embarrass yourself with poor father of the bride speech etiquette.

First of all, it is important to keep your speech within the proper time frame. Traditional etiquette means that you should only speak for about five minutes which is about 650 typed words. If you ramble on and get off points you will not only annoy some of the guests in the audience but you will also be taking away time from the other speakers.

Of course you will want a little bit of humor in your speech but you should tread carefully with embarrassing stories about your daughter. Her wedding day is a sensitive time and she wants to look good in front of the groom’s family. You want to make sure that your embarrassing story about her past is not something that she is sensitive about. The best bet is to double check your material with your wife.

Finally, my last tip for father of the bride speech etiquette is to warmly welcome the groom into the family. Even if you absolutely despise the groom and you are severely disappointed that he is marrying her you still must welcome the groom and the family. It is the gentlemanly thing to do. I have been at weddings for the father of the bride has neglected to welcome groom into the family and guests were talking about how the father of the bride is unhappy about his daughter’s choice of spouse.

If you’re looking for more tips about the father of the bride speech and wedding toast etiquette our guidebook has dozens of great tips.

The easiest way to understand what you need to write for your best man speech is to break down a few examples of a Best Man Toast.

There are four major parts of the best man toast. The introduction, stories about the groom, jokes about the groom, and funny quotes or toasts to finish the speech.

I am going to give you a best man toast example for each section.

Example Of Introduction:

“Good evening ladies and gentleman, I am (your name). I have been given the privilege of being the best man for my dear brother (groom name)’s wedding tonight.

Part of my duty as best man is to say a few kind words about my brother. As I was preparing this speech I realized that I have never said anything nice about him. It is not that he is a bad guy; it is just the nature of our brotherly love. Since I’m not looking to get beaten up in the parking lot I will only mention the good things. Yes, I am that scared of our mother!”

Best Man Toast Example Story

“I remember when we backpacked through Europe one summer. We rented mopeds and John thought that it would be a good idea to try and ride the moped on the beach. Of course anyone with any sense knows that you can’t ride a moped on sand. He revved the engine and front of about 20 beautiful bikini clad girls he tried to maneuver the moped on the beach. He was wobbly like a drunken sailor and eventually fell flat on his face, the moped crushing his leg. He then couldn’t lift the moped out of the sand and needed the assistance of five strange men from Greece who were laughing at him hysterically. In fact the entire beach was pointing and laughing at him.”

Best Man Toast Example Joke

“From now on, Tom won’t have any more chances to get himself into trouble as Sherry is reported to be a strict disciplinarian. She will ensure that he wakes up at 5 a.m to do 100 push-ups and sit-ups each day if he even forgets to take out the garbage. I think that if he messes up the first dance, he’ll be washing dishes by the end of the night.”

Best Man Toast

“There is an old couple that used to live near my parents. They were ninety years old and still madly in love after 65 years of marriage. I asked the woman for the secret to their marital success. She said, “I learned to agree to disagree with my husband.” I asked her husband what the secret was and he said “whatever she said – I agree.” Sounds simple but it’s not. To my dear friend Robert and his new wife Nancy if you can master that simple lesson you too will be madly in love in 65 years.”

You should read this article if you are unsure if your funny best man speech material is suitable for a wedding.

You can download more examples of best man toasts that will speed up your writing process considerably.

Funny best man speeches are what every best man wants to deliver. As best man, you are expected to lighten the mood of the reception during your speech. The audience expects you to razz and roast the groom. This is a wedding tradition that is at least 100 years old.

To make your best man speech funny you need good content and proper delivery.

For content you would include funny memories you shared with the groom or funny one-liners and quotations. If you are worried about what not to include in your humorous best man speech

To write a funny best man speech I would like to first focus on the topics that are not funny. The most common mistake is for the best man to talk about the groom’s womanizing past. A great rule of thumb for writing the funny best man speech is that you should never mention another girl that the groom has dated. The only exception might be a crush that the groom had in second-grade.

You should also tread carefully with stories of public drunkenness. Most often these types of stories are not appropriate for wedding speeches.

In writing your funny best man speech the other area that is off-limits our jokes about the bride. Some men can deftly make a gentle joke about the bride but most men are simply too clumsy in order to pull this off with tact. Stay away from jokes about the bride and focus on roasting the groom.

Your choices for humor will largely be either stories from the grooms past or quirky character traits or flaws. Read this article to help you come up with ideas for your funny best man speech. For examples of funny best man speech content, you can start with this article.

Delivery of your funny best man speech requires that you pause and give the audience a chance to laugh. Often, people are nervous and they rush through the speech. As the audience catches the punch line and starts to laugh the best man is already on to his next joke. Pause and let the joke soak in before you move on.

You can download more best man speeches that will speed up your writing process considerably.

The wedding speech order is a historical tradition. It is important to understand the customary order of the wedding speeches and the modern changes to the wedding speech order in order to understand wedding etiquette.

The formal order of the wedding speeches is:

1. father of the bride
2. the groom
3. the best man

In modern times, it is not uncommon for the bride, maid of honor or even some guests to say a few words.

The speech segment of the reception is usually held after the meals but there’s no reason why the speeches cannot be before the meal.

Formal Order of the Wedding Speeches

Father of the bride
The first speech is given by the Father of the Bride. To see a sample Father of the Bride speech click here.

Firstly, you want to thank the guests for sharing in the celebration. In particular, you might want to thank guests that are from out of town. Secondly, you want to at least acknowledge the financial contributions to the wedding. Most commonly this will be the groom’s family.

The core of the speech is a tribute to the bride. You’ll want to highlight her positive attributes and maybe even make a few jokes at some of her well-known flaws. In this segment, most people compliment the bride on her beauty and grace. Next you’ll want to welcome the groom into the family. Finally you will end the speech with a toast to the bride and groom.

Groom
Commonly this is the second speech of the evening. To see a sample groom speech click here.

You will want to compliment the father of the bride for his kind words. Secondly you want to thank the guests for their participation and their generous gifts. You then want to thank both sets of parents for their contribution to the wedding and for being wonderful parents over the years. You will then want to compliment the beautiful bride. The bridegroom may also want to thank the best man for fulfilling his obligations. Finally the bridegroom will deliver toast to the bridesmaids.

Best Man

In a traditional wedding speech order, the last speech is saved for the Best Man. To see an example of a Best Man speech click here.

The first order of business is to thank the groom for the toast to the bridesmaids. Secondly the best man will want to comment on the happy couple. For example, you might want to mention how the groom has changed since meeting his lovely bride. Normally, the best man’s speech is expected to be humorous. A few gentle jokes about the groom are common. The best man also has the duty to read any cards or messages from absent relatives or guests. Finally, the best man will make a toast to the bride and groom. To help you prepare for the best man speech you can use this resource.

Modern Changes to the Wedding Speech Order

The Bride

Modern wedding speech order will often feature speeches by the bride and maid of honor.

Firstly, the bride will thank the guests for coming and sharing in the celebration. Secondly, the bride will express gratitude to her parents and bridesmaids. The bride will pay compliments to her handsome groom. The bride will then make a toast. There is no formal protocol as to the recipient of the toast. Most brides choose to toast their husbands.

The Chief Bridesmaid or the Maid of Honor

The first duty is to thank the bride for choosing you as her maid of honor. You will then want to pay compliments to the groomsmen. Finally, you will prepare a toast which will usually be the bride.

Wedding speech jokes are commonly delivered by the best man. However, there is no reason why the groom or any other speaker could not deliver wedding speech jokes. If you want to learn the basics of a wedding toast click here.

One type of wedding speech joke is the humorous one-liner like:

“I am” is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language. Could it be that “I do” is the longest sentence? (George Carlin)

“By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you’ll be happy. If you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher. (Socrates)

“My wife and I were happy for twenty years. Then we met.” Rodney Dangerfield

“I never mind my wife having the last word. In fact, I’m delighted when she gets to it.”

However, you might not feel comfortable making fun of the institution of marriage. The father of the bride can make jokes about marriage but should the groom be making jokes about marriage?

For example, would this toast be appropriate?

It’s always a great idea to get married early in the morning. So even if it doesn’t work out, you wouldn’t repent of having wasted an entire day.” (Mickey Rooney)

I would venture to say that a groom’s speech should not be a funny wedding speech. You should not be making fun of the institution of marriage.

The best man speech and the father of the bride speech can be more comical.

In the father of the bride speech, one can make a lot of jokes about having paid for the wedding.

“Weddings don’t just happen. They take a fantastic amount of hard work, organization … and money! Of course, this is my daughter’s big day and, quite rightly, no one here is paying much attention to me. But I can assure you that I’m getting my fair share of attention elsewhere. My bank manager, my mortgage lender, and several credit card companies are watching me extremely carefully.”

Funny wedding toasts can also feature stories. The best stories are usually embarrassing stories about the bride or groom.

I remember one funny wedding toast where the father of the bride talked about his daughters’ first day of school where she beat up three boys. He related the story to how the groom “better be careful” if she doesn’t get what she wants.

You can browse more wedding speech jokes and sample speeches by clicking this link.

Creating a funny wedding speech is a little bit more effort than a standard speech.  Most of us get quite nervous at the thought of adding humor to a wedding speech. What if you tell a joke and nobody laughs?

When writing a funny wedding speech try to focus on humorous stories rather than jokes and one-liners. Funny stories are easier to tell than funny jokes. Why? The reason is that funny jokes require proper timing. The humor is largely in the delivery. I could tell Bill Cosby jokes all night long and nobody would laugh because my timing would be off.

Funny wedding speeches that are focused on stories are much easier. Everyone has told a funny story in their lifetime. We have lots of practice and stories flow naturally.

A funny wedding speech should be conversational in tone. This means that you speak as though you were sitting around your backyard with your friends. Don’t take the mic and start lecturing or preaching.

How do you think up funny stories for your wedding speech? The best starting point is to find some embarrassing stories.

Did the groom ever have any embarrassing jobs? Try to think of funny summer jobs.

If you’re making fun of the bride – can you think of any crazy hobbies like collecting Beanie Babies?

I remember a funny wedding speech where the best man talked about the groom’s  summer job at an amusement park.

“In high school, Bill worked at Six Flags amusement park. His job was to be the announcer for one of the games. He would heckle people all day long as if he was at a baseball game at Fenway park. If a couple was walking by and holding hands he would start singing a sappy love song by Phil Collins. He would then say things to couples passing by like “if you really loved that girl, you wouldn’t be so cheap to take her to an amusement park on a date.” I guess you could say he was not romantic in those days. He certainly changed when he met his lovely bride Melissa.

This story works in a funny wedding speech because it is also sentimental and it shows a character shift in the groom. In other words, it’s comedy with a point and it’s actually related to the groom’s previous opinions on love.

Even if you attempt a funny wedding speech do not forget that your speech should follow certain guidelines. Most of your speech will still follow a set structure where you must thank the right people and end with a toast. Do not your funny wedding speech take away from your other duties.

Secondly, always remember that there are certain topics that are off limits. Of course the funniest stories are often drunken nights in Cancun but it is not “wedding humor.”

Maid of Honor wedding speeches are easiest to create by customizing a template by entering your personal information where you see (brackets).

If you’re looking for more examples, these wedding speech articles will help you with dozens of examples that you can add to your speech.

This is a special day for me as (Bride) and (groom) who are both two of the best friends anyone could ever ask for. I’m proud of (bride) for finding someone who is her perfect match.

First of all, I would like to thank (groom) for his kind words about me earlier this evening, and to take this opportunity to add my own best wishes to groom and bride for a long and happy marriage.

As you may know (bride) and I have been friends since we started grade (name grade). I think it is safe to say that I know more about her than most people her and I may even know her better than (groom). By the ghastly look on her face, she is praying that we keep it that way over the next three minutes.

I can remember the time that (bride) tried (tell a quick story) smoking a cigarette for the first time. She passed out in the middle of the soccer field from the head rush! I remember the day we sneaked out after curfew and went to a party where curiously (bride) had a little to much too drink and…you guessed it – passed out in the middle of a soccer field. If you want all the gory details, I’ll be selling some unauthorized biographies of (bride) out of my van in the parking lot. Please stop by for a signed copy. I remember when I learned of (bride’s) engagement. I had this feeling that something was up because (bride) was acting suspicious, keeping her hands in her pocket and then she showed me the rock on her finger. She was as excited as the time that we went to a (name old pop band – eg – New Kids on the Block) concert. Well, I think I have said all I need to say, I’ll stop here. I know I’m the last speaker, and I can see that everyone wants to hit up the bar and start dancing.

However, I don’t want to forget to mention that our groomsmen look rather dapper. I’m actually quite amazed that you all have new haircuts, close shaves, and matching suits. I could barely recognize you guys! I’m joking of course. You gentlemen do look handsome. Please raise your glasses once again and wish (bride) and (groom) a fulfilling and prosperous future together.

To the wings of love,

May they never lose a feather,

But soar up to the sky above,

And last and last forever.

There’s an example of a maid of honor speech for you.

If you’re looking for more maid of honor wedding speeches our best selling guidebook has templates that can help you finish your speech.

Father of the Bride wedding speeches is a great launching pad for your wedding speech. Personalize a template by entering your unique information where you see (brackets).

If you want a breakdown on the five different parts of a father of the bride speech, check out our post on how to write a father of the bride speech.

If you’re looking for more examples, these wedding speech articles will help you with dozens of examples that you can add to your speech. You’ll find examples of jokes and toasts that you can use right now.

Ladies and gentlemen, family and friends, good evening.

First of all let me welcome all of the guests and say thank you for being with us here today. You make the atmosphere of this wedding reception so joyous and festive. We are grateful to share this day with family members and relatives from both sides.

I would especially like to welcome those who traveled a long way to come here. Aunt (name) was stuck in an airport for over twelve hours just to be here today.

To be honest with you, throughout the day I have been looking at my daughter in her wedding gown, so elegant, solemn and glowing with happiness – like a gentle white rose on a spring morning – and I still couldn’t believe my eyes. It seems to me that just yesterday (name of wife) were standing at the altar exchanging our own vows and a kiss. Now the finest product of our marriage, our daughter, that adorable brown-eyed baby, has embarked on her own family.

While writing this speech my mind was flush with a thousand and one memories of (bride). Some of you know (bride) as a talented (enter bride’s job) nurse; for others she is an industrious cook; many of us know her as a loyal friend. For me, she will be always be daddy’s little girl with long blonde locks. She will always be the little girl staring at me with those giant brown eyes as wide as a pumpkin. One of my fondest memories was the day she was born; a dreary February morning where grey turns to grey. Despite the weather, it was a day that felt like the first day of spring. I remember her trudging off to school and returning with her books filled with sketches of a happy family in a happy home. She always wanted a lovely family of her own and now she is well on her way. Some things never change.

As she would lay her head to rest, she would force me to read her favorite fairy tales over and over again. She never tired of guessing about what her Prince Charming would look like and how he would warmly cuddle her in the night. Her own fairy tale is coming true today.

(Groom) is the type of man that makes it possible to live happily ever after. I am thrilled for (bride) and (groom), and I am sure they are a exquisite match, for they fit each other as two pieces of a puzzle. I won’t bore the newlyweds with lengthy pieces of advice regarding marriage – always remember that your marital bliss rests in your hands and your hands only. I am sure that you will build a cozy home that will serve as a safe harbor in the storms of life.

I can only wish you love and tolerance. As one wise man once said, “a successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.”

Finally, I will share with you a lyric that guided me through my marriage. It is taken from our youth in the 1970′s. John Lennon sang: “Love is knowing, We can be. Love is free, free is love, Love is living, living love, Love is needing to be loved.”

Please join me in a toast to the (bride) and (the groom), and their everlasting love.

There’s an example of a father of the bride speech for you.

If you’re looking for more father of the bride speech examples our best selling guidebook has 15 speech templates that can help you finish your speech.

Father of the bride toasts are one of the most eagerly anticipated speeches of the evening.

The structure of the speech is similar to matter what type of toast, you plan to deliver. You can view an example of a father of the bride toast that follows a traditional structure.

You will first welcome all of the guests. You are viewed as the host of the wedding even if the parents of the groom have contributed financially. When you welcome the guests it is customary to focus on out-of-town guests who have traveled many miles to attend the wedding of your daughter.

Secondly, you will point out any people who were especially helpful in putting the wedding together. For example, you might have a sister who organized the catering or flower arrangement. It is important not to forget that you thank these special people near the beginning of your father of the bride toast.

The majority of your speech will focus on compliments for the bride. Normally, you will talk about how beautiful she looks on her wedding day. More importantly, you want to bring attention to her special skills and personality traits that make her unique. Rather than simply list characteristics, try to tell a story that conveys her personality. For example, you might tell a story about how dedicated she was to her gymnastics training in high school that enabled her to win a championship.

Since your speech will only be 5 to 7 minutes long you probably will only have enough time for one touching story.

Most challenging part of your father of the bride toast is talking about your emotions. You are expected to tell the audience about how you feel now that your daughter is married.

Finally, finish your speech with a toast to the bride and groom.

Here’s a sample father of the bride toast:

“It is customary on an occasion such as this for the father of the bride to offer the newlyweds some profound piece of advice, so here it goes … Happy marriages begin when we marry the one we love … they blossom when we love the one we married. When children find true love, parents find true joy. Here’s to your joy and ours from this day forward.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please stand, raise your glasses and drink a toast with me to the health and happiness of (groom) and (bride).

To (bride) and (groom)!”

You can find many more father of the bride toasts that you can customize easily.

You might want to add some father of the bride jokes to your wedding speech. Jokes and comedic stories are excellent ways for ending your speech.

The father of the bride speech is about 5 to 7 minutes meaning that any long jokes will not be well-suited. You should focus on witty one-liners in order to ensure that you do not go over your allotted time.

In order to come up with a joke I recommend that you consult with some of your witty friends or even a professional speech writer. The Internet is another great resource and you can look for quotes by writers like Mark Twain and Charles Dickens. This website has lots of one-liners and wedding jokes about marriage.

There are certain topics that you should avoid in your speech. Do not discuss sex politics or religion. You will not know half of the wedding audience making it easy to offend certain people. For example, I was at one wedding where the father of the bride made a joke about George Bush. He did not take into consideration that groom’s family were lifelong Republicans.

If you read this sample father of the bride speech you will notice that it does not have any humor. It is not easy to add humor to the speech because it is generally a sentimental and emotional speech. Nonetheless, adding a joke to this father of the bride toast would enhance the speech.

An example of a father of the bride joke would be:

“There are two times a man doesn’t understand a woman, before marriage and after marriage!”

“A little boy asked his father, “Daddy, how much does it cost to get married?” And the father replied, “I don’t know, son, I’m still paying for it.”"

For more examples of father of the bride speech jokes and one-liners you can use a Father of the Bride speech guidebook.