I have been to weddings where the father of the bride and father of ther groom give a speech, but then I have been to weddings where they do not. What is the proper etiquette? I dont want to offend anyone, but then I am also nervous about my dad giving the speech. Before he married my mom he was a priest and he's good at turning speeches into 20 min sermons and sometimes certain things are off the wall. He's bored to death many and my cousins always chuckle when they realize it's his turn to give a speech (relatives/freinds always ask him because he does get qutie proud but then turn it into an ongoing joke at how long and strange his speaches can be). Anyway, I am ok w/ my dad giving the speech, but I would like to have him "edited" before the wedding. Would it be ok for either my sister (MOH) or my fiance's brother (BM) to request to hear it before? I know it probably would not be proper for me to try to hear. I want him to be a part of it but I also don't want him to either bore people to death or turn it into a mockery.
Also, my fiance's father is not into public speaking. If my dad makes a speech, does that mean my fiance's dad has to?
(This post was
edited by TWQadmin on May 12, 2006, 9:31 AM)
Nancy Tucker
PRESIDENT - WEDDINGS BEAUTIFUL
May 12, 2006, 10:26 AM
Post #2 of 3
(19287 views)
Re: [mamaj] Father of bride and groom speeches
[In reply to]
Dear mamaj,
It is customary for the father of the bride to do a toast. You can note to him that it is a toast not a speech. Also the best man should give a toast. You could have your Dad give a quick toast and blessing combined...but you may want that to edited as you said by someone other than you. Nancy Tucker President of Weddings Beautiful US http://www.weddingsbeautiful.com
Etiquette Now
WEDDING ETIQUETTE EXPERT
May 12, 2006, 10:34 AM
Post #3 of 3
(19283 views)
Re: [mamaj] Father of bride and groom speeches
[In reply to]
Dear Winded Father,
Honestly, speech giving is completely optional these days. The 'rules' have been changing so quickly that there is no one must have speech giver. But, typically the best man gives a speech, the groom may thank the guests and gives a nod to his bride, and then the father of the bride may or may not speak.
You could just request that only the best man speaks, offering the reason that you want to limit the speeches. If your father wishes to speak, it wouldn't be polite to ask to edit it. But, you could do this covertly. The best man could offer to listen and give constructive feedback.
If your father gives a speech, the groom's father isn't obligated to do the same. It is his choice.
Father of bride and groom speeches
