Mother Of The Bride Speech: The Ultimate Guide To Writing The Best Mother Of The Bride Speech Ever
Looking for tips and ideas to help you write the best mother of the bride speech for your beloved daughter and son-in-law?
If you are, just stick with me for a little while and I will share with you…
- Practical tips to help you write a heartfelt mother of the bride speech
- How to write a hilarious mother of the speech even if you as serious as a piece of rock
- What to say about your son-in-law…get this wrong and you will be regret giving this speech
- Plus, a whole lot more tips to help you become the best speaker of the night.
I know what you are thinking at this moment. This is it….
What Do I Say At My Daughter’s Wedding?
Ok….Let’s jump right in
Wouldn’t you feel great having your family and friends compliment you on how great your mother of the bride wedding speech is? I can see you nodding to that idea.
As a professional mother of the bride speech, I know for sure that the goal of every mother of the bride is to write and deliver the best mother of the bride wedding speech.
How do I know this? Whenever mothers of the bride ask for help with their speeches, the recurring request is:
‘’Dan, my daughter is getting married and I am at a complete loss as to what to say. Can you help make my speech very special and unique? ‘’
If that’s what you are thinking of , just pause for a moment and picture yourself delivering your mother of the bride speech with poise and confidence.
Again, close your eyes for a moment and imagine how happy you would be if you could easily write a very exceptional and unique mother of the bride speech.Those mental pictures can spur you to work harder for what you want.
This Can Help You Calm Nerves And Master Your Mother Of The Bride Speech
When a bride’s mom imagine saying a few remarks about her daughter and son-in-law nonetheless, her mental disposition looks fuzzy because somehow we have all grown up to believe we are not good enough to speak in public.
The truth is you are not. Guess what? Those beliefs are a result of past experiences. For example, if you goofed up back when you were asked to speak before a small group of people, your family and friends would probably conclude that you are not cut out to be a public speaker.
Based on their baseless feedback, you clung to this view that you are not good enough to speak in public. That explains why you keep messing up whenever you are asked to talk to even a small group of people.
This limiting belief has kept you from becoming the best version of yourself. So, you are not a terrible writer or speaker as you imagine yourself to be.
When you take practical steps to dismantle this mental shackle, you will be bracing yourself up for success.
What use is it if you have written a great mother of the bride speech but don’t have the guts to deliver it well?
So, you have approach this with a renewed mindset as how we think, what we believe, and how we act, impact almost everything we sight our focus on.
That being said, let’s look at practical steps to calming your nerves and mastering your speech so you can deliver it with absolute flair and confidence.
- Envision yourself speaking confidently even if your mind starts to play silly tricks on you. As you keep your gaze on the positive outcome of your speech in spite of those nagging voices in your head, your fears will be kept at bay.
- Don’t be a prisoner of your past. Left go off past experiences and focus on this and you will have peace of mind. No one is going to judge you or rate your performance. They just want to listen to beautiful stories about your daughter and who she’s grown up to be.
- It is said that adequate preparation kills stress and anxiety. So, make sure you prepare and plan well ahead of time and you will succeed.
With that said, let’s look at how to plan and prepare for your mother of the bride speech.
Steps To Writing Your Mother Of The Bride Speech
Speaking about planning for your toast, I am reminded of these thoughtful words by Jesus:
“Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.’’- Luke 14: 28-30
Before delivering your presentation, it is crucial to spend time thinking about it by first figuring out what your writing goals are.
The following questions can help you set your writing goals:
- Am I going to do this speech all by myself?
- Is it a wise idea to do a joint mother or parents of the bride speech with my husband? If you are thinking about that, this video example can help.
- Do I want to make a very simple mother of the bride speech?
- Do I want to make a short mother of the bride speech?
- Do I want to make it hilarious? This is an example:
- How do I want to make my family and friends feel after hearing my speech? To make them laugh, cry or both? Here’s a funny mother of the bride speech video example if you have that in mind:
- When and where will your mother of the bride speech be delivered? At the bridal shower? Wedding reception? At the rehearsal dinner?
Question: What are your writing goals for this wedding speech? Write it down on stick-it-notes and any other label and fix it to a prominent place in your home to remind you of the task ahead. That way, you won’t put it off until the last moment.
You might also want to consider the duration of your speech. The question most moms ponder is: how long should my mother of the bride speech be? If you ask me what the length of your mother of the bride speech should be, I would tell you to go with what you are comfortable with.
I have written both long and short speeches and in most cases, I made sure the storyline was interesting and exciting.
In the unlikely event that you are asked by the bride to speak for say (five minutes), then please respect her wishes.
You will only be forgiven if you delivered a truly touching mother of the bride toast.
From working with mothers on their speeches, I have come across some really sweet but long mother of the speeches. And I have also seen very short but engaging speeches.
What’s most important is to make sure your speech won’t bore the wedding guests to death.
There should be something in it to make your daughter feel special, loved, and thankful for having you in her life.
Let’s Look At This Next: Memories About Your Daughter
You have to look for fond memories about your daughter since they are like strands of golden threads that connect the past to current events.
So, start by writing down stories about the good and bad times and how much she means to you.
If for some reason, you are struggling to remember all those wonderful moments, then you can follow this route to get them back to your mind.
- Where is your family photo album? Go find it and flip through the pages. As you do, ask yourself these questions:
- What story does this picture remind me of? Put that memory down on paper
- What does each image tell you about her character traits?
- Do you still have letters and notes and cards she sent you on important days like your wedding anniversary, valentine day, birthday, mother’s day and so on. Go through them and see if you can find lines you can weave into your presentation
- Why don’t you speak with the bride’s father or your own parents and ask them to share some memories? Chances are that they have stories you may have forgotten. They say there’s no harm in asking, right?
Check Out Mother Of The Bride Speech Examples And Templates
This is what I think it’s the most powerful tool for easily and quickly writing mother of the bride speeches.
If you have no idea about what to say, have several ideas but don’t know where to start, how to put your stories together, then I recommend that you look for video and well-written mother of the bride speech examples and templates.
I would like to share these examples with you. The first is a video clip. Why should you watch it?
It’s because mother of the bride speech video examples complement written examples in the sense that you are able to learn how great speeches are actually delivered after it’s captured on paper.
Besides, you can borrow a few ideas from watching them and adapt it for your own script. Here’s a video example:
Of course, the other version of it is the written piece.
I am going to share one with you. Afterwards, we will analyze it through the eyes of a mother of a bride speech writer so that you too can bring frame together beautiful stories about your daughter, using all those memories you have already written down.
This is it:
A Short Mother Of The Bride Speech Example/Template
This is the speech journalist and presenter,Katie Anne Couric, gave at her daughter’s wedding.
“Welcome, everyone. Gosh, I haven’t spoken in front of this many people since I anchored the CBS Evening News!
Given the challenges and sadness of the last year and a half, how lucky are we to be here? Together for a weekend of pure, unadulterated joy, and for some of you, a never-ending booze fest. And while I’m not going to get political here, I am going to quote Hillary Clinton — who famously said, ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’ Because our village is here tonight.
I could never name every person, every act of kindness and support so many people here have shown our family through the years because we’d never get back on the dance floor. But from Thanksgivings in Boston, Easters in Darien, countless playdates and dinners, birthdays remembered from near and far, beach barbecues, churros at Disneyland, swimming in the Caribbean, dancing in a restaurant in Serifos, Halloween, proms and parties, and navigating mean boys during those harrowing high school years, how incredibly lucky we’ve been to have all of you in our lives, in good times and in bad.
As many of you know, there’s no finer compliment than hearing you’ve done a good job raising your children. I can say with certainty I could not have done it without Lori Beth Meyer, who is here tonight. For 11 years, Lori Beth was my partner in almost every way. I will be forever grateful for her unwavering love, support, and patience and for bringing stability to our often wobbly three-legged stool.
As time marched on, Ellie’s village expanded. Roots and wings, my sister-in-law Clare used to say, that’s what you need to give your children. While many of you helped build a strong foundation, there are others here tonight who helped Ellie soar and come into her own.
Many of the amazing young women here (and a few good men) represent the deep and lasting friendships formed at Yale. And to see Ellie bond with such a fantastic, dynamic group of friends in Los Angeles is both thrilling and wonderfully comforting.
Meanwhile, the Molners have added such a rich, unexpected dimension to our lives. John’s love and devotion, wicked sense of humor, and exacting personality — well, Molner, you’ve got your hands full and I can’t imagine life without Henry, Allie, Tom, Andy, and David. And the fact that Herbie and Paula immediately treated Ellie and Carrie like their own grandchildren means the world to us.
Now you’re probably wondering, along with Mark, ‘When is she going to get to the groom?’ For the past 11 years, the center of Ellie’s universe has been Mark. Now, I have to be honest. Throughout her 20, I urged — OK begged Ellie to date around, play the field. God knows I did in my 20s. But Ellie wasn’t having it. She knew.
Ellie — this warm, kind, sensitive, sentimental, perceptive, empathetic, determined, spirited young woman just knew that she had already found the yin to her yang, the peanut butter to her jelly, the Jack to her Jill. Mark — she knew.
And now, this we all know: You are a treasure. My parents, adored by both Ellie and Carrie, would have called you a ‘fine person’ — the highest praise in our family. It’s been a privilege to get to know you and I feel even closer to you now, after hearing the reflections of your friends and family.
Your effortless talent, your humility, your loyalty, your steadiness, your patience. But most of all, we love you for loving Ellie with all your heart.
And now we have The Dobroskys!!! Mark, simply put, you have the greatest family. Granted, Loretta’s a little competitive, so I do foresee some tense salad bowl moments in our future, but seriously, what a terrific group of people! So warm and so fun.
I couldn’t be happier that our families are now connected. I hope this is the beginning of many holidays spent together…hopefully at the Dobrosky’s house, and I hope it’s OK if I bring some Molners and Monahans, and a few Batchelors and Courics and Wadlows. And don’t worry Loretta, I’ll bring my mom’s famous pear lime jello salad.
I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t tell you that for many years I’d been dreading this day — because of the people who are not here. Ellie’s maternal and paternal grandparents. Mark’s maternal and paternal grandparents, although Whitey almost made it. Ellie’s aunt Marilyn.
My oldest sister Emily who adored Ellie. But most of all, the father of the bride, Jay Monahan. Jay would be so proud of you both and so thrilled that Ellie married a lacrosse player. And a terrific guy.
When Jay was in the throes of cancer and it seemed as if the end of his life might be near, he looked at me and said, ‘You know, nothing really matters except your friends and family.‘ When everything else was stripped away, Jay understood what was essential to a meaningful life. Ellie, he would be beaming to witness the woman you’ve become…and somehow, some way, I hope he is.
My mom used to say, ‘Into everyone’s life a little rain must fall.’ Life, in fact, is a strange alchemy of joy and sorrow, hope and despair, triumphs and disappointments.
But in the immortal words of Carrie’s favorite, Kacey Musgraves, ‘Hold tight to your umbrella, cause darling I’m just trying to tell you that there’s always been a rainbow hanging over your head.’ Hold tight to your umbrella, and to each other.
Many of us who are on the ‘back nine,’ as John would say, want you to cherish this very special chapter in your life. Enjoy every single minute…it goes by in an instant, and soon enough you may be giving a toast at your daughter’s wedding. (Don’t worry, I’m not pushing…take your time).
Here’s to Mark and Ellie — I wish you sunny skies and the fortitude to get through stormy weather. But most of all, I wish you a life bursting with love, light, and laughter. Cheers!”
If you muttered to yourself that this is something you can easily come up with while looking that example over, you really deserve a huge pat on the back.
But, with so many things to do to make sure that your daughter’s wedding is a blast, writing a sweet mother of the bride speech like that one can be a real struggle considering that you might not have sufficient time and peace of mind to collect your thoughts.
I have seen this happen to so many moms who cranked out scrappy notes about their daughter’s life in just a few days to the wedding.
Things can be fairly easy for you when you plan out your writing. When you spend more time planning what to say, you will spend less time on the writing process.
What’s more, it helps you to organize your thoughts, find the best stories to support your ideas, and gives your writing a cohesive, logical flow and structure.
The best way to do this is to develop a structure for your mother of the bride speech. If you study the above template or any other example you will find this structure:
- Introductory remarks
- Body or outline
- Conclusion
Every introduction has these features:
Greetings/Salutation and short-self introduction: Here’s an example:
Hello everyone. I’m Margaret and I’m Marc’s mother. On behalf of our entire family, I’d like to thank all of you from coming from far and near to join us in this very special celebration.
- Thank your family and friends for their help and support
You simply write down names of friends and family who played a key role in your daughter’s life. This example can give you a perfect idea:
I’d like to thank my grandmother Dix, my mother and father, my brother and sister-in-law Dan and Frank, my sister and brother-in-law Zion and Jim, Aunt Theres and Uncle Joe, Aunt Sussie, and Ken for your unconditional love, time, laughter, wisdom, advice, babysitting, encouragement, generosity, and sense of family continuity.
We are forever grateful and have been incredibly lucky and blessed to have all of you in our lives, in good times and in bad.
Then, there’s another aspect of the intro called the hook. This illustration can help you understand it better.
Suppose you have been asked to deliver a keynote speech at a very important function. How would you start your address? You are most likely to start on a positive note that will make a great first impression.
Similarly, your hook should be very engaging and make your audience think that this is going to be the best mother of the bride wedding speech ever.
If you start off on a wrong note, people would form a bad impression of you and conclude that your presentation will sound like a stale joke.
That shouldn’t be your lot. It should be like the words your spouse said on your first date: sweet and concise. Do you still remember it?
Here Are A Few Very Effective Ways To Write A Sensational Hook
- You can share a story about what happened before or after her birth. I still remember how a mom shared a funny story about the arrival of their new bundle of blessings. The visibly excited new dad and husband was so overjoyed that he lost control of the steering wheel and ended up in a dump unharmed. Do you have such stories to back up your speech? Put them down and share it with the wedding guests.
- Any funny memory from her childhood? Did she wear your wig and use your lipstick? Was she fun to be around? Anna told me when we worked on her speech that her little girl got lost on a park and her blood pressure shot through the roof that someone thought she needed a defibrillator.
- To make your introduction heart touching, you can incorporate one liners, quotes, and wise sayings to enhance your delivery. Here are some love quotes you may use. Kindly take note of the underlined sections because we will be using it for another purpose.
- A daughter is just a little girl who grows up to be your best friend.”
— Unknown
- “To my beautiful daughter. If I could only give you one thing in this life, I would give you the ability to see yourself how I see you every single day. Your beauty, your kindness, how happy you make me and how proud I am of you. Perhaps then you would be able to understand just how special you are to me.”
— Dave Hedges
- “I will let my daughter do whatever her heart wants. I will support her and guide her and give her all the knowledge that I have because I want her to succeed in whatever she loves.”- The Miz
- “A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart.” – Unknown
- Our daughters are the most precious of our treasures, the dearest possessions of our homes, and the objects of our most watchful love. – Margaret Elizabeth Sangster
Can you use any of those quotes to write something engaging? Ok, I am going to use the underlined words from the above quotes.
Here they are:
If I could only give you one thing in this life, I would give you the ability to see yourself how I see you every single day.
I will support her and guide her and give her all the knowledge that I have because I want her to succeed in whatever she loves.”- The Miz
“A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart
Now, this is a short mother of the bride speech example I wrote with the highlighted words.
My mom used to say that daughters are the most precious treasures of every woman. I understood that better when Karen came into my life one a blistery winter night. I still remember it as if it only yesterday when they handed her to me and I could tell by that special look in her eyes she was my life’s most precious treasure.
On that day, I was overwhelmed with a deep sense of love, joy, and gratitude. She was a truly beautiful gift. That night, I looked into her smiling eyes and promised myself to support and guide her so she grows to be the best version of herself.
Years have flown by and she’s grown into the woman of my dreams. Karen, you have grown into a beautiful woman inside out, but you will never outgrow my heart.
That’s exactly how to make the most of the quotes!
The body follows the introduction. The body is also known as the speech outline. With a lot of memories floating in your brain, it can be hard to distill years of memories into a succinct presentation.
I have been lucky to review several drafts which were not only difficult to follow but also had rich ideas scattered all over the place.
In view of this, almost every mom who’s creating a speech outline feels overwhelmed by questions like…
- What should I say about my daughter?
- What should I say about the groom?
- How do I piece my story together and make it flow from start to end?
These questions can leave you feeling anxious, worried, and confused. But, this simple trick can help make you feel better and make your ideas flow.
Here’s what to do.
Step 1. Draw a line straight down the middle of a piece of paper so that you have two columns.
Step 2. At the top of the left column, write “Body of my speech(bride)”. At the top of the right column write “Body of my speech(groom)”.
Step 3. In the left column for the bride, start putting down answers to the following questions:
- What was she like when she was a little girl?
- How did she make my life much better? How about her siblings?
- What are some fond memories you recall?
- What were her positive character traits growing up?
- What are your most proud moments as a mom?
This happens next: Narrow down the ideas you would really like to use for the content of your mother of the bride speech.
Then, you may go back to read a great example like this one or the one above for clarity and inspiration before writing a rough draft.
This is equally the case when crating short notes about your new son-in-law. But, in this case, you should reflect on these questions:
- What are the positive attributes of the man my daughter is getting married to?
- What impression did he leave on you when you first met or got to know him?
- In what ways does he make your daughter a happy person?
- How does he balance her out?
- Do you have some really fond memories about the groom?
Now, let’s look at this:
How To Write A Conclusion For Your Mother Of The Bride Speech
Can you write one without trying so hard? If you ever write an example like this one (see below) then you are good to go because that’s what we hear at most weddings.
‘’ Here’s to Dan and Melissa — I wish you the best in everything you do now, tomorrow and forever. Cheers!’’
But, did you know you can make it more fun, memorable and exciting? Imagine ending your toast with these lines culled from the above sample:
Enjoy every single minute…it goes by in an instant, and soon enough you may be giving a toast at your daughter’s wedding. (Don’t worry, I’m not pushing…take your time).
How about ending with this song before proposing your toast to happy couple? But, you need a good voice to make this possible. Can you do that?
This third approach never fails. Pick what makes a marriage work and speak about it. You can share practical tips about communicating, dealing with resentment and anger, coping with the high and lows moments, keeping the romance and spark in marriage, managing your finances and so on. You may share a little bit of each.
If you have been in a very loving relationship for many years, you may share your personal secrets to marriage longevity. Here’s an example: