I have been invited to quite a few weddings already and I’m always touched by the heartfelt father of the bride speeches. However, many fathers are quite nervous of the prospect of giving their speech and have no idea where to begin, what they should say during the speech, or how they should wrap things up. Add in the prospect of having to speak in front of a crowd of people at a time when emotions are running high, and you have the makings of a perfectly nerve-wracking task. But giving the speech at your daughter’s wedding should be looked upon as a great honor and something to look forward to, rather than something you’re dreading.

The first key to giving the absolute perfect father of the bride speech is starting to plan in advance. This doesn’t mean you have to start writing the actual speech a year before the wedding, but don’t wait until the morning of the big day to think of what you’re going to say either. Keep a notebook handy for jotting down ideas and memories that may pop into your head during the months prior to the wedding.

When most people sit down with the intent of writing their speech from start to finish, they draw a blank and have difficulty trying to think of the right words, or how to best organize their thoughts. But, if you already have a compilation of thoughts and ideas that you’ve been collecting, it’s much easier to sort them out and assemble into one great speech that flows well from beginning to end.

To start out your speech, begin by thanking all of the guests for sharing in this most wonderful day, then continue by taking a moment to mention any special guests such as grandparents or the groom’s parents. A few anecdotes from your daughter’s childhood is always a nice touch, as well as talking about how happy she is with her new husband, or what a stunningly beautiful bride she is.

Closing the speech should include some well wishes for the new couple, bits of advice, or some happy thoughts in general about the joys of marriage. You may want to thank everyone again, and thank your daughter and son-on-law for allowing you to be a part of this special day of love.

As far as how long the speech should be, 10 minutes is the maximum, while five minutes is about the ideal length for keeping all of the guests interested and entertained. While writing out your speech, the word length should be under 1,000 words in order to stay within the 10 minute time frame.

Don’t be worried or embarrassed about tearing up or shedding a few tears during your speech. This is to be expected and merely shows how much you care about your daughter. On the other hand, if you do happen to be the type of guy who has no trouble showing emotion in public, remember this isn’t the Academy Awards, your daughter should be the only center of attention today. Likewise, a speech that doesn’t sound too scripted or overly formal is always best.

In conclusion, just remember that your father of the bride speech should be warm and sentimental, lighthearted with a touch of humor, all the while conveying to your daughter how much you love her, and how happy you are for her and your new son-in-law.