The Bride's Heart

One of the many pleasures of being the mother of the bride is the opportunity to present a speech.  The idea can seem a bit daunting, perhaps even nerve wracking.

I mean, you already have so very much on your plate!  You’re already having to help on the planning, the invitations, the caterer, the guest list, the presents, the wedding itself!

Oh my goodness, this is so very overloading!  How can you expect to fit one more thing into the tapestry that will eventually come the best day in your dear daughter’s life?

It’s all right.  Sit back, take a few deep breaths and let’s go over the easy-peasy way you can through together a speech for the day of days.

To begin, I’m sure you have plenty of memories of you and your little girl as she grew from the tiny baby in your arms to the blossoming and blushing bride that is just ever-so-gorgeous as she practices the walk down the isle.

Start with that. Share your memories and don’t worry if you get emotional while you do it. You won’t be the only one in the room reacting that way – I guarantee it.

While you share these remembrances, you will want to naturally intertwine the thoughts of the groom and segue into reflections upon his person as well. Share with the family and friends how you feel about them as a couple.

Have you observed changes for the good in your daughter since she met her husband?  Well, share that as well.  What do you see in his eyes as he sees her and what do you feel as you watch the exchange?  Pour your heart out.

Do you recollect the first time you were introduced to the groom?  How did your daughter describe him to you?  How did you feel the day of the first meeting after hearing “so much about him”?

What was the family’s reaction when they announced their wedding to you?  How about relating a story on how the two of them met in the first place.  Maybe they worked together, they’re high school sweethearts or met through a dating service.  The guests at the reception will happily capture the anecdotes you share.

Many times mother of the bride speeches will be a small verbal illustration into what marriage is like in general and how deeply important relationships are and should remain to be in the coming years.

Stress however whimsically or seriously the joys, heartbreaks, sorrow and utter amazement that this sacred union can obtain.  If you have learned something about yourself and others around you throughout your own married life, wax gleefully upon those thoughts and wonderings.

Don’t forget to acknowledge those others that are present that hold a great importance to the ceremony or the lives of the newly wedded couple.  Culminate the day’s events into the speech as well. Gradually build this point up to the toast of the evening that you are going to give.  Knock the socks off of everyone present!

With all of these general points in mind, how can you get all those ideas out of your head into a well-written speech?  How do you prepare?  Well, as you get ready for the wedding day, and you’re out and about with your daughter, take a notepad.  Then on the pad (or grab some stickies) write down little anecdotal happenings and thoughts as the days go on.

These can later collate into the speech.  No need to try to memorize the speech either, index cards a great way to jot down main points on to later jog your memory during the actual speech.

You could practice saying the speech in front of a mirror, or in front of other family members or friends.  It’s hard after such an emotional day to come off perfect sometimes, but this tip will aid you in getting close to that goal.

Continue reading these mother of the bride speech tips …