Are you looking around the internet for father of the bride speeches? Are you unsure what you want to say on the important wedding day?

These days, walking your daughter down the aisle is a way to symbolize her journey from childhood to adulthood. As a parent, you've probably been with her during many of her developmental and life milestones. Your daughter is now an adult and may one day start a family of her own. In a sense, this is your chance to wish her well in her adult life with a new partner for the rest of her journey in life. When you walk her down the aisle, you demonstrate your love and affection and also give your blessing to the union you are witnessing.

Traditionally, women were “given away” by their father at weddings. The daughter was viewed as property of the father. Nowadays, the gesture has a new meaning. Walking your daughter down the aisle demonstrates the father’s acceptance of his daughter’s groom, the (relatively) new man in her life. The act of walking her down the aisle and giving a father of the bride speech will hopefully hold a special place in everyone’s memory while drawing you closer to your daughter as she begins this new chapter of her life.

1. Prepare: Relive potential stress by writing your speech in advance. Days in advance is okay and weeks in advance gives you more breathing room.
2. Rehearse: Practice what you wan to say in front of those who can tell you the truth. You don’t want to hear it’s great only to bomb at the wedding. You need people who aren’t scared to give you the truth.
3. Say What You Mean: Speak from your heart. Don’t say anything you do not mean, because people will know. If you aren’t thrilled with your daughter’s husband choice, then avoid it altogether and don’t say you are delighted.
4. Thank People: Take time to thank the guests who traveled so far to be here on this day.
5. Share a Story: Stories work well. Listeners remember stories easily and they can show a positive aspect of you or your daughter’s personality.