(*Of course, if you’re looking for more than ‘advice’, check out all the different ways the Speechy team can help you write & deliver a great speech. Or check out our new AI-powered team member, SpeechyAI.)
‘(Of course, if you’re looking for more than ‘advice’, check out Speechy’s bespoke speechwriting service. We also have a range of excellent speech templates that might be just what you need.)
(*Of course, if you’re looking for more than ‘advice’, check out our eulogy writing service or our eulogy template.)
(Of course, if you’re looking for more than ‘advice’, check out Speechy’s bespoke speechwriting service. We also have a range of excellent speech templates that might be just what you need.)
If you’re googling “Father of the Bride jokes,” you’re already on the right track – humour is a brilliant way to connect with your audience and get your speech off to a strong start. But here’s the catch: the best father of the bride jokes aren’t really “jokes” at all.
They’re honest observations, gentle teases, and witty lines that feel authentic to you and your daughter. As I always say in our workshops: “If it sounds like something another father could deliver in his speech, then it probably doesn’t belong in yours.”
So, ignore all those blogs listing generic wedding & marriage gags. You can do better.
Even if you don’t consider yourself naturally funny, humour is important.
Laughter sets the tone for the whole speech, and more importantly, it sets everyone at ease. A good laugh is often the first moment people stop fiddling with their cutlery and start truly listening. And once you get a laugh, you’ll immediately relax too.
The good news is, you don’t need to be a comedian or even particularly witty to get people laughing.
Being funny is often about taking the time to look and observe life in action. It’s about noticing the things we take for granted. And, it’s about being specific and descriptive, not generic.
As we often tell our Speechy clients:
“Don’t try to write a ‘funny’ line. Just tell the truth, and make it oddly specific.”
For example, instead of “She was always determined,” say:
“When she was nine, she created a five-year plan to own a horse. Step one involved blackmailing her brother with a compromising karaoke video.”
Humour like this comes directly from lived experience – which is why it lands so well.
Top Tip: Keep a notepad or phone notes app handy in the run-up to the wedding. Jot down stories, phrases, or odd things you catch yourself remembering. You’ll be surprised what comedic gems appear when you’re not trying too hard.
If you’re not sure where to start, here’s how to dig up those gold-dust stories that make your daughter shine — and your audience chuckle.
Start by thinking back through the years. What were the big, funny family moments? The mini disasters? The charmingly embarrassing hobbies?
Use these prompts:
Don’t just go for the ‘big moments’ — the best material often comes from small, day-to-day quirks. Think: her obsession with matching stationery, her irrational fear of mushrooms, or the way she insists on saying ‘expresso’ instead of espresso.
Of course, there should be plenty of material to be found in her adult years too…
A few more ideas:
Once you’ve gathered your material, you’ll find it easier to shape it into lines or anecdotes that feel real, warm, and very, very funny.
A great speech begins not with a formal intro or a list of thank yous, but with something that gets the audience leaning in. This could be a well-crafted anecdote that makes everyone smile, or an observation that hits home for anyone who knows the bride.
Let’s imagine your daughter is notoriously untidy. A strong opener might be:
“I always imagined this day would come -I just didn’t expect to clear 17 mugs, four odd socks, and one crusty cereal bowl off her bedroom floor the morning of it.”
Or if she’s a high-flying lawyer:
“Ever since she was little, she’s been arguing her case – often with a gavel made from a wooden spoon. Today, she’s met her match in a man who can actually outtalk her.”
Your first lines should do two things: introduce your personality and offer a warm, affectionate glimpse into your daughter’s character.
Humour doesn’t belong in just one spot — it should be peppered throughout the speech. Think of it like seasoning. A bit here, a bit there – just enough to keep things flavourful.
“She once took three hours to choose a sandwich. So, watching her pick a life partner in under a decade is honestly impressive.”
“We once spent a week in France where we only packed socks and no shoes. That’s the kind of meticulous planning she’s inherited – so good luck, James!”
Use stories that your audience can relate to or at least see reflected in their own families.
Check out our Father of the Bride Speech Examples to get a better sense of what we mean.
Comedy gold often comes in the form of a callback — referencing an earlier joke or theme to tie your speech together.
If you opened with her obsession with dogs:
“We knew she’d found ‘the one’ when she let someone else share the bed with her – and no, I don’t mean the spaniel.” You could end with: “And James, now that you’ve officially been promoted above the dog, just don’t get complacent. One muddy walk and you’re back to the sofa.”
A callback creates a satisfying rhythm and shows you’ve crafted your speech with care.
There’s cheeky humour… and then there’s awkward silence. So here’s what to avoid:
Even if it’s the funniest story in the world – save it for the bar later. Mentioning the bride’s ex is just never a good idea.
And, it may seem obvious but don’t mention your ex! We do sometimes work with dads who think their speech is an opportunity to mention their divorce from the bride’s mum and have a ‘laugh’ about not all marriages having a happy ever after. But no matter how well you now get on, just no.
We know it’s tempting – the classic “Who’s footing the bill?” line often feels like low-hanging fruit. But resist. Even if you’re covering a chunk of the costs, joking about it might genuinely embarrass the couple or come across as a guilt trip. Weddings are already emotionally and financially loaded. Let the day be a celebration, not a balance sheet.
If you have good stories about her misbehaving as a teen, check she’s comfortable with you sharing them with her work colleagues!
Affectionate teasing, YES! We’re all for it. But don’t overstep the mark. Especially if you’re trying to make a genuine point or you’re not actually that close to him.
If you’re roasting anyone, make it yourself!
I had two main jobs today: walk her down the aisle, and don’t cry. We’re 50% there.”
“I’ve practised this speech in front of the dog. She seemed moved — but she always cries when I stop feeding her.”
We’ve all heard the ‘wedding is like a three-ring circus’ line. Recycled jokes feel stale and lazy. If it turns up on the first page of Google, skip it.
These aren’t lines from past clients — we never share those. But here are some imagined examples that show how jokes can come from the real-life quirks of your daughter.
Let’s say she’s into health and wellness:
“She once told me sugar was toxic… just before she ate four doughnuts and blamed it on ‘emotional instability.’”
If she’s super career-driven:
“When she was 12, she charged me £1 a week in rent for borrowing her headphones. We should’ve known she was destined for corporate life.”
If she’s a hopeless romantic:
“She used to write letters to future ‘Prince Charming’. Today, she’s marrying someone even better — someone who knows how to reset the router.”
You get the idea! Specific and real.
And yes, a hint of exaggeration is fine. It works 150% of the time.
If you’re hunting for more lines or clever quotes to weave into your speech, try these resources:
We get it — trying to be funny and heartfelt in one speech is no easy feat. That’s where we come in.
🎤 Download our Father of the Bride Speech Template.
📝 Already written a draft? Use our Edit Service to make it shine.
🤖 Need help getting started? Try SpeechyAI. Genuinely impressive and a delight guarantee. Check out one example of an AI-generated Father of the Bride Speech
💎 Or treat yourself to our Bespoke Speechwriting Service — crafted one-on-one with our expert writers.
And remember: the best laughs come from the heart. If you speak with warmth, wit, and a bit of humility, your jokes will land.
Just keep it real. Keep it loving. And keep it you.
The Speechy team are TV-trained scriptwriters/comedians by trade & we’ve helped 1,000s of speakers around the world deliver their dream speech.
Our advice has been quoted everywhere from The New York Times to Grazia and from Forbes to The Observer. Our founder has also featured on the BBC Sounds’ Best Men podcast with Jason Manford and written ‘The Modern Couple’s Guide to Wedding Speeches’, published by Little, Brown.
