GET REAL – When we write wedding speeches, we never use the same line twice because we know the best sort of humour comes from the reality of life.
As Homer Simpson says ‘It’s funny ’cause it’s true’.
Your speech’s humour needs to come from real, actual events that happened between you and your daughter and the observations you can make about her individual character.
So have a good sit down and really think about all her funny stories, anecdotes and characteristics you can. If you need help from your wife, that’s fine. It’s not cheating. In fact, call in the intel of any of her siblings too.
HUNT THE HUMOUR – Think about the big stories (how she managed to reverse into your garage on her first driving lesson) but try to remember the little details too (how she used to cry when Noel Edmunds came on the telly).
Remember her first crush. Her biggest phobia. Her favourite flavour of Pringle. All her little quirks, eccentricities, guilty pleasures and, of course, bad habits!
Basically, ask yourself lots of questions and you’ll inevitably find some comedy nuggets in there somewhere.
FIND YOUR COMEDY CHARACTERS – The good news is, it’s not just your daughter you focus your teasing on, it’s her partner too!
With a groom, you can get brutal about his skinny jeans, questionable tattoos and dubious job title (what is it he actually does?).
With a same-sex wedding, gentle teasing is still to be encouraged but more compliments and affection is necessary. Yes, it may be slightly sexist but it’s also prudent.
A final character to play with? You of course! What must it have been like for your daughter to grow up with a dad like you? Maybe it’s your chance to apologise.
Or has she inherited your love of Excel spreadsheets and West Brom Football team? In which case, again, just apologise.
