(*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.)
After helping hundreds of dads write their father of the bride speeches, we know: finding the right quote is surprisingly tricky.
You want to sound heartfelt but not cheesy. Wise but not like you’ve raided a Pinterest board called “Inspirational Dad Stuff.” And unless you’re planning to whip out a harmonica, maybe skip the Bob Dylan.
So here’s your guide to quotes to use in a father of the bride speech that actually work—plus when and how to use them for max impact.
Short answer: no.
Plenty of brilliant speeches don’t use any. But if chosen well, a quote can:
“A good quote doesn’t do the job for you—it amplifies what you’ve already said.”
— Heidi Ellert-McDermott, Speechy founder & author of The Modern Couple’s Guide to Wedding Speeches
Just make sure it sounds like something you would say—not something printed on a throw pillow.
Quotes can be brilliant. But only if they serve the speech—not replace it.
As I always say: write your speech first. Then see if a quote—or two—can make it better.
Here’s how to get it right:
Think about shared references—songs, films, family sayings. If it already means something to you both, it’ll land harder.
One early on, one near the end. That’s your limit. Any more, and it feels like you’re just padding.
Stick with names most people know—or introduce them with charm. No one’s moved by “a quote from a podcast dating coach I follow.”
Quotes don’t have to be deep. Sometimes a sharp one-liner says more than a heartfelt paragraph.
Don’t quote Shakespeare if you’ve never picked up a play. Don’t go full Rumi if your usual reading is the Racing Post.
“If the quote feels like a costume, don’t wear it.” — Heidi, yet again
If your daughter has a sense of humour (and if she’s asked you to speak, she probably does), adding a quote with comic flair can work wonders.
Jerry Seinfeld
“Marriage is like a game of chess except the board is flowing water, the pieces are made of smoke and no move you make will have any effect on the outcome.”
A brilliant choice if you’re leaning into a theme about navigating life, marriage, and clogged sinks.
John Bishop
“Watching your daughter being collected by her date feels like handing over a million dollar Stradivarius to a gorilla.“
Enough said.
Oscar Wilde
“The proper basis for marriage is a mutual misunderstanding.”
Use carefully. This one’s best when delivered with a very raised eyebrow.
George Burns
“Love is a lot like a backache. It doesn’t show up on x-rays, but you know it’s there..”
Classic. Dry. Unexpected. Works well after introducing your chaotic clan or as a punchy ending.
Rita Rudner
“I love being married. It’s so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life.”
Check with your wife first.
Dr. Seuss
“People are weird. When we find someone with weirdness that is compatible with ours, we team up and call it love.”
And feel free to add… ‘I’ve seen it first-hand with these two—one collects vintage teaspoons, the other alphabetises the spice rack. If that’s not compatible weirdness, I don’t know what is.’
Pro Tip:
Yes to father of the bride quotes. No to overusing one-liners. You’re not auditioning for a stand-up slot at the wedding breakfast. One, maybe two well-placed quotes is all you need. Save the rest for the bar.
Not all quotes are eye-roll material. Some are beautifully simple ways to show you’re truly proud, moved, and (just a little) sentimental.
Maya Angelou
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Lovely for reinforcing how your daughter has always had an emotional impact on those around her.
Unknown (but often misattributed to Dr Seuss)
“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.”
Use this if you’re referencing childhood memories or growing up too fast—it hits home.
Winnie the Pooh (yes, really)
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
Yes, it’s twee. Yes, it’s overused. But it works—especially if you’re struggling to say how much your daughter means to you without falling apart.
Want something less emotional? Add a light-hearted kicker after. “Though, of course, I’m not saying goodbye. I’m just moving down the table plan.”
Franklin Jones
“Love doesn’t make the world go round; love is what makes the ride worthwhile.”
Relates to both romantic and parental love too.
Zelda Fitzgerald
“Nobody has ever measured, even poets, how much a heart can hold.”
And perhaps you can add something like… ‘And today, as I watch my daughter step into this next chapter of her life—with love, laughter, and someone who truly sees her—I think I understand exactly what she meant. Because my heart feels like it’s doing its very best to burst.’
Louis de Bernieres
“Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides, you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is.”
And judging by how these two have already survived flat-pack furniture, wedding planning, and a joint Spotify account, I’d say the roots are doing just fine.
This section is for those wise, funny, or sneakily profound one-liners that help wrap your speech up with a touch of advice—without sounding like a self-help book.
Robert Anderson
“In every marriage more than a week old, there are grounds for divorce. The trick is to find—and continue to find—grounds for marriage.”
Sharp, witty, and more honest than most Instagram captions.
Mignon McLaughlin
“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.”
It’s a beautiful line—and one that might resonate even more once the dishwasher’s broken, the baby won’t sleep, and the in-laws have been round three Sundays in a row.
Friedrich Nietzsche
“When marrying, ask yourself this question: Do you believe that you will be able to converse well with this person into your old age? Everything else in marriage is transitory.”
A fun one to use if your daughter talks a lot!
Albert Einstein
“When we first got married, we made a pact. It was this: In our life together, it was decided I would make all of the big decisions and my wife would make all of the little decisions. For fifty years, we have held true to that agreement. I believe that is the reason for the success in our marriage. However, the strange thing is that in fifty years, there hasn’t been one big decision.”
Who doesn’t love quoting Einstein? And he actually has a surprising amount to say about love!
Quoting a movie can be charming—or excruciatingly awkward. Use them sparingly, and only if they match your personality or the tone of your speech.
Steve Martin – Father of the Bride (1991)
“You fathers will understand. You have a little girl. You’re her oracle. You’re her hero. Then the day comes when she wants to get married…”
It’s on the nose—but sometimes, that’s okay. Especially if you follow it with your own, more grounded take on the journey.
Marlin – Finding Nemo (2003)
“I promised I’d never let anything happen to him… hmm. That’s a funny thing to promise.”
Great if you want to reflect on the challenges of letting go, mixed with a little humour about parenting over-protectively.
Mufasa – The Lion King (1994)
“I’m only brave when I have to be. Being brave doesn’t mean you go looking for trouble.”
Perfect if you’re celebrating your daughter’s quiet strength, courage, or wisdom. Bonus points if she loved Disney growing up.
Ray – Everybody Loves Raymond
“Look, you want to know what marriage is really like? Fine. You wake up, she’s there. You come back from work, she’s there. Fall asleep, she’s there. Eat dinner, she’s there. You know? I mean, I know that sounds like a bad thing, but it’s not.”
Oddly sweet!
If you’re still searching for the perfect words—or just want to soak up more wisdom before you put pen to paper—here are some brilliant places to explore.
🎶 LyricFind – Licensed Song Lyrics Search
If you want to quote a meaningful lyric (without misquoting it), LyricFind has official, accurate lines from thousands of songs. Perfect for fathers who want to quote The Beatles, Springsteen, or even Beyoncé.
💌 PoemHunter –Poems About Daughters, Love, and Life
A massive archive of poetry, including classics and user-submitted pieces. Great for heartfelt quotes that aren’t overused or overly sappy.
🧠 BrainyQuote – Curated Quotes by Theme
A reliable site if you want polished, attributed quotes sorted by theme (e.g. fatherhood, daughters, weddings, love). Best used in moderation—it leans mainstream.
🎤 Songfacts – Meaning Behind Song Lyrics
Perfect for adding context to a lyric you want to quote. If you’re using music in your speech, this helps explain the story behind the line.
✍️ GoodReads
Goodreads is a brilliant place to find quotes that go beyond the clichés. It’s packed with lines from novels, poetry, biographies and everything in between—so whether you want something wise, witty or wonderfully obscure, this is a goldmine.
Here’s the thing—don’t just drop quotes in like fortune cookie slips.
Then make the quote relevant to the moment. Connect it to your anecdote or use it as a bridge into the next section of your speech.
You’ve picked the perfect father of the bride quote—now what?
Here’s where it’ll land best:
Don’t feel you have to end with a quote. Your own words, spoken simply and from the heart, are usually stronger.
Father of the bride quotes can give your speech a lovely lift. But they should never replace your own voice—they should support it.
If you’re stuck, nervous, or staring at a blank page wondering if quoting The Simpsons is too risky (it’s not), we’re here for that.
We offer a FOTB speech template, an Edit Service & a Bespoke Speechwriting Service. Also – it’s worth checking out SpeechyAI if you’re looking for a low-cost, quick and remarkably witty wedding speechwriter!
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.
