Father Of The Groom Speech

Father of the Groom Speech: How to Write a Funny & Heartfelt Tribute

Traditionally, there’s not much for the groom to look forward to when it comes to the speeches. He has the pressure of delivering one but all he gets in return is comedic abuse from the best man.

But why should it just be the bride’s parents who get to sum up a lifetime of love and mark the wedding as one of life’s special moments? Whatever the gender of your child, their wedding is a big deal – for both of you. This deserves to be acknowledged, so make sure you relish the opportunity and give a great speech.

Whilst we provide lots of free on this page, if you need further help we have a dedicated Father Of The Groom speech template, and you might want to check out SpeechyAI.

Father Of The Groom Speech Etiquette

Up to you whether you want to address everyone as ‘ladies and gentlemen’ or open with something more casual and friendly. A simple ‘Hello, everyone’ will often work better.

Whether you’re speaking at the rehearsal dinner or the wedding itself, welcome everyone for coming but you don’t have to namecheck anyone specific – even guests who have travelled far. That’s the newlyweds’ job so don’t steal their thunder.

Your job is simply to make everyone feel welcome and pay a tribute to your son and his spouse. There’s nothing more tedious than every speaker complimenting the bridesmaids.

Speaking about your son is, really, no different from talking about a daughter… However, one big difference is how to refer to your son’s partner.

At heterosexual weddings, the father of the bride will often gently, or not so gently, rib the groom in their speech. DON’T do this about the bride, unless you know them really well and are sure it will come across as good-natured. 

Instead, save all the mocking energy for your son. He deserves it.

How To Structure Your Speech

Here’s the idea…

1. Welcome all the guests and get them laughing straight away
2. Tell some funny anecdotes from your son’s childhood (ideally illustrating qualities that everyone will recognise in him today)
3. Pay tribute to the man he is today. The good stuff, the lovely stuff, but most importantly, the funny stuff. 
4. Recount meeting your son’s partner for the first time and how you’ve grown to love them (and possibly their family too)
5. You may want to offer some funny or heart-warming advice to the married couple. Nothing too profound or pompous.
6. Conclude your speech with a toast to the married couple – traditionally it was to their ‘health and happiness’ but that’s no longer a requirement. Instead, try to make your toast more meaningful to the couple.

Father of the Groom Speech Length

It depends on how many others will be speaking and if it will be in quick succession of each other. No one wants to sit through more than an hour of speeches!

We generally recommend speeches are between five and ten minutes long, including pauses for laughter. Usually, we aim for about eight minutes or between 900-1,200 words.

We find that’s long enough to provide a meaningful tribute and make people laugh, and not run the risk of anyone getting bored. No one ever listened to a speech and wished it were longer.

😂 How to Nail Your Father of the Groom Humour

Let’s get one thing straight — your job isn’t to audition for the Comedy Store. But the right humour can make your speech not just entertaining, but unforgettable.

As I say in The Modern Couple’s Guide to Wedding Speeches, humour is the spoonful of sugar that helps the sentiment go down. People are far more receptive to your heartwarming tribute if you’ve already got them chuckling.

Here’s how to make the funny work:

1. Hunt the Truth

The best laughs come from observations everyone recognises. So don’t go for punchlines — go for recognition. If your son still thinks a frozen pizza counts as home cooking, say it. If he’s emotionally allergic to group hugs, say it. If his idea of DIY is watching a YouTube video and calling a professional — definitely say it.

“It’s funny because it’s true” is a cliché for a reason.

2. Exaggerate (Gently)

No one wants a roast. You’re not at a stag do. But mild exaggeration can elevate the humour.
Instead of “he was always messy as a kid,” try “we weren’t sure what colour his carpet was until he moved out.”

3. Use Contrast

If your son is now a responsible grown-up but used to eat cereal with a ladle, point that out.
If his partner is cool, calm, and collected — and he’s the human equivalent of a misplaced Post-it note — celebrate the mismatch. That’s comedy gold and relationship insight.

4. Don’t Be Generic

Avoid googled gags or lines like “we knew she was the one when she laughed at his jokes.”
They’re not just lazy — they’re invisible. No one remembers them.

Instead, aim for this:
💡 “What would only work in your speech and no one else’s?”
If it wouldn’t be funny for another dad giving a speech, you’re probably onto a winner.

5. Mix Funny with Feeling

A brilliant speech isn’t just joke-joke-joke. Use humour to open hearts and make the sentiment land harder. If you talk about your son’s childhood, start funny — but end proud. Think of the laughs as a runway for the emotions to land.

💖 How to Write a Fitting Tribute (Without Turning into a Hallmark Card)

Yes, you’re here to entertain. But you’re also here to honour your son and his new spouse. A great father of the groom speech balances the laughs with something meaningful — and that means writing a tribute that actually feels personal.

Here’s how to do that without sounding like you’re reading the back of a greetings card.

1. Go Beyond the Adjectives

Everyone says their son is kind, funny, generous. But what makes your son kind? What moment proves it?

Instead of just saying “he’s thoughtful,” tell the story of how he once walked two miles in the rain to return a library book… that wasn’t his.

Give us a scene. Paint the picture. Let people see his values in action.

“Don’t tell us they’re great. Prove they are.” — The Modern Couple’s Guide to Wedding Speeches

2. Don’t Pretend He’s Perfect

He’s your son, not a saint. The audience wants to hear he’s wonderful — but they’ll love him more if you admit he’s also addicted to spreadsheet tabs, or incapable of packing for a weekend away without bringing a full toolkit.

Acknowledge the quirks that make him unique — they’re part of the love story.

3. Mention the Partner (Properly)

It’s not just about your son. His partner is the other half of this equation, and they deserve more than “he’s really lucky to have found her.”

Take time to show you’ve gotten to know them, appreciate them, and trust they’ll bring out the best in your son. If you’ve seen them take care of him during a rough patch, or calm him down with one look — share it.

That’s where the emotion lives.

4. Show Love (In Your Own Way)

You don’t have to be poetic or overly sentimental. But a sincere line — in your voice — will always land.

“He’s the best man I know, and the best friend I’ll ever have.”
“She brings out a side of him I didn’t know existed, and I love that about her.”
“I knew he’d found the one when he stopped pretending to like rugby.”

Even a bit of vulnerability can go a long way. And yes — it’s okay to get a bit choked up. Just breathe, smile, and carry on.

A Father of the Groom Speech Cheat – Use Quotes 

Whether you want to add a dash of wisdom, a sprinkle of humour, or a shortcut to getting choked up, the right quote can elevate your speech without sounding like you’ve just Googled “wedding speech inspiration” five minutes before the ceremony.

But here’s the rule — use quotes to enhance what you’re already saying, not replace it. Think of a quote as the seasoning, not the main course.

• “By the time a man realises that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he’s wrong.” — Charles Wadsworth

Ideal for some well-earned self-deprecating humour before you praise your son’s character (and secretly take a bit of credit).

• “A happy marriage is a long conversation which always seems too short.” — André Maurois

Perfect for the toast, especially if you’ve shared something about how the couple supports each other.

• “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.” – Jerry Seinfield 

A brilliant choice if you’re leaning into a theme about navigating life, marriage, and clogged sinks.

Find more inspiration in our Father of the Bride Quote blog or check out GoodReads / BrainyQuote. 

Father of the Groom DON’Ts

DON’T…

• Resort to any generic lines – Resist the cliches and make sure every single line of your speech is unique
• Show off – Even if it’s not about you, don’t be tempted to show off about your son’s achievements too much. Sure, acknowledge his successes and why you’re so proud of him but don’t be tempted to regale everyone with his CV
• Mention any exes – Never appropriate, no matter how amusing
• Google gags – It’s tempting to hunt for ice-breakers and lines that will guarantee a laugh, but DON’T. Googled gags and cheesy wedding jokes are just as likely to elicit a groan as they will a laugh. Instead, hunt your own brand of humour, and, don’t worry, that’s not as hard as it sounds. Read our guide on how to find your funny lines.
• Forget your son’s mother – Even if you have a difficult relationship, your son will appreciate it if you acknowledge the part she’s played in his upbringing.

Deliver Like A Pro 

• Take note – The first thing to think about is if and how you’ll use notes. As the Speechy writers point out, ‘Delivering without notes is like ‘doing a wheelie’; pretty cool but, ultimately, unnecessary. It’s just showing off really.’ Having notes just shows you’ve prepared.
• Memorise – Having notes on the day doesn’t mean you don’t need to rehearse and try to memorise your speech. You want to get to the point where you only need to glance and refer to your notes, rather than read them.
• Aim for a conversational tone – Not too fast (makes you sound nervous), not too slow (makes you sound robotic, pompous, and just a bit dull). Record yourself on your phone and listen back.
• Look like you’re enjoying it – A smile is literally infectious and makes your audience feel like they’re in safe hands!
• Check out our How To Deliver Your Wedding Speech Blog