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Speeches

There are three generally accepted speeches usual to a wedding reception they are, bride's father's speech, the bridegroom's speech and lastly the best man's speech. No further speeches are required although other speeches are permissible; it is not unusual for example for the bridegroom's father to give a short speech of thanks to the host and hostess for the occasion, or the bride to have a "best woman" give a speech.

 

Bride's Father
The brides father should be called upon by the toastmaster (or the best man) to propose a toast of 'health and happiness to the bride and bridegroom'.  Before doing so he would normally welcome the grooms parents, relatives of both families any other guests and welcome the groom to his family and say a few words about his daughter.

 

Bridegroom
The bridegroom replies on behalf of himself and his bride, taking the opportunity to thank his parents for there love and care during his youth, for the start they gave him in life, and for their good wishes for his future and that of his wife. He will also take this opportunity on behalf of his wife and himself to thank all those present for their gifts.
Should there be any close members of the family who could not attend the wedding because of illness, they should be mentioned and be wished for a speedy recovery.
To conclude his speech, the bridegroom will propose the toast of the bridesmaids and thank them for a job well done.  He may also present them with a small gift as a token of their appreciation.

 

Best Man
It is the best man's duty to respond to this toast on behalf of the bridesmaids, his speech should be light hearted and fun. It should be the high spot of the reception and it is very often his ability to make this particular speech, with humour and interest, that is the deciding factor on the selection of the best man.

Toasts & Speeches