Mother-of-the-Bride Speech Examples and Writing Tips

At weddings, the father of the bride's toast gets a lot of attention—but we're all for moms stepping in to give a mother-of-the-bride speech that brings the house down. If you're the mom of the woman of the hour and you've been asked to deliver a few remarks during your daughter's wedding reception, you probably feel honored, emotional, and a little overwhelmed. After all, helping your child plan their nuptials is no small feat—and adding on writing (and nailing) a heartfelt, poignant speech can feel like, well, a lot.

While we know moms are basically superhuman creatures with an endless array of skills and abilities, speech writing and public speaking can something that shakes even the heroes among us—not to mention the added flood of mixed emotions that will be present throughout the day.

But we're here to help you find the right words—and deliver them with ease—in the months leading up to the big day. In our mother-of-the-bride speech guide, you'll find a foolproof template, writing and delivery tips, thought starters for brainstorming, and examples to make your own. Even better: We tapped an expert—wedding planner Vanessa Vierra of Vanessa Noel Events—to walk you through the process of giving a pro-level mother-of-the-bride speech.

Below, find expert tips that will help you write—and deliver—the perfect toast on your daughter's big day.

Mother-of-the-Bride Speech Template

Just as all moms are unique, and no two mother-daughter relationships are alike, your mother-of-the-bride speech will be entirely personal to you and the bond you share. However, there are a few components that should be present in your toast. Here's a general outline to help you get started.

Acknowledge your guests.

Every great speech should start with a few words of gratitude for the people who have gathered to partake in the celebration with you. You can mix this into a full greeting to welcome guests if you are the first speech on the schedule of events.

Welcome your new son- or daughter-in-law.

No mother-of-the-bride speech would be complete without a warm welcome to their daughter's new partner. Honor your new son-in-law or daughter-in-law by making it clear that you feel you're gaining a new family member and that they are welcome. You should also nod to how they have changed or complemented your daughter for the better. "Speak to why the two are good for one another, their dynamic, and their support for one another," says Vierra. "If you don't know your daughter's partner or their relationship that intimately, use what you do know where you can. Say something like, 'She's always been such a hard worker and I know that working hard for this marriage will be no exception.'"

Another nice touch? "Thank and welcome your new daughter's new in-laws, too, if appropriate," adds Vierra. "It's always gracious to welcome your daughter's new spouse into the family, as well as welcome and thank your daughter's new in-laws. This is especially true if the blend of families also means a blend of cultures." This is also a nice time to express gratitude for your daughter's in-law's contributions to the event, whether they are purely emotional or financial. "If there have been other family members involved with planning or contributing financially, it is gracious to acknowledge that," explains Vierra. "For example, maybe the new spouse's parents hosted a welcome party the night before. In that case, it's gracious to mention the event and thank them for hosting."

Choose happy memories to share.

As you choose memories, focus on positive, happy moments. Telling a story that highlights how your daughter overcame something unpleasant or embarrassing shouldn't be shared on their wedding day. "While it's okay to poke a little fun innocently, it should always have a purpose in the storyline of your speech," notes Vierra. "If you tell a story about how your daughter was trouble in high school, it needs to come around to support an uplifting message about who she is today. Airing dirty laundry just for the sake of a laugh is never a good look!"

In that vein, another way into your speech is to "speak about your daughter in her adulthood in a way that ties back to the memories or stories you'll share later on," suggests Vierra.

Highlight one or two big accomplishments.

Theoretically, the guests should already know what the bride does for a living. Reciting every success they've ever had, in detail, is completely unnecessary. You should, instead, express how proud you are of their accomplishments and highlight one or two.

Tell her how proud you are.

As you conclude your speech, "talk about how she's made you proud—for the guests, it's touching to hear and for your daughter, it's incredibly special," says Vierra.

End with a toast.

The best way to end your speech? Raise a glass to your daughter and her new partner and wish them all the best in married life, says Vierra—and remind them that you will always, without fail, be there to support the both of them, both individually and in the context of their marriage.

Mother-of-the-Bride Speech Writing Tips

Here are our best tips for writing your mother-of-the-bride speech, which will make eventually delivering it seamless.

Write your thoughts down on paper.

This momentous occasion is probably not the best time to wing it. Whether you use bullet points or an outline, make sure you pen everything you want to tell your daughter in your speech to avoid leaving out anything special. "Don't wing it, " explains Vierra. "Write it down and practice practice."

Think about your audience while you write.

"Keep in mind that you're speaking to a wildly varied mix of people. Your daughter's wedding guests might be a group comprised of professional colleagues, sorority sisters, childhood friends, neighbors, and her new spouse's distant family she's only just met," says Vierra. "Try to write in a way that can be enjoyed and understood by people at different ages, from different places, and with very different backgrounds."

Don't feel pressured to be funny.

Sure, humor is great—but if you're not a naturally funny person, don't push your limits on your daughter's most important day. Just be your sincere and honest self. The rest will follow, and your daughter will love it.

Avoid inside jokes.

You might have some amazing inside jokes that will make your daughter laugh, but no one else will find them funny. "Sharing memories and stories from childhood will naturally bring up special nuances of your relationship, but avoid jokes that remain unexplained or that would take too long to explain," adds Vierra.

Keep it short and sweet.

You're talking about your daughter, and we know you could probably go on about how amazing they are for hours, but a good rule of thumb is to limit your speech to three to five minutes. "Be thoughtful, but be concise," affirms Vierra. "This can be the hardest part, but I like to encourage a time limit of three minutes. This can be tough to hit if you're sharing memories and stories, but it's a great ballpark to shoot for—and never go over five!"

Mother-of-the-Bride Speech Delivery Tips

Lights, camera, action! When the big moment arrives, we have the tips you need to stay calm, cool, and collected while you deliver your mother-of-the-bride speech.

Practice your speech beforehand.

Write your mother-of-the-bride speech well in advance of the wedding so you’ll have plenty of time to practice it—this will help you better engage with your daughter and the room while you deliver it. "Practice so that you aren't reading the speech word for word from your note cards," shares Vierra. "Engagement with your daughter, her spouse, and the guests is important, so look up from your cards between sentences and make eye contact."

Hold the mic at your chin.

Yes, that close! "It's tempting to hold the mic down at your chest, especially if you're uncomfortable with a microphone, but a mic that's too far away creates major issues for your sound tech and can lead to feedback in the speakers," says Vierra. "Better yet, ask for a mic stand so you can be hands free and the mic is held at the proper height for you!"

Don't read your speech off your phone.

It's tempting, but don't read your speech from your phone, says Vierra. "It just looks bad in photos—plain and simple. I recommend writing (handwriting or typing it out) on 3x5 cards that are small enough to not be distracting and sturdy enough to not fold or flop—especially if you're at an outdoor venue!" she adds.

Remember to speak slowly, pause when necessary, and breathe.

If your nerves are starting to get to you, you might start speeding through your speech; to combat this, take a deep breath and remember that it’s alright to take a pause. Also, if you're a naturally fast talker, you'll need to speak in a way that feels deliberately slow, notes Vierra.

Pauses also aren't just for nerves—they're also for laughs. "If your speech has humor peppered in, wait for the laugh," explains Vierra. "Don't start on your next line until the laughter has died down."

Don't worry about crying.

This is one occasion that indisputably warrants tears—if you're afraid of getting choked up during your delivery, just remember no one will judge you for it. In fact, most people will think it's incredibly sweet and you just might make them need a tissue, too.

Mother-of-the-Bride Speech Thought Starters

Now that you have a slew of tips for writing your mother-of-the-bride speech, here are some questions to ask yourself to get the brainstorming process started.

• Which of your daughter's qualities do you really want to highlight?
• What's one of the best memories you have of raising your daughter?
• When did you first know that their partner was "the one"?
• What advice do you wish you'd heard from your mom on your wedding day?
• What about their new marriage makes you the happiest?

Mother-of-the-Bride Speech Examples to Inspire Your Own

Does the mother of the bride give a speech? For these women, the answer was a resounding “Yes!” Get inspired with these actual toasts from loving moms.

"When Jewel was young she surrounded herself with lots of friends, some of whom are here today. They know our basement was always full with high school friends, just as your wedding is full of yours and Jason's friends today.

Time doesn't stand still; it is fleeting and it is amazing how quickly it passes. Like time, Jewel has never stood still. It seems like she is always running after one adventure after another. When her sister Mindy ran a marathon, Jewel had to keep up, so she started running. Mindy was content to say she checked a marathon off her bucket list, but Jewel had to keep on running, competing in a triathlon, and then an Ironman. Even getting her engagement ring was a race, a scavenger hunt adventure but still a race. This one she and Jason won together. Partners all the way.

Jewel and Jason, now it is your turn to embark on your own journey as a couple, to experience life with a loving partner. As you find your own route through life, remember to cherish each other. We know that through all the twists and turns of the road, you will support and care for each other with true love.

As you celebrate this wedding day, know it is not the best but the first of many blessed events in your lives together. We're thrilled you two have found the one for you. We wish you both joy, laughter, and love—from our hearts to yours.”—Eileen Roth

"I would like to welcome Steve, and his parents Helen and Larry, and all of his wonderful, huge family into our family. I will not begin to mention all his brothers and sisters lest I forget one.

Steve: You are an amazing young man that I have grown to know and love. I met you after I fell skiing and I had cracked my ribs. I was on morphine and I was very happy...so please note that I am not always that crazy. Steve, when you asked to take me to lunch at my office, I knew that something was up. And it was—you asked to marry my daughter and we both cried. You have such a kind heart.

Adrienne: You are a strong, smart, and beautiful woman. I’m going to take this opportunity to apologize for the many things that I did with and to you while you were growing up. I’m sorry for many of them but not really for others, as they may have helped make you who you are today.

• I am sorry for always giving you peanut butter for lunch every day...as we found out later that you were deathly allergic to peanuts.
• I am sorry for dragging you to all the boys’ hockey and baseball games; however, you and Alysse retaliated by dragging them to all your dance recitals.
• I am sorry for the overkill of health foods—especially quinoa. But on the bright side, you have become a fabulous cook. (And have now married a cook).
• I am sorry that I made you follow me down the black diamond ski hills...but you have become a great skier.
• I am sorry for taking you on all those crazy adventures—an impromptu helicopter ride; a million Walk of Life events; travel to England, Wales, California, Boston, Chicago, New Orleans...but hey, they were lots of fun.
• I am sorry I made you watch all-night episodes of Gilmore Girls.
• I am sorry for eating bags of BBQ chips...actually, that was just me.
• I am sorry for taking you to so many dance workshops and involving you in many choreographies...but wow, you have become an accomplished dancer, actress, and teacher.

So, as a tribute to your dancing, I offer a musical toast to you and Steve. And the music is to ‘New York, New York’...the place where Steve proposed to you.”—Barbara Kennedy

“I want to thank everyone for being here celebrating Kayleigh and Adam; the Hodgins family, our family, and friends who have become family—welcome. Kayleigh’s father, her Derd, and I are tickled pink to host this beautiful evening.

As most of you know, Kayleigh faced physical challenges as a newborn and toddler but with every year, grew stronger and even more delightful. As she got older, she excelled in basketball and show choir, and happily graduated from FIDM. She then embarked on what promises to be a fulfilling career.

As a parent, you, of course, want your child to succeed in life—both personally and professionally. But one of the most satisfying rewards is seeing your child experience true love and happiness, which she has absolutely found with Adam. Thank you, Adam, for loving our girl, we’re thrilled you are part of our family.

Please join me in a toast to the bride and groom—congratulations! We all wish you the best for everything this new journey has to offer.” —Marla White