Mother of the bride speech writer

More mothers speak at weddings now, whether in place of, or alongside, the father of the bride. The best speeches are short, specific and loving: one memory, one hope for the couple, one welcome.

  • 3–5 mintypical length
  • 390–650words at 130 wpm
  • 5 partswelcome · her childhood · who she became · welcome · a wish and a toast
  1. 1 Occasion
  2. 2 Your memories
  3. 3 Edit & rehearse

Draft your mother of the bride speech

Specifics make the speech yours: places, years, habits, things they always say. 0/1500
Tone
Typical for this occasion: 3–5 minutes.

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Mother of the bride speech0 words · 0:00

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Already have a speech? Paste it here and ask for feedback, a shorter version or a stronger ending.

The structure of a mother of the bride speech

Tap each part to see what it does and where it sits in this sample. The bar shows how the sample divides its time: the story gets the most room, the ending the least.

1. Welcome

Thank guests and, if the father is not speaking, welcome everyone on the family’s behalf.

In this sample: 19 words, about 0:09 spoken, 12% of the speech.

Sample mother of the bride speech155 words · 1:12

Hello everyone. I’m Maria, Sofia’s mum, and I promise to be brief, mostly because I didn’t bring enough tissues.

When Sofia was seven, she set up a shop in our hallway selling our own belongings back to us. She had price tags, a till made from a shoebox and a firm returns policy.

She’s grown into a woman who builds things from nothing and makes everyone feel welcome while she does it. She is still very firm on returns.

Daniel, you asked me for my lasagne recipe six months after you met her. Nobody had ever asked. You understood that looking after Sofia means looking after the people she loves. Welcome to our family, and to your parents, Ruth and David, thank you for sharing him.

My wish for you both is a house always full of people and a kitchen that’s always a little bit messy. Please raise your glasses to Sofia and Daniel.

How to write a mother of the bride speech, step by step

  1. Pick one childhood memory that still fits your daughter.
  2. Link it to the adult she is now in one sentence.
  3. Write a specific welcome for her partner.
  4. Add one wish for their marriage.
  5. Time it: three to five minutes is plenty.
Do✓
  • Keep it short and personal
  • Coordinate with the father of the bride if both speak
  • Offer a wish for the couple
  • Practise the emotional parts most
Don’t✕
  • Repeat stories another speaker is telling
  • Share anything she would find mortifying
  • List every relative
  • Worry about tears; pause and continue

Mother of the bride speech questions

Is it traditional for the mother of the bride to give a speech?

It was not in older etiquette, but it is now common and welcome. She may speak instead of the father, alongside him, or give a joint speech.

How long should it be?

Three to five minutes, around 400 to 650 words. If both parents speak, aim for the lower end each.

Can we give a joint parents’ speech?

Yes. Split the beats: one parent handles the welcome and thanks, the other the story and the toast. Rehearse the handover.