Speech material: About the bride

Wedding speech material for you to adapt, for when the bride is your daughter, sister or your wife

By the father of the bride

'They say that your own wedding is the best day of your life and ours was certainly wonderful. But I think my wife would agree that the wedding day of our lovely daughter has been even better. It's just marvellous to see her so happy. Take my word for it - being the father of the bride is great. I think I'd better stop eating and drinking before I literally burst with pride.'

'Elizabeth has always had a reputation for being rather choosy. Only the best would do when it came to clothes, hairstyles and cars -- and believe me, she's given me a few grey hairs in my time. But I'm certainly glad she was choosy in her choice of groom. Paul is a man to gladden any father-in-law's heart and I know he'll make my daughter happy.'

'Whatever people might say, it's not all sugar and spice and all things nice with daughters -- in fact Laura has brought home her fair share of slugs and snails, but she's always given us so much joy and never more so than today. She's found the right one and we couldn't be happier for the happy couple.'

By the groom

'The first time I saw Hannah I was dazzled by her. If you had told me then that we would one day be married, I wouldn't have believed you -- although I would have wanted to. I can honestly say that I don't think anyone could be as happy as I am today. I'm immensely proud to be able to call this woman my wife.'

'They say that it's not possible to love someone you can't laugh with. Well, I can certainly laugh with Lucy, although I must admit she seemed to be losing her sense of humour in the days leading up to the wedding. I wouldn't say she was anxious, but she made the vicar rehearse his part of the service five times.'

'Brides are always supposed to look radiant, but Pamela really does. I just keep looking at her and feeling that I can't believe my luck.'

'I suppose you'll be expecting a few laughs in this speech. But I know I need to tread carefully. I don't want to upset my in-laws and hear my new wife going round and introducing me to everyone as her 'first husband'.'

By the best man (and brother of the bride)

'My sister was an assertive kind of child. On many occasions, as I counted my bruises, I found myself wondering what kind of man she'd marry. Well, today I've got the answer. My new brother-in-law Steve, is intelligent, witty, generous - and very, very brave.'

'Of course, there are a lot of things I could tell you about my little sister. But I won't, mainly because of the hefty bribe she promised me before I started preparing this speech. (Turns to groom:) You didn't know I was coming to The Maldives with you, did you?'

'I couldn't have wished for my lovely sister to marry a better guy. They truly are a very lucky couple.'

By the chief bridesmaid (and sister of bride)

'As Marianne's younger sister, I have some advice for the groom. Peter, always treat Marianne gently and with respect. Never forget to listen to her opinions and value her contribution to your marriage. Never forget that she hates milk in her coffee, that she loves roses and can't stand classical music. And above all - and I speak from bitter experience - never, ever borrow her mascara without asking.'

'Perhaps because I'm Emily's big sister, I sometimes worry about her. But not today. Emily has definitely found the right man in Edward and I'm happy and proud to be their chief bridesmaid.'

'Ever since she was small, my sister Stella has had a reputation for being just a teeny bit fussy about her clothes. As the chief bridesmaid who helped her get ready this morning, all I can say on the subject is that I need a drink -- and I need it now!'