Mother of the Bride Speeches - Etiquette

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What is the order of the speeches and where does the bride's mother's speech fit into the proceedings?

The speeches at any wedding have a traditional and well accepted order.

First to speak is always the father of the bride, followed by the groom. The speeches culminate with what should be the highlight of this part of the ceremony, the best man's speech.

Like all traditions, as time goes by, they must change and flex to meet the demands of more modern times. One of these changes can clearly be seen at many weddings in the way that speeches are delivered.

From our old, and thankfully pretty much extinct, Victorian values where men and women were not considered equals it would be the men who gave the speeches and toasts. Thankfully we now live in more enlightened times and brides, mothers and even the matron of honour and bridesmaids can be seen giving speeches at weddings.

So the new order, so to speak, is father of the bride, mother of the bride, groom, bride, matron of honour, any other speeches and finally the best man. In our modern world of single parent families, divorce and even the sadness of death or illness it may be that the mother of the bride is in fact playing the role of father of the bride. In this case the mother of the bride would present the first speech as in the traditional order.

Whatever the order and the number of speakers it is imperative that the master of ceremonies or best man is clear on the subject as it will be their job to introduce the speakers and maintain the correct order and flow.

As the mother of the bride you will already have many weeks or months of wedding planning. You will be assisting your daughter to help make her wedding day the one she has always dreamed about and you will probably have little time to spare. You may well like some assistance with your mother of the bride wedding speech and many other duties that the role brings. Please take a look at the help available to you by clicking on the link above and, whatever your final arrangements I sincerely hope that this wedding is the wedding of your dreams.