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To be the Father of the bride at a wedding is a great honour and a role that will make any dad proud. It can be met with both joy and apprehension. The main problem on the horizon being the dreaded speech.

Walking your daughter down the aisle is equally as important but doesn't elicit the same nervous response from most people. Although at a traditional Scottish Wedding you will be the first speaker of the day you will not have the pressure of delivering a laugh a minute speech like the best man will. For the speech you have a number of important things to mention. Officially welcome guests from near and far and thank them for being there on the day. Welcome your new son in law to the family and say a few words about him. Include a toast to family and friends who are no longer with you. Lastly, propose a toast to the bride and groom and wish them much happiness for their future as husband and wife.

As long as you include these points the room is yours to impart some words of wisdom to the newly weds and say a few words about the daughter you love. You could add in some stories about your daughter growing up or when she was in school or college. Try not to talk about her every school report and pick your embarrasing stories carefully.

To help you write your speech here's a checklist to follow.

* Practice your speech until you are familiar enough with it. You don't need to remember it word for word but it will make you more relaxed to know what is coming next in the speech.

* Find out if there is going to be a microphone and a PA system available. This makes it a whole lot easier as you won't have to talk in a booming voice to be heard. It is a lot easier to speak naturally with a microphone.

*Thank the family to friends who have contributed to the wedding becoming a reality

*Thank the guests for coming including anyone who has traveled far

*Say some words about your daughter and tell her how proud you are

*Say some words about your new son in law and welcome him to the family

*Propose a toast to the bride and groom