Father Wedding Toasts are normally a very important part of any wedding reception. Here is dad's opportunity to shine!

Normally fathers experience wedding quite different from mothers. Moms are involved in all the stages of wedding planning. Moms are involved with the decorations and choosing attire. Normally all the fathers have to do is write checks and show up! One important thing though remains, dad normally has to give a speech and propose a toast.

These father wedding toasts can be done by the groom's father and the bride's father. It is customary for the groom's father to go first and the bride's father to close things out with the actual raising of the glass request to the guest and final toast.

Here are a few rules of etiquette to follow so no one is offended but everyone remains included and feels welcome:

1. Keep your speech relatively brief:

Keeping your speech short is very important. You don't want to bore the guests or cut into the other person's time. Be respectful of one another and keep the guests happy by keeping the speeches fairly brief.

2. Compliment each other or one another's child:

You have to keep in mind that these people are family now. This provides an instant appreciation and respect.

3. Don't try to one up another:

It is not a competition so do not act as if it is one. If the father of the groom says something it is entirely inappropriate for the father of the bride to try to "one up" him and try to appear better, or vice versa.

4. Give a combined speech:

This tip is for those who are already close to the new in laws. You can do a combined speech so that you can show your friendship. In this way you can both celebrate the union of your children with each other, and all your guests.

5. Read a poem together:

This may sound very sentimental but, you will be surprised at how much the guests enjoy it. Get together before the wedding and find a poem that represents how you feel about your children. Perhaps the poem can also be about how they feel about one another and their love. You can read it line for line back and forth or have one dad say the first half and have the other dad finish it. This is a beautiful way to present a father wedding toast and is really easy as well.

6. Plan your father wedding toast very carefully.

Make notes to use during your speech. Do not rely on your memory as it is very easy to forget under the stressful circumstances of giving the speech. It is also a very emotional moment, so do not leave anything to chance

7. Use jokes sparingly

If you do not know the new in laws very well, it is best to play it safe when it comes to using humor in your father wedding toasts. Make very sure you do not say anything that can offend.

Giving father wedding toasts is the privilege of the fathers at the wedding. Do not spoil the day for the happy couple as well as for your self.

8. Enjoy yourself and savor the moment.

This is one of the biggest days for your child. Relax and enjoy it and preserve the happy memories.