Many more weddings now include a speech by the mother of the bride. What do you say in your speech that will capture the minds of your guests, make the bride smile and allow you to express your love and happiness for your daughter and her new life?

Most people are at least wary of public speaking if not completely terrified and speaking at your daughters wedding in front of both friends, family and possibly strangers can be very daunting indeed.

The main thing you need to deliver your speech on the day is to ensure that the speech itself is from the heart and written in your own words. You need to allow your joy and love for your daughter to radiate from your speech. Do this and any minor hiccups will be lost in the moment and you should be much more comfortable as the words will be true to you.

Here is one way in which you can structure your mother of the bride speech.

Start with a personal reflection of the bride and groom and your relationship with them. How that may have changed or have grown through the engagement and through to the wedding.

Remember your daughter as little girl. There will surely be many good memories to pull from about you and your daughters relationship, both funny and heart-warming.

What was the bride like before she met her new husband and how has she changed since? Assuming that's for the better of course!

Tell the story of how the couple met, any strange or amusing co-incidences or circumstances that led to them meeting and finally being together.

Do you have a short amusing or affectionate anecdote about the couple something that may also show off their good qualities or their own particular style? It's ok to tease them a little in the mother of the bride speech but be sure to keep the humor light.

You may also want to say something about marriage itself, the importance of a relationship and about the romance and beauty it can bring to any marriage.

Of course give your thanks to any of the organizers or anyone else you think deserves a mention.

The mother of the bride speech should end with a toast to the bride and groom. This is another point at which your words should come from your heart. Try to make the toast personal and meaningful and an opportunity to end the speech on a real memorable high note.