Best Man

[Buzzie]

Hi,
My father is re-marrying later this year at the age of 73 (he's been a widower for 3 years), and has asked me to be his best man.

Has anyone else been a best man for their father? What sort of stuff did you put in the speech?

Thanks

[China Doll]

Worryingly yes, I was the 'best man' at my fathers wedding. Of course him being my father he did not tell me this til the night before the wedding (when he dropped it in to conversation over dinner) and then he assured me I didn't have to make a speech. Until he shoved the microphone under my face after he'd made his after the wedding dinner.

Anyway... In the speech I hastly put together in the two minutes I had while his ma in law grabbed the mike I said stuff about welcoming his new wife to the family, how happy we (my sisters and I) were for my father and thanked her for making him happy as well as taking the onus on us away for caring for him in his old age (I felt he deserved that springing all of the above on me). I also mentioned how proud of our father since he's been through a fair bit in his time and it's really good to see him turn his life around and meet someone who's going to continue to help him do that. Also thanked him for being a great dad and how much we loved him.

I don't know if boys might not be expected to take the mick a wee bit more though!

[toby99]

I was bridesmaid and my brother was bestman at my father's wedding. My brother also mentioned the happiness my stepmother had brought to our family after the sadness of losing our mother. I don't know your circumstances but generally I think you should mention your mother somewhere in your speach as she was probably a big part of all your lives and your dad's new wife will understand this and many of your guests, I presume, will have known your mum and dad together. Like Chinadoll, give thanks for being a great dad and wish them happiness. Speak about how they met and try to bring some romance and fun around that.

[Mr Chipps]

Yep, did this when my dad was 76. I mentioned that every cloud has a silver lining and both of them have a chance of another silver lining (I'm assuming the wee wifey-to-be is also getting on).
You could mention that your memories will always be there but that people also need companionship.
On a lighter note, try saying that nowadays they could just shack up together for a few years to get to know each other, but make a joke of it.
Above all be glad for them and wish them well. That'll be important to them.
Then take him aside, feed him a drink or two and talk about the will!!