Of all the speeches at a wedding, the one many guests remember is the moment the couple turn to their parents and say thank you. In Ghanaian and Nigerian culture, parents and extended family often play a large role in raising children and organising the wedding. A short tribute can honour that love and sacrifice. It does not need to be long or poetic. It needs to be sincere.
Who speaks and what to say
The couple can speak together, or the bride and groom can each speak about their own parents. Agree in advance. Two or three minutes is enough. Long speeches can lose the room, especially late in the evening. Mention a memory, a lesson or a sacrifice. Specific details mean more than general praise. Thank your new in-laws for welcoming you, as well as your own parents.
If a parent has died, consider a short, respectful mention. Discuss this with family beforehand. If step-parents or guardians raised you, include them. Be thoughtful about sensitive relationships.
Thanking others and emotions
You may also thank grandparents, aunts, uncles and family friends who helped. Write your speech and practise it aloud. Keep notes on a small card. Tears are normal. Take a breath, pause and continue. Guests will understand. Consider saying part of the tribute in your parents’ language, if they would appreciate it. Some couples present small gifts to parents during the speech, such as flowers or framed photographs.
Ask the MC to schedule the tribute at a time when guests are attentive, not during dinner service. Gentle humour is fine, but avoid embarrassing stories that elders or in-laws might find disrespectful.
A sample structure and practice
Start by thanking everyone for coming, then turn to your parents. Share one memory, thank them for one specific thing and end with a promise or blessing for the years ahead. Keep each part brief. Reading the speech to a sibling or friend can help you spot parts that are too long or might upset someone.
Parents spend years preparing for a child’s wedding day. A two-minute speech is a small return, but many parents say it is the part of the day they replay most often.
