Mother of the Bride Speech (A Mother’s Day Post in my Mom’s words)

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One of my favorite pictures with Mama. Post for her Mother of the Bride speech.
{Me and my Mom on my wedding day – May 24, 2003}

I could wax poetic about my Mom, but really, words aren’t enough. She’s the strongest, bravest, smartest, most incredible woman I’ve ever known. Perhaps you can say that about your own mothers too — aren’t we the luckiest children, then? In my and my sisters’ lives, our Mom totally rocks.

Over the years, she’s given me the best advice ever. Some were straightforward (“Wipe your mouth after you eat!”), practical (“Buy two of everything so you’ve got a back-up in the pantry.”), the ‘you-don’t-think-they-mean-anything-at-first-but-they-actually-do’ kind of advice (“Don’t mistake a pimple for a dimple!”) to the ones always worth going back to (“Success will never compensate for failure at home.” — a sign she saw on a billboard during her 20s).

Mama has always had a lot of wise words to say, but my most favorite of all has been her mother of the bride speech during my wedding.

Yup, it’s Mother’s Day, and I should totally write a tribute to her. But here’s a little something different. I’m sharing HER words with you. This speech has always been MINE and mine alone (and okay, my husband’s too, heehee!), but I’m so proud of my Mom that I’m sharing her beautiful, wise words with everyone — to daughters, sons, fathers and mothers everywhere.

In her speech, you’ll also see where I got the name of this blog. Again, thank you to Mama for the blog name! She and I didn’t know it, but part of her mother of the bride speech was essential to branding this blog!

I love you, Mama! Happy Mother’s Day!

Daddy and Mama walk me down the aisle
{My parents walked me down the aisle on my wedding day. My Mom’s idea too!}

My Mom’s Mother of the Bride Speech

Given on May 24, 2003, at our wedding reception. Some points have been edited, but it doesn’t affect the speech’s meaning. xoxo

Good morning. On behalf of my husband, [M], I welcome and thank you for helping us celebrate this milestone in our lives.

Thirty years ago, [M] and I met as co-employees at [ABC Corporation] which was then located at 6766 Ayala Ave., Makati City …. the very same spot where now stands the Enterprise Tower, home of J. Walter Thompson Advertising Agency, where Toni and Dennis themselves first met.

And then some twenty five years ago, [M] and I walked down the aisle of Sta. Rita Parish, the very same aisle that Toni and Dennis traversed barely an hour ago.

Soon after our wedding, we had our favorite first baby, Toni. Just like any baby, Toni was fond of TV ads and commercials. But we didn’t know she would carry that interest this far! She first worked with Ace Saatchi & Saatchi and now, J. Walter Thompson, both advertising agencies!

Toni, your daddy and I watched you grow from a bespectacled little girl to a woman of style and substance … intelligent, dependable, responsible. You have always been a very good Ate to Patti and Jennie. Your daddy and I are forever grateful to you for that.

Toni, as you took your first baby steps, I watched you with great anxiety. I was always beside you to catch you in case you fell. And now, as you take your first “wife-ly” or “mother-ly” steps, I can’t help but watch you with the same anxiety. What comforts me is the fact that you now have beside you my new son-in-law, Dennis.

Many parents among you here who have married off their daughters will agree with me when I say that I feel like I’m losing my daughter. But unlike most of them, I don’t just feel that I’m losing a daughter… I feel like I am also losing a friend… my best friend.

Yes, Toni and I were like friends. We’d share stories and sometimes she would cry on my shoulder and there were times that I would cry on hers. Toni, I will miss those nights when you’d come home and we’d talk about our day. But that’s not the only thing I’ll miss about you. I’ll also miss your shoes and bags, just as your sisters will miss your clothes.

Dennis and Toni, as you embark on this sea called marriage, remember what Lolo priest told you in his homily… Toni, be a good wife to Dennis. Dennis, be a good husband to Toni. I know you love each other. You love each other sooo much I can feel it in this room – it is so palpable! I hope though that the love you have for each other will make you feel

protected but not smothered;
challenged but not threatened;
directed but not controlled;
wanted but not possessed.

It is said that “When children find true love, parents find true joy.” Toni and Dennis, here’s to your joy and ours!

Thanks to my Mom for these wise, beautiful words. :) I hope you enjoyed it! Did you have a favorite part? Come share! This was mine:

From my Mom's Mother of the Bride speech

26 Comments on Mother of the Bride Speech (A Mother’s Day Post in my Mom’s words)

  1. Juvvy de Leon
    May 12, 2014 at 5:33 pm (10 years ago)

    Ahhww… I got teary eyed reading this. Love the fact that you met your hubs where you mom and dad also met.. ang galing.. hehe.. :)

    Reply
    • Toni
      May 13, 2014 at 11:29 am (10 years ago)

      Serendipity, right?! <3

      Reply
  2. Ma Teresa Grech Racal
    May 12, 2014 at 7:51 pm (10 years ago)

    aaawww…. this is so sweet…. as of today, I am trying to be a friend too to my 2 older girls, they are in their teens already. but also kailangan alam din nila na mom ako. I love the last 4 lines your mom told you…
    protected but not smothered;
    challenged but not threatened;
    directed but not controlled;
    wanted but not possessed.

    Belated happy Mother’s day to you…. :)

    Reply
    • Toni
      May 13, 2014 at 11:28 am (10 years ago)

      Happy Mother’s Day to you, Grech! Every day is Mother’s Day. :)

      Reply
  3. A Gracious Life
    May 12, 2014 at 10:22 pm (10 years ago)

    That last line of your mom’s speech…when children find true love, parents find true joy. That fills my heart. Thank you Toni for sharing this.

    Reply
    • Toni
      May 13, 2014 at 11:28 am (10 years ago)

      Thanks for sharing your thoughts. <3

      Reply
  4. Jocelyn Radana
    May 13, 2014 at 12:18 pm (10 years ago)

    Helllo Toni,

    Thank you for sharing the thoughts of your mother. May I respectfully ask permission if I can use some of her words during the weeding of my son? It really moves me and its worth like sharing it with them soon. Pamamanhikan is set on May 17, 2014, this coming saturday. Thanks to you.

    jocelyn

    Reply
    • Toni
      May 14, 2014 at 1:25 pm (10 years ago)

      Hi Jocelyn! Thanks for dropping by and asking permission! That means a lot to me and my Mom. I’ve forwarded your request to my Mom and she said it’s okay. :) My request is to just give her credit for the wise words. Many, many thanks! And good luck with the pamamanhikan too! Enjoy!

      Reply
  5. Martine | WAHM. Wife. Blogging Belle.
    May 14, 2014 at 12:56 am (10 years ago)

    Beautiful! Your mom is one wise woman! I sorta got teary eyed when she said she’ll miss your shoes and bags — I can relate, except I miss MY mom’s stuff, haha! :)

    And I love the poetry of her wedding wording “wifely steps” becoming your blog name. LOVE.IT.

    Belated Happy Mothers’ Day, Toni!

    Reply
    • Toni
      May 14, 2014 at 1:25 pm (10 years ago)

      Thanks Martine. <3 <3 <3

      Reply
  6. Marou Nepomuceno
    May 14, 2014 at 3:17 pm (10 years ago)

    Hi Toni,

    I had a good sigh after reading your mom’s speech: )….we have the same favorite lines as you do…

    “You love each other sooo much I can feel it in this room – it is so palpable! I hope though that the love you have for each other will make you feel

    protected but not smothered;
    challenged but not threatened;
    directed but not controlled;
    wanted but not possessed.”

    was going to ask permission if I could post this and share it in my facebook account: ) Although you mentioned that this is yours and your alone…hehe….but thank you for sharing. She truly is a great woman just by reading her words of wisdom.

    Thanks Toni for sharing your mom….God bless her and God bless you and your family!

    Belated happy mothers day!

    Marou

    Reply
    • Marou Nepomuceno
      May 14, 2014 at 3:21 pm (10 years ago)

      PS…Serendipity! that’s right! I love that movie…have a copy and watched it a hundred times: ) have a great day Toni!

      Reply
  7. Rye
    May 15, 2014 at 1:09 pm (10 years ago)

    This was definitely my favourite:
    protected but not smothered;
    challenged but not threatened;
    directed but not controlled;
    wanted but not possessed.

    Beautifully said…

    Reply
    • Toni
      May 15, 2014 at 1:22 pm (10 years ago)

      So awesome, ‘no? So lovely. I should have that printed and hang it in our home. <3

      Reply
  8. Cherrie
    May 22, 2014 at 6:58 pm (10 years ago)

    Miss Tony! Naiyak ako! My marriage wasn’t an easy one, and it did not turn out well like other couples. But don’t get me wrong, I never regret anything and I am a proud single mother of two beautiful girls. Your mom’s words ring so true, and I feel they encompass all I want for both of my lil princesses. Your mom pertained to your love to your husband (and vice versa) with these four lines below, but I find that these can also be related to a mom’s love to her kids.

    protected but not smothered;
    challenged but not threatened;
    directed but not controlled;
    wanted but not possessed

    Reply
    • Toni
      May 28, 2014 at 2:49 pm (10 years ago)

      You’re so right, Cherrie! Those same words can be used to describe a Mother’s love for her children. Wonderful insight! :) Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
  9. Sabrina
    January 10, 2015 at 5:37 am (9 years ago)

    This is so beautiful! My daughter is my best friend and she is getting married In 4months! Please ask your mother if I can also borrow some of her lovely words!

    Reply
    • Toni
      January 10, 2015 at 11:51 pm (9 years ago)

      Hi Sabrina! Thanks for the comment. Congratulations to your daughter! I wish her a wonderful marriage. :) You can certainly quote my dear Mom’s words. I’m happy it connected with you. :)

      Reply
  10. Debbie
    April 27, 2015 at 12:12 am (9 years ago)

    Hi Toni. My daughter is getting married in 6 weeks. I would like to ask permission to borrow some of her beautiful sentiments when I speak on that day. She said it so much more eloquently than I ever could have. Please thank her and thank you for sharing it with us.

    Reply
    • Toni
      April 28, 2015 at 11:31 am (9 years ago)

      Hi Debbie! Congratulations! Yes, you may borrow my Mom’s speech, the only ask is to kindly credit her for writing it. :) Best wishes!

      Reply
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