My daughter is getting married in 2012. I AM GOING TO BE A MOTHER IN LAW!

My daughter has asked me if I will give her away, this is wonderful as I have brought her up on her own since she was 2.5yrs. (she will be almost 33yrs when she get married).  I would like to be able to make a speach as mother of the bride at the wedding.  A few years ago I could not have done this, however I have had various occassions where I have had to speak to large groups in the past, so, this doesnt scare the heck out of me like it once would have. BUT, I am a very emotional person and I would love some tips on how not to cry. I know if you look up to the ceiling you cant/wont cry, but, I can talk looking at the ceiling throughout the speach.  

firstly  congratulations  dont know about the crying lark as I am a bit of a weepie myself...other than breathe through it.. as in deep breaths....heard this once when someone was being taught how to sing and they were singing an emotional song when the tears came they said breathe and it passes..plenty of time to practice  :)

Practise the speech loads of times so that you get your crying done beforehand and ......wear clear mascara!  :)

I wouldn't worry if you do as all good weddings have many tears shed. It just shows how proud you are and how much you love her :-) Oh blimey I am welling up now :-D

Yes, I agree, you have to cry it shows that what you feel and say are genuine, it's not a business meeting :-) this is your heart speaking about your daughter, as you are doing your speech which I'm sure will be superb ;-) have a little well up, stop and then continue again. Everybody waits and fills up along with you.

As Starryeyes has said, practice and practice to get the speech out, but don't reign in your emotions, I find the best weddings have always had me in tears at the parents/grooms speech and then the best man/woman changes that with a good laugh.

Congratulations and have a fabulous day in 2012, be here in no time!!!

Practice at every opportunity. Do you have any sad songs that are guaranteed to make you cry big time. One of mine is Fix You by Coldplay. I hate it because something awful was happening on the morning I heard it on the radio. Gets me everytime since.
Find that song that does it for you and play it over  (on You Tube if you haven't got it) and practice stopping yourself crying.

You'll have a great time crying or not and be ever so proud. My SIL made a speech at her sons wedding, she was so emotional she couldn't swallow or get any words out at all. No one thought any the less of her, so enjoy the proud moment.

Don't have any tips I'm afraid.

But Congratulations!

Congratulations :-) and what a wonderful thing that your daughter has asked you to give her away. Crying on the day won't matter at all and I am sure your speech will be wonderful - speak from the heart and don't be overawed by the occasion :-)

My husband died two years ago from a terminal illness. Knowing that time was short our son brought his wedding forward so that his dad could be there and he asked his dad to make a speech as well which was normally something Steve would have dreaded doing but he did make a speech and made my son and DILs day by not only being able to attend the wedding but also by doing something for them that they knew he would find difficult.

Knowing he wouldn't be here by the time our daughter gets married (if she ever does :-) ) her dad wrote a wonderful wedding day speech for me to read out to her on her special day. He has written a beautiful and heartfelt speech and I know there will be tears all round but to hear her dad's words at her own wedding will enable him to be present in spirit if not in body.

Speeches don't have to be formal - heartfelt and simple words can carry great meaning :-)

thank you everyon, as I look through tears!

Practice your speech until you can say it all on autopilot.  Then don´t think about the words you´re saying until you´re near the end.  Then you can allow yourself to think about what you´re actually saying and if you become emotional it won´t matter because you´ve almost finished anyway.  Congratulations.  Enjoy the day!!

Congratulations :D

Im really emotional too, I work in a primary school and for some reason some of the hymns and songs the children sing really bring a lump to my throat.  I cant do deep breathing as I feel like I am hyperventilating and it makes me feel dizzy.  So I have to dig the fingernail of my index finger into the thumb of the same hand, its not really a pain more a pressure and it is enough to make me concentrate on that rather than bawling in front of the whole school lol.
AS (such a woos)