Speech by Dave Wakeham

Speech Type: Best man
Speech Creator: Dave Wakeham
Speech Date: May 2002
Good afternoon ladies gentlemen and ken

For anybody who doesn't know me I'm Dave- and it is with great pleasure and pride that I am Ian's best man today.

I feel as though I have been chosen as a reward ( or should I say punishment) for getting Ian and Joanne together on that fateful day 6 years ago. Hopefully my duties today will go as smoothly as my matchmaking did.

At this stage I would like to say a few thank-you's –

Thank-you to Ian on behalf of the bridesmaids for his kind words

On behalf of everybody in the room Thank-you to Ian and Joanne for inviting us all here today and of course for turning up.

And thanks to Ken for sponsoring today's activities.

And now a few messages from people who unfortunately cant attend

And finally from sir Richard Branson sorry I cant be there for you today Ian but ive got my hands full with my own virgin

ps Ken have you seen my wallet

In fulfilling my duties so far I had to ensure that Ian got a good night's sleep last night. And I can assure you all he slept like a baby – waking every hour on the hour crying for his mum.

I have also managed to keep all his ex girlfriends away , the new psychiatric wing at Walton jail ensured that . And as I believe it they are having a huge party of their own to celebrate your wedding.

But, I'm sure you'll agree that my main duty, that of getting Ian here today, , on time sober and eventually married was a complete success – well 1 out of three aint too bad

And now, I have the opportunity (and audience) to speak just a bit, about our infamous groom

The first time I met Ian was when a group of friends and myself were walking home from school when Ian as cool as a cucumber rode past us none-handed on his shiny racing bike and preceded to crash headlong into a parked car — and well we've been good mates ever since

Any way as the years have gone by my wife and myself have become the best of friends with this adorable couple and as such I have the greatest of pleasure in proposing this toast to my great friends so ladies and gentlemen and ken please be upstanding and raise your glasses to Ian and Joanne