Speech by Elwyn Fletcher

Speech Type: Best man
Speech Creator: Elwyn Fletcher
Speech Date: May2005
Ladies and Gentlemen

It is an honour to be giving this speech today ……….I suppose I should actually say it's an honour and a pleasure, but I know the pleasure won't kick in until the speech part is over.

Now.… giving a speech can be a bit like a sheikh walking into his harem for the first time……………….he knows what to do but doesn't know where to start.
Knowing how long to pitch the speech is very important. Winston Churchill was apparently once asked to address the pupils at a prep school and he got up and said, “Never, never, never give up” and then sat down.
Maybe that was a little too short but for me, as Henry viii said to each of his wives “I'll try not to keep you too long”. ……..…

However, Andy the latter is not a principle we want you to apply to Amy……………….…

This is obviously a very happy day for Dianne and me and it is a great pleasure to celebrate the joining of two families. Today must also be a very happy day for Susan and Glyn.

To our guests here today we all say “Thank you for being here”. Both families are delighted to share this day with so many dear friends and relatives.
But on this special day we would also like to remember family members who are not with us, particularly grandparents…..They would have been so proud.

We know that practically everybody has had to travel to be here today, some further than others and some quite a considerable distance but we hope that you have found it worthwhile.

Congratulations must go to Amy and Andy not only on their marriage but for organising this splendid occasion. And it's not over yet. An awful lot of time, effort and planning have gone into making this a day to remember and we feel sure you will agree that it has been a tremendous success.
We are so pleased to welcome you all here today and we feel sure that none of you will forget what a perfect couple Amy and Andy made as they stood side by side making their vows………………….and as Amy spoke those magic words “I do”………I had cause to reflect that it was one of the few times that I can remember when she agreed to do something without question.

Actually, to be fair Amy has a long list of qualities……… but unfortunately I've lost the piece of paper she gave me earlier.

One thing Amy certainly has got is a mind of her own as I'm sure Andy has already discovered………… I am reminded of the time when she wanted to play with the rabbits and as we hadn't got any she let the neighbours’ rabbits out of their hutches and everybody spent the whole afternoon searching for them.

Well, now that they are married and we have gained another son we are delighted to have him as part of our family. We believe Amy and Andy are well matched and we know they will continue to make each other happy in the years ahead.

I am advised that at some point I should offer the benefit of my experience on marriage ……well in just over 37 years of marriage to one of the loveliest women I have had the good fortune to begin to understand, I've learned one or two things.

> To Andy I offer this advice, ……………There is no challenge in a marriage that cannot be overcome by using one or more of the following 3 word sentences:

I am sorry
I was wrong
You were right

Or, in severe situations

I love you

> And to Amy I would say………If you want something from Andy, ask for it …….Andy is a man and hints don't work on men

> To you both………..Amy…..You will find in your marriage that you will make all the minor decisions whilst Andy will make all the major decisions………..and Andy, you will find that all future decisions will be of a minor nature.

> It has been said that a marriage is a 50/50 partnership ……….… I don't know who originally made this statement ….but I do know that they knew very little about marriage and even less about women…..however it is a very good starting point.

I think it was Oscar Wilde who said “Women are to be loved not understood”

> Of course, marriage is not only about finding the perfect partner but also about being one. I believe that marriage will teach them loyalty, self-restraint and control. It will develop in them a sense of fair play and many other qualities they wouldn't need if they had stayed single.

Seriously, what I would say is this …………..Live every day as if it was your last and every night as if it was your first.

Now, Dianne was a little concerned about what I might say during this speech and truly terrified when I mentioned that I intended to end with a few verses of ‘Take good care of my baby’ …………… No need to panic though. I'm not given to singing, not in public anyway, and in any case we have no doubts whatsoever that Andy will take very good care of our baby.

Today, we (That is Susan and Glyn and Dianne and myself) are surrounded by most of our friends and relatives that have been important to us during our lives …….So we say thank you all for your friendship and support over many years and once again for sharing this special day with us.

In finishing I want to say to Amy and Andy:

May you live as long as you like and may you have all you need for as long as you live

May the road you choose be smooth and your burdens light

May your joys be everlasting and all your pain .… champagne

Ladies and Gentlemen…….We have a radiant bride. We have a charming and handsome groom, please charge your glasses and be upstanding to toast Amy and Andy

Amy and Andy

Today, we (that is Susan and Glyn and Dianne and myself) are surrounded by most of our friends and relatives that have been important to us during our lives …….So we say thank you all once again for your friendship and support over many years and for sharing this special day with us.

In finishing I want to say to Amy and Andy:

May you live as long as you like and may you have all you need for as long as you live

May the road you choose be smooth and your burdens light

May your joys be everlasting and all your pain .… Champagne

I am sure you've heard enough from me and I know Ben is bursting to say a few words ..… but before I sit down I'd like to propose a toast to the Bride and Groom……….so if you would all be upstanding and raise your glasses:

Ladies and Gentlemen

When two people find true love
Parents find great joy

Amy and Andy

Here's to your love and our joy
From this day forward

Amy and Andy