Speech by IAN GRIFFITHS

Speech Type: Best man
Speech Creator: IAN GRIFFITHS
Speech Date: 19/06/2014 13:01:17

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, I must say it's been a superlative day, so far, and also been a very emotional day for everyone, even the cake was in tiers, it will really cut up about it later.

I knew Graham's speech was going to be hard one to follow, but frankly I could hardly follow any of it.

I would like to thank Mr and Mrs Kennedy, for the magnificent wedding breakfast.

Alice could you put your hand on the table please, Graham could you put your hand on Alice's, thank you.

Hello, my name is Ivan, and it gives me special pleasure to be here at Grafton Manor Hall for the wedding of my two good friends Graham and Alice. Although Graham, have you seen the car parking out there, its shocking, It's like being in Dudlay.

I would like to thank Alice's father and Graham for their very kind comments, on behalf of the bride maid's. I think Alice and the whole bridal party look stunning. Even Graham has scrubbed up well, although I do notice that he has copied my Outfit.

I have known Graham for a number of years through working together at Smiths Foods. When I first met him he was an abrasive, cheeky young whipper snapper. No change there then. 

The Smiths management where just not ready for our Graham I'm afraid, forthright, abrupt, and independent. Graham's tenure as the warehouse manager was both creative and provocative, but always with an underlying sense of humour, what is life with out laughter, right here like me at the moment, and there was always music playing in the warehouse, All Except Coldplay, “I can Fix You” not even Quincy Jones and Will.i.am could have fixed that song.

And all down the years, though our trials and tribulations, our friendship grew. Through the good times and the not so good times.

He helped me move into my home. A small kindest at the time, but for me it changed our working camaraderie into genuine friendship. A good time and a bad time for me. Yes the first thing I did was drive Graham home without locking the doors.

The birth of Bryan, his son must have been one of the best times for him, I don't know when Graham phoned me that day, he was just an empty shell, absolutely nothing left in the tank, A good day for him I think.

A not so good time was when he took Bryan shopping in Dudlay and someone blocked the van in, even worse times where to come, but that's his own fault, he choose to support Everton football club.

Better times were ahead, with the birth of his Daughter Mellissa. Spelt M.E.L.L.I.S.A. so get it right or she will put you right in true Kennedy style, Honestly you make one little mistake.

One morning about 6.00 O'clock he called me, “Can I borrow a pair of shoes for work” No problem, I took my SIZE 10, shoes for him. Do you think I can have them back now Graham?  You sold them  on Ebay, oh well, I found them outside a mosque anyway.

Young Bryan, aged 14, has passed his ‘O’ level in maths. How proud must have Gavin have been, because all he got from school was a ‘B’ in hepatitis.

     By the way, a word of warning, when in Dudlay, if you have parking problems do not swear in front of the kids. It will come back to haunt you.

On the stag night, we saw him off in fine style. The ten staggerers had a fantastic time on our driving experience weekend.   Joe, Leighton, Tom, Phil, Ross, Alex, Jordan and Chris, from both Graham and I, thanks for a great weekend.

Special thanks though, go to Graham, for organizing it all.  Topping it off with a night in a comedy club. Nobody in the comedy club that night, will ever forget the “next weekend” comment.

Graham came around one afternoon with him his new girlfriend Alice. Within minutes, I had realized what a delightful young lady she was. So how did Graham court this enchanting young lady? With flowers, poetry, a romantic CD with loves songs on, with his dashing good looks, and tales of daring do. No, by writing the word BINT in the snow on the bonnet of her car, very romantic.

So it gives me great pleasure to stand here at their wedding. Your wedding day is the one of the best days of your life. I hope we all appreciate, how honoured we all are, to be among the select few, who where chosen to share this very special occasion with them, and their joy at finding one another. 

Music has played a large part in both their lives, and now a new song has been added to the sound track of their lives, the wedding march Okay not quite.  “I dreamed of you”  by Katherine Jenkins

From spending time with Graham and Alice I have seen them grow as a couple.  Well Graham has, he really likes Alice's cordon bleu cooking. I personally think it should be cordoned off. 

When Graham told me he had asked Alice to marry him, I just wanted to be here, like you, to see them get married, so It really is a honour to standing here in front of you today, as best man to someone as special as Graham. I must say When Graham asked me to be best man, I was totally taken aback, but I feel nothing but pride, it is a real honour and a privilege, but most of all I am absolutely chuffed to bits.

Graham you can take your hand Off Alice's now, I thought I would give you one last opportunity of having the upper hand over Alice.

I have probably said enough now, so ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, Please, charge your glasses    and be upstanding,

I give you the happy couple, Mr and Mrs Graham Kennedy.