Speech by Luke

Speech Type: Best man
Speech Creator: Luke
Speech Date: 25/04/2017 17:51:21

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, I hope everyone is enjoying this very special day so far?

I'm sure you will agree that everything has gone swimmingly so far. Unfortunately, you can't expect perfection all day which is why you have me for the next few minutes.

I am delighted to be able to return the favour that Toby completed only a few months ago at my wedding and am hopeful that by the end of my speech he will be deeply regretting his missed opportunity.

I should introduce myself, for those who don't know me, I'm Luke, Toby's older brother and joint BEST man. As you can see there are two Best Men today and I'm sure your wondering why ….Well, as the man in the suit hire shop said, when it comes to Toby, ‘There's a lot to fit in’.

It really is a huge honour to be here today though, especially because, as far as Toby's concerned, I've never been the best at anything.

I did also promise Toby that I would steer away from too many sexual innuendos throughout the speech. In fact I promised if there was anything slightly suggestive I would whip it out immediately.

I would like to start by saying a big “thank you” on behalf of the bridesmaids for Toby's kind words today. As you will all agree they have done a marvellous job and all look fantastic and as 50% of them are either my wife or my sister I need to keep them sweet.

It's safe to say the bridesmaids have only been outshone today by Olivia who looks absolutely stunning. I'm sure the gentleman in the room will agree with me that today is a sad day for the male population as another stunning and intelligent woman goes off the market, and I'm sure the ladies in the room will agree that today is going to pass by with barely a ripple.

Joking aside to be, you have scrubbed up very well today, although, I am a little disappointed that you've copied my outfit!

On behalf of the whole wedding party, I'd like to thank Toby and Olivia for asking us to be involved in the most important day of their lives. I know they've both put a huge amount of effort in to the planning of this wedding and have received huge support from their loved ones to make sure today was perfect.

There are four children in our family – myself, Toby, Zak and Kizzy – and as that only leaves two males I know it was a close thing between me and Zak over who would get to stand up and speak today. It was so close in fact we decided to just draw straws – Zak is still celebrating his win now.

Toby came into the world three years after my arrival on October 4 1991 at 20 past 4 in the afternoon. As you can imagine I was most put out to find that I was having a younger brother – a situation made worse by the fact I was made to wear a t-shirt saying “I'm going to be an older brother” as Mum's way of telling Dad – a fact he cottoned onto after I had been wearing it for three days straight. It did however turn out ok though as I managed to complete my playmobile set with presents from well-wishers wanting to make sure the first born didn't feel left out upon Toby's arrival.

I think it's safe to stay that as we have got older me and Toby have got closer, the introduction of our friends, ‘pint of beer’ and ‘family sized pizza’ have certainly helped. But so has the fact we genuinely share common interests, a similar sense of humour and look at each other as friends as well as brothers.

Toby has a few food allergies that you may or may not know about. The first being a severe nut allergy. As a child I have a vivid memory at the age of ten being shown how to administer an epi-pen which is a sort of weapon that counter-acts an allergic reaction. Now you can only imagine the internal struggle I have gone through over the past 18 years knowing that just one cleverly placed peanut would allow me to go stab my little brother in the leg!

The other allergy Toby ‘has’ is less known and came to light during a school trip. In fact it was so unknown that it came as a huge shock to Mum and Dad when they received a phone call asking if it was true from the school. It turned out Toby didn't fancy eating his peas one evening so decided to expand his allergies to get out of it!

There would usually have been a part in this speech where I reminisce about Toby's old relationships and how he finally got it right. That isn't the case however here as Toby got it right first time, having first got together with Olivia in high school and never looking back.

I think anyone that knows them well will have been expecting is day for a while as you won't find a more suited pair. They have a deep respect for each other, they achieve things as a team and I have never heard a cross word between them. They are both great friends to those around them, they are reliable, and have great integrity but most of all they share a complete and unwavering love of all things Harry Potter.

In just a few hours’ time you'll be leaving here as a new husband and wife and I do have to say how lucky you are Toby. You will leave here having gained a wife that is warm, loving and caring. A wife who is funny, and who radiates beauty where ever she goes.

And Olivia, how lucky you are as well, you leave today having gained a…gorgeous dress and a lovely bouquet of flowers.

It is usual for the eldest child to be jealous of their younger siblings – having to share their toys, their parents’ attention and in my case bedroom/baths and bikes. As Toby's big brother, I've known him his entire life. Often it's the younger sibling who feels he has to live up to his older brother, but with us it's the other way around. Toby is kind, loving, loyal, hardworking and ambitious. He's the one I look up to and I am so proud of everything he has achieved and all the fantastic things I know the future holds for him.

Olivia, I cannot express how happy we all are to welcome you officially into the family, although in reality this is just the formalities as you have felt like a part of the family for many years now. I speak on behalf of both Mum and Dad when I say if they could have created the perfect wife for their son she couldn't have turned out any better than you. I look forward to spending many Birthdays, Christmas’ and maybe a few christenings with you and Toby in the future.

You may already be 8 years into your adventure together but I have no doubt the best is yet to come. In 50 years’ we can ask the question, ‘After all is time?’ and your answer will still be, ‘Always’.

SO LADIES AND GENTLEMAN HERES TO LOVE, LAUGHTER, AND A HAPPILY EVER AFTER, SO TOBY AND OLIVIA START THEIR NEW LIFE, CAN I PLEASE ASK YOU TO STAND & TOAST THE HUSBAND & WIFE – TO TOBY & OLIVIA.