Speech by Phil

Speech Type: Best man
Speech Creator: Phil
Speech Date: 24/06/2013 09:49:35

Good afternoon. I hope everyone's having a really good time.

For those of you who don't know me; my name's Philip and I have the honour of being Pete's best man.

I want to start this speech by saying thanks to Dale & Barney for ensuring everyone was in the right place at the right time. Thank you to both sets of parents, Jayne & Roger and Jackie & Steve, for all they've done to help to make today possible. Also, a very big thank you to the wonderful bridesmaids for all the help they given, especially for today, and I'm sure you'll agree they all look so charming and lovely, surpassed only by our beautiful bride – Ruth – who looks absolutely stunning.

Also I must say, you all look very nice today and I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone for coming. I know that some of you have travelled quite a distance to be here, and I know how much it means to Pete & Ruth to see so many. A few of you may have even wondered if you'd be able to make it today. But I'm sure once word got out about the free bar; it helped to ease any doubts… I know it did for me. That's a joke/seriously though, I'd like to say a big thanks to Pete & Ruth for that, and I'm sure that's where I'll be heading straight after this speech.

I know most of you in the room I think. It's good to see some familiar faces and really nice to see some new ones too. The people who know me know I can be quite quiet…In fact, for some of those people; the 288 words I've said so far might be the most you've ever heard from me. I did get quite a lot of help while writing this speech from Friends & Family… “Microsoft Word Count”… etc. etc. – but that's because I wanted have a decent speech ready, to not cause Pete any embarrassment on his Big Day…Except that during my research I realised that embarrassing the groom is an integral and important duty of the Best Man, no matter how harsh it may seem at the time. All I can say is that I will do my best.

Moving on and speaking of Pete!…: How Pete managed charm a girl who is such a beautiful, funny and intelligent person is beyond me… but I suppose, like they say, opposites can attract.

Pete first met Ruth on 6th August 2008, 4 years and 10 months ago, while they were at a wedding of a mutual friend.  When it comes to chatting a girl for the first time, like all good men; Pete was slightly worried about making a bit of a twat out of himself when asking his future girlfriend and beautiful bride-to-be on a date. Despite his anxiety however, he pressed on, with the opening line:  “I may me making a bit of a twat out of myself, by asking this; but do you want to go for a drink sometime?”  Possibly out of polite curiosity, Ruth accepted, and they haven't looked back since. Now, we move on to Ruth… I can't say anything embarrassing about Ruth; given the fact that she works for the Home Office, she can probably dig up a lot more dirt on me then I can on her.  Ruth is also practically best mates with the Queen now and I fear it would be tantamount to treason.  As a lot of you probably know, Ruth wrote the Queen's speech last year and did such a great job. That said, however, her speech didn't contain humorous antidotes about Pete falling asleep on the toilet at 3 in the morning and getting himself wedged until his dad had to come and rescue him. A story probably not appropriate for Westminster…or here actually… luckily for Pete, I was told to remove it.

Embarrassing stories aside, I've known Pete all my life and he is the best friend I could ever hope to have and I know he'll make a brilliant husband to Ruth. Pete & Ruth make a perfect couple. They have similar interests in TV, films and politics amongst other things, which has helped their relationship blossom. They also both work for the government; and what could be a better source of trust & respect in a relationship? Then knowing that your partner could be spying on you and know exactly what you are up to, every minute, of every the day.  Err, I've been told to say, that both Pete & Ruth will not either confirm or deny that last statement to one another. *Cough GCHQ*

In all seriousness, I think we'd all agree that it would be a struggle to find a more loving, caring and compatible couple, that are so meant for each other, as Pete & Ruth.

With all that said. If you would all join me in raising your glasses, and a toast:

Pete & Ruth do both belong,  today we only celebrate,  but their love goes on and on.

To Mr & Mrs Lamb, the Bride & Groom!