Speech by Tom Brady

Speech Type: Best man
Speech Creator: Tom Brady
Speech Date: oct 2003
Ladies & Gentlemen… Mr & Mrs Smith…AND…Mr & Mrs SMITH….… the newly weds

Over the years I have attended a number of weddings with Fiona but I have to say this is the first when she hasn't sung the Ave Maria. No doubt Fiona will entertain us with one of her songs later in the evening

Singing Acting and dancing has played a big part in Fiona's life. Even before she went to school she was performing on the stage at the Westwood Theatre. For about 10 years our Saturdays were taken up driving to and from her dancing classes. Then in her early teens she started singing with the SNO in the Royal Concert hall and the Usher Halls in Edinburgh.

She also played lead parts in many Gilbert & Sullivan's light Operas and one of her finest performances that I remember well was in 1991 when she played the difficult part of Katisha in The Mikado.

Well I suppose it was her finest performance until today. Today she plays the part of a very beautiful bride. And I am the proud father of a very talented young girl

In 1974 when Fiona was born the UK was filled with gloom and doom we had the three day week caused by the long miners strike. Inflation was running at 26%… the mortgage interest rate was at 15%.… Things were very grim indeed… but on the brighter side that year the Scottish National Party won 11 parliamentary seats and a three bedroom semi detached house cost only £8000.

Things are much brighter today but I suppose when you are both celebrating your Silver Wedding Anniversary the average house price will be nearer £500,000

Fiona, I have to say can also be full of surprises and shocks…………She surprised me when she passed her driving test first time and then a few months later shocked me when she was caught speeding up the A9 at 90 mph

She may drive in the fast lane but thankfully she doesn't live her live in the fast lane.. She is a very nice quiet little girl..… so I am told

James like myself studied Engineering and for a while ran his own business and now he is a design engineer with a company in Greenock

Today James is the 4th July.… American Independence Day..… It was on the 4th July 1776 that America won its independence from Britain but… James….… when you look back you will always remember the 4Th July as the day you LOST your Independence

Well it only remains for me to thank you all for being here today. There are friends and Family from all over Scotland, England and as far away as Italy and the USA

And I would now ask you to join with me in a toast to the future Health and Happiness of the Bride and Groom. Fiona and James