Speech by Bill Duhig

Speech Type: Father of the bride/groom
Speech Creator: Bill Duhig
Speech Date: Mar2006
Firstly I would like to apologize for myself if I stutter or mumble or even trip over my tongue, because making a speech is not what I would normally do, but today I am happy to do so.

As father of the bride, I am honored to be the first to speak this evening.

I would like to begin by saying welcome to each and every one of you on this joyous occasion.

I would also like to remember, those family and friends who have ment so much to us all, but could not be here today.

I would like to thank the beautiful bridesmaids and groomsmen for doing such an excellent job.

Also to Jackie and Kareen, for all their hard work in organizing this very special day.

The other people I would like to thank are Joyce and Michael for the wonderful memories they will give us for all their video taping.

At this time I would like to formally and wholeheartedly welcome Mark to our family.

I feel you have been a member of this family since the day we first met.

This reminds me of the story when Mark was told by Charlotte's friends, its not so much the father you have to worry about but the dog. If the dog liked you then so would the father.

So that evening as I returned home from dog training, I walked in with Max and she loved him, and my mind was made up that he was OK.

It's about this time in every wedding, that the bride begins thinking “oh my gosh”, what's Daddy going to say.

Is he going to talk about my childhood temper tantrums or about my emotional teenage years, or will he send everyone to sleep by boring them with how to build a computer, or how to train a dog.

No Charlotte, instead I would prefer to talk about how proud I am of you today.

As a father seeing my little girl get married today has filled me with conflicting emotions.

On the one hand I am bursting with pride; how beautiful you are, all grown up, mature, independent.

This is exactly how I hoped you would turn out.

But on the other hand, I feel a sense of loss, because today I am saying farewell to the sweet little girl who would spend hours in her bedroom playing with her Barbie's and My Little Pony's and splashing around in the swimming pool.

Although I'm sure, you would prefer that I didn't dredge up any more of those childhood memories today.

I just wanted you to know how much I love you.

We are all overjoyed that you have found someone as terrific as Mark, to share the rest of your life with.

In my lifetime, I have been blessed with a number of landmark moments.

Like the day the training wheels came off my bike,

I had my first fight in the school playground,

And I had my first Kiss!

Then things in life started to get more serious,

I passed my driving test

I got my first job

I got married to my lovely wife Jackie

Then surprise, we had Charlotte

We moved to Australia

Then we were blessed with Thomas.

My 2 Children are the proudest things in my life.

Today is another one of those unforgettable memories,

And it is with great pleasure, that I ask you all to stand and raise your glasses in a toast.

Charlotte and Mark, as you embark on one of life's most exciting and interesting journeys.

May god bless you both

May you always be happy together

May you always have all that you need

And may you go through life, with the fewest of problems.

Ladies and Gentlemen

The Bride and Groom

Charlotte and Mark