Speech by David Medhurst

Speech Type: Father of the bride/groom
Speech Creator: David Medhurst
Speech Date: aug 2001
Lisa and Dave's Wedding

Good afternoon I want to thank all of you for coming and helping Dave and Lisa celebrate this important day in their lives!

I've tried to memorise this speech, which isn't easy when you have the memory retention of a geriatric goldfish, so please forgive me if I resort to my notes.probably every five seconds. I did ask for an autocue to be set up in front of me, but apparently the wedding budget doesn't stretch that far… And neither does my eyesight

The most important people here for Dave, are Ellen and Terry. It has been really good to meet them and become family-in-laws and friends.

What we find gratifying, is that Dave's parents feel the same about Lisa. They have taken her to their hearts, and I believe that she is now their daughter, in fact as well as in law!

A marrage certificate is very much like a blank lottery ticket. It carries the anticipation of a rosy future. Everything always perfect from now on. At the time of acquiring it however, there is nothing to distinguish the jackpot winner from an out-and-out no-hoper!

Dave and Lisa, like a lottery , a marriage requires input from you.
Like a lottery it all depends on the selections or decisions that you make.

Unlike a lottery having made the initial decisions, you can't just sit back and wait to see if your prize has come up. Marriage is a participation game and requires love, attention and constant tweeking and fine tuning.

I believe that marriage will teach Dave, loyalty, self-restraint, and control. It will develop in him a sense of fair play ..… and many other qualities…..which he probably wouldn't have needed if he had stayed single!

Seriously though, as someone with some experience of marriage, I would like to warn this beginner here about what he'll be up against.
You must consider the words of Oscar Wilde, &quotWomen are meant to be loved, not understood&quot

Dave….Now that you are married, Lisa will always have the last word in any argument – any word that you come out with afterwards is by default, the start of a whole new argument!

Remember, when you buy her flowers …it PROVES you're guilty. but or course, beware the far more serious consequences of not buying her flowers !

Remember to put the seat down after you.

And always remember those two invaluable words &quotYes Dear&quot

I'd wish you you a wonderful marriage, and I hope you have a really great honeymoon,
which, Dave you will find is the period between &quotI do&quot and &quotYou'd better&quot

And finally, please be all upstanding and join me in a toast

Lisa, Dave:

May God abundantly bless you both!
May you live as long as you wish, and have all you need for as long as you live,
May the road you choose be smooth, and your burdens light,
May your joys be everlasting, and may all your pain . . . be champagne.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. &amp Mrs. Ewen.