Speech by Derek Twomlow

Speech Type: Father of the bride/groom
Speech Creator: Derek Twomlow
Speech Date: 29/01/2013 21:37:14

Please may I have your attention? For those that don't know me, I am Derek, Emily's dad.

Emily and Joe decided to have the speeches before the meal so we could have your undivided attention. Because of my nerves, I wouldn't have been able to eat my meal either. I have had 26 years to prepare for this, but public speaking has never been my strong point. So please bear with me and I will begin.

I would like to start on behalf of the bride's mother Alison myself and the groom's parents John and Esther by giving a warm welcome to all the relatives and friends who have joined us here today to celebrate the marriage of Emily and Joe.

Emily and Joe have worked really hard organising everything for today and their hard work has certainly paid off. What a fantastic setting for a celebration, and what a beautiful and moving ceremony we witnessed at the church.

All of you here today have played some part, however large or small, in their lives and your presence shows your friendship and love and also brings great joy to this wonderful day.

We would like to specially welcome Joe's grandmother who is with us today.

I know Emily and Joe would also like to recognise that there are many people who have passed away and would loved for them to have been here today, grandparents, family members and friends. They may not be here in body but are certainly here in spirit

Today is the start of an exciting new chapter. A new branch has sprouted from the family tree.

Emily – Thank you for honour of walking you down the aisle today. This is one memory that I will cherish forever, and I am sure you will all agree that Emily looks absolutely stunning today. Fathers are naturally biased about their daughters but Emily is a bubbly, kind, caring, intelligent, independent, beautiful young woman. When Emily is around you know she is there as her personality is like a warm ray of sunshine. She brightens up the darkest days. As you have gathered, Alison and I are very proud of her. She was born in February nearly 27 years ago. The weather conditions then were just like this last week and where we lived at the time, all the pipes were frozen up and this continued to be, well into March. We have watched Emily blossom into the wonderful person she is today.  She is a natural born organiser, in fact she has organised us since the day she could talk, from about 14 months old. We went through the usual teenage problems, but as she matured her friendship, love and sense of humour has been a vital part of our family.

Alison has become wary of Emily and me going anywhere together as we come back with stories of bizarre incidents that we happen to stumble across as we go about our business. Farmers fighting, dogs’ losing their teeth after chasing Land Rovers and even a visit to the local auction rooms ended with us trying to stop an incident between two people falling out over car parking. The best one was when Alison was poorly with shingles, I had to do the shopping and managed to lose Lorna in Sainsbury, Emily about 8, went to find her. Then I panicked, looking frantically up and down the aisles, running around like a headless chicken as I had by now lost them both  I was reunited by a tannoy asking me to report to the security where both daughters could be found. The security man gave me a lecture on responsibility and a good ticking off. Emily relayed the story to her Mum before I had even managed to unpack the shopping. I was in trouble at home then as well, not only for losing the girls, but the bulk of the shopping was wrong too, and had to be swapped the next day, but that's another story.

Joe – I would like to welcome you into the family even though you have been part of us for three years now. You are a great old lad who clearly loves Emily and makes her very happy. It is great to have you as one of the in-laws. There is another special person to welcome into the family and that is Madison, Joe's daughter. She is a credit to you Joe.

Now I believe it is customary to spend a few minutes bragging on the qualities of our new son in law. Joe, I got the 5 pages of notes from you but I am sorry, I couldn't read your writing. I am sure the best man Tom will fill us in with details that even I don't know about. As you all can see Joe looks magnificent in his kilt today. I hope that he realises that as from tomorrow Emily will be wearing the trousers.

I am full of admiration for the commitment that they have both made today. I am no authority on love or marriage advice, but in April this year Alison and I celebrate our 30^th wedding anniversary. We are not sure if we have achieved this through stubbornness, sheer laziness or pure luck. Success in a marriage is not about finding a person you can live with, but finding a person that you can't live without. Unfortunately there will be ups and downs, tears and joy but together with love you will be able to tackle whatever life throws at you, so long as you both remember to show patience tolerance and forgiveness.

Failing all that, I personally have found having a bad memory and being deaf invaluable. As long as you strive and work as a team you will achieve the success you truly deserve.

Don't worry I have nearly finished but just before I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone else involved in making this day so special. Tom for supporting Joe through today, Uncle Graham and Uncle Andrew the chauffeurs, Peter for his wonderful cornet playing, Kim the vicar, the organist and bell ringers at the church.  Adam and Joe, the ushers, the bridesmaids, Lorna, Emma and Elizabeth, Joanna and Jas, for the lovely readings in church, and Kelly for keeping Emily calm, and on the straight and narrow today, the Fire Brigade, for the guard honour, which was an unusual but a memorable end to the marriage service, and lastly to all the staff here at Hothorpe Hall.

Thank you for your patience and get ready Joe you will be on in a minute.

Ladies and gentleman please be upstanding I give you Emily and Joe – The Bride and Groom.