Speech by Don

Speech Type: Father of the bride/groom
Speech Creator: Don
Speech Date: 25/06/2013 08:59:51

Ladies, Gentlemen… and those on table 6. For those of you who don't know me my name is Donald, Gordon's dad. Actually, for those of you who do know me, the same applies. Welcome to the civil ceremony of Liam and Gordon. Or let me rephrase that. Welcome to the marriage of Liam and Gordon.

As we all know The Government and the church are raising the issues. But I wonder what all the fuss is about. Many people are against same sex marriage but I don't see what the problem is. Margaret and I have been married just coming up for 39 years and have had the same sex for years! 

We don't live long enough to let anyone tell us who we can and can't love. I believe that marriage should be defined as something between consenting adults who love each other. The emphasis being on adult’ not ‘gender’. Life isn't about what someone tells us to do, it's about being happy and caring about those around us. Margaret and I are very proud of them both for the commitment they have shown to each other. Setting up house and working hard to bring this marriage today, together.

I would also like to point out how very proud of my family, and extended family, for the way they have accepted Liam into our family and for the effort they have put in to making today a success. 

Gordon liked to play hide and seek but it got boring ‘cause he was always in the closet.

When he came out, we were not totally surprised as his love of care bears was something of a giveaway. 

Gordon came to me one day and asked what does ‘gay’ mean. Avoiding the question slightly I said it means ‘To be happy’ He than asked ‘Are you gay, dad’ I replied ‘No, I've a wife!’

As a couple they have a few important decisions to make –

Who goes downstairs in the middle of the night to check on what that noise was?  Who forgets the anniversary?  Who refuses to stop and ask for directions?  And which one of you will take forever to get ready?  …at least the toilet seat can stay in the same position!

There are obviously two very important people here today, without whom very little of this would have been possible. And the great thing is that as the evening progresses, most of you will get to spend more and more time talking with them. So please join me in a very special toast – to the bar staff!

Seriously now – Gordon and Liam, I know you'll make a great life together. You're among people today who care about you very much and wish you all the happiness in the world. I don't know what your future holds exactly, and I know that twenty years from now, many things will have happened that we can't predict today. But whatever happens, and wherever you go, your mum and I know you'll have each other's love, and you'll also have ours. We'll always be ready to help and ready to share your joys and sorrows with you when they come. So with that in mind, and on behalf of everyone here, I want to make you this wish: ‘May your love be modern enough to survive the times and old-fashioned enough to last forever. To the Happy couple’.

Censored bit by Wife : The boys were very appreciative for all the presents but one was a bit of a disappointment – The Dyson Ball Cleaner was not what they expected at all. And I'm just going to gloss over the subsequent trip to the hospital.