Speech by Eddie Montgomery

Speech Type: Father of the bride/groom
Speech Creator: Eddie Montgomery
Speech Date: Jul2005
Thank you for that welcome, I haven't had applause like that since Stuart's stag night in Legs &amp Co lap dancing club. As father of the bride, it is my privilege to make the first speech. Somebody should tell my knees that it's a privilege! This is the fourth time in the last hour I have stood up from a warm seat with a bit of paper in my hand!

Good afternoon everyone, I am Eddie, sometimes known as Papa Baldy the proud father of Claire Louise our bride!
Margaret &amp I would like to welcome the groom's parents Eddie and Eleanor, relatives, &amp friends of both families, to this very happy occasion.
At this point I would like you all to join me in a toast – To absent family and friends.

I am not a religious man but consider myself blessed. I have a gorgeous wife, a loyal and thoughtful son, a loving daughter &amp daughter in law, a granddaughter I would die for, and now there is Stuart. pause Ah well more about him later!

Claire Louise was born, I blinked, &amp here I am, giving the brides father speech. Which at about this time in every wedding that the bride begins thinking, “oh-my-god, what is ma dad going to say?” “Is he going to talk about my toddler temper tantrums, my teenage Kevin &amp Perry phase impression or is he going to talk about the life expectancy of the washing machine in our kitchen?” At this point I'm supposed to give an embarrassing tale about Claire Louise, but CL has got more embarrassing stories about me, so she's safe!
CL has always brightened up our lives she never turned off lights, and has saved us thousands of pounds since she set up home with Stuart. Our phone bill is now down to double figures! In fact BT checked our phone line as they thought we must have now been fiddling our calls in some way!

With CL you get what you see and we are so proud to see her looking so beautiful today but in these dad's eyes she is beautiful every day! And I shouldn't need to tell you even though you are now married I will always be there for you!
I'm proud to have such a beautiful daughter as Claire Louise – my superstar – the blushing bride, and I must congratulate Stuart on his perception of CL being his perfect 10, and for being the luckiest bloke in the whole of Scotland this day!

If you all would indulge me a little before I get to Stuart, I have a few words to say directly to CL.

Just once upon a yesterday I held you in my arms
You grew into a little girl with lovely childhood charms
Now it seems I only turned around and I see you by Stuart's side
Oh, I cannot believe my eyes today My Daughter is a Bride
But now, my Love, the time has come
To send you on your way
So I wish you every happiness
And the blessings of this day
And I hope the love I've given you
Will forever be your guide
Oh, I cannot believe my eyes today
My Daughter is a Bride

Anyway at this point I would like to formally welcome Stuart into our family although I hope he already feels part of it. I've decided I've not lost a daughter I've gained a joiner…he's allegedly handy around the house…I must be visiting the wrong house although that is all about to change! I know Stuart has been dreading my speech but he has nothing to fear as I said all I had to say that Sunday morning 5 years ago when I actually managed to catch him before he sneaked off home as was his usual, come to think of it you must owe me a few quid for taxi phone calls!

What does CL see in Stuart, pause yes just what does CL see in Stuart? Only joking son!
I see a gentle giant with a big heart, a guy that loves my daughter very much, will do his utmost to make her happy, be a loving husband, and is also a dotting dad to Megan our granddaughter. And like me, he will always be there for you! It makes me proud, impression very, very proud to call you my son-in-law!
Even so a few words of wisdom from me to start you off!
As some of you may know Margaret and I have been married 31 years so I feel I am qualified to give a little bit of advice on what helps makes a marriage, though not always blissful, last! I would like to warn this beginner here about what he'll be up against.
Stuart most things, will revolve around three little words that CL along with nearly every other woman in the world, was born speaking, “All, Just, &amp Only! “ALL you need to do”, — “Its ONLY 㿞0”, — “It'll JUST take 5 minutes”.
Also consider the words of Oscar Wilde, &quotWomen are meant to be loved, not understood&quot
Stuart now that you are married, Claire Louise 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!
When you buy her presents …it PROVES you're guilty. But of course, beware the far more serious consequences of not buying her presents!
Finally to keep a marriage brimming with love in the loving cup, when your wrong, admit it, and when you're right shut up!
I wish you both a long and wonderful marriage, and I hope you have a really great honeymoon all 3 of you!

Before I finish can I say to all our guests thank you for coming and sharing the happy couples big day and I'm sure when it's all over you will all be saying what a brilliant wedding that was!

Ladies and Gentlemen please stand &amp now join me in a toast to the bride and groom?

I wish you fun and excitement for today.…
hopes and dreams for tomorrow.…
and love and happiness forever.

To the health and happiness of our
Bride &amp Groom
Claire Louise &amp Stuart
The Brady Bunch!!
Health and happiness.

Thank You