Speech by Firoz

Speech Type: Father of the bride/groom
Speech Creator: Firoz
Speech Date: 31/08/2016 12:53:32

Good afternoon everyone. For those of you who don't know me, I am Dr Feroz, the father of this beautiful bride. On behalf of myself, my wife Lin and on behalf of Manville and Parnella, the parents of the groom, I have great pleasure in welcoming you all to this happy occasion of the marriage of Grace and Bastien.

I am especially grateful to those who have taken the trouble to travel from France, USA and Canada, not forgetting those who have travelled from across the border in South Wales to join us on this happy occasion. We hope you have a great time in these wonderful surroundings of Blenheim Palace.

Grace, your grandma and your uncle Haroon and his family send their best wishes. As you know, they could not come because of problems with illness. Other members of your family from your mother's side who could not be here do send their best wishes as well. I'd also like to thank everyone who's helped out on the lead up to the wedding in whatever way, big or small. You've all played your part to make the day possible. So thank you all. At this point I believe it is traditional to tell embarrassing stories about the bride's childhood but Grace, don't worry, I will do no such thing. I will do it quietly going from table to table later on narrating interesting stories.

I have an old fashioned view that being parents of a daughter carries an additional responsibility than that of a son and that extra responsibility only ends with her marriage. So it was with some relief in addition to great pleasure that I handed you over to Bastien today. I am sure you two will love and care for each other in the years to come.

Grace, your mum and I could not have wished for a better daughter. You have truly made us proud by your academic success, followed by your career and to top it all by choosing Bastien as your life partner. You have inherited the good looks and good manners from your mum and a taste for expensive things from your dad.

You are a loving person and I am sure you will show that same love and affection to your new family as you did to us. I remember you at the age of 7 or 8 leading your baby brothers, Hosseini and Fred, up the stage at a holiday camp fancy dress competition in Cornwall, dressed as pirates. The three of you won the first prize more because of your protective behavior with your brothers on stage than for the breakfast cereal cut outs for your pirate's outfit. We are very proud of your achievements and wish you lots of success in the future.

Grace, I remember the evening we came to pick you up from Christchurch railway station, you had just arrived from Brighton with Bastien. You introduced Bastien to us and we immediately took a liking to him and over time we have seen what a loving and caring person he is. Like most fathers I took the view that no man was good enough for my daughter but with Bastien I had to make an exception. So one fine day when he rang me up to ask for my permission to propose to you I had no hesitation in giving my blessing.

Bastien, welcome to the international Rishi family. As you can see we have Asian, Welsh and English cultural mix. With the addition of French culture, we represent more than half the world. It has been a pleasure getting to know you and meeting your mum, dad and other members of your family and friends.

Manville and Parnella, I am very happy that my daughter is marrying into such a good hearted family, I could not have wished for better in-laws. We are very happy for our two families to come together and you will be pleased to know that we did not vote for Brexit. We enjoyed your visit to Hexham and we look forward to visiting you in Paris next week and to many years of family get togethers.

Grace and Bastien, we wish you a long and happy married life and we look forward to your making additions to the family just and Fred and Carley have done recently by bringing Annette into this world.

Bastien, there is a saying in English, that behind every successful man there is a strong and supportive woman and you have that with Grace; and Grace behind every successful woman there is a pile of washing and ironing. However, I am sure the two of you will work together to love, help and support each other to overcome any difficulties life may throw at you. We wish you a happy and successful married life.

Finally, it is my very great pleasure to propose the first toast to the happy couple. So could I ask you to please be upstanding and raise your glasses to Bastien and Grace.