Speech by frank dartford

Speech Type: Father of the bride/groom
Speech Creator: frank dartford
Speech Date: 21/11/2014 09:47:06

Good Afternoon everyone. For those of you that don't know, my name is Frank and I am the very proud father of this beautiful bride.

Now Ladies and gentlemen, I should probably make you aware from the very start, that I lack any real practical experience as a speaker. Having spent over 25 years of my life, living in a house with three women there have been few opportunities when I have been allowed to speak, and even fewer opportunities when anyone has actually been listening !!!!

I hope you will forgive me if this speech is not as professional as the ones that are to follow, as this is a new experience for me.

I would like to begin by welcoming you all today to this wonderful venue, and saying a big thank you from all of us on this table for taking the time and effort to join us to celebrate Jacey and Martin's wedding. We know that many of you have made long journeys to be here today, and we hope you have a great time.

I would also like to say a special thank you to all the staff today, for making this day the special occasion it deserves to be.

Now I believe that tradition dictates that a dad should share a few storys about his daughter. I know that Jacey is particularly nervous about what I might say in this next part of my speech. After all it is part of a father's job description to embarrass his children, and I am particularly good at it.   But you can relax Jacey, I'll wait until we are on the dance floor before I start today.!!!

When preparing for this speech, I looked  through some old photographs of the kids for inspiration. One in particular stood out from the others. It was a picture of our little girl lying on the floor in front of her mother, dribbling, gurgling and trying to take a few wobbly steps ….… it's the only photo we have of jacey on her hen night, so its quite special.

Jacey, I am blessed to have you in my life, and I hope you are aware just exactly how much I love you, and how very proud I am of the lovely young lady you have become. It has been an absolute joy for me to watch… a very talkative, extremely inquisitive and often clumsy little girl develop into the very beautiful, clever, loyal and loving young lady that was my  honour and privilege, to escort down the aisle today.

Thankfully she does seem to have inherited most of her better traits from her mother, and only a few bad habits from her dad. you have  your mums kind nature and good looks –  and from me….well…….lots of people suffer from wind Jacey.

Now like most fathers, I was extremely protective of my girls and prepared to fend off any potential suitors. I took the view that no man was good enough for my girls, and was in favour of capital punishment for anyone who tried to take them away from me. And so it was in this welcoming atmosphere of open mindedness that we were first introduced to Martin.

I know that tradition dictates that at this point, I am supposed to welcome Martin today into our family,but the truth is, that from day one he has been like a son to us. By that I mean he used to leave his clothes all over the house, stay in bed until midday, drink my beer and hide the remote control !!

It certainly didn't take long for us to notice that Jacey was really smitten by this young man, and when he started letting me beat him at golf and  complimenting Denise on her cooking, we knew he was getting serious too.  (Grovelling little git.)

When martin came around to ask for Jacey's hand in marriage (for which we had been tipped of), he had obviously had a few beers ..… He was sweating and shaking quite noticeably and rambling on about nothing. two hours later he still hadn't asked, and was still sweating and shaking ………… that's when I started to shake and sweat as I thought he had changed his mind !!! But thankfully he did ask, and here we are today.

You often wonder as a parent just how well your children will turn out. You wonder what sort of life decisions they will make, especially those that you have no control over. What friends will they choose? Who will they pick as a partner to share their life with? Will that person love and care for them as well as you would? Will you approve?

Well for what it's worth Jacey I think you have made a cracking choice.

Sticking with tradition, I think at this point that I am also supposed to pass on some worldly advice to my new son in law, to help him survive..… er, sorry enjoy……… his new marital status.

Well Martin I have two bits of advice that I hope you will find of use.

The first is really to enjoy your honeymoon period, and if you're not sure what this is let me explain. This is the time in your marriage between “I do” and “No you can't go out with your mates tonight”……… weve all been there martin !!!

The second is specifically based upon knowing the girls as well as I do. I believe the words “Yes love of course you can buy it” and “Yes darling, of course we can turn the football off and watch Coronation Street” may prove beneficial in the years to come.

Ladies and Gentlemen I think I'm getting close to outstaying my welcome, and I can see both the groom and best man very eager to get on with their speeches !!!! 

I do however have one final very pleasurable responsibility to fulfil.

Jacey and Martin, may your marriage be a truly happy one, may you begin with an unforgettable honeymoon in the Far East, and may you have a long and wonderful life together.

I am also sure that the loved ones you have both lost,are looking down approvingly from the best seats in the house – and will be wishing you all the best in this new chapter in your lives together, with fond memories of them in your hearts.

It is my very great pleasure to propose the first toast to the happy couple. So could I ask you please be upstanding and raise your glasses to the Bride and Groom.

The Bride & Groom everyone!