Speech by John Birkett

Speech Type: Father of the bride/groom
Speech Creator: John Birkett
Speech Date: Oct2006
Ladies and Gentlemen, for those of you who don't know me I'm John, Mel's Dad. On behalf of her Mum, Joy and I, I would like to welcome you all here today to celebrate the marriage of our daughter Melissa to Robert
I would like to welcome Rob's Mum, Yvonne, his son Corey and daughter Madison other members of his family and friends as well as Mel's relatives and their friends.

Some of you have travelled considerable distance to be here. Thank you for doing that, its very much appreciated and wonderful to see you here.
It's customary that I take this opportunity to spend a few minutes giving you a rundown on what a wonderful, caring, charming and attractive person Mel is.

Mel, I can't read your notes!!

I can though, say how much Mel means to us.

This tiny little bundle was born with blond hair, brown hair and red hair. One eyelash blond, the other quite dark. She was a real little cutie and a great daughter. Nothing has changed.

On the way home from hospital we sat in the car outside Ralph &amp Bev Tapping's pharmacy. A handful of you will remember that was the one where the kid crawled into the shop window and peed on Ralph's crepe paper display window. If any of you have peed on crepe paper you know the effect I'm talking about.

As we sat there, this little face looked up and smiled at her Dad. She still has severe bouts of wind.

As seems to be traditional with young girls, Mel badly wanted a horse. “But where will you keep it?” I asked. “In my bedroom” was the reply. It still wouldn't surprise me to find a horse hidden in Mel's bedroom. As I said, nothing has changed.

Rob, your new wife is very honest &amp forthright. Even after she set fire to her bedroom, she rushed outside to tell us. That honesty saved the house. She is not afraid to front up and be open. It's an admirable virtue that will leave you knowing exactly where you stand. From time to time this may disarm you. Don't knock it. You will always know just what she thinks and as far as women are concerned, that is a rarity.

While Mel and Rob are celebrating this union, don't think they are alone.
Joy and I have been trying to sell off Mel for years, but with little success.

Today we got desperate enough to give her away.

So just what does it mean to give one's daughter away?

It is tradition for the parents of the bride to give her away to the groom. By this symbolic gesture, the parents give their blessing to the marriage and express confidence in sharing their responsibilities with the new husband.

Rob, I can tell you that Joy and I are delighted to share this responsibility with you in the belief that you will do you best to enrich her life. In turn, we expect that Mel will work to enrich yours.

We know that you won't take this responsibility lightly, but I feel I should offer some words of advice, if not to you, then to both of you.
There would be few in this room better qualified to offer advice on marital issues than I. With my experience I should be an expert.

First of all some thoughts for both of you:

Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.

Success in marriage does not come merely through finding the right mate, but through being the right mate

Treat each other like you would your dog: Make a fuss of each other Feed each other well Let each other off the lead now and then

Some thoughts for Mel:

Mel – If you want something from Rob just ask for it. Don't forget he's a man and hints don't work.

When you're wrong, say I'm sorry. When you're right, say nothing

Some thoughts for Rob:

Women are made to be loved, not understood.

Nothing makes a good wife like a good husband

When you're getting ready to go out, remember “No Mel, your bum doesn't look big in that”

Finally, never go to bed in the middle of an argument. Be a man and stay up and fight. You've lost anyway so you might as well get it over with.

In anticipation of this speech I spoke to elderly friends who are still much in love and who have been married for more than 60 years. They are an amazing couple. Doug's advice is: Tell them to take time to go to a little restaurant two times a week: a little candlelight dinner, soft music, and a slow walk home

Rob should go on Tuesdays Mel should go on Fridays.
To finish, a quote from Robert Browning that's worth thinking about: “Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be”.

All that remains is for me to ask that you all join me in a toast. Mel and Robert: may you live long and fruitful lives in which your aim is to enrich each others’ lives as you work together to common goals.

Ladies and Gentlemen let us toast Mr &amp Mrs Cuthbert.&quot