Speech by Keith Wright

Speech Type: Father of the bride/groom
Speech Creator: Keith Wright
Speech Date: JuL2006
Good afternoon everyone,

Thank you for the generous applause- I hope you're just as generous when I've finished!

On behalf of my wife Karen and I, I'd like to welcome you all to the Manor House to celebrate the marriage of our daughter Nicola to Leigh.

I'd like to extend a special welcome to Leigh's parents Chris and Ray, to relatives of both families, and to those of you who've travelled long distances to be here on this happy occasion.

Unfortunately, Nicola's grandparents Vera, Arthur and Jessie can't be with us today.

I know they think the world of Nicola and they would have been so proud to see her walk down the aisle.

It goes without saying that they send their love and best wishes to the happy couple.

Obviously, I'm very proud of my beautiful daughter.

I'm sure you'll all agree with me that she looks absolutely stunning on this, her special day.

But as we all know, looks are only skin deep, and I'm even more proud that Nicola has grown into a confident, caring, sincere and hardworking young woman and I love her very much,

My daughter is a very special person who deserves a good husband, and I know she's found one in Leigh.

Nicola has been planning her big day for many months and I'm so pleased that all her hard work has been rewarded with a wonderful ceremony and a brilliant reception here at the Manor House.

Nicola works for the Britannia Building Society, and I was hoping she'd sort me a cheap mortgage to pay for the reception but no such luck!

Never mind Karen, we can still afford to go on holiday, but we're not going to Portugal now, we're going to Prestatyn instead!

I'll now take you back to another proud day in my life, the birth of my one and only daughter!

Since then, we've enjoyed a happy journey together, but I have to say, one daughter is quite sufficient!

Like all newborn babies, Nicola came into the world crying, but the problem was she never stopped for the next two years!

Thankfully, watching Postman Pat and Rainbow calmed her down, and she then spent six happy years at Quinta Primary School.

Out of school, Nicola loved dressing up, playing with her Barbie's and listening to her favourite pop music by Kylie, Jason Donovan, Rick Astley and Bros!

As a young girl, Nicola always looked forward to our annual holiday in sunny Prestatyn, the highlight being the caravan site tin shed disco!

You learned all your ‘moves’ in there didn't you Nicola?

Nicola never acquired much of a suntan but she always enjoyed our ‘foreign’ holidays in North Wales!

Nicola then went to Heathfield High school where she made lasting friendships with her two bridesmaids Louise and Jodie, and they couldn't wait for the monthly discos, which became an important part of their social life.

Nicola then left behind the school discos to become a regular dancing queen at Congleton's one and only nightclub, commonly known as ‘Raffs’!

I had many sleepless nights waiting for her to come home after a late night clubbing, but she always returned safe and sound.

But during her teenage years, we acquired more of a love/hate relationship where I still loved her but she hated me!

This was mainly due to the fact that I didn't much care for her taste in boyfriends!

You see, as a very protective father, any potential boyfriend was subjected to a thorough doorstep inspection.

If he succeeded in crossing the threshold he then had to pass the following 5-point test-

1. Was he intelligent?

2. Was he good looking?

3. Did he have any work in him?

4. Was he into sport- especially football?

5. And most importantly, did he come from a wealthy family?

Fortunately for Leigh, nobody reached the required standard and then he appeared on the doorstep.

To Nicola's great relief, I soon decided that he ticked all the boxes and as they say, the rest is history!

I'm still not 100% sure about the wealthy family though!

Too late now anyway!

Not long after meeting Leigh, I realised we had a lot in common-

• We're both born and bred Mow Cop men

• We were both brought up on farms

• We both work in the plumbing industry

• We've got a similar sense of humour

• We must have – we both support Port Vale!

• And of course, we both fell in love with two beautiful girls from Congleton!

So there you are Nicola – you've just realised your own worst nightmare – you've married a younger version of your Dad!

But don't worry, there's one important difference between Leigh and me- he's a very good cook and I'm what you'd call very basic!

At least Leigh's cooking skills stretch further than my speciality… beans on toast!

I'd now like to formally welcome Leigh into the family- he's a great lad and I'm very proud to have him as my son-in-law.

It's said that Leigh looks a bit like Justin Timberlake-we'll have to see if he can dance like Justin later tonight!

For the last year or so, we've been swimming together to keep fit and for some father/son-in-law bonding.

When I first introduced him to the pool he'd swim a couple of lengths and he'd be worn out!

Now he thinks he's Duncan Goodhew, doing length after length like a man possessed!

The ‘old man’ is just about keeping up with him, but he's wearing me out now!

As for the bonding, the showers have brought us a lot closer together haven't they Leigh? – But not too close I hasten to add!

If any one wishes to see Leigh and me in our Speedos- not a pretty sight I have to say, you're quite welcome to join us for a dip in the Hotel pool in the morning!

Nicola and Leigh make a lovely couple and I'm confident they'll have a long and happy future together.

But I'll still give them a few words of wisdom to help them on their way!

Always work as a team to resolve any problems or challenges. Never forget – a problem shared is a problem halved.

Always respect each other's careers, hobbies and general outlook on life. Love and mutual respect go hand in hand in a successful marriage.

And as Take That's Gary Barlow sang recently – ‘Have a little Patience!’

Knowing my daughter as I do, I think Leigh will need a little more patience than Nicola!

Always remember Leigh, as a great philosopher once said-

‘A man who gives in when he's wrong is a wise man, whilst a man who gives in when he's right is married’!

And finally, would you all please stand and join me in a toast to the bride and groom…………