Speech by Martin Nield

Speech Type: Father of the bride/groom
Speech Creator: Martin Nield
Speech Date: 18/07/2013 15:12:20

Laura and James wedding speech

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of my wife Chris and myself I would like to welcome you to this reception and thank you for coming to share this wonderful day with us. It's really nice to see so many members of Laura and James’ families and their friends gathered here in this lovely setting to see them get married. I would particularly like to thank those people who have travelled a long way to be here today. I know people have travelled from many parts of the UK, but the prize for the furthest travelled must surely go to James’ brother and Best Man John who has flown all the way from Japan to be with us today.

I'd also like thank Laura and James for all their hard work in planning today and arranging everything and also to thank the staff of The Red Lion for all their help. I must say this is a very appropriate place for a Yorkshireman to get married – on the banks of the Wharfe in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.

I thought I'd begin by telling you the story behind today's wedding celebrations. Just over a year ago, at Easter 2012, Chris and I went to visit Laura and James in Bingley for the day. After a pleasant lunch we went for a walk along the canal towpath. Chris was walking with Laura and I was walking with James. Suddenly, seemingly out of the blue, James said to me: “Do you mind if I ask you a question?” I said: “Of course not” thinking he was going to ask what I thought of this government or wasn't it lovely weather for the time of year. Instead he said: “I've been thinking of asking Laura to marry me and I wanted to ask your permission”!

I was very surprised to be asked but, of course, delighted and said that I was very happy to give him my permission. I said I thought they were very well suited and we would be very happy if they got married. Then we started talking about politics. At this stage, of course, only James and I knew what was going on. Chris and Laura didn't.

We went back to the house and had a cup of tea and chatted about the garden and played with the cats. All the time I was dying to tell Chris what had happened. Finally we said our farewells and Chris and I got in the car to go home. As we drove off, Chris started talking about something, but I said: “Shhhhh! Have I got news for you!” and told her all about it. So now Chris and James and I knew, but Laura still had no idea what was about to happen.

Well then James persuaded Laura to take a day off, took her out into the Yorkshire Dales somewhere and – having already bought the ring – got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. Of course she said yes and that is why we are here today. I think what that story illustrates is that James certainly believes in doing things properly. Now they are married and Chris and I are absolutely delighted to welcome James to our family. We never had a son, but now we have a Son-in-Law which is the next best thing – and in September we'll have two when Heather marries Ollie. We would like to wish Laura and James all the very best for a long and happy married life together.

Laura has always been a darling daughter – one of our two darling daughters I must quickly add, lest I be accused of favouritism. She was a delightful child and lots of fun to play with. Indeed we invented a game together called ‘Catch a Bench’ which basically involved me chasing Laura round and round a park until she got to the bench first screaming with delight which was great fun. We must do it again sometime – if James will let me!

She made a real success of her education, both at school and university and now, after several years with Leeds City Council, she's doing really well at The Environment Agency. She has grown into a thoughtful, modest, sensitive young woman. Today she looks absolutely gorgeous and I just want to say to you Laura that Mum and I are very proud of you and all you have achieved in life and we are delighted to see you marry James today.

As for James, well I think Laura has made a good choice of husband, for not only is he a thoroughly nice chap, he's also an excellent cook. Any woman who chooses a husband who can cook as well as James can is on to a good thing I think. It would seem that the way to a woman's heart is through her stomach! In fact cooking and a love of good food is something that Laura and James share – hence the herbs and pots of jam on your tables.

Today is the first day of their married life and so it falls to me to give them some advice for a happy life together. And it is this: always remember that love does not just consist of looking into each other's eyes, but rather looking ahead together in the same direction. If you follow that advice and plan your future together I'm sure you will have a long and happy marriage.

So Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to propose a toast to Laura and James, the Bride and Groom.