Speech by Mike Brown

Speech Type: Father of the bride/groom
Speech Creator: Mike Brown
Speech Date: Aug2007
Family and friends
Thank you all for being here to share this special day.

I thought I had a speech written over a year ago, but had a rethink just a couple of weeks ago. Must have been Dublin!

I really can't remember any Father of the Bride speeches including Gail's dad's at our own wedding.

This will probably be as memorable.

One tip someone gave is not to be too smarmy or too sad, on such a happy and proud day but it would be wrong not to briefly get the sad bit out of the way.

Because of timing and geography quite a lot of friends and relations were unfortunately unable to make it today. There are others like Kate's grandparents who would have been so proud to see Kate and Paul today.
We will all have our own thoughts of friends and family, but certainly my memories right now are of good not sad times and they would want this wedding to be no different.

So in view of that – please stand and raise your glasses:
Absent friends and family.

So – I was talking to someone the other day about marriage.
Interesting word “marriage” I said. Would you say it is an institution or just a word?
He couldn't have heard me right because he replied “It's not a word more of a sentence!”

There was a survey done recently which looked into whether married men lived longer than bachelors.

Apparently there is no difference. It just seems longer when you're married.

But for all the jokes – and there are 100’s – , marriage has been good. It doesn't just happen. Gail and I have been married for over 30 years and it's certainly been for richer or poorer. I thank Gail for sticking with me to share in happy and proud moments like today. She puts up with a lot, and has made a big sacrifice particularly not living in lovely Falmouth for the past 6 years.
Another toast – please stand – my wife, Kate's mum, Gail.
Aug 4 2007

Apparently you are supposed to quote memorable events that happened on this day in history. . . .

Aug 4 1901- Louis Armstrong born.
Aug 4 1944- Anne Frank and her family were captured by the Gestapo.
Nothing much there to remember but. . .
Aug 4 1873- General Custer and 7th Cavalry were attacked by Indians
Let's just think of Aug 4 2007 as Garland's last stand!

Although of course this is a milestone day, it is an opportunity to thank those who have already contributed to the successful relationship Kate &amp Paul already have.

Gail and I thank Crick and Dee and all of Paul's family for making Kate so welcome in their family particularly while Kate was still living and working in Falmouth.

On the subject of thanks, it's always difficult thanking people –
you might leave someone out.

But I will specifically thank Jane Williams and all at Falmouth Hotel for what has been a great afternoon. This has been a wedding organised at a distance, but a lot of hard work has been put in by a lot of people to make this day a success so far.

Most people who know Kate will know she is dedicated and committed to work hard at whatever she does – while she was still at Falmouth school she worked till late in Spar in Albany Road and then at Asda, and now continues in her career in Southampton.

It is obvious that Paul has this same work ethic as Kate, getting up at crazy hours and working weekends to do it. It is obviously something important they share as a couple. Except the getting up early bit Kate!

Most of you know that Paul was in the Army soon after school.
Talking to Paul over the years and some things his mum has said, it is clear that some of the experiences young people in the army have to see, I am glad I have never had to experience. But Paul I am sure has benefited from the overall experience.

Paul – thanks for a great stag weekend in Dublin. You can definitely put me down for the next one.

Kate – we've shared some unhappy times as a family.
What a shock to find out one of Boyzone was gay!
How depressing was it when Robbie left Take That!
And what a tragedy when Take That finally split. . .
And of course we can't forget the night I held the bucket for Kate on her first excess of alcohol. . . .

This brings me to the Bridesmaids.
I haven't said it before but I hope Laura and Nicola's heads were as sore as Kate's that following morning!

I hadn't seen any of the dresses before this morning, but didn't they all look good?

This is an opportunity for Gail and myself to thank Laura and Nicola and all of Kate's friends for supporting her during difficult times.
But we also know you have all shared some great times together – today is probably the best for us all.

When I look back there have been some really good times.
The day Kate was born.
Actually, the nurses said she looked just like me –
once the nappy was on it was difficult to compare.

Other good times were often simple things like enjoying the eclipse together 8 years ago next Saturday the Tall Ships event in 1998 Kate's 18th in 2000 and not forgetting being in the Quayside when Man U beat Bayern Munich – not because of the win but being together to share the atmosphere.

And although I was 300 miles away at the time, in a car park in Hinckley, the excitement of the GCSE results was such a proud moment for us all.
Such good times are now being shared with both Kate and Paul, and we have been lucky in sharing a couple of fun holidays together.
We hope that may continue for many years.

Paul is not just Kate's partner.

In spite of Paul being a Liverpool fan, we get on very well together, and as I have already told him – he has become a friend. Gail and I are very proud that he obviously loves and looks after Kate as he has already shown over the past 5 years.

One thing more to share about Paul.
When Kate happily told us on Christmas Day 2005 that Paul and her were engaged, Paul told me later that he would have liked to have asked me first whether he could marry Kate.

My immediate reaction was that anyone who could think that way – with such traditional values- was as good as asking. He is a nice guy!

Some advice to both Kate &amp Paul:
There are 3 things you must remember to give in marriage:
Firstly give inspiration Secondly give all your income
And last but not least – give in.

So finally
Please be upstanding. Paul and Kate Garland The Bride &amp Groom.