Speech by Mike Loyley

Speech Type: Father of the bride/groom
Speech Creator: Mike Loyley
Speech Date: Jan2007
I am afraid you are all going to have to put up with the stupid grin on my face for the foreseeable future. There have been many occasions in my life from which I've drawn enormous pride, and a stupid grin. My own wedding day is one. I still wake up each day astonished at my good fortune in finding Margaret and having her agree to marry me. By the look on her face I know she wakes up somedays, takes one look at me and is equally astonished. The birth of both of my daughters are two more times when I realise what a fortunate man I am, although sitting up at 3 o'clock in the morning wondering where they might be has made me question my good fortune sometimes. Now I can add today to my list. A colleague told me when we were discussing today's celebration recently that the day he walked his daughter down the aisle was one of the proudest days of his life. I understand now what he meant and that's a message I'll soon be passing on to others.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm delighted to see so many of you here today to celebrate the marriage of Melissa and Richard. I know that many of you have much further to come than others but you are all our most welcome guests on this happy day. I'm sorry to say that you won't be having as good a time as will I but I'm sure you will feel that your journey, however far, has been worth it.

From the moment Melissa and Richard announced their engagement, Margaret and I knew that whatever they desired for today, however unusual, we would do our best to provide. You'll be relieved to know we managed to persuade them to cancel Pierre and his performing poodles. The unfailingly generous assistance of Richard's parents, Carol and Pat has made that promise so much easier to full fill. On behalf of Margaret and myself I'd like to thank them for the huge part they've played in this wonderful occasion.

I know all fathers must say something in their speech along the following lines. When Melissa first put in an appearance at Mill Road Maternity Hospital in 1980, I held her in my arms and thought she was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. Looking at her today I know you'll see that I was right. I'm sure Richard realises how lucky he is.

Which brings me to Richard himself. As the father of two girls, people have asked me in the past whether I've missed not having a son and I can honestly say that the thought has never crossed my mind. From today Margaret and I can welcome a son into our family and Richard is as fine a son as any parents could wish for. We've come to know him well over the last few years in fact during the months he lived in our home we got to know him very well, particularly while we waited for him to vacate the bath room in the mornings. I always thought girls took forever to get ready for the day ahead. We even discovered that he genuinely likes Marmite but then I suppose every family must have it's dark secret.

And now I'm relieved to say that I have just about finished. Doubtless you're all equally relieved. I would just like to ask you all to join me in a toast to Melissa and Richard, the bride and groom.