Speech by Paul Tanner

Speech Type: Father of the bride/groom
Speech Creator: Paul Tanner
Speech Date: 08/10/2012 19:37:39

A very good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I'm Paul and I have the undoubted honour of being the father of this blushing bride. However, I'm fully aware that my main function this afternoon is to warm you up, the audience, for the star performers who will speak later.

Most of you will know of Jodie's interest in fashion so I thought I would try to make my speech like that well known item of fashion clothing, the mini skirt – short enough to be interesting and long enough to cover the essentials. 

Today is, of course, a celebration, but not just of the love that has united Jodie and Allun in their marriage today, but also of the families that have created, moulded and influenced the lives of these two special people. So my wife Chris and I would like to extend a very warm welcome to Allun's parents Lorna and Keith and to relatives and friends of both families.

A special welcome also to those who have travelled some way to be with us today. We have people from Plympton, Ipswich, London, Dubai ‘Assalamu alaikum’ to Sophie, and [turn paper upside down] AUSTRALIA! Strewth, I mean, G'day to Pete, Debs, Grace and Charlie!

Thank you all for joining us in celebrating this very special day.

Looking back, I clearly remember another very special day for Chris and I, on a Sunday just 10,302 days ago when I witnessed the birth of our first child, Jodie. Well, that seems like only yesterday. I have many memories of her as a baby. I've seen her wet herself and crawl around on the floor but I think that's enough about her 18th birthday.

There have been many memorable days along the way. Jodie having acute appendicitis in France on, little did we know at the time, Allun's birthday, in 1991 will never be forgotten.

Her sleep walks are legendary – two stand out in particular. The first was the time she woke Chris at 3 am to get her to come to Jodie's room to sort out the mouse that was in there. Chris stayed and talked to her only to realise after a while that Jodie was asleep. Then there was the time she woke us up to say that burglars had telephoned to say that they were about to break-in – again whilst she was asleep!

But warmer memories are plentiful such as –

her wearing a hat for all of the three weeks we holidayed in Canada in 2000;

the time she chose to sit down in Lake Minnewanka,

her playing against Bristol Rovers – the ladies team,

completing a half marathon, and, of course,

her degree success in 2007.

As I accompanied Jodie here today there could not have been a prouder man and as we walked side by side I thought, and I'm sure you'll agree, that Jodie looked absolutely stunning … and Allun, well he looked absolutely stunned!

Of course, fathers are naturally biased where daughters are concerned, but in Jodie I see an independent, intelligent, beautiful young woman, a daughter to be truly proud of. A daughter who, throughout her life, has always been ready to face a challenge. Some would say, however, that she's about to face her biggest challenge of all…which brings me to the other half of this partnership.

Seriously, when his child is young, a father sometimes contemplates the image of the man his daughter will marry. Will he be kind – intelligent – thoughtful – generous?

Just over 5 years ago Jodie introduced us to a young man with DREADLOCKS – Allun.

We are delighted that Jodie now has a husband with all these attributes and more. 

During the time we've known Allun we've come to realise how much he means to Jodie. When you see how gorgeous Jodie looks today, it proves the one thing I've always known about Allun – he is clearly a man of vision…Occasionally blurred, sometimes double, but nonetheless a man of vision – and they have been fortunate to have found each other. So it's a pleasure, Allun, to formally welcome you into our family.

I was struck by his thoughtfulness in the course of a conversation we had one Monday after work in The Bay Horse in June last year. Allun asked for my permission to propose to Jodie. He had clearly given the matter a great deal of thought and Jodie was at the centre of everything he said. 

An example of that generosity I mentioned just now was shown last November when Allun treated me to day out. A trip to Twickenham to see the Barbarians play Australia – alas we, well most of us in the room, lost 11 – 60. To return the favour I treated Allun to an afternoon at The Mem to watch Bristol Rovers play Bradford City – somehow we won 2 – 1. I probably got the better of that exchange but Allun's done very well today, hasn't he?

And perhaps the ultimate compliment comes from Jodie's brothers Ben and Joseph who think he's sound.

Now, it's customary on these occasions for me to offer the happy couple some worldly advice on marriage. As is the fashion today, Jodie and Allun have already set up home together and so already know a lot about each other. I am delighted that both are making very good progress in their chosen careers yet also find time to do lots together, for example the surprise birthday treat a day trip to Edinburgh and holidays to Iceland (NO not the supermarket), Tunisia and Australia. 

So Allun, remember there is no challenge in a marriage that can't be overcome by one or more of the following:

Ok, I was wrong, Ok, You were right, Yes Dear And the most important – OK love! Just buy it!

From recent personal experience I would say don't make assumptions, for example – Chris was enjoying a glass of wine one fine summer's evening on the patio with me. I heard her say, ‘I love you so much. I don't think I could ever live without you’. Wow, I thought and asked Chris, ‘Is that you or the wine talking?’. She replied, ‘It's me…talking to the wine’. 

Finally, there is a saying, which goes something like ‘Happy marriages begin when we marry the ones we love, and they blossom when we love the ones we marry.’ So, Jodie and Allun, may your marriage be a truly happy one, may it begin with an unforgettable honeymoon in Cuba and may you both have a long and wonderful life together.

Ladies and gentlemen would you please be upstanding and raise your glasses for the toast – The Bride and Groom.