Speech by Roland Elliott

Speech Type: Father of the bride/groom
Speech Creator: Roland Elliott
Speech Date: 11/09/2013 20:29:54

Ladies and Gentlemen.

For those of you that don't know me, I am Roland, the Brides Father and so it falls upon me to make the opening Speech. Don't expect much as I am just warming you up for the other two.

Making speeches is not something in which I am well practised…so now I will practise on you!

Being a bit nervous its not the first time today I have got up from a warm seat with paper in my hand.

Firstly, let me thank each and every one of you for coming today, especially those who knew I would be saying a few words. I am pleased that you still decided to come.

I will try to be brief which probably will come as a great relief to us all, including me! Dont worry if you cant hear up at the back….i will be selling copies of my speech later.

So let me extend to you all, a VERY warm welcome to Matt & Kathryn's wedding celebration. If by this stage your wondering who Matt & Kathryn are….… then try the reception just along the corridor and pay for the meal on the way out!

My thanks to the bridesmaids and the boys for looking after Kathryn and also thanks to the Best man and the ushers for making sure Matt got to the church smartly dressed, sober and on time and making everything go smoothly…and of course a special thanks to Matts parents for raising such a fine young man, just ready to be snapped up by my daughter.

Its wonderful to see all the family and friends here who have played some part, however large or small, in Kathryn and Matts lives so far. Its also great to meet Matts family and friends, hopefully I will get to know you all a bit better later…if I am still sober.

You being here brings greater joy to what has already been a fantastic day. I hope you all have a really good time this evening as that's my plan too.

What a great place for a wedding celebration and what a beautiful service at the church in Lingfield a place which is of particular significance to my family.

At this point, I would just like to make a special mention of those family members unable to be here,who had they still been alive, would have also witnessed this day. In particular, Kathryns Mum , Kathryns maternal grandmother and my father , all of which were very close to Kathryn as a child and who are probably watching us from above…..

As this is such thirsty work, a chance for us all to take a drink,.So please raise your glasses for a quick toast to those absent who we dearly miss….

TO ABSENT FRIENDS!

OK Thanks I will continue…….

Kathryn and Matt have obviously worked very hard for months and months preparing everything for today….and it really shows. What a fantastic day so far, I am sure I speak for all here in saying thanks for inviting us to your special day, which due to your efforts, is very special for us too.

Now a bit about the Bride!… I know Kathryn has been worrying about what I will say….so have I. Since early July she has been saying “Have you written your speech yet”?…but no need to worry I got this one off the internet 5 minutes ago.

The first I saw of Kathryn was when she was being delivered at the maternity hospital. I was a bit worried about her face looking strange…then thankfully the midwife told me she was being born breech or bottom first.

When I did, eventually, see her face, I knew then what it was like to have such a beautiful daughter and the years between then and now have never been a disappointment. At the time of her birth I was the proudest and happiest father in the world.

After a few weeks we discovered what projectile vomiting meant….but I promised Kathryn I wouldn't bring that up…..if you will excuse the pun.! Actually I have lots of fond memories from when Kathryn was tiny, particularly as she was our first baby.

The day she first learned to walk…she walked 2 miles along the South Devon coast path virtually unaided.

And later, I clearly remember her staggering around on those little legs, drinking from her bottle, falling down and rolling round the floor, laughing just like her mother. Kathryns teenage drinking years were such fun!

As her father, I have had the privilege of watching Kathryn blossom from a gorgeous baby to the beautiful young women you see before you now. Obviously a lot inherited from her Mother, particularly her laugh.

At about 16 Kathryn decided she preferred to be known as “Kat” and as Iam not really a cat lover, I wasn't keen and its taken me years to get used to it. But eventually I did (almost) and when she met “Matt” it was quite handy….I remembered my first bit of writing from infant school “The Kat sat on the Matt”, so there was no excuse of ever forgetting his name. Gladly Matt was here to stay.

About a year ago Kathryn announced “Kat” was out and she is Kathryn again…just when I was getting used to it. At least I can go back to being a cat hater, but now I have also got used to saying “Matt” rather than “Matthew”. The reason I mention this is I overheard “Matt” the other day say to someone that he preferred “Matthew”…and I just thought oh no …here we go again! So give me a few years Matt…sorry I mean Mathew and maybe I will eventually get it right.

Anyway

I am sure that you will all agree with me, that Kathryn looks absolutely fantastic today, It was both a great honour and pleasure to walk her down that church isle earlier today. …and I didn't trip up once…..and Mathew certainly brushes up well too in that suit!

It makes me very proud and happy to be here and to be just a small part of this celebration for Matthew & Kathryns wedding.

At this point I am supposed to give my Fatherly advice to the happy couple. However:-

Kathryn doesn't need any advice as she decided to marry an Accountant, All I need now is a lawyer and a mechanic.. Bit worried about losing my hairdresser though!….mentioning no names!

Matthew, I am sure you have already found out your accountancy skills will be needed with Kathryn's expensive tastes and love of shopping,

And Matthew, just make sure Kathryn knows who's the Boss. …but I expect she's told you she is already.

Actually I don't need to give Matthew any advice either as I know he makes Kathryn very happy and that's all the knowledge and qualifications he needs.

It makes me very happy to welcome Matthew to the family and I am looking forward to the good times ahead for all of us….and an end to me ever having to fill in my own tax returns.

Well I can also brag about the qualities of my new son in law and I have some notes. Welcome to the family Matthew and errr! sorry but I can't quite read your writing.

Apparently, Its well known that woman sub-consciously choose a husband with a character furthest from that of their fathers. Just a bit earlier I heard my dear wife describing Matthew as Tall, nice looking, generous, sincere and good humoured. What can I say!

I have absolutely no doubts about Matthews qualities as a husband for my daughter but as I am not really the generous type it did worry me a bit in the service when I had to GIVE kathryn away.

Matthew you have a real bargain!

There is no secret to a good marriage but in my opinion you need love, respect, trust, understanding, faith in your relationship and the ability to always learn. I can't really give advice as I am still learning.So I think you both should:- Love a lot, Laugh a lot, listen a lot and talk a lot, and to be as tight as me, don't spend a lot.

Thats about all I have to say However:-

My final duty and very great privilege is to propose a toast to my daughter and new son-in law.

So would you please stand and join me in a toast to the bride and groom.

Here's to the past, for all that you've learned.

Here's to the present, for all that you share.

Here's to the future, for all that you look forward to together.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you, Kathryn and Matt

THE BRIDE AND GROOM.