Speech by Roy Wolfenden

Speech Type: Father of the bride/groom
Speech Creator: Roy Wolfenden
Speech Date: Aug 2000
Speechmaking is not something I would normally look forward to, but today is a happy exception.

As Father of the Bride, it is my privilege to make the first speech, and, I would like to start, by saying what a real pleasure it is to welcome, on this very happy occasion, Jean and John, Jeff's parents, together with relatives and friends of both families.

We are very proud today, to see Liz, looking so beautiful, finally married to Jeff.

During the time we have known him, we have come to realise how special he is to Liz, and anyone can see that they are made for each other.

He is really likeable and easy going, and we are very happy to welcome him formally into our family, and I hope that he is now pleased to be a member of the Wxxxxxxxx clan.

What we find gratifying, is that Jeff's parents feel the same about Liz. They have taken her to their hearts, and I believe that she is a real favourite with Brenna and Aidan.

Maureen and I are really fortunate, that the second of our lovely daughters has made a match with her Mr. Right, and indeed, as with her sister, in doing so, has brought more welcome people into our family.

Of course, marriage is not only about finding the perfect partner, but also about being one.

I believe that marriage will teach Jeff, loyalty, self-restraint, and control. It will develop in him a sense of fair play ..… and many other qualities…..which he wouldn't need if he had stayed single!

Handing Liz over to Jeff, reminds me of what was said at our Wedding.

If you love something, set it free.

If it comes back, it was, and always will be yours.

If it never returns, it was never yours to begin with.

And, if all it does is …just sit in your house, mess up your stuff, spend your money, eat your food, use the telephone all night, and monopolise your Television.…

You either married it, or gave birth to it!

Funny thing marriage. Did you know they carried out a survey recently to establish whether married men live longer than bachelors.

Apparently, there's absolutely no difference….it just seems longer when you're married!

Seriously though, as someone who has been happily married for 44 years, and speaking therefore from great experience, I would like to warn this freshman here about what he'll be up against.

I didn't think it wise to say anything before he'd gone through the wedding ceremony, in case he changed his mind.

There's something you'll have to learn to live with Jeff, because no man has yet found a remedy for it…and that is….the female mind!

It can be summed up by on simple instance.

A woman bought her husband two ties for his birthday, a red one and a blue one.

He was undecided which one to wear at his party that evening, but appeared in the red one.

As soon as his wife saw him, she said, "Oh! you're wearing the red tie. Don't you like the blue one?"

There's no way you can win ….However, forewarned is forearmed.

According to Charlton Heston, the key to a long and happy marriage Jeff, is to remember these three little words, "I was wrong."

Another piece of advice I would like to pass on is this:

Valentine cards understandably stress burning love, and the priests and parsons stress fidelity, but old married couples like us know that the secrets of a well-worked-at marriage, are persistence and patience, tolerance and forbearance, stoicism, tenacity, stamina, forgiveness and, failing that, a defective memory. It also helps, of course, if the husband is always prepared to take the blame, as is only right and just. My wife insisted that I made this last point!

To be serious for a moment, I know that we suggested that you should elope and have your wedding on a beach in the Bahamas, but we're so glad you didn't, because this has been a wonderful wedding day, and it's not over yet!

It is only right that we should toast the Bride and Groom, but we should also toast each of you here.

You have come to help us celebrate this special occasion, of those we love, and who love each other.

By your presence, you show friendship and love, and bring even greater joy to us all.

We are all God's children, and I would like to extend to everyone …love and friendship.

Now it is my pleasant duty to propose a toast to the happy couple.…

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 & Gentlemen, please be upstanding and raise your glasses to the Bride & Groom.