Speech by Stephen Gray

Speech Type: Father of the bride/groom
Speech Creator: Stephen Gray
Speech Date: sep 2002

As Father of the Bride, it is my privilege to make the first speech.
And although speechmaking is not something I normally look forward to…..… today is a happy exception.

I would like to start by saying what a real pleasure it is for Jackie and I to welcome Stevens parents, Irene & Trevor… together with all the relatives and friends of both families.
We really are delighted to share this very special occasion with you all.
We are also very proud to see Joanna looking so radiant today and finally married to Steven.
During the time we have known him, we have come to realise how special Steven is to Joanna, and anyone can see that they are made for each other.
Steven is a very likeable, hard working, caring, and easygoing person, he is also well informed on most subjects – except football of course, – after all when I first met him he said he was a keen football fan and supported Gillingham I never quite understood the connection!!!
–It's much better now that he is becoming a Saint!

Seriously though…..Jackie & I are very pleased and proud to welcome Steven formally into the family…..I say formally because he's already made himself at home with us – and to all intents and purposes has long been a part of the family…… I hope he is now pleased to be an official member of the Gray Clan!!!
Marriage of course is not just about finding the right partner but also about being one and….We are delighted that Stevens's parents feel the same way about Joanna, we are so pleased that they have welcomed her into their family; I hear that she is now a real favourite with Irene & Trevor.

Most of you know that Joanna met Steven while she was away at University;
This was a very happy & fulfilling period of her life even though it was punctuated with a number of disasters!!!
Just like a good marriage!
I remember in particular the day we took her up to Northampton on her first day with all her pots and pans and plates and dishes.
I remember leaving her there that evening very lonely and sad – even Daniel had a tear in his eye when we left.
I remember taking her to the airport to fly out to Spain for her year in Salamanca and getting the phone call four hours later from Madrid to say that her bags, money, credit cards tickets and passport had all been stolen.
I remember Daniel and I flying out to Spain with replacements.
Yes there were many disasters!!
But there were good times too. Joanna loved her time in Salamanca and has been back there for a holiday with Steven last year.
I remember also the joy and pride of Graduation Day,
that was when Jackie & I first got to know Steven and the journey to this day began.
University was a great experience for them both.
Mind you… Marriage is also a great university —
It will teach you self-control, patience, consideration
and understanding ..… and develop your sense of fair play..…
all qualities of course you would not have needed if you
stayed single!!!!
I'm totally confident that both of our new students will graduate from the University of Mariage with Honours.

Now…
What about my delightful daughter? Doesn't she look wonderful! You know ..It seems like only yesterday..… I think Joanna was about… 8 years old. We had been to see Cinderella at the cinema and she was playing in the garden ..… she said to me,
‘Daddy when I get married I want to look like a fairy princess’
Although I may be slightly biased, I am sure that you will agree with me that today Joanna does look like the fairy princess of her dreams. And I know she believes she has met her Prince Charming.
The secret of a happy marriage, of course, is not to be found in wedding bells, it is not the stuff of fairy stories….or Mills & Boon romances….there is no automatic ‘happy ever after’
No. the real meaning of marriage is in the TRYING .… it's about learning about someone else…and through that…… learning about yourself.
Valentines cards and poets write of passionate love, — priests and vicars talk about fidelity, but old married couples.… like us.… know that the secrets of a successful marriage are Sincerity, patience, tolerance, stamina and forgiveness…
and failing all that… a defective memory usually works wonders!!!
Seriously though…I know that Joanna is very determined to make a big success of her marriage to Steven.

I am told that I am supposed to give you some deep and meaningful advice here to help you in your new marriage…….well – I believe that there are only two lasting bequests parents can hope to give their children……….One of these is roots..… and the other is wings.
Joanna, I believe that over the years we have given you strong roots. And over the last year or so you have shown that the time is right for you to fly away from the nest and build your own with Steven.

Well that's it!

Joanna……Steven…..I know that we suggested you go off quietly for a registry office wedding – but we are very glad you didn't because this has been a wonderful day – and it's not over yet.

But at last I'm nearly at the end and I only have a few words left to say…

Marriage is the meeting
of two minds..…
of two hearts….and
of two souls.

May you be blessed with happiness that grows..…
with love that deepens….and
with peace that endures.

I wish you fun and excitement for today.…
hopes and dreams for tomorrow.…
and love and happiness forever.

Ladies and Gentlemen please stand, raise your glasses and drink a toast with me to the health and happiness of our
Bride & Groom
To Joanna & Steven!