Speech by Tony Ward

Speech Type: Father of the bride/groom
Speech Creator: Tony Ward
Speech Date: 02/12/2013 12:08:10

Hello everyone. For those who don't know me I'm Emma's dad, Tony, and this is her mum, Dot.  

And let me say it's an honour to stand here today. I get to speak, you have to listen  . . . . and for a man who's been married for 37 years this is a rare privilege.  . . .  So sit back, drink lots and try to laugh like drains at my attempts at humour. 

First of all, I want to thank you all for being here with Emma & Gary to help them celebrate this happy day  

Mentions here of the names of notable absences  who would have loved to have been present but who unfortunately couldn't make it. 

TOAST TO ABSENT FRIENDS.   

Also, friends and relatives have helped in the many arrangements for today including the decorating of this room. You have all done a brilliant job and really helped to make this – a day to remember. Thank you all so very much. 

NOW, some one once said “Bigamy is having one wife too many – and monogamy is exactly the same”. . . . . Some might agree with that but most of us take the plunge don't we? I mean, if it weren't for marriage, us men would go through life thinking we had no faults at all. . . . . . . In Dot I found my Miss Right  . . . . . .I just didn't know her first name was Always.  . . . . . . . . . 

(Point to my tie). 37 years ago Dot bought me this tie to wear at our marriage. I've never thrown it away and have worn it at weddings I've been to since . . . .  not so much in fond remembrance . . . .  more as an act of penance. . . . .  

All couples unavoidably have their ups and downs and there must have been times when Dot has felt like strangling me with it. She frequently complains she goes to hell and back for me. . . . . I keep telling her not to bother to come back for me  . . . . . but . . .! 

Now, I'm under strict orders from Emma to say nothing about her earlier years that would seriously embarrass her . . . . . so I'm afraid that leaves me with absolutely nothing to say! . . . . . Not even mentions of when she started to crawl around the floor, being sick everywhere and wetting her knickers . . . . .  and that was just her 18th birthday!  . . . .    

Emma is the most beautiful bride I have seen . . . . . . . since I married her mother 37 years ago, I hasten to add . . . . . . .  We are intensely proud of our lovely daughter and of her personal & professional achievements and as any father would be I was naturally anxious about her choice of Gary as her partner . . . . . . . Does he truly love her . .  will he make her happy . . .will he treat her decently and honourably . . .  will he provide for her properly? . . .  I have to say Gary satisfactorily answers my fears in spades. I've been impressed with him from the moment we first met. I've never told him this before – but now's as good a time as any!  . . . . . He's a great bloke. He works extremely hard in his successful architectural practice and has wrought wonders in renovating their house. And, of course, with Emma he has presented us with two beautiful grandsons in Albert & Arthur. . . . . .  I think that's more than enough reason for our second toast today –  

TO THE BOYS – ALBERT & ARTHUR ! 

I like giving lots of toasts – it makes sure you lot are getting drunk at the same rate as I am.  . . . . . 

Gary is a great credit to his mum, Phil, and she must be as proud of him as we are of Emma. Gary, you really are a welcome and loved addition to our family . . . . . . . 

Over the last few years I've got to know Gary better – and I've seen the way the Emma looks at him . . .  and they say when you're happy your mouth smiles  . . . .  but when you are truly happy your eyes smile. . . . .Well, I've seen the way Emma's eyes smile at Gary  . . . . and I've seen the way Gary looks back at her  . . . . kind of,  like,  . . . . a Labrador on hearing a whistle . . . . . . 

You two have been a couple, and a family with your boys, for some years now and undoubtedly you  will already have had some downs amongst the many ups, so in making your marriage vows today, you clearly have your eyes wide open to and are prepared for what is involved in your life together.  

And perhaps, Gary, I can pass on to you some advice my father gave me when I wed  . . . . . there are two ways to handle a woman  . . . . . and no-one knows either of them. . . . . . .  

As well as my wedding tie I have another, more historic, family token with me today – it's this sovereign passed down to me from my granddad. It's dated 1897 the year he was born and given to him by his grandfather.  It was quite a treasure then, being worth the best part of 2 weeks’ wages, and it's still treasured now for completely different reasons. How wonderful to think it might continue to be passed down and that in 50 or so years’ time, one of our grandsons – perhaps young Albert here – could well be giving his own Father of the Bride speech . . . wearing his great, great, great, great granddad's memento. 

And, as a dad – and a granddad – I want you, Emma & Gary, to know how . . . .  moved  . . .  and  . . . . . humbled I am to see you . . .  so successfully . . . .  continuing our family's Circle of Life. . . . . . . . . 

Dot and I, along with Phil and Roger, and everyone here today, sincerely wish you have a long, loving, happy and fulfilling life together. 

Family and friends, a toast to Mr & Mrs Cumberland  . . . . a long life together with happiness, with health but above all . . . .  with love.

To the beautiful bride and her handsome groom.

THE BRIDE AND GROOM !