Speech by A.Dodd

Speech Type: Groom
Speech Creator: A.Dodd
Speech Date: 01/09/2014 08:50:25

Father in law

Firstly I would like to say a big thank you to Ray and Lesley for their kind words.

Before I begin I hope you have a full glass as I'm going to make several toasts to some important people who have helped bring us here today.

Opening Funny

When I first started to think about this speech I didn't really know where to start.  So like most of us these days I decided to use the internet for some guidance. After a couple of hours of surfing the web I found some really good material but then I remembered that I was supposed to be writing a wedding speech. 

Opening

So on behalf of Jill and I we'd like to welcome all of you here and thank you for being a part of our special day. To have our family and friends present really means a lot to us both and we hope you're enjoying the day as much as we are.  Your generosity of cards and gifts is overwhelming and we are truly touched.

To absent friends, family and loved ones who can't be with us to day we'd like to let you to know your still in our hearts and we know now you're looking down on us. Your all missed dearly and were both very proud to be standing here today surrounded by the generations of families you've given us.

Toast: To absent friends and family

Jill's Family

Moving on I'd like to thank Gwen, Colin & Ray for making me welcome from day one.  You all made it very easy for me to settle into your family even though I did sit on your cat on several occasions. I'm very privileged to be part of your family and I look forward to the good times ahead.   I must say you've been fantastic parents to Jill and the proof is in the pudding to the intelligent, funny and thoughtful woman I can now call my wife. It's also an added bonus that Colin is aeroplane enthusiast, Ray's black and white and Gwen how would me and Jill get through the week if it wasn't for your dinners!

Toast: To Gwen, Colin & Ray.

 My Parents

Mam and Dad, to find the words with which to thank you is a difficult because the list is endless. With all the time in the world I could never thank-you enough for the love, care and affection you've shown to me and Christopher.  With this in mind I thank-you for the best upbringing a son could ask for. 

Toast: Pat and Ken

Bridesmaids

Apart from my wife, there are 5 other beautiful ladies here today… our bridesmaids… Lesley, Nicola, Claire, Laura and Cassie.  I would like to thank-you all for the help and support you have all given Jillian up to and including this day.  I know she has had the best hen's do's and I personally thank you for the time and effort you all put in organising those weekends home and away.

Toast: To the bridesmaids.

Ushers

As you will have noticed the ushers have done a great job today and last night with the final preparations. For this Jill and I are extremely grateful.  I'm told staying sober at a wedding is difficult and these guys seem to be doing well.  Not bad for 3 lads who were members of the deneside club aged 14.

 Toast: To the ushers

Best Man

Thanks to the best men Chris and David.

Chris, you're not only my Best-man, you're my little brother….… chicken dodds. I can't thank you enough for your help over the last 12 months carrying out your best man duties including a double stag do which was epic in every respect.  Aside from these duties I couldn't ask for a better young man to be up here alongside David. This is why I knew I could rely on you today to be the ring bearer. However I must admit it did enter my mind at one point what you would pull from that infamous pocket of yours.  Luckily it was just the rings and no surprises like years gone by.

David I've known you since primary school and you are a true friend that has always been by my side. But of course that could all change in the next few minutes when your speech starts.  I have faith in you that it will be short and sweet with no references to streaking or baldness which of course have no relevance to me.  With great friends come great memories and again this this list is endless however David did once pull me from a coal pit after a biking jump went wrong.  Slightly dazed I can remember you getting me home but more importantly you saved Raleigh activator pulling it from the from the depths of that pit. For this I'm truly grateful.     

Toast: To the best men

Jillian

This leads me on to my beautiful bride, Jillian Dodd. I must admit I'm not usually stuck for words however when you walked towards me earlier today I realised how lucky I am.  I knew you'd look stunning in your dress but you really have stolen the show and you look a million dollars darl.

From the day we met you've put a smile on my face and a spring in my step. Along with making me happiest man alive I cherish each day we spend together as I know it doesn't get better than what we have.  So unless the red arrows are about to a fly by I'm honoured to be your husband and look forward to our future, laughing and joking all the way.

I also want to say what an incredibly job you've done organising this special day. I know it's been stressful at times but your resolve and get it done attitude is credit to what you have achieved.  Your attention to detail along with your thoughtfulness has been second to none and I can't thank-you enough for the hard work you've put in to make this our perfect day.

Toast: To Jillian, (Mrs Dodd).

Finish

Finally on behalf of Jill and me we'd thank the people who really made this day happen.  None of this would have been possible without the unbelievable amount of help we've had from our families.  So a very special thanks to Ray, Colin, Gwen, Pat and Ken.  We really appreciate the long hours at work and personal time you've set aside to help with our wedding day.

I'll now pass you over to the best men

Thank-you and enjoy the day