Speech by Barrie McCabe

Speech Type: Groom
Speech Creator: Barrie McCabe
Speech Date: 30/05/2013 14:03:51

Hello everyone and thank you to Tom for his “kind” words!

Now, without further ado, it's with great pleasure that on behalf of my wife and I, I'd like to thank you all for sharing our special day with us.

Katie and I would both like to extend our thanks to everyone who has helped make today special. There really is too many to mention but we want to say a special thanks to Douglas and our friends at the Old Kirk and to all the staff here at the Inchyra.

Now, sadly some much loved people can't be here today but they're not forgotten. So I'd ask that you be upstanding…………and raise a glass…………to absent friends.

To absent friends

(TOAST)

I'd like to thank Tom and Nancy for making me feel so welcome to the McLaughlin family. Right from the very first moment I met them, I've genuinely felt fortunate to know such a lovely family. Thank you for all your help and support in making today possible and for the hangover curing breakfasts. Nancy here's a present for you…

(GIVE PRESENT)

Tom, people who have ever been on a night out with me know that this is a rare gift and something truly special- I'll buy you a drink at the bar!

I'd also like to express my thanks to Neil for everything he's done for us. Over the last year, he brought silverware back to Paradise and laid the foundations for future success both at home and in Europe.

Actually, I've just realised that when Katie said “You'd better remember to mention Neil”, she didn't actually mean Neil Lennon, but my brother in law Neil. Sorry mate.

And then I come to my Sister in Law. Lisa, I've never had a sister and I never thought I'd get a sister quite like you! I'm not naming names but one of your family said I chose the sensible sister….and I tend to agree. However, I know how close you and Katie are and I want to say thank you for all the help you've given Katie.

Now I'm sure you'll all agree that we had a brilliant flower girl today – the lovely Emily. I think she deserves a round of applause.

 (APPLAUSE)

Katie also wanted to give her thanks to my parents. Today is obviously a very emotional day so she asked me to tell you on her behalf that “you should both be very proud to have raised such a handsome, intelligent, dashing son. Someone who is athletic and wise, a modest man who”….have I already said handsome?”

In all seriousness, I could stand here all day talking about how brilliant I am……and also how much my mum and dad have done for us. It must be very hard to come to terms that you raised such a perfect son. You've always been there for me, even when I've tried your patience – many times. We love you both very much. Mum, here's a present for you. 

(GIVE PRESENT)

Dad, you can share Tom's drink at the bar!

There's an unwritten rule of wedding etiquette that states that nobody should look more handsome than the groom and I'd like to thank my best man Derek, Tayside's most eligible bachelor, for sticking to that. Those of you who know his football team will know he's used to hopeless causes so that should set him in good stead for following arguably the greatest wedding speech of all time. However, I'd like to thank him for being a true friend and getting me through 2 stag parties in one piece and with my eyebrows intact.  To my ushers – firstly Ricky and Derek aka the Thompson Twins – well done for behaving so far and to Frank…..well done for turning up on time!

Finally, and most importantly, I would like everybody here to know how lucky and proud I am to be standing here today speaking to you as Katie's husband. She is beautiful, caring, intelligent, charming and (PAUSE)….what's that?… I can't read your writing darling!

I don't know if you all know the story of how we met so here's a potted history of the great Bo'ness- Edinburgh romance. We met through work and I'll finally give credit to Ricky for getting us together. It took me over a year to finally pluck up the courage to ask her out and when I finally did…..she buggered off to Australia for 3 months! We've learned things over time – she taught me how to dance without breaking her toes while I taught her that something doesn't have to be black for it to be cooked properly and that Jimi Hendrix was not a snooker player….

Seriously though, I've loved every moment we've had together and I still can't quite believe she agreed to be my wife.  While it might sound cheesy, I can honestly say that she's my best friend and while life sometimes has its ups and downs it's been up ever since I met Katie. They say you don't marry someone you can live with – you marry the person who you can't live without and I think that sums us up perfectly.

So please be upstanding and raise a glass to my last and most important toast. To my beautiful wife. To Katie!

To katie

(TOAST)