Speech by Barry Shepherd

Speech Type: Groom
Speech Creator: Barry Shepherd
Speech Date: 20/07/2012 10:31:10

Can I start my speech by welcoming all of our guests.

Today, we are surrounded by most of the friends and family that have been important to us during our lives.

Some of you have travelled many miles, just to be here today.

It makes me the happiest man alive to be able to stand here and say to you all, ladies and gentlemen, friends and family, on behalf of my wife and I, welcome to our wedding and thank you sincerely for sharing this special day with us. It really wouldn't be the same without you all.

My short speech today will be like a mini-skirt.  Long enough to cover the essentials but short enough to hold your attention! 

To be honest I didn't really know where to start so I thought I'd trawl the internet. After a couple of hours I‘d found some really, really good stuff.  But then I remembered that I was supposed to be writing a speech. 

Before I start, over the next few minutes there will be a couple of toasts so please make sure that all your glasses are charged and try not to drink it all in one go.

I would like to say a BIG thank you to both Gordon and Sylvia for all their love and support, you have made me feel like a part of the family from day one and I have never had the chance to say thank you properly – so thank you. Thank you also for raising a beautiful, intelligent and sometimes stubborn daughter and – of course for letting me have her hand in marriage. I can tell you both that her happiness is so important to me and I promise to do you both proud.

I can't let this opportunity go by without thanking my Mum and Dad also, for their love and support over the years, and for welcoming Amanda into the Shepherd family. I know it's hard to believe, but I haven't always been perfect. My Mum & Dad have helped me over the years and have seen me through thick and thin.  Mainly thick if I'm being honest, but they have always been there for me and I hope that I have done them proud.  I really couldn't have asked for a better Mum & Dad and I thank you both for everything that you have done. Thank you

Ladies and gentlemen please be upstanding, I would like to propose a toast.  To our Mums & Dads

Now me being a man, I thought that weddings just planned themselves, fortunately for Amanda and I, we had our own little wedding planner, and Emma has been amazing!!  She has organised, designed and arranged just about everything for our perfect day. On behalf of both of us, we would like to thank you so much for not just being the most gorgeous Bridesmaid we could have hoped for but for all incredible work you have done for us today.   

William, your mum and I was so happy that you wanted to walk her down the aisle and to give her away today. I can proudly say that you did a fantastic job!! Thank You…….

I must give a big thank you also to Little Sam Bellamy for looking great and for accompanying Amanda, Emma & William down the aisle

Ladies and gentlemen please be upstanding, I would like to propose a toast.  Emma, William & Sam

On behalf of my wife and I, we would like to give a special thank you to Jane for being our witness, and a special thank you to Alison & Anne for your readings.

I would like to personally thank all of Amanda's friends and families, over the past 3 years I have enjoyed lots of evenings in and out with you, and you have all made me very welcome. Thank you very much….

I would like to thank my wife – I think I'm going to enjoy getting used to saying that – for agreeing to marry me and for making me the happiest man in the world. 

I think you'll agree that she looks absolutely gorgeous today and when she walked up the aisle, you took my breath away.

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.  Now if I had to single out one thing about why I love Amanda so much, it would be the fact that she makes me happier than I ever dreamed I could be.  And I intend to spend the rest of my life making sure that the reverse is also true.  I know that Amanda has put a huge amount of effort into making today perfect and I think that she has done that, and more.   Having known Amanda for just over 3 years now, I have learned a valuable lesson – when I'm wrong, admit it.  When I'm right, keep quiet!  Seriously though, I never have a problem finding the words to express my love for Amanda, but if I start now, I probably won't be able to stop.  Suffice to say that, Amanda, I love you so much and I look forward to growing old with you. 

Ladies and gentlemen, please stand and raise your glasses to my lovely wife, Amanda.

Finally,    The Best Man I have known Andy, my Best Man, for nearly 10 years now and throughout that time he has been there for me when it matters and is always ready with an encouraging word. There is an unwritten rule of wedding etiquette that states that nobody should look more handsome than the groom and I'd like to thank Andy for sticking to that rule .But, most importantly I'd like to thank him for being a true friend. Thank you for today…..

However, there is something that I need to make you aware of…….

Andy suffers from a strange condition that occasionally causes him to drift in and out of weird, strange flights of fantasy.  He has been known to make up fanciful stories, absolutely believing them to be true.  Anyway, it's only right that I advise you all of this ahead of his speech.  As I say, he is a true friend  and I wouldn't want you to go upsetting him, so if you could bear with him, even join with him on his journey of make believe, I would appreciate it. So, without further ado, I'd like to hand over to Andy.