Speech by Barry

Speech Type: Groom
Speech Creator: Barry
Speech Date: 23/11/2013 18:48:22

Reverend Father, Friends and Family I want to welcome you all today for the celebration of our marriage.

When researching what I need to make sure I include in my speech I came to the realisation that a grooms speech is not dissimilar to the speeches that you see at big awards ceremonies like the Oscars or BAFTAs with the person giving the speech thanking everyone that has helped them to get them to where they are today. We have all seen speech givers at these things become overcome with emotion, and I'm sure I'm not the only person that has thought that these seasoned actors and actresses are just applying their trade to give their speech that little something extra. So if I appear to get a lump in my throat, stumble over my words or even shed a tear I'm just proving that Roisin, s not the only one in this relationship that can act.

Before I get going properly and for the benefit of those who have a thing for a glass of Wine or two, and we all know who you are, there will be a few toasts so while it may be hard, try not to down your whole glass on the first one.

Okay, on with the thanking. Firstly, Jim I'd like to thank you for your kind words. I of course have more to say here but I'll come back to you in a moment if that's ok.

I know a lot of you have travelled a long way to be here with us today and on behalf of my wife and I, we would like to tell you how happy it's made us both that you have been able to travel from places like Australia, England, Cork, Wicklow, Meath, Dublin, Kildare, Donegal and in some cases as far away as Ballygawley to share our day. So thank you all for being here it means a lot.

One person I have to mention who has made it here today and pulled out all the stops to be here is Dan O'Neill, Dan arrived yesterday from Sydney and fly's back again on Monday, it goes without saying, Dan thank you very much for being here for myself and Roisins big day it means a lot you're a true friend and wouldn't have been the same without you.

 Unfortunately, it's not possible to have everyone here with us today they're in our thoughts, and I'm sure here in spirit. So, with them in mind, would you please all stand, raise your glasses, and join me in a toast to absent Friends and Family

(To absent family and friends)

I'd like to sincerely thank Roisins mum and dad, Jim and Angela for everything, they have been a great help with the run up to the wedding and also for making me feel part of the Kielt family from day one. I remember the first time I was leaving the Kielt house I had shortened Angela's name to Angie, I was then quickly corrected by Roisin that her name was Angela, so there's me first time with my feet under the table and I had given Angela a nickname! Jim was a different cattle of Fish, he was asking me about what I worked at, where I lived etc and I'm sure as any Father does for their daughter he was making sure I was good enough for his daughter and I'm proud to say I must of passed the test, as I remember asking Jim for Roisins hand in marriage last year he laughed and said “ it's ok with me but you will have to ask Angela as well” I then asked Angela who also gave me her blessing I want to thank you both,  You have both brought Roisin up to be the beautiful, caring, intelligent woman who I have had the pleasure of marrying today.

Fiona, Yvonne, Siobhan and Ciaran, Fiona's Husband, also deserve some thanks here. You too have welcomed me with open arms. You have been a great help in the run up to the Wedding sorting out things and all the running about that goes with it, Both Roisin and I are very grateful. I couldn't have asked for nicer in-laws

Roisin also wanted me to say a big thank you to her Mum, Dad and Sisters that since the day she was born the love and support you have shown her has made her the person she is today and loves you with all her heart, so thank you.

So I like now to propose a toast and could you all please raise your glasses to Roisin, s family.

(Roisin's family)

As this speech is from both of us, Roisin would like to thank my Mum and Dad, Barney and Chrissie. You welcomed Roisin and made her part of our family which I know means a lot to her. She also asked me to make sure I told you that you should be very proud to have raised such a handsome, intelligent, wise, son, who is an athletic, generous, witty and a very modest man.

I would like to thank my mum and dad for the love and support over the years since the day I was born, you've both always been there for me when I've needed you. I feel extremely lucky to have you both for parents. You've played taxi, taken me to A&E several times, sorted out the Teachers who always picked on me for some reason but no one else, and all the other things through all my years growing up, You have both taught me so much and always encouraged me in everything I've done and where always there to help me pick up the pieces should anything not have worked out as planned.  I have great memories of Growing up with my family from the Summer Holidays in Killybegs to days out around the coast so thank you for everything.  Thanks also to my brothers, Bernard and Colm. As with most siblings we have our disagreements but we know deep down that when push comes to shove we are there for each other, and thank you both for welcoming Roisin into the Quinn family.

Will you all raise your glasses to My Family?

(Barry's Family)

I would like to present some flowers here now to my Mum, Chrissie, Roisins Mum Angela and not forgetting my Granny Peggy on table two, my Granny is an amazing woman and has been very good to me over the years, she never missed a Birthday or Christmas, my Granny was also the first person to bring me to School and on that first day I kicked the teacher, I think this was a sign of things to come for me at School in the years to come!

I'd like to thank our bridesmaids, Yvonne, Fiona and Siobhan. Im sure your all agree they all look they look stunning, thanks to you all for everything. You've all been a big help in keeping Roisin sane and you've made her feel like the star she is with a massive entourage.  

Our flower girl, Ciara and pageboys, Connor and Aidan. Ciara looks just like a princess and Connor and Aidan look very dapper in their suits. So thank you all as well.

Then there's my best man Brian. I couldn't ask for a better man to be standing next to me today. I know that the task of being a best man is sometimes likened to sleeping with the Queen. It's an honour to be asked but nobody really wants to do it. So I'd like to say a massive thank you for agreeing to be my best man.

Now no groom should be without ushers and Grooms men to make him look good on the big day. Chris, and my two brothers Bernard and Colm, you have fulfilled this roll perfectly. I've known Chris for as long as I can remember, he has been a great friend over the years and as you sometimes say “I can't get rid of you, you're like a bad smell” well that bad smell is here to stay. While I'm thanking Chris, We would like to pass on all our good wishes to you and Gemma for your upcoming Wedding in April, so best of luck to you both on the build up to your big day I'm sure it will be amazing.

So thank you to all the wedding party for your help and support not only today but throughout the years.

Please raise your glasses to our Wedding Party. (The wedding party)

Before I move onto my most important thank you and then hand you over to my best man there are a few more people who Roisin and I have to thank for the part they've played today.

Fiona and David Morgan – thanks for your hard work providing everything and setting up the room it looks amazing.

Sinead and Dermot – thanks for your lovely readings in Chapel.

Maxi, Dermot, Nigel, Brenda, Jayne and Declan – Thanks for your prayers of the faithful.

Monsignor O, Byrne and Father Moore – Thank you both for the lovely service in the Chapel.

The Corick House Hotel Staff – For the food you are about to provide and for your assistance in planning the big day, I'm sure you will not miss the phone calls!

Right this is my final and most important thank you.  

To my gorgeous new wife, Roisin, thank you for agreeing to marry me. The things I'm about to say probably aren't going to be news to you. They've been said in the privacy of our own homes many times but today is about making sure the rest of the world knows as well.

When I was stood like some overdressed vagrant at the Crown Bar in Belfast waiting for a girl from the internet (and no I didn't buy her) I never would have thought that I'd end up standing here two and half years later having just married her. When Roisin entered the Bar I was standing looking at her and saying to myself “Right Quinn your punching above your weight here, turn on the charm” So the charm must of worked a treat. I remember then our second date was in Cookstown, we went to the Cinema and watched Planet of the Apes, How romantic am I? But I knew after that date there was something special about you. Now today you are my Wife but your also my Best Friend!

I know that moving away from Magherafelt during the week to Occasionally stay with me in Craigavon at first wasn't easy for you, but when you realised that you could lie on a bit longer in the mornings as going to Work was now only half an Hour away, instead of an hour you quickly got very used to it and since you started staying during the Week the best part of my day was coming home.

Roisin you look fantastic today and im the happiest man alive to have met someone as perfect as you.

I struggled for hours while writing this to avoid the things that you hear in every grooms speech about how you are not only beautiful but funny, caring, intelligent, caring, thoughtful, caring (some may say sometimes too caring for your own good) but all of those things are true so I'm not leaving them out. You really do bring out the best in me. If you think I can be grumpy now you should have known me before you came along. There are plenty of people here who will vouch for the positive change you have made. You make me happier than you realise every single day and the thought of spending the rest of our lives together makes me happier still. I'm so proud to be able to stand here in front of all of our friends and family and call you my wife. So everyone please be upstanding and raise your glasses, to the new Mrs Quinn, my wife, Roisin.

(Roisin)

Right, that's the thanking done and it's almost time for me to sit back down but before I hand you over to Brian I need to fill you in on some important information. I've known Brian for a number of years now and I think it is important before he starts speaking that you all know that he suffers from a rare medical condition that makes him believe that fictional events that he dreams up are in fact true. So please bear that in mind for his speech.

That's it from me, thank you all again and we hope you enjoy the rest of your evening. It's now my pleasure to hand you over to my best man Brian.