Speech by Bill Robertson

Speech Type: Groom
Speech Creator: Bill Robertson
Speech Date: Jul2005
Ladies and gentlemen, honoured guests,

As all of the married men out there already know, this is probably the only time that Kerry is going to let me speak on behalf of the both of us and let me tell you that it is a privilege and an honour to do so.

After much deliberation I finally decided to start my speech in the traditional manner by saying, On behalf of my wife and I………..… We would both like to welcome you all here today, thank you for coming; we are both very happy that you could be with us to help celebrate our big day.

I'd like to begin by saying a few words of thanks to my new father in law for his speech and for welcoming me so warmly into his family. George and Linda have always made me feel at home from the very first time I met them even though it was obvious to everyone that I was yet another foreigner planning to steal one of their daughters away from them. I'd also like to thank George for all of his advice and help – not just in the lead up to today but over the entire time Kerry and I have known each other. George has always been willing to have a wee word in my ear when he felt I needed it – at least that's what I think he meant all those times he's asked me to “step outside for a quiet chat.”

In all seriousness though, I would also like to thank him for giving me the most special gift he could give – the hand of his beautiful daughter in marriage. I think we all know who got the better end of the deal there!

I'm a little taken aback to see how many of you are here to share this day with us – Kerry has always insisted that we were only having a small wedding – mostly I think to keep me from running away in a blind panic! The trouble with “small” gatherings like this one is that you never feel like you have quite enough time to say to everyone how much you appreciate them taking the time to come and be part of day like this. Kerry and myself would like to thank you all for being here and for all of your generous gifts. I hope that we can get a chance to speak to you all in person during the course of this very enjoyable evening.

While many of you have had to travel great distances to be here today, I'd especially like to thank everyone who travelled from Scotland – I knew that starting a rumour about free beer and bingo after the meal would be enough to get most of my family on the first Easy jet to Belfast!

While it gives us great pleasure to see so many friends here today our one regret is that our very close friend Alix could not be here to share this time with us. Alix passed away suddenly at Easter and Kerry and I were both devastated by her loss. However, today is not a day for regrets and sorrows, today is about happiness and looking to the future. While we both miss her dearly Kerry and I both know that she is still with us in spirit, and with that in mind I'd like to raise a glass to absent friends.

I know that I have already thanked George and Linda but I think Kerry and I would like to say to both sets of parents how much we appreciate the help and support they have given us since we announced our engagement. I don't think either of us could ask for better examples of how wonderful marriage can be if you do it right. I know that Kerry has a deep love and respect for George and Linda and that mum and dad have always made her feel like part of the Robertson family long before I ever put a ring on her finger. To Mum and Dad, I'd like to say that I wouldn't be standing here today without all the support and encouragement you've given me over the years. I love you both and thank you for always being there. I couldn't ask for better parents.

I'd also like to take this moment to present a few some tokens of our appreciation to Bertha and Linda and our grandparents.

I know that as the Groom I am more than a little biased but I don't think that Kerry has ever looked more beautiful to me than she does now. I think that I've always loved her from the very first time I met her at teaching college. It was my first day there and there I was, quietly minding my own business when this gorgeous young Irish girl marched towards me and demanded to know why I was the only person in the room who hadn't talked to her yet – it wasn't quite “you had me at hello” but it was close enough as far as I was concerned. From that day on she captured my heart and has never given it back.

While we've both gone on to become teachers, I think it would be fair to say that I've probably also been Kerry's most challenging pupil for most of that time. I'm certainly glad that she never had to fill out a report card during those first few months as it probably would've had several unflattering comments along the lines of, “shows promise but could do better!” I hope that I can always be the husband that she wants me to be and repay all of her patience, faith and trust.

Kerry is a superb teacher and she has taught me many things since I first met her. To list them all would take more time than I have here but suffice it to say that she deserves most of the credit for bringing my better qualities to the fore while you can blame me for all of the rest. Kerry like most brides also deserves most of the credit for the organising of this day. For the last two years I've been content to trail along in her wake and say, “yes dear” when the situation demanded it. I realised my own tiny place in the grand scheme of things when I found out that Kerry had her bridesmaids, minister and a church already picked before she even met me! Kerry, you truly are someone special – I love you with all of my heart and, while I know that this joke is probably already wearing a bit thin “here's to you Mrs Robertson!”

At this point I was going to say something nice about my best man, Andy. However, he hasn't shown me his speech yet so maybe I should hold off! In writing this part of the speech I felt a bit like a lawyer for the defence preparing his case without knowing what surprises the prosecution is going to spring!

Andy has been my best friend since our days at school where we first bonded over a love of guitars, loud music and sadly a lot of underage drinking. We both had a lot more hair then too! During the intervening years he has been like a brother to me as we've shared a lot of life's ups and downs together. Unlike myself, Andy has probably had a much more stressful time of it today. So far he's managed not to lose the rings and get the groomsmen and myself here on time as well as organising a top stag night earlier this month. I don't think I could ask any more of him than that. However, I should also mention that, if his speech is half as embarrassing as I think its going to be, I also intend to stick him with the bar bill. He's also currently unattached so if there are any single ladies out there I can give you his number and maybe one day our places will be reversed.

Before I hand you over to Andy, I'd also like to say a word of thanks to our beautiful bridesmaids and my not so beautiful groomsmen. It's hard to believe looking back that Barry, Bryan and I all used to fight like cat and dog when we were wee boys but I think we always knew we would be there for each other when it mattered. Jonny and I have also come a long way since we first met five years ago when he used to threaten to beat me up if I ever upset his sister. Since then, I've realised that for all of his tough talk he really has a heart of gold and is a worthy brother in law.

The girls have all given Kerry a great deal of help and support over the last two years in different ways. As well as helping with organisation, Kat and Elaine have also helped keep Kerry sane during this whole process. They have also been two of my biggest supporters over the years. Kirsty, or Wonder Woman as I'm thinking of calling her these days has also contributed a great deal. As well as organising a multitude of things from across the Atlantic from invitations to favours, she has somehow also managed to fit in looking after a toddler and giving birth to a new daughter last month as well.

After all that hard work I think I can safely say that Girls we couldn't have done it without you. Ladies and gentlemen they all deserve a drink – I know I do! So, please be upstanding…

We admire them for their beauty, respect them for their intelligence, adore them for their virtues, and love them because we can't help it Ladies and Gentlemen– to the bridesmaids!