Speech by Danny Hudson

Speech Type: Groom
Speech Creator: Danny Hudson
Speech Date: Jul2005
Good evening to you all, On behalf of my WIFE and I, we would like to thank you for attending our wedding. We have been planning and saving for two long years and now the moment of truth has arrived!

I am reading this from paper as trying to remember this would have been a nightmare, so please be gentle with me. Also this speech is a little emotional so in the event of tears your lifejackets can be found under your seat!

I would just like to start off by saying that they say today is the happiest day of your life…I think it's just the start of many.

Sorry about that

For those of you who know me, standing in front of a crowd is not my forte. I have also been told that if you are frightened at all, just picture everyone naked…I can assure you that I am therefore remaining nervous as the thought of picturing you all like that, is just wrong!

Today, we have been delighted with all the happy faces around and best wishes from all of you. This is nerve@racking for both of us as we've never done this kind of thing before, next time though it'll be easier won't it Claire?!?

Seriously, it has been beyond our wildest dreams and just so perfect, and I think you will agree with me that the Gatwick Manor have done a great job, especially dealing with you lot anyway, so thank you to all the staff.

HELLO WIFEY, MRS CLAIRE HUDSON eh? When I first met Claire, I knew I had met the most honest person in the world. When I asked her to reminisce about our first date she looked at me, with those lovely eyes and said “I'm glad you remembered me as I couldn't actually remember what YOU looked like…!!” Well, they do say true love is blind!

I think you look perfect today. Nothing could have prepared me when I turned around and saw you walking down the aisle, emotional doesn't quite cover it, it was the best moment in this little boy's life, and I was simply blown away. You have always loved me for me, pure and simple love which is the best kind. You are the first face I see when I wake and my last thought at night. You are the highlight of my day and the woman I will love forever. Thank you for being mine. I love you.

So my first toast is for my new wife, To Claire.
Hand out special single rose

Ok, now for the other thanks!

Look at Ray ALRIGHT DAD!!!
Our first thanks go to Ray, thank you for your kind and thoughtful words. The second time I met Ray was a strange old affair, it was to ask for his daughters hand in marriage. I thought I wouldn't have any trouble, but this man sure can haggle…suffice to say that after 5 seconds of negotiations it was a done deal! Ray, on behalf of us both we cannot thank you enough, both in a supporting and certainly a financial sense. As the wedding plans have progressed you have become more involved. Thank you for everything Ray.
pass out pressie

Before I move on we would just like to send a special thanks To Phyllis, Ray's wife, who couldn't make it today but made our terrific wedding cake, and I'm sure Ray you can pass this on as a token of our appreciation.
pass out pressie

Now, I have heard some very unfortunate jokes about Mum@in@laws sideways glance and I would just like to put the record straight, they're not all true…look at Marian Marian, that reading earlier was beautiful, thank you for taking time out to write your own words, I know it was difficult to read but that makes it mean even more to us. We'd like to thank you alsoyou're your help in financial matters too. This lady has been an absolute rock for all of us, at least until these last few weeks when she has gone into meltdown mode, all I had to say the other day was “see you Saturday” and she almost spontaneously combusted!
She has been a huge help, and along with Claire, have made this wedding tick along as smoothly as it has today. Marian and Michael's house is my second home and apart from where I live, it's about as welcome as I get, I can literally do anything I want beyond reason annnnd I can even watch the footy results come in, now that's impressive!! So Claire and I would just like to say thank you.
pass out pressie and flowers

This is the part of the speech that wont be easy, a few words about my mum, Jan. Not being here with us today hurts alot, but she will always be in my heart and soul. My apologies if wedding etiquette is broken here for a moment, but I'd like to propose a toast to her and of course to all absent friends who should have been here.
To Jan

This leads us on to my dad though, and what can I say about the man who has been chased across a field by a Spanish farmer in Ibiza, fell down a manhole outside our house and in whose bedroom a Hedgehog was found, still not sure if we got the full story about that last one! Dad, again financially you have helped us with this wedding and for that we will always be grateful. Claire and I think the world of you, even when you snore. I have been lucky enough to have a role model like him and being the other best man in my life, and if he isn't crying by now I'll be very surprised! Not to worry Dad, I hope we have done two things for you today, made you proud and saved you money at Epsom as you know you would have lost the lot on a three@legged Nag in the 3:45!
Love you Dad.
pass out pressie

The bridesmaids, Shelley and my big sis Tracy. You both look divine today and have acted like ladies, it's really freaking me out now, so you can stop it now! Shelley has been Claire's best friend for 10 years now, and should really know better and also she should have warned me! And Tracy has been my sister for as long as I can remember, she's always been there to love me and I love her loads too, even when you laugh like a chicken trying to lay an egg. You have both been little towers of strength for Claire, and you both look serene, beautiful and elegant.
Thanks to you both
pass out pressies

Now, talking about serene, beautiful and elegant, the Ushers are none of these things! Darryl, Michael and Guy. I think you will agree have done a magnificent job today getting you from the ceremony to the reception…nah, you've done well lads. I have known Darryl and Guy for years now, it normally involves Football and Beer, so it's never a chore and always a pleasure! Thanks for making Claire feel so welcome to. Michael is Claire's brother and there are many words I could say about him, however, being a family occasion none I could actually read out in public! Michael you have been fantastic support for myself, when Claire and Marian would go into orbit on certain occasions. Also thank you for helping with preparations for what Michael calls “the last day of my life”
Thanks Lads!
pass out pressies

Nearly there promise…

We'd like to thank family and friends who have scrubbed themselves up, put on their dusty dinner jackets and summer frocks and got themselves down here for the day. Some people have come from afar as Scotland, Newcastle and even Croydon so thank you again for that, the day would have been rubbish without you, it would also have been a lot cheaper but that's beside the point!
So thank you to you all.

So finally I would like to thank my best man Andrew, but feel I cannot do this yet as I don't know what he is going to say! I met Andrew at one of my old jobs, quite worryingly for the people of that job hi to alto table and now Claire and Emma, Andrews wife, we share the same train of thought, and often guess what the other will say, and most of it is very crude! He did a great job my Stag do and today on our wedding day. He has with the ushers and bridesmaids help, relieve the pressure on Claire and I and has always been just a phone call away when needed, thank you for all your help now and in the future mate.
pass pressie
I would also like to add that Andrew is a compulsive liar so whatever he says is not true!! I hope not anyway!!!

Well, that's it, it's over, hope I've not bored you too much, and if I have missed any thank yous I apologise now. I'm off now, I could go on all night, trotting out the usual tired old jokes and dodgy anecdotes, but instead I'll leave that to my best man!

Thank you all and have a good evening.