Speech by Dave

Speech Type: Groom
Speech Creator: Dave
Speech Date: 18/08/2014 11:38:03

Thanks Gareth for your kind words – I know you spent some time trying to find something nice to say about me especially being a dirty chicken and had so much material it lasted all of 10 seconds!

If truth be told I was rather nervous about today, the dreaded public display of affection, everyone witnessing my sober-ish dancing and making a speech in front of you all but now we are married Hannah has told me exactly what to say……….

Firstly, on behalf of my Wife and me, we'd like to thank all of you here for sharing our Wedding Day and joining us to celebrate – it's fantastic to see you all and we trust you are having a good time so far, it wouldn't be the same without you all.

Having done a fair bit of research into the Grooms speech, my primary job is to say thank you to a lot of people and raise a few toasts, when I say toast that doesn't mean down in one pinkies up!

However, as Hannah was in control of the budget and I just paid, you'll have to make do with the table wine and 1 toast at the end!  So please feel free to charge your glasses now if you can make it last the next 20 minutes…….joking!

So the in-laws Gareth and Nic, you've done an excellent job raising such a wonderful daughter, providing her with so much love and support over the years.  I hope today does not feel like you losing your daughter, more gained a son to cook and clean up after. Obviously you knew me well before I starting dating your daughter as “smithy” when me and Roberts use to terrorise everyone in our school days & that brief stint when I played for the wrong club……….… but you've welcomed me into your family with open arms and couldn't have asked for better in-laws and I promise to do all I can to take care of your daughter.  

A big thanks to my Parents also

Now, I can't let today go by without thanking my Mum and Dad for their love and support over the years and for welcoming Hannah into our Family.

I know it's hard to believe, but I haven't always been this handsome, swerve, sophisticated, athletic, intelligent, dashing, (I could go on) son you see before you today. Over the years my mum and dad have helped me more than I deserve especially when they thought they'd got rid of me to the army but regularly returned on weekends with a load of washing.  Mum, Dad thank you for everything, I really could not have asked for better parents, I love you both dearly.

In fact without both sets of parents I do not think today would have been possible, so please can you all stand, raise and glass and Toast to our Mums and Dads

Toast – To our Mums and Dads

Also a big thank you to Hannah's bridesmaids, Sara bong and Lauren, you both look beautiful today and being good friends I know Hannah relies on you both for support and advice. How you coped with her this morning and are still smiling is beyond me, I know her temper well! And not forgetting Rachel who would have been the third bridesmaid but due to being heavily pregnant (MAYBE DROPPED) so couldn't take up the role but has supported Hannah through the last few months also, so thank you too.

Now the best men Arron and Gareth, thank you for doing the bare minimum since you accepted the roles!  I'm only kidding.

 I honestly didn't realise how big of a task it was to be someone's best man. Drinking loads, going abroad, sunbathing … I really don't know how you've done it.  On a serious note though thank you for looking after me in Cyprus and making sure I wasn't abused in any way (odd look to the lads) I only came back with a broken elbow and we had a great time as the photographic evidence on Facebook will testify.

Thank you be being great friends throughout the years and looking forward to many more.  All please can we stand (only one more to go) and toast to the Bridesmaids and Best Men.

Toast – to the Bridesmaids and Best Men

So onto my Bride and Joy (See what I did there?!?!).  Firstly, thank you for all your efforts on making our big day happen – your creativity, organisation and hard work has resulted in a huge success and a wonderful day for us both.  I'd also like to say thank you for agreeing to spend the rest of your life with me, I feel completely honoured to have married someone so beautiful, funny, and intelligent and – what does that say I can't quite read you're writing…!!  Seriously though, I wasn't prepared for just how stunning you look today and when I saw you walk down the aisle I was completely overwhelmed. I love you more with each day that passes and am a very VERY proud man today.

Some of you might be wondering how today came to be. Well my first memory of Roberts sister was when I use to make her stand outside my house before school when me and Gareth raided the chocolate tin but how we first started dating was a bit of a conspiracy.

One weekend Hannah had been txting me after chatting down Cwmbran club (I might add Roberts had been txting me the same time too as they were out together) & offered to go watch wolverine in the cinema. I was a bit confused by this – Roberts's sister offering to go out with me………..… However off I drove down to Cardiff fully expecting to see Gareth waiting instead.

To my surprise when I pulled up Hannah was stood there waiting and remember well asking “where's your brother then?”

So feeling slightly uneasy off we go to the cinema me & Roberts sister, we actually had a really good time and then when dropping her off at her house, being an international rugby player at the time she basically rugby tackled me and wouldn't let me go before kissing her goodnight.

The rest is history and now were husband and wife; I'm looking forward to spending the rest of my life with you and Joseph.  

So Ladies and Gentlemen, please be upstanding, for the most important toast I'm ever likely to make, TO MY WIFE —- Hannah

Before I pass you on to my best men I feel I should make you aware that although they may not realise it, unfortunately they both suffer from a rare medical condition that makes them prone to exaggeration.  It also makes them believe that fanciful events in their heads actually really did occur, however I can assure you they did not.  As I said earlier, there both great friends and I wouldn't want you to go upsetting them, so if you could bear with, even perhaps join with their journeys of make believe, I'd really appreciate it – cheers.