Speech by Graham

Speech Type: Groom
Speech Creator: Graham
Speech Date: 09/06/2015 02:22:16

Intro

Good evening family and friends. I'd like to start by saying a big thank you to everyone here today. You have all helped in making today so special. On behalf of my wife, I'd like to say a big thank you for all our lovely cards, gifts and well wishes. We are both very grateful.

As you know today is a very special day and one that will never be forgotten by so many people, for on this day in 1944 the Allied invasion of Normandy began during World War II. The largest seaborne invasion in world history. The operation saw the beginning of the invasion of German-occupied Western front and led to the liberation of France which contributed to the Allied victory in the war. But of course I'll always remember it as the day I lost my liberty and ability to think for myself. Today literally is D-Day.

It's also the day that, in 1965 the Rolling Stones released, I (cant get no) Satisfaction, so I don't hold much hope for myself.

But joking aside, thank you all for being here with us today! We hope you have enjoyed it so far and are all eager to get these speeches over with so you can all relax, let your hair down and let your feet lose on the dance floor.

But before we do that I obviously need to deliver this well written, highly perfected, 4 pages of dribble, so please have your glasses ready as there will be a few toasts.

Julie & Gary

Il start with Julie & Gary. I cannot thank you both enough for welcoming me into your family in such a loving way. You have both shown me overwhelming kindness and for that I thank you sincerely. In finding Melissa I also inherited two good friends.

In our darkest hour you were both there for us, offering your love and support. I knew then that id always have a shoulder on which to cry.

I consider it an honour to have become your son-in-law, and I promise to take good care of Melissa so that's one less thing you need to worry about, I don't expect thanking for this.

But seriously, I promise to treasure her, appreciate her and love her forever.

When Melissa & I were young I used to ‘knock on’ for her, but we weren't allowed to go out of Julies sight, and so were limited to a public bench in view of her window. We would sit for hours talking and getting to know each other, over a chippy! So we sit today, on this bench in recollection of that time. Although thinking about it now, its just a symbol of Julies apprehension toward me.

But from the bottom of my heart thank you for being the people you are and for an amazing, kind and beautiful wife.

If everybody could please raise their glasses to Julie & Gary

[Gifts]

Mum & Dad

I obviously need to thank my Mum & Dad, who have always been a guiding light in my life, although I didn't always give them an easy ride.

When I put knitting needles down my throat as a child, they were there, to remove them! And I was there to help dad plumb the radiators in my sister's bedroom, although putting a hammer through the water pipe possibly wasn't what he would call helpful!

Mum & Dad worked tirelessly to ensure that my sister and I had everything we needed growing up. I'm sure that they will agree, that making us happy, made them happier! I have great child hood memories and only my Mum & Dad to thank for them.

It's impossible to list all the things that Mum & Dad have done and continue to do for us. They are always there no questions asked when ever we need them. I know Melissa would also like to thank you both for all you have done, not only in helping making today so special, but also making her feel welcome in our family.

And Jacob would also like to say just how awesome his Grandma & Granddad really are!

So what I'm trying to say, is that without you guy's I wouldn't be the person that I am today, so on behalf of our family we cannot thank you both enough!

If everybody could please raise their glasses again to Lynn & Mike

[Gifts]

Bridesmaids

Moving onto the bridesmaids, who all look beautiful today or ‘Bang Tidy’ so Simon tells me!

Lyndsey, Emma, Katie, Beth & Jess, and our flower girls, Sophie, Isabella, Amelia & Robyn, It has meant a lot to Melissa having you all here with us today. You have all been amazing, In particular Lydnsey for being our Maid of Honour, who organised a fantastic hen party for Mel, I am told a good time was had by all.

It's worth mentioning Becky who sadly couldn't be here today due to her Australian adventures, but tells us she's here in spirit! And that she will lower (bad joke) a glass for us at some point today.

[Gifts]

Ushers

Having thanked the bridesmaids it is only right to thank the motley crew of ushers, Tony, Simon & Thomas, who thankfully seem to have scrubbed up well today. Left to their own devices, I could only imagine what Tony and Si would have come dressed as.

And not Forgetting Joshua, Daniel & Jacob have been fantastic Paige boys and look all grown up in their suits.

I'd like to thank you all for coming to the stag do! I had my concerns about putting a shot gun in Tony's hands, but none of us ended up in hospital which is always a winner!

Talking of winners, does anybody know who Mike Pearson is?

[Gifts]

Other Thank you's

Finally id like to thank, (improvise)

My Aunty Karen – For all of our flower arrangements [GIFT]

Uncle Mark – For doing our Master of Ceremonies duties [GIFT]

Emma & Julie for the wedding cake [GIFT EMMA]

Katie and Stephen for their reading [GIFTS]

Rick for helping with the cars

Karen Fife and all the staff at the golf club

If I have left anybody out, try harder next time!

Melissa

and so we arrive at my wife, my dearly beloved! I remember when Mel and I first started dating, I never realised she was such a keen fisherman. She was smart, intelligent & beautiful. She would use words I had never heard of in conversation and educate me on her knowledge. She had me on the end of her line, and has reeled me in ever since!

Although I often joke that if I had a receipt I would return her as faulty.

I once asked Melissa to order us a curry online using ‘justeat’, she asked me what I wanted

The usual, a chicken madras, Pilau rice and a garlic naan.

Knowing Mel as I do, I knew that she would have a

‘Chicken Korma, Pilau rice and a pesari naan’

So a simple takeway order that at a quick estimate would cost approximately £20. But no………….. (ask Mel how much it cost)

£60, she had ordered it 3 times.

Or then there is the hotel Melissa booked for a weekend in York that should have cost £120 but ended up costing £275 because she hadn't applied a discount code I had.

And then there is the time a fuse tripped at home, so she sat in the dark until I finished work as she thought there had been a power cut.

I could go on. But Melissa's faults are actually her strongest assets. Her imperfections are her perfections. She is never selfish and always puts others before herself.

You never know what a day with Melissa will bring but each day with her is another perfect day in my life. There is only one Melissa, and I love everything about her, she is kind, beautiful and selfless.

Now I know I do your head in, and I regularly get called a name at home that rhymes with tickhead! And you are probably right. I know I frustrate you and irritate you, but together we form a pretty awesome entity.

I carry in my wallet a card that Melissa gave to me at the beginning of our relationship. And it reads

‘A soul mate is the person who seems to know you straight away

They share your dreams and passions and give meaning to your days

The Love you share together is true and deep and pure

And as long as you are with them, you never want for more

Some people never find that love or they wait their whole life through

But I am so lucky that I've found this special bond with you’

Those words mean the same to me today as they did the day you gave them to me, I'll always love you baby, you are my life, my best friend and my soul mate….you are the other half of me.

Jacob and I are so lucky to have such a wonderful women in our lives.

And to finish id like to quote the band the Mouldy Peaches – ‘I don't see what anyone can see in anybody else but you’ 

If everybody could please raise their glasses and join me to toast an amazing women, my lovely wife Melissa.

Best man

Finally its time to hand over to…and I do use the term ‘bestman’ loosely, A man who has picked me up and put me down. A very good friend of mine, who has been with me through good times and bad.  

It would seem if ever I do something stupid or dangerous, he is never too far away with a camera in his hand and so has been able to build up quite an achieve of footage and photographs, of which I'm usually far too drunk.

Thankfully, I am told his hard drive containing them apparently broke..… it is a shame when these things happen.

However I'm sure he can drag a story or two from my distant past which he, I'm sure, would be delighted to share with you. Hopefully he will even crack a smile. Anyway without further delay, the best of a bad bunch, Jonathan Berry