Speech by Gregory Prasad

Speech Type: Groom
Speech Creator: Gregory Prasad
Speech Date: aug 2002
I was going to begin with ladies and gentlemen
but on looking around I'm glad I didn't. So here goes.
Distinguished guests, those of lesser distinction, and those of no distinction at all, family, relatives, new and old, inlaws and outlaws, friends, friends of friends, and freeloaders
Welcome to our wedding reception. (pause for laugh)

First of all I would like to thank my brothers and my new sister for their kind words.

I did have a speech all worked out for this special occasion, but, of course, now that I'm a married man, Karen has told me what to say instead. (pause for laugh)

So here goes:

On behalf of my wife…..and I……..I suppose I'm going to have to get used to saying that. I would like to start by thanking everyone here today for sharing our very special day with us. A lot of people have travelled far to be here tonight and share this special day with us and we are delighted to see you all. Thank you for your cards, kind thoughts, wedding gifts and especially the big checks! Thanks Uncle Rudy!!! And of course all these smiling faces I see in front of me tonight. I hope you can all get to mingle tonight and get to know each other a little better… and of course have a good time.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my parents for my upbringing and the sacrifices they have made for me. I would like to thank them both for the advice they have given me, for putting up with me and for pointing me in the right direction…usually only to watch me go off and do exactly the opposite, of course…but that's what sons are for and do best.

To my new Mom and Dad, I would like to thank you so much everything you have done and for welcoming me so openly into your family. I feel very proud to be able to say that I am your son-in-law and will always do my best to live up to your expectations and promise to take care of Karen…and of course do everything she tells me to do…
…now I'm not saying she's bossy…but you know just as well as I do.
This whole day and everything else you have given us has been so overwhelming. We never expected all of this and you have both made us feel very special. I'm sure everyone will agree what a fantastic display it has been so far
I would like to thank you most importantly for giving me your blessing to marry your beautiful and intelligent daughter. I hope that you don't feel that you've lost a daughter, but have gained another mouth to feed and someone to clean up after. (pause)
By the way Dad, I have not forgotten. I'll sign the receipt for you. Dad has written out a receipt for me.
It says:
Received one daughter in perfect condition, fully guaranteed fully warranteed. Comes complete with extras. Keep topped up with expensive jewellery, and lubricate well with fine wines. Service regularly with lavish trips to exotic and far away places
Warning: has a tendency to get irritable if doesn't have the final say on EVERYTHING. Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.
Care notes: gets bored easily, keep busy with a constant supply of chores. Hey I could do that!!

Not to be outdone my Dad has written out a receipt for Karen as well. It reads:
Received one son, sold as seen, no refunds under any circumstances. We've redecorated the room and changed the locks, so you're stuck with him.
Care notes: de-hydrates easily, top up regularly with beer and any other alcoholic beverages.

This brings me onto the best man. Well…the best I could get at short notice. 24 years of pain and misery he has caused me. Earlier today he handed me a whole script to say all these nice and wonderful comments that I should tell you about him. Unfortunately, all this did was reinstate my belief of the fact that he is a compulsive liar and anything that he tells you should not be believed for one moment. Seriously, Kevin, I could not think of anyone I would rather be my Best Man for the wedding……I tried…but they were all booked with other plans. Thanks for all your help.

The Maid of Honor. I have known Seleena or as I know her Selo for quite some time. Although we have never always seen eye to eye on everything we are still really good friends. And now she is officially my new little sister. I have never had a little sister before so now I get to abuse someone in a whole new fashion. You are a fantastic cook and it looks like every holiday we are going to spend at your house. But really, thank you for your support and help making this such a wonderful day.

To the rest of the bridal party, thank you as well for your assistance.

Now that I have finished one half here goes the other,

Thank you Aunty Chris, Uncle Jerry, Aunty Chine, Uncle Tubby, Tasha, Cynthia Boodoo, Aunty Patsy, Thora and Harold, the list goes on, thank you all for making this day very special to us.

They say You don't marry someone you can live with – you marry the person who you cannot live without which is very true with Karen and while looking forward and preparing myself for today I wasn't prepared enough for when I saw her walk down the stairs shining with sheer elegance and grace. I was overwhelmed to the say the least by how beautiful Karen looked this afternoon. I should be used to it now as Karen always dresses to kill, unfortunately cooks the same way. Although I shouldn't complain about her cooking, she prepared a lovely meal a few days ago only slightly burning it…..… But it was still a lovely salad.

I want everyone here, especially Karen, to know how lucky I feel to be here right now. Karen is beautiful, intelligent, hard working, caring. The list of her good qualities is extremely long. But, unfortunately I can't seem to read her handwriting…

But seriously, to my wife, my best friend and the love of my life, thank you for everything you have done. You know everything about me, including the really bad stuff, and love me just the same. I have my faults, yet you still agreed to marry me. I am extremely lucky today to be the one to marry you – and I know this is the start of many happy years together.

You have stood by me through a lot of decisions since we got together. You agreed to make me the happiest man in the world today and have a natural way that makes every day a joy to be with you. I know that I told you earlier but I want everyone to know how beautiful you look today. Your dress is stunning and you really do look like a little princess. You really have made me the happiest and proudest man alive today by saying ‘I do’ and I can't wait to tell everyone that you are now Mrs Prasad, at every opportunity I have. I don't have to hope that our future together will be a happy one…I know it will be, because every day I wake to find that I love you twice as much as the day before. As Karen will tell you – I'm sometimes wrong, but in marrying Karen, I know I've made the right decision. Thank-you darling.

Thank you all for joining us tonight. We know we are surrounded by love ones. Please enjoy the rest of the night and have a great time.

Thank you.