Speech by John Hissett

Speech Type: Groom
Speech Creator: John Hissett
Speech Date: 10/10/2011 08:25:25

Thank you Paul, better that any of us expected to be honest, well done!

Bare with me at this, I've never spoke in front of this many people before so I'm quite nervous. The old adage is that when you're speaking to a room full of people you should picture them all naked…..but to be honest I don't wanna be traumatised when we're on our honeymoon.

I'd like to start by thanking you all for being here to celebrate our special day. It's not exactly on everyone's doorstep and we really appreciate your attendance, it wouldn't have been the same without you. Thanks for your wonderful cards and gifts and I hope you have all enjoyed the day so far.

My wife and I would like to thank our lovely bridesmaids Kate, Ruth and Rachael we are both very grateful for you all being part of our special day and you all look beautiful. Thank you all for keeping Ruth calm and ensuring she didn't do a runner this morning. Special thanks to Kate for organising Ruth's hen do aswell, Thank you to our gorgeous flowergirl Anya aswell, I'm sure in years to come you'll be a little heartbreaker, just like your mummy. As a way of our gratitude we've got a little something for the 4 of you if you'd like to come up now and receive your gifts. Ladies and Gentleman, the Bridesmaids.

I'd like to thank Paul, Bev and Owen. You've done a fantastic job bringing up Ruth to be the woman she is today. It feels a bit odd being welcomed into your family today as you've made me feel like a member for the past 7 years. Ruth and I had been together about 4 months when I got invited to go on the family holiday to America, I thought this relationship might be worth sticking with and how right I was! I'd particularly like to pay tribute to Bev. I've heard lots of stories over the years about girlfriend's & wife's mum's not being the best people in the world to get on with so I count myself very fortunate to have the lovely lady to my left as my mother-in-law, don't go changing now that's your title! On many ocassions over the years I've felt as though she's treated me like a son only without getting told off, so it's win win! Another thank you to Bev for making our wedding cakes which I'm sure will be delicious. Well I'm not sure it'll be great but that's the official line anyway!

My mum and dad have been the best parents anyone could wish for. Loving, supportive and approachable for as long as I can recall, I'm proud to call them friends aswell as mum and dad. Over the years they've done anything and everything for me at the drop of a hat. And of course, they introduced me to the wonder of Manchester United. If me and Ruth can do half as well bringing up Charlie, he'll be a lucky lad.

It goes without saying aswell how grateful we are to both sets of parents for their financial support for our special day. None of this would have been possible without you. If you'd raise your glasses again please to our parents.

We'd like to thank Kate Eady, who designed our fantastic invites free of charge, a brilliant gesture for which we are eternally grateful.

Now it's time to pay tribute to my stunning wife. She's surpassed even my expectations of how beautiful she'd look, and only a few months since giving birth to our gorgeous boy Charlie. You're the kindest, warmest and most thoughtful person in the world. We always said in a jokey way in the early days “when we get married” but I always hoped that it would come true one day. I hope today is everything you hoped it would be, especially considering it wasn't the most romantic proposal. For those who don't know, I proposed to Ruth in New York. I'd carried the ring round with me for 2 days and despite their being some great opportunities I didn't quite manage to pop the question. Eventually when we got back to our hotel room and with Ruth desperately taking her jeans off after a rather filling tea I got round to proposing. I'm fully aware that I'm punching well above my weight but I'm comfortable with that. So.… Ladies and gentleman will you please be upstanding and raise a glass, to my beautiful bride, Ruth.

A big thank you also to the Ushers who've done a lot of running around making sure everything has run smoothly and none have complained about having to wear a pink tie! And finally I hand over to my best man Wardy; you've been a great support and help over the years, particularly in the weeks leading up to today. I'm very grateful for organising the stag do; the events in Blackpool will live long in the memory. We've got the 4 of you a little something if you'd like to come up for a pressie. So now it's time to hand over to the Best Man to say a few words, unfortunately.

Thanks for listening, over to Wardy!