Speech by John Martin

Speech Type: Groom
Speech Creator: John Martin
Speech Date: 20/10/2015 08:17:27

Thank you Andy. I'm glad you didn't leave it to me to get Elle going. I'm also glad you came in marginally shorter than the promised 47 a4 sided speech.

I'm not very good at speeches. Those of you at either my 21st or 30th birthdays will be able to pay testament to that. So I'm going to try and keep this relatively short.

I'd like to start off by thanking you all for being with us today. It really means so much to us both that so many of our family and friends have travelled such a distance and made a huge effort to be here and share this day with us. We're the kind of people that love to spend time with our family; I think we're lucky enough to consider so many members of our family, our friends. And I think our hen and stag parties showed that to be the case. They weren't the conventional night out with wedding party members and some select friends, they were a real family affair and we wouldn't have had it any other way. We love spending time with you all and we hope you feel the same way, I can only imagine you must do as collectively you've travelled, and I actually took the time to work this out, over 13,000 miles just to get here, 13,149 to be precise.

We hope you have enjoyed and continue to enjoy the day as much as us.

I have a number of people I need to mention today so please bear with me. There will be the odd toast as we go through so please try and keep some champagne in your glasses until the end.

So first of all, the shiny new in-laws. Andy & Jane. Words fail me as I try to articulate a way to thank you for everything you have done for Elle and I over the last four years or so. You have been a rock for Elle and a helping hand every time it was asked for. Elle is a credit to you both. You've raised a caring, loving, thoughtful daughter. Thank you, and well done for getting through those teenage years.

I've not just gained a wife today, but a whole family. Thank you to you all for making me feel like part of your family, like a son, grandson, a brother, a nephew and a cousin, even before today.

And now as an official member of the family, I'm hoping I'll finally be allowed to join the family WhatsApp conversation. I'll be submitting my application in writing, fingers crossed eh Jane?

And to my parents… You're all aware that my Mum is not here today but she along with my Dad played a huge part in molding me into the Man I am today. They instilled in me all the values I hold to be the most important. Things like family, loyalty and hard work… Although I wasn't very good at that last one.

Dad. To say thank you seems short of the gratitude we have for everything you have done for me in my life and for us both over the last 4 years. You have always been there when we needed you supporting us in whatever way we needed. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

I think it's fair to say that we would not be here today, sat in this amazing conservatory if it wasn't for the love and generosity of both our parents. You are amazing people and you have done an amazing job. Even if I do say so myself. So the first toast. To Amazing Parents….

I mentioned my Mum briefly just then and she like far too many other people are not here with us today. Unfortunately that wasn't to be, but they're in our thoughts and in our hearts. You may have noticed a series of candles burning as you entered the conservatory earlier. Those candles burn in memory of our loved ones in heaven so can I ask you all to be upstanding and raise your glasses to… The dearly departed….

OK. On to the wedding party. My groomsman and grooms woman!!! Nic, Simon. Thank you both for doing absolutely nothing today. OK. Seriously, thank you for your help with everything today. Thank you for getting everyone where they were supposed to be. Thank you for getting everyone in place for photos and for organizing a great stag. I'm nearly sure I couldn't have done it without you.

I think you'll all agree that all our bridesmaids look absolutely beautiful. When we were trying to decide who we were going to have as bridesmaids today we had many conversations and from a starting pool of 8 candidates we managed to narrow it down to a very modest 8 finalists. We couldn't pick between you all, so we didn't. Thank you all for everything you have done over the last 10 months or so to make today so special.

Rachel, mayteeeeeeeee, I am absolutely certain that Elle could not have done this without you. Without the marathon text messages, that would put War & Peace to shame or the advice and support you have provided along the way. Thank you.

And as beautiful as you all look today I'd be remiss not to single out Roisin, Aoife & Orlaith, We are honoured to have you here as our bridesmaids.

So our third toast, and you can stay sat down for this one. To the bridesmaids and the grooms persons. To The wedding party.

Before I move on to the star of the show I's also like to say some thank you's to the people that don't traditionally get a mention in a grooms speech but deserve one none the less.

Thank you to Fr. McMahon for a beautiful service this afternoon. Jo. Thank you for all the hard work you put into organizing Elle's hen. Tish, Thank you for all the help and advice you've given us over the last few months. And although they're not here to receive our thanks I'd like to thank Sallie for the amazing cake and Grace for the beautiful singing in the church this afternoon.

And now, on to the star of the show, my beautiful wife… I think it's fair to say you've never looked as beautiful as you do right now. I knew you would. Obviously. I wrote this speech months ago.

Firstly I'd like to thank Elle for everything you see here around you. Days like today, as amazing as they are don't just happen. Hours and hours of planning, and crafting and pinning, mostly at the expense of Bruntwood and BDO were put in to make sure everything looked just right. I helped where I could with artwork and folding pieces of paper but the credit really sits with Elle. So if you could please offer up a round of applause…

For those of you who don't know, Elle and I met in one of Manchester's social hotspots. And I think it's fair to say it wasn't love at first sight. Elle was working behind the bar and I was annoying her from the other side. But over time we became good friends, cumulating in me deciding bravely to ask Elle out. And as all brave men do I got out my iPhone and sent the text. Imagine my shock when she said no. But as we all know perseverance is key in these matters and eventually I got my date. In the following weeks we went out a few more times leading to the night where I met Elle's best friend, her sister from another mister, her OTHER one true love, our Maid of Honour Rachel. I thought things were going OK if I was being invited to meet her friends but it wasn't until later that night that I realised those few casual drinks were actually me being interviewed. I think I passed the test and I'm not sure where we'd be had I failed, but I think the real credit for Elle and I getting together belongs to my Dad and to the taxi driver that never showed up that Saturday night resulting in Dad inviting Elle round to ours for a drink and to wait for another taxi. I still tease Elle in accusing her of not really ordering that taxi. But the following week we had our first official outing as a couple, And here we are, four and a half years later, husband and wife… I always knew I'd meet the love of my life in South West Manchester Cricket Club!

Although in all honesty I never thought I would meet that right person. It is said that people wait their whole life and never meet the person they are meant to be with. In Elle I have found that and I believe she has found that in me.

So if you would all be upstanding once again and raise your glasses to my beautiful bride. To Eleanor.

Finally its time to hand over to…and I use this term loosely, my ‘best man’, A man who has picked me up and put me down, literally, and once or twice by the underwear. A man who has helped me through the bad times, and pushed me out to sea though the good. Honestly; there's a story there, and probably quite fitting to be told today. The first time I took Elle to Ireland to stay in my other home and meet my other family we all spent an evening out on the river. Elle and I were in a rowing boat, and Elle being the independent person she is decided she wanted to row the boat. I of course being the obliging person I am decided to let her. Anyway, we were out there for a while, and Elle was getting tired, we were on our way back to the bank when my best man decided he'd come to help us out of the boat. He took the oars from Elle, and, anyone want to guess what he did next? That's right, pushed us back out. We were literally up the river without a paddle. Elle panicked, I just sat back sound in the knowledge that he'd come and get us… Eventually. If I remember rightly he didn't even bother to do that. he let someone else do it. Later that night Elle was sure that she'd somehow caused some offence that would cause this treatment. But no, this is how you get treated when you're liked. Bear this in mind during his speech. And with that in mind, without further delay. My best man, Peadar Kinsella.