Speech by Jonathan Lee

Speech Type: Groom
Speech Creator: Jonathan Lee
Speech Date: 25/04/2013 08:12:40

Before I start, over the next few minutes there will be a couple of toasts so please make sure that all your glasses are charged, and try not to drink it all in one go. 

I'd like to start by welcoming all of our guests, and I'd like everyone to stand and to raise your glasses, to those friends and family who are no longer with us, who are ‘Gone but not forgotten’.

TOAST – GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Today, we are surrounded by most of the friends and family that have been important to us during our lives.

You've all travelled from near and far, just to be here today.

It makes me the happiest man alive to be able to stand here and say to you all, ladies and gentlemen, friends and family, on behalf of my wife and I, welcome to our wedding, and thank you sincerely for sharing this special day with us. It really wouldn't be the same without you all.

Now I had planned to do a very short speech today, but someone then reminded me that this may be the only opportunity that I would have, with my new wife and mother-in-law in the same room, to speak freely.  So with that in mind, I'm going to take………my……time………

I would like to say a BIG thank you to Geralyn for all her love and support, you welcomed me into your family right from day..… two, day one was a shaky one, but hey we are all over it now.   😀 just joking.… But seriously I have never had the chance to say thank you properly – so thank you. Thank you also for raising a beautiful, intelligent and sometimes stubborn daughter and – of course for letting me have her hand in marriage. I can tell you that her happiness is very important to me and I promise to do you proud.

I can't let this opportunity go by without thanking my Mum and Dad also, for their love and support over the years, and for welcoming Susie into our family.  I know it's hard to believe, but I haven't always been this perfect. My Mum & Dad have helped me over the years and have seen me through thick and thin.  Mainly thick if I'm being honest, but they have always been there for me and I hope that I have done them proud.  I really couldn't have asked for a better Mum & Dad and I thank you both for everything that you have done. Thank you

Ladies and gentlemen, please stand and raise your glasses.  To our Mums & Dads.

TOAST – TO OUR MUMS AND DADS

I would like to thank my wife – I think I'm going to enjoy getting used to saying that – for agreeing to marry me and for making me the happiest man in the world. 

I think you'll agree that she looks absolutely gorgeous today and when she walked up the aisle.  

I know that Susie has put a huge amount of effort into making today perfect and I think that she has done that, and more.

They say you don't marry someone you can live with – you marry the person who you can't live without and I think that sums us up perfectly.  Little did I know that when we sat outside the pub together, all those years ago, drawing and suggesting sock designs on a napkin, or sat eating dinner with our messy spaghetti faces that you would one day end up as my wife, and we would have a beautiful baby together.  

I've never been so happy and proud, I look forward to growing old with you and the times we have ahead with our little princess.

Ladies and gentlemen, please stand and raise your glasses to my lovely wife and Francesca's wonderful mum, to Susie.

TOAST – TO SUSIE

On behalf of my wife and I, we would like to give a special thank you to Gary and Helen for being our witnesses, Dan and John for assisting in church and a special thank you to John for your reading.

That brings me onto our bridesmaids, my sister Karen and of course Helen. Thank-you all for your help and for being there for Susie through the ups and downs of wedding planning! I'm sure everyone will agree that you both look stunning today.

Finally….  The Best Man, I have known Gary, my Best Man, for over 10 years now and throughout that time he has been there for me when it matters and is always ready with an encouraging word. There is an unwritten rule of wedding etiquette that states that nobody should look more handsome than the groom and I'd like to thank Gary for sticking to that rule.  But, most importantly I'd like to thank him for being a true friend. Thank you for today…..

However, there is something that I need to make you aware of…….

Gary suffers from a strange condition that occasionally causes him to drift in and out of weird, strange flights of fantasy.  He has been known to make up fanciful stories, absolutely believing them to be true.  Anyway, it's only right that I advise you all of this ahead of his speech.  As I say, he is a true friend  and I wouldn't want you to go upsetting him, so if you can understand what he's saying, please could bear with him, even join with him on his journey of make believe, I would really appreciate it. 

Now all that remains, is for me to say please enjoy the rest of the day…… and without further ado, I'd like to hand over to my best man Gary….