Speech by M Shaw

Speech Type: Groom
Speech Creator: M Shaw
Speech Date: Apr 2002
Wedding Speech – Saturday 30th March 2002

Welcome
Finally after 7 and a bit years I can say this… on behalf of my wife and I….… I would like to thank everyone for coming today. I know some of you have travelled quite a distance to share this really special day with us, and both Sam and I are delighted to see you all. Unfortunately, there are some people who cannot be here, such as some of Sam's relatives in Australia and other friends and family from closer to home, but we know that their thoughts are with us.

Thanks – Dinmores
I would like to start by thanking Fred for his kind words. I am really proud to have become Sam's husband and in the process, become Fred and June's son-in-law. We would both like to say a huge thank you to them, for together, they have looked after Sam her whole life, always been there for her when she needed them and brought her up to be the person she is today. We also thank them for giving us their blessing and I personally hope that I can live up to the honour.
I would also like to thank them for the kindness that they have shown me from the first day I met them, for welcoming me in to their family as they have, and for being there for both Sam and I and giving us all the help that they have done, since we have been together.
Finally, we would like to thank them for helping to make today so special. Without them, much of what we have experienced today would not have been possible. I have certainly enjoyed the day so far and I look forward to a hugely entertaining evening with you all and some memorable recollections for years to come.

Thanks – Shaws
Sam and I would also like to thank my own Mum and Dad, for the everything they have given me during my life, for bringing me up the way they have, for giving me all the encouragement and support I needed through school, university and college and for putting up with all my moods and tantrums when I was young, – well young-er.
I hope that they are proud and content parents today, proud because Sam and I have gotten married (finally!!) and they know that she is not only beautiful, but a wonderful and caring person who I'm very much in love with. And content – content in the knowledge that I am finally someone's else's responsibility !!

Thanks – Sam
I would like everybody here, especially Sam, to know how lucky and proud I am to be standing here today speaking to you as her husband. She is beautiful, caring, intelligent, charming and I would continue, but I just can't read Sam's writing
Seriously though, I am completely overwhelmed at how beautiful she looks this afternoon, and can't believe just how privileged I am that she has chosen to become my wife.
You know everything about me Sam, and love me just the same.
I have my faults yet you still want to spend the rest of your life with me.
Thankyou for making today the best day of my life.
Thanks – Others
Many people have been involved in the preparation for today and Sam and I would both like to extend our thanks to everyone who has helped make today special.
To the London Golf Club, for allowing us to hold the reception here, which I'm sure you will all agree is a really special and beautiful setting.
Thanks to Thierry for all his help during the preparation and especially today
Thanks to David Hill, our excellent Toastmaster
Thanks to Reverend Worssam for marrying us,
Pam Farley for making the fantastic cake
and thanks to Ian Calvert for making our beautiful rings

Now to thank some people a little closer to home…
Thanks to our brothers, Graham, Andrew and Steven for ushering
Thanks to James for making an excellent Ring-bearer – he doesn't like the term page-boy, he's too mature for that !!
And last, but by no means least, thankyou to Carmen who has been a constant source of encouragement and advice to Sam since she moved in as our semi-permanent lodger in early January

Thanks – Presents
Thankyou to everyone who have given Sam and I presents to help us start our married life together. They are very much appreciated and will be put to good use in our home where all of you will always be more than welcome
We have a few of our own to hand out shortly, but I will that honour to Sam

Thanks – Best Man
I'd also like now to express my thanks to James for everything he has done. Over the years, he has brought us 19, soon to be 20, episodes of superb action, fine wine and some particularly fine women. And to think it is 40 years since the first one ……
Actually, I've just realised that when Sam said "You'd better remember to thank James", she didn't actually mean James Bond – my idol, but, my best man James, who is sitting at the end of the table!
So…at the end of the table on my right here, is James. James and I have known each other since we started at university together and over the years have had an infinite number of good times, some of which I'm sure he'll tell you about shortly – if he can actually remember them himself that is.
I'd sincerely like to thank him for a great stag weekend, for 5½ years of friendship and for being my best man today
Unlike most bridegrooms, I'm actually looking forward to hearing my best man's speech, particularly because I am the first of our group of friends to be married
I would like to take this opportunity to remind James, that I will always have the chance to return all the complements that I am sure he has lined up for me .… or gain revenge for whatever else he decides to mention…….…

Thanks – Bridesmaids
Finally, Sam and I would like to thank our bridesmaids, Vicky, Jo and Rebecca, who I'm sure you all agree look beautiful today.
Ladies, thankyou for being our bridesmaids today and for the help you have