Speech by Mark Atkinson

Speech Type: Groom
Speech Creator: Mark Atkinson
Speech Date: Jun 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 FAMILY, RELATIVES, NEW AND OLD, INLAWS AND OUTLAWS,
FRIENDS, FRIENDS OF FRIENDS, FREELOADERS AND HANGERS-ON.
WELCOME TO OUR WEDDING BREAKFAST.

I'm only going to speak for a couple of minutes because of my throat…………………if I go on to long Tracey has threatened to cut it………

First of all I would like to thank John for his kind words.

Secondly I would like to thank all of you, on behalf of my wife and I simply for being here on our great day.

It's something for a bridegroom to be thankful for that HIS parents don't have to make a speech. It's bad enough knowing- or rather not knowing – what your best man's going to say to embarrass you. There's always the consolation I suppose that people don't believe the best man because he's supposed to entertain you with a tissue of lies, and if Neil mentions a MO-JO he is definitely lying!!!

Before I start to forget the script, let me get the thank you's in, because they're important. Apart from the question mark hanging over his forthcoming speech, I'd like to thank my brother Neil for being my best man. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my new Auntie and Uncle, Pam and Dave for being our Ushers.

I suppose it's natural when a person gets married to think back over his or her past and to ask questions, not so much about the adult years, but the earlier part of your life when you were, as the saying goes being brought up
Now, when I looked at myself in the mirror this afternoon, when I was all ready to set off for the church, I thought, “what a fine upstanding young chap you are! Your parents did a good job with you!” That's why I want to congratulate my Mum and Dad on the wonderful job they did, and to thank them for it. Thanks mum and dad, for everything. Only they and I know what is contained in the word everything.
My next big thank you goes to Tracey's mum and dad. Firstly I'd like to thank them for having Tracey, and secondly for letting me marry her. I'm also grateful to them for accepting me from the start, when Tracey first took me into their home and said, “hey, look what I've found” .…

Now I speak on behalf of Tracey also, because we both want to thank you all for being here and for all you good wishes and for making today that bit more special.
Tracey and I want to express our very real thanks to both our mums and dads for giving us this day, we thank them for their kindness and for being unsparing to make our send off so memorable. And as a small token of our appreciation we'd like them to accept these gifts.

There are also a couple of people sat amongst you that we would like to say a thank you to. Auntie Jan, Emma and Lynette. Would you stand up please? We would like you to take these as a token of our thanks for all you have done for us towards today. I think this would be a “perfect moment” to thank my new cousin Jayne for her fantastic singing in church today, Jayne, would you take a bow please.

A special thanks now to some more special people. What would a wedding be like without bridesmaids? They have done us proud today and attracted many an admiring glance, and when I say that they have decorated the church and this room today I don't mean with paint and a roller. They are reserved till last because I am privileged to propose a toast to them after thanking them, as I do for being Tracey's bridesmaids. Karissa, Lisa and Catherine. Please accept these as our way of saying thanks.

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I ask you to rise and join me in a toast

Ladies and gentlemen…………………….The bridesmaids.