Speech by Nigel Kingston

Speech Type: Groom
Speech Creator: Nigel Kingston
Speech Date: 08/10/2013 15:34:16

When researching what I need to make sure I include in my speech I came to the realisation that a grooms speech is not dissimilar to the speeches that you see at big awards ceremonies like the Oscars or BAFTAs with the person giving the speech thanking everyone that has helped them to get them to where they are today. We have all seen speech givers at these things become overcome with emotion, and I'm sure I'm not the only person that has thought that these seasoned actors and actresses are just applying their trade to give their speech that little something extra. So if I appear to get a lump in my throat, stumble over my words or even shed a tear I'm just proving that Leeanne's not the only one in this relationship that can act.

Before I get going properly and for the benefit of those who have a thing for a glass of fizz, and we all know who you are, there will be a few toasts so while it may be hard try not to down your whole glass on the first one.

Okay, on with the thanking. Firstly David I'd like to thank you for your kind words. I of course have more to say here but I'll come back to you in a moment if that's ok.

I know a lot of you have travelled a long way to be here with us today and on behalf of my wife and I, we would like to tell you how happy it's made us both that you have been able to travel from England, Wales, Scotland, Kenya and in some cases as far away as East Belfast to share our day. Unfortunately, it's not possible to have everyone that we love here with us today, they're in our thoughts, and I'm sure here in spirit. So, with them in mind, would you please all stand, raise your glasses, and join me in a toast to absent family & friends.

(To absent family and friends)

I'd like to sincerely thank Leeanne's mum and dad, Hilary and David for hosting this reception and also making me feel part of the family from day 1. I must have been looking a bit under fed the first time we met because the size of the roast dinner that Hilary served up was frankly a little scary. I think I managed to get about halfway through before I couldn't manage any more. Hilary now gives me child's portions. You have both brought Leeanne up to be the beautiful, caring, intelligent woman who I have had the pleasure of marrying today.

Chris, Leeanne's brother, his lovely wife Sacha and of course Martha and Alex also deserve some thanks here. You too have welcomed me with open arms. You offer great a bed and breakfast whenever we are visiting Belfast. Sacha made our beautiful wedding cake & Chris sighed the register for us. You have been a great help in the run up to today sorting out things here in Belfast while we've been at home. Both Leeanne and I are very grateful.

I couldn't have asked for nicer in-laws so could you all please raise your glasses to Leeanne's family.

(Leeanne's family)

As this speech is from both of us, Leeanne would like to thank my Mum and Dad, Penny and Peter. You welcomed Leeanne and made her part of our family which I know means a lot to her. She also asked me to make sure I told you that you should be very proud to have raised such a handsome, intelligent, wise, son, who is an athletic, generous, witty and a very modest man.

I would like to thank my mum and dad for the love and support over the years. You've both always been there for me when I've needed you. I feel extremely lucky to have you both for parents. You've played taxi, stood on cold, wet, muddy touch lines, taken me to A&E several times & helped to mend broken hearts. You have both taught me so much and always encouraged me in everything I've done. It must be really hard to come to terms with the fact that you have raised such a perfect Son.

Thanks also to my brothers, Duncan and Oliver. As with most siblings we have our disagreements but we know deep down that when push comes to shove we are there for each other. Thank you both for welcoming Leeanne into the Kingston fold. And Oli thanks for signing your own name in the register rather than Mickey Mouse, or Mr R. Sole.

Will you all raise your glasses to My Family?

(Nigel's Family)

We would normally present flowers to our mothers however, as it may be hard to get them back on the plane and we don't want you to have to worry about remembering to take them away with you we are having them sent to your homes. We do however have a small something for you now.

I'd like to thank our bridesmaids, Sharon, Sacha, Shiwan, and Sarah. It seems that one of Leeanne's criteria for the job was that your name had to start with “S”. The flower girls, Martha, Katie-Beth and Annie-May and pageboy, Alex. I'm sure everyone here will agree that the bridesmaids all look stunning. The flower girls look just like Disney princesses and Alex looks very dapper in his suit (and pirate hat). You've been a big help in keeping Leeanne sane and you've made her feel like the star she is with a massive entourage.

Then there's my best man Sean. I couldn't ask for a better man to be standing next to me today. I know that the task of being a best man is sometimes likened to sleeping with the queen. It's an honour to be asked but nobody really wants to do it. So I'd like to say a massive thank you for agreeing to be my best man.

Now no groom should be without ushers to make him look good on the big day. Dave, Dan and Matt have fulfilled this roll perfectly. I've known all 3 for many years and there are individual reasons why I wanted each member of this motley crew with me today now however is probably not the time or place to go into those reasons. I think they all will agree that there is nothing we wouldn't do for each other. That probably explains why we spend most of the time doing absolutely nothing at all for each other. Thanks for your help and support not only today but throughout the years.

Please raise your glasses to our Wedding Party. (The wedding party)

Before I move onto my most important thank you and then hand you over to my best man there are a few more people who Leeanne and I have to thank for the part they've played today.

Rachel – thanks for your hard work making favours and orders of service.

Naomi & Emma – thanks for your lovely readings in church

And Gethin – thanks for lending us your musical talents on the piano

Right this is my final and most important thank you.  

To my gorgeous new wife. Leeanne, thank you for agreeing to marry me and then turning up less than 3 hours late. The things I'm about to say probably aren't going to be news to you. They've been said in the privacy of our own home many times but today is about making sure the rest of the world knows as well.

When I was stood like some overdressed vagrant at Victoria station waiting for a now VERY late girl from the internet (and no I didn't buy her) I never would have thought that I'd end up standing here 3 years later having just married her. What I was thinking was, this girl (assuming it is a girl and I'm not being set up by some weird old man) is taking the P & I should just cut my losses and go home. I don't know what made me stick around but I can't tell you how glad I am that I did.

I was going to tell everyone about when I first realised that you were definitely a keeper and the girl that I'd grow old with but as we are about to eat I'll leave that one for now. For those of you that don't know the story if you grab me at the bar I'll tell you it.

I know that moving away from the city to live with a boy out in the sticks at first wasn't easy for you, although your brother was happy that he had managed to get rid of his squatter. We've both had to make a few lifestyle changes. For example I quickly learned that I couldn't ever let us run out of milk and you learned that you had to get places on time because if you missed the bus there wouldn't be another one in 10 minutes. Since you moved in the best part of every day is coming home.

C today you look fantastic today but I would have married you had you turned up wearing a bin bag looking like you had been sleeping rough for a month. I struggled for hours while writing this to avoid the things that you hear in every grooms speech about how you are not only beautiful but funny, caring, intelligent, caring, thoughtful, caring (some may say sometimes too caring for your own good) but all of those things are true so I'm not leaving them out. You really do bring out the best in me. If you think I can be grumpy now you should have known me before you came along. There are plenty of people here who will vouch for the positive change you have made. You make me happier than you realise every single day and the thought of spending the rest of our lives together makes me happier still. I'm so proud to be able to stand here in front of all of our friends and family and call you my wife. So everyone please be upstanding and raise your glasses, to the new Mrs Kingston, my wife, Leeanne.

(Leeanne)

Right, that's the thanking done and it's almost time for me to sit back down but before I hand you over to Sean I need to fill you in on some important information. I've known Sean for a number of years now and I think it is important before he starts speaking that you all know that he suffers from a rare medical condition that makes him believe that fictional events that he dreams up are in fact fact. This is the condition that leads him to claim that a shuttlecock was in rather than out or that he wasn't in the crease while making a shot and scoring a goal. He does not deliberately cheat, deceive or lie. He is simply unwell. It sometimes gets so bad that he even claims that London Irish, who are based in reading and have more non Irish players than Irish ones are a credible side and places even money on them to win. So please bear that in mind for his speech.

That's it from me, thank you all again and we hope you enjoy the rest of your evening. It's now my pleasure to hand you over to my best man Sean.