Speech by Paul-John McMenamin

Speech Type: Groom
Speech Creator: Paul-John McMenamin
Speech Date: Aug 2001
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 be here in order that you might share this really special day with us, and both Wendy and I are delighted to see you. Unfortunately, there are some people who cannot be here, such as my Grandmother up in Glasgow and other members of both our close families, but we know that their thoughts are with us.

I would like to thank Wendy's dad, Robin for his kind words. I am really proud to have become Wendy's husband and in the process, become Robin and Eileen's son-in-law. We would both like to say thank you to them, for together, they have looked after Wendy 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 Wendy and I and giving us all the help that they have done, since we have been together.
As most of you will all know, Robin is a farmer and many people think that he is quite a distinguished one at that. In fact Eileen is always saying he should have won the Nobel prize for farming, because everytime he is supposed to be working, he is usually just always out – standing – in his field…
…ok, ok,…It was the only farming joke I could find!

Wendy and I would also like to thank my own Mum and Dad, (the other Mr and Mrs McMenamin), 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 Wendy and I have gotten married 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 Robin, Eileen, Karen and Struan are always there with love and support for Wendy and I, especially when my own family are so far away.

Wendy and I would both like to extend our thanks to everyone who has helped make today special. To Lord and Lady Steel, for allowing us to get married here at Aikwood Tower, which I'm sure you will all agree is a really special and beautiful setting. Thanks also to Reverend Sheddon for marrying us. To Stuart, our piper, for adding a really special touch to our day and to Ev, who played the piano so well and kept us all in time and in tune….Well most of us!
The ceremony was unforgettable and we both sincerely hope that everyone has a good time tonight.

Which reminds me about the time that…: A Television ariel and a Sky dish met on a roof, fell in love and got married. The ceremony was alright, but Phew! You should have seen the reception!

Thanks also to Wendy's mum, Eileen, for all the preparations she has made for today – she has done so much to help make today what it is, including putting together the beautiful flowers you see, making our wonderful wedding cake, as well as the dresses our bridesmaids, Karen and Lisa are wearing. And contrary to rumour, it's not true that when one of my ushers, Nick made the mistake of asking her on the way in to the service, “Excuse me madam – Are you a friend of the groom's”, she replied “Certainly not – I'm the bride's mother.

Thankyou to everyone who have given Wendy and I presents to help us start our new life together. They are very much appreciated and will be put to good use in our new house where all of you will always be more than welcome… That said – if anyone wants to buy a juicer, We've got a boxload out the back going for a tenner a piece, so if you're interested, come and see us later on.

For those of you who don't know, Wendy and I met, in a pub, on Gala Day, when our eyes met across the lager and cider taps of The Salmon Inn. I was working behind the bar that day and managed to ply Wendy with enough cider that she finally asked me to go out with her. The official line is that she was building dutch courage all day, working up the nerve to speak to me, but even if she did only ask me to go out with her because she was steaming drunk, I guess we will both always be so glad that she did.
By the way – For the sake of my friends and family that have come down from West of Scotland, Gala Day I'm told, or to give it its official name “The Braw Lads Gathering” is a wee bit like the 300 year-old tradition of the Selkirk Common Riding, but according to Wendy and Karen, it's not as good, unoriginal and just a bit of a circus dreamed up by a bunch of people called ‘pail-merks’.
If you want to know what a ‘pail-merk’ is , I'm sure some of the Gallileans such as Struan, Fiona or Colin will fill you in if you ask them!

I'd also like now to express my thanks to Martin for everything he has done. Over the last year, he has brought the League, League Cup and Scottish Cups to back to Parkhead and laid the foundations for future success both at home and in Europe.…
Actually, I've just realised that when Wendy said “You'd better remember to thank Martin”, she didn't actually mean Martin O'Neil, but, my best man Martin, who is sitting at the end of the table!
So…at the end of the table on my right here, is Martin. Martin and I have known each other since we were at school 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 being my best man today,
Unlike most bridegrooms, I'm actually looking forward to hearing my best man's speech, particularly because I would like to take this opportunity to remind Martin, that when Lesley and he get married in 2 or 3 months time, as his best man, I'm sure I'll return all the complements he gives me today….or whatever else he decides to mention…….…
Oh…and one other thing…– he's a wee bit of a dodgy dealer and has a reputation for being a bit of an entrepreneur when it comes to buying and selling cars, so I urge everyone to beware today, especially after they have had a few . . . – and if the truth be told, I think David Steele is about to become the proud new owner of a mint condition 1989 Toyota Starlett, which has only had one previous owner who was in fact an old lady who only used it to go to the shops)!!! – at least that's what Martin told him when he was trying to sell him it….Well actually,….that's what he tells everyone when he is trying to sell them something.

I would like everybody here, especially Wendy, 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 (PAUSE)….what's that?… I can't read your writing darling!
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 Wendy, and love me just the same.
I have my faults yet you still want to spend your life with me.
Thankyou for making today the best day of my life.

Finally, Wendy and I would like to thank our little sisters and bridesmaids, Karen and Lisa, who I'm sure you all agree look beautiful today particularly in their bridesmaids dresses which Wendy's mum, Eileen has made. Thankfully Lisa won't be able to take hers back to the shop and exchange it for shoes like most of the items of clothing we've given her over the years!

But to both of you Karen and Lisa, Wendy and I would just like to say:

Thankyou for being our little sisters.
Thankyou for being our bridesmaids today.
And thankyou both, for being our best friends, since the days you were both born.

Please raise your glasses in a toast to our bridesmaids, Karen and Lisa.

Karen and Lisa.