Speech by Peter Douthwaite

Speech Type: Groom
Speech Creator: Peter Douthwaite
Speech Date: mar 2004
Thank you Robert for your kind words. I hope that as Claire's husband, I can live up to the image Robert painted of me, or failing that, at least continue to keep pulling the wool over his eyes.

I'm only going to speak for a couple of minutes because of my throat………..if I go on to long Claire's going to cut it.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this day is an historic day. On this day in 1974 Carlisle United played there first match the in top division and beat Chelsea 2-0 away and on this day in the year 2003, you attended this wedding reception and heard the finest wedding speech of your entire lifetime.… And my best man Mike will be making it.

I after all, did have a great speech worked out for you today, but as I am now married Claire has told me what to say instead.

EVERYONE
On behalf of myself and MY WIFE………we would like to start by thanking you all for sharing our special day. It would not be the same without our friends and family to mark this occasion. Claire and I have been quite nervous about today as you can imagine. Last week we were both feeling a bit apprehensive so I gave Claire a hug and looked romantically into her eyes and said ‘it's all going to be worth it though’ to which Claire replied ‘I know..… look at all the presents!’
So thank you all for your kind wishes, cards, support and presents.

TERESA AND ROBERT
Thank you to Claire's parents, Teresa and Robert for making this day run so smoothly. (as all of you who know Teresa will realise that everything has been left until the last minute). Seriously, without their help and support (and Teresa's excellent organisation) none of us would have reached this stage today.
I have to thank them both for bringing up such a beautiful and intelligent daughter.… and Claire.
Thank you both for making me so welcome in your family. I hope that I can be everything you want from a son in law.

MAM AND DAD
Our gratitude for this day is also extended to my parents, Alan and Anne. Who should really receive a medal for endurance, particularly during my ‘Kevin the teenager’ years mam (which Claire says haven't ended).
They have been there for me and given me guidance through every stage of my life but have never pressured me to make any choices other than those I wanted to make; they have then supported me 100%. I think the fact that I am with Claire shows that that philosophy has truly paid off for me today. So thanks mam and dad for all your love and generosity over the years.
Claire however would request Dad that your text messages to her following a Newcastle defeat could be a bit more supportive!
And Dad can I just say, it's not a good idea to say to the bride four days before the wedding ‘have you done something to your eyebrows?
(We have some gifts for our parents as a token of our appreciation)

There are of course many other people working behind the scenes that we would like to thank.

AUNTY PAT
We also need to thank Claire's Aunty Pat for the fantastic cake and believe me, having tasted one before it actually tastes even nicer than it looks.

AUNTY ROSEMARY AND COUSIN DAVID
Thank you for organising the beautiful flowers in the church and making the room look as good as it does today.

SUE AND JULIE
Thank you both for agreeing to do the readings in the church. Talking to a room full of family and friends on such an important day I imagine is really nerve wracking!

THE PAGE BOY ROSS, AND JONNY and SIMON. STE PEGGY
Thank you to our page boy Ross and to Jonny and Simon, for your help and support during the Ceremony. The three young lads looked very handsome today, in fact too handsome, there is an unwritten rule, you know, that no one should look more handsome than the groom on his wedding day. Fortunately we don't have the same problem with the ushers. Peggy and Steve – Two of my greatest friends, thank you for being top mates ever since I met you.

(So please can you give all these people a big round of applause for there help today)

ELIZABETH
We would also like to say how lovely Claire's sister and Bridesmaid Elizabeth looks today, and thank her for giving Claire all the support she has in the run up to the wedding, particularly the support she has given her on the way home from her hen nights!!
I know you have been an excellent source of reassurance and humour over the past months and organised some great hen parties – and I will find out what happened one day.

(So could you all please stand with me and raise your glasses in a toast to the brides maid. The toast is ‘ELIZABETH!’)

MIKE
Hopefuly Claire didn't have to where something like this on her hen night (hold up T-Shirt) like I had to on my stag do thanks to my Best Man and brother Mike (those of you who can't see it I've a hairstyle you could only describe as a basin cut mullet! (mam and dad can I take back what I said earlier)
Mike – I could not think of anyone I'd rather have as best man at my wedding…………no seriously I couldn't.
Mike is not only my brother but one of my best friends. I would like to thank him, as would ‘the lads’ for a tremendous stag do in Manchester and his support today. Knowing him well, I know that he will be extremely nervous about his speech right now, but I've seen him make a fool of himself in front of crowded pubs for years. So imagine your in a pub Mike…..but keep your trousers on this time.

CLAIRE
The one person in the room to which I owe the most thanks is Claire, my wife and true love. I still can't believe that such a wonderful woman chose to marry me. She knows everything about me and STILL loves me!
You are a beautiful, intelligent, supporting kind, funny, caring…..sorry I can't read your handwriting what does that word say?

I asked Claire's mother in the church, how she looked in her wedding dress, she said wonderful, but that didn't prepare me enough for when I saw her walk down the isle. I was overwhelmed to the say the least by how beautiful Claire looks today. She looks absolutely stunning I'm sure you'll all agree. I don't have to hope our future will be a happy one because I KNOW it will, Every day I wake up I find that I love her twice as much as the day before. (KISS)

Claire and I got engaged in Greece two years ago. We were at the end of a brilliant holiday together and had a wonderful meal at the best restaurant on the island. We went for a walk and sat down in a beautiful place that overlooked the night lights of the harbour when I proposed to her.
That day was the happiest day of my life……until today. As Claire will tell you – I'm often wrong, but in Marrying Claire, I know I've made the right decision.

And so I'll apply a little knowledge I've gained from living with Claire so far,
Whenever you're wrong, admit it, whenever you're right shut up.

(Before I shut up and hand over to mike, who by the way has never been a one to let the truth get in the way of a good story! could you please be upstanding with me and raise your glasses to the most beautiful and amazing person….’THE BRIDE’)

Thank you all very much and I hope you enjoy the rest of the day.