Speech by Rob Gallop

Speech Type: Groom
Speech Creator: Rob Gallop
Speech Date: Oct2004
I was going to begin with ladies and gentlemen, but on looking around I'm glad I didn't. So here goes.

I want to thank Chris for his kind and generous words, and also his great contribution to the day. It is good to know how you feel about Tara and I getting married, and I feel honored to be welcomed into your family. Thank you.

As you can understand this is going to be one of the most important days of our lives, and (clear throat) MY WIFE AND I (pause) are both delighted to share it with so many of our closest friends, our treasured families and more importantly, the waiters and waitresses, and any stray golfers who may have wandered in to get a free meal.

As most of you know, I met Tara through work, and, from the first time I saw her I was smitten. I pursued her relentlessly, although no matter what she says, I never sat in meetings staring at her. Honestly. I didn't. Well ok, maybe a couple of times. I was thinking all the time of how to approach her, to woo her, to make her notice me. Eventually I gave up, and settled for cornering her in a corridor and uttering the immortal line – “When are we going for a drink then “? Obviously, she couldn't refuse charm like that. We went out for that drink, a few more, she refused to see me a couple of times, and now 4 years and 4 days later, we're getting married. I can honestly say I was overwhelmed when I first saw Tara today. The word beautiful is just not adequate to describe how you look today.

I was expecting to feel nervous when I woke up today – but I didn't. As the day went on I kept expecting the nervousness to kick in – but again, it didn't. Standing at the front of the church I realized why. I knew, more than anything, I wanted you to be my wife. The four years we have been together have been fantastic, and I'm looking forward to many, many more. You mean so much to me, and I am so proud to be able to call myself your husband. They say you don't marry someone you can live with – you marry the person who you cannot live without. I love you.

Tissues for Mum and Sandy please

A big welcome to those who have travelled to be here, and many thanks to all of you for sharing this day with us, and also for your generosity in giving us the gifts you have.

I notice no one bought us the TV though – tight gits.

Many thanks to everyone who has helped us on our journey to today. Special thanks must go to my parents Alan and Lynn – Thank you for supporting me over the years. I've always known that you would be there for me.
To Sandy, for all her help and support she's given Tara, and again to Chris. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for bringing up such a beautiful and intelligent daughter. And Tara didn't turn out to bad either.

Thanks also to the ushers James, Craig and Darren, who have done a splendid job today. I didn't think they'd scrub up so well.

When I asked Tara to marry me, I knew that I needed a Best Man and that there was only one man that title would apply to. Mark. Unfortunately, when I asked him, he said he'd prefer to be a Bridesmaid, and wanted to wear a pink dress. Luckily we had already agreed on Jodi and Becky, so he reluctantly took the Best Mans job, if only so he could stitch me up in his speech.

He's more than likely going to totally embarrass me in a few moments, so please take what he says with a pinch of salt. Or if you feel like it, throw the saltcellars at him. I must mention at this point that Mark's Great Great Great Grandfather just happens to be Hans Christian Anderson, and Mark has inherited his ability to tell completely made up stories that he totally believes to be true. So please bare that in mind.

As a token of thanks, we have some gifts to hand out.

Just as a small interlude to our wedding day, there are a couple of people here who are celebrating their 30th birthdays. We've got a couple of last minute birthday presents for them.

Happy Birthday Mark and Kate.

(DJ to play happy birthday)

Back to the main event.

Just before Mark launches into his fantasy, laden speech, Tara and I would like to say a special thank you to the bridesmaids who have been marvelous today. They look beautiful and both have helped make this day extremely special. So, ladies and gentleman, if you could all stand and raise your glasses, I give you . . . the bridesmaids