Speech by Thomas Clack

Speech Type: Groom
Speech Creator: Thomas Clack
Speech Date: 28/04/2016 15:51:01

Colin, thank you for your kind words. 

Okay, I really need to start by thanking every one of you that are here today. Some of you have come a long way, some not so much. But all of you have travelled in the knowledge that you're going to have to pay £5 for a beer. That is commitment and we really appreciate it.

We would also like to say thank you for all of the lovely cards and gifts we have received and hope you are all enjoying the day as much as we are.

Unfortunately there are some people who cannot be with us today, Wendy my Mum, who I'm sure would have been proud, my Nan who is recovering from an operation and other members of both our families, our thoughts are with them and we know that their thoughts are with us. I would like to thank both Colin and Linda for welcoming me into their family and on many occasions into their home. My wife and I really can't thank you enough for all the help and support you have given us over the years.

Most people would probably be nervous about meeting the in-laws for the first time, but not me after a good few pints of Stella! Whilst on a heavy night out drinking with the best man Adrian I had decided that it was a good idea to get a taxi to see Leanne, quite a few forgotten hours later I wake up hung over staring at a wall of Justin Timberlake posters. The realization of what was about to happen soon kicked in… to leave this room I was going to have to walk past the parents of the daughter that I had drunkenly turned up to the night before. Needless to say this was not how I had planned to meet the in-laws for the first time. Doing my best to keep it together I introduced myself and thankfully it all went well… until I sobered up later that day and remembered the drunken gibberish I had perceived as good conversation.

Since that time my love for your daughter has grown with every day I spend with her. Leanne truly is a credit to the Speck family and I look forward to spending the rest of my life with her. I hope to live up to your expectations and promise to always take care of your beautiful daughter. Linda we would like to give this little token of our love and thanks. Dad, Thank you for creating such a great son! 

Thank you for being strong when times were hard, without your guidance and support I wouldn't be who I am today. Having you as my dad was never un-eventful, whether it be disputing with the neighbor Harvey, going to work on a train and coming home on a motorbike or your latest adventure buying a house boat, you will always make me and I'm sure many people here smile. Growing up without my Mum was hard and I can't thank you enough for stepping up and being the Dad I needed you to be. I will always cherish the mornings getting up early before my paper round just so I could drink tea with my dad. Although it may seem like a small thing, for me I looked up to you and having you to myself if just for ten minutes made it worthwhile. There are many things I could thank my Dad for but none more so than my receding hairline!

Nic, what can I say growing up we never really got on, often I was the annoying brother and you the cool sister. Which let's face it I was never going to get in the way of you being the cool popular person and so you did what most teenagers would have done… you told me to b***** offf. Little did you know I was to grow to be the cool one! So here we are with me putting up with my annoying big sister… and yes I sat you there because Dad made me. 

Jokes aside you have been and are an amazing sister and now an amazing Mum. As most of you are probably aware my sister is just about ready to have her third child.… Way to go for stealing my thunder. Nic a little something for you as token of our love and thanks.

Leanne and I would like to thank the three bridesmaids Lizzy, Fiona and Katie. You have all done an amazing job today and over the past few months. I am sure you'll all agree how beautiful the bridesmaids look. For that reason let me apologies in advance for my cousin Richard and his terrible chat up lines. A special thank you has to go to Lizzie and .… For their help planning Leanne's hen do. I would like to ask that you stand and raise your glass as a toast to the bridesmaids.

To the ushers Graham and Kevin thank you for all your help today, you have been fantastic. Also thank you for allowing me to be a part of your little sister's life, I know that being a big brother has its responsibilities but I can't help but feel you have failed in that by letting Leanne marry me today. and Graham please enjoy the drink tonight but don't get as drunk as you did on the stag night as I am not sure that Linda and Colin will be able to carry you to your bed again. Leanne and I have a little something for you both

Thank you to the page boys Ben, Jake and George for your help today making our wedding extra special, you all look very hansom in your little suits. We have a little something for you also if you would like to come up and receive them.

So this brings me onto my best man Adrian, who is better known for making up lies whilst publicly speaking. I have been friends with Adrian back when PlayStation 1 was the console to have and wall ball was the game on the streets. During those times we were always competitive with each other and nothing much has changed since we turned 18, only the competition has turned to who could drink the most. A night out with Adrian will often end up with a story as I am sure he will remind me today. One such story which involved a P&O mini cruise to Bilbao, ended up with someone being detained, having passports confiscated and a friend being duct taped to a column where he was found by security. I have since been banned from all P&O cruises… 

I think the world of him, and couldn't thank him enough for organizing such a relaxed and chilled stag in Prague where nothing went on at all…. 

Adrian I see you eyeing up the post box upon arrival, please bear in mind we are friends and I would like that to still be there when the day is over. (Bit of an inside joke)

I really have to thank my wife, I couldn't have done this without you.  When I first met Leanne she was this cute good looking girl sporting a silver ford KA, we exchanged numbers and soon became friends. We started to chat and play online poker, which soon turned into chat and being persuaded into giving Leanne my chips. Nothing much has changed, I still find myself giving in to Leanne's persuasion technics, often getting what she had set out to achieve. There is only one battle I can think of that she has yet to win, the sale of my motorbike.… If anyone is interested in buying one let me know. 

Most of you will know the story of how I proposed to Leanne, and for those that don't it goes like this. Firstly I asked Colin for his permission and with a little persuasion and a spiked drink later he agreed. I then set out to propose to Leanne in Guildford via a fancy hotel and a horse drawn carriage. As you all know Leanne said yes, but what most of you don't know is that I have proposed to Leanne before! It was very early on into our relationship and I am sure Colin would not have been very impressed having only known me as this drunken guy that turned up on his door step. As with most of my stories me and Leanne had been out and had a few drinks. Whilst walking home Leanne was upset and had come to the conclusion that I didn't want to be with her. Full of courage and confidence I had decided there was only one thing to do to prove my love for her.… I then proceeded to get down on one knee. Leanne at this point realized what was about to happen and quickly sobered up! She pulled me up from my knee and told me to stop being silly! Waking up the next day I had realized what I had done the night before, but you know what I didn't care. I knew then as I do now I love this girl and I am going to do anything I can to make sure I spend the rest of my life with her! 

Leanne marrying you has been the happiest day of my life and you have blown me away with how beautiful you look. I was a little nervous about today, but then I thought back to the last 8 years we spent together and I can honestly say they have been the happiest I have ever been, I have you to thank for that. I soon realized that I have nothing to be nervous about, In fact I am excited to continue our journey into the future knowing I have you by my side to make me laugh, smile and hold my hand through whatever life may throw at us. You are and always will be my best friend and soul mate despite what Adrian might think.

So Ladies and Gentlemen, please be upstanding, for the most important toast I'm ever likely to make, TO MY WIFE, MY BRIDE AND MY ABSOLUTE WORLD, LEANNE CLACK.