Speech by Tom W

Speech Type: Groom
Speech Creator: Tom W
Speech Date: 25/08/2014 18:12:02

( INTRODUCTION )

Thank you, Roy, for those kind words.

Good afternoon everyone. It gives me great pleasure, on behalf of my wife and I, to welcome you all here and to thank each and every one of you for sharing this very special day with us. We know that some of you have travelled a long way to be here, and for that we are very grateful.

We'd like to thank you all for your kind wishes and support, they are very much appreciated, especially the cheques!

Ok, so I did a bit of research on wedding speeches, and I discovered that the best speeches have a good beginning and a good ending, but the best speeches of all are the ones that keep these very close together.

We have been planning this wedding for some time now.

Well, I say “we”, Beckie did most of the work. She asked me to print some stuff off for her and that was so stressful. I even managed to get that wrong 3 times. But we got through it together and I eventually got it right.

But in all seriousness, Beckie has worked tirelessly for the past 18 or so months to make sure that today is a huge success, and I think we can all agree that she has done a perfect job. And all I had to do was supply her with tea and coffee, and the occasional witty remark, which she never appreciated.

Right, before I get onto the thank yous, I would just like to share a short little story of Beckie and I that I will always cherish.

( THE PROPOSAL )

“The Proposal”. 1st November 2012. I decided that after 6 years, maybe it was time for me to pop the question. So I decided to whisk Beckie away to the lovely, romantic city of Burnham-on-Sea.

On the night of the proposal, before I popped the question. We were sat in the pub, and we actually somehow got onto the topic of marriage and proposals. And she's sitting there, opposite me, looking me dead in the eye, saying “Oh, you'll never propose, I just don't think you'd ever do it, you'll probably just throw a ring at me.” She always thought we'd eventually get married, she just didn't think I had it in me to ask her properly.

And of course, I'm sitting there, with a very nice engagement ring in my jacket pocket, thinking, “Ooh you're in for a shock”.

So after we'd finished in the pub, we decided to head back to the hotel, and it was while walking on the beach front I decided to go for it. I made Beckie stop for a bit, so we could “enjoy the sea”. We couldn't stop for long though, because Beckie was complaining that she needed to wee, so I thought I better do this quick.

So I turned to her and quickly said, “Beckie, I've got a question for ya.”. And she went pale, as white as a ghost. She just glares at me and says, “Ok?”. I then got down on one knee, and asked her. And it was raining as well! She said yes (obviously). And then she started to cry, but I don't think they were tears of joy at the point. Tears of guilt I think, after what she was saying in the pub. “Well I sure showed you, Beck!” 

And now here we are, married, 8 years down the line and still going strong.

I'd just like to say that there will be a few toasts now, so please make sure your glasses are fully charged.

Unfortunately, it's not been possible to have everyone we love with us on such a special day.

So I'd just like to ask you all to raise your glass and join me in a toast for any friends or relatives that sadly couldn't be with us today… …to absent friends and family.

( PARENTS – THANK YOU )

First of all, I would like to thank both sets of parents. My mom and dad, Jenny and Mark, for their unconditional love, support and patience throughout the last 29 years. But I always knew I was the favourite. A big thank you for welcoming Beckie into our family.

My parents showed me the value of hard work, unfortunately I completely ignored this throughout my teenage years. But I turned out ok I think!

And of course, Beckies mom and dad, Stella and Roy for their huge amount of love and support for, not only today, but for the past 8 years. And for making me feel so welcome right from the very first moment I met them. I feel immensely fortunate to have married into such a fun-loving family. So a big thank you to both of you.

Roy, thank you for allowing me to marry your daughter, even though I didn't ask for permission (woops). I will try to take good care of her.

So, thank you to both sets of parents for helping us make this such a fantastic day.

– Now if everyone would just like to stand, and raise their glasses… …to our parents!

As a thank you, we have some flowers for the mothers.

( MAID OF HONOUR – THANK YOU )

A big thank you goes out to our lovely maid of honour, Natalie. Who, I'm sure we can all agree looks beautiful today! A true friend to both us for many years now, and Beckie's best friend since school. I've been told I'm not allowed to list the actual number of years, but it's longer than 15 years and less than 17 years. Thank you for being there for Beckie, someone had to.

It would have been difficult without your help and support for today and we're very happy that you are a part of this special occasion.

As a token of appreciation, we have a little gift for you, Nat.

( BRIDESMAIDS – THANK YOU )

And of course our beautiful bridesmaids, you both look lovely by the way. My sister Fiona, and my sister-in-law Laura. Thank you so much for helping us out today, it really does mean a lot to us!

And as a thank you, we have a couple of gifts here for you.

– Can everyone please raise their glass again… …to our Maid of Honour, and our bridesmaids.

( USHERS – THANK YOU )

To our fabulous ushers, my brother Richard, and my brother-in-law Chris. A massive thank you for your brains, but not your beauty. You've both done a great job today of helping us keep things organised.

We have a couple of gifts here for you, too.

– Now please raise your glasses… …to our Ushers.

( WIFE – THANK YOU )

And now… my shiny new wife.

Now, what can I say about Beckie? She's selfless, generous, beautiful, I could go on. But I can't remember what else she told me to say.

You may be wondering how Beckie and I came to be, but I think I'll leave that small tale to my best man, Russ. Who has assured me that his version of events is the most accurate.

Beckie has been amazing for me, putting up with my strange ways and my stupid and childish sense of humour. She is my best friend and someone I can always talk to, if she'd actually listen to me. We compliment each other very well, she gives me orders and I take them.

Beckie, I love you more than anything, and can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you.

– So, ladies and gentlemen, please be upstanding for the most important toast I am ever likely to make in my entire life… … To my wife, Beckie.

( BEST MAN – THANK YOU )

Now, last but not least, I'd like to introduce you to my very good friend and my best man, Russ.

Russ, you are a best friend to both me and Beckie, and we're glad to have you here on such a special day .

Thank you for agreeing to be my best man and for doing the absolute bare minimum since you accepted the role. You have helped keep me fairly calm over the past few hours, but the champagne has also helped. And the support you have given has meant so much to the both of us.

For those of you who don't know Russ, which will be most of you, he is one of the most genuine, chilled out, laid back guys I have ever met, and I have been honoured to have him as my Best Man.

So ladies and gentleman, thank you for listening. Please enjoy the rest of your evening. And give a nice, warm welcome to my wing man, my super man, and my best man… …Russ Eden.