Speech by Tommy Walker

Speech Type: Groom
Speech Creator: Tommy Walker
Speech Date: Aug2005
Ladies and gentlemen – bearing in mind that public speaking is a waste of valuable drinking time, the bars open, and a good few of you are well renowned for liking a drink, I will try and keep you all happy by keeping this speech brief.

As there are a lot of guests here from over the water I have asked Karen to translate for you!

Now I did have a great speech lined up for you all today but naturally now that I'm a married man this is what I've been told to say instead.

On behalf of my lovely wife and I, I would like to thank everybody for being here to celebrate our special day, and to say, it is very much appreciated as we know a lot of you have travelled some distance to be here. I know that this is meant to be our day but it wouldn't be as special if it wasn't for all our family and friends being here with us, we would also like to thank you all for the cards, kind thoughts and wonderful presents that we have received.

And so to the one person in this room to which I owe the most thanks and that is my lovely wife Karen who I'm sure you'll all agree how stunning she looks today. I can honestly say I was blown away when she walked into my life 3 years ago, and I would like every body here to know how happy I am that she's agreed to be my wife, she's beautiful, intelligent, hard working, the list is endless but unfortunately I can't read her handwriting.

I would like to thank Marianne and Colin for the kindness they have shown me from the first day we met even thou they couldn't understand a word I said. I would also like to thank you for everything you have done and for welcoming me so openly into your family.

I feel very proud to be able to say that as your son-in-law and I will always do my best to live up to your expectations and promise to take care of Karen and Jay…and of course do everything she tells me to do…

I would also like to thank Marianne and Colin for bringing up such a beautiful and intelligent daughter. Karen is a lovely person. She deserves a good husband. So I thought I'd best marry her before she found one.

Mum and Dad I would like to thank you both for the advice you have given me, for putting up with me and for pointing me in the right direction…usually only to watch me go off and do exactly the opposite, of course…but that's what sons do best. Also for welcoming Karen into the family with open arms and for supporting her as much as you do. It is also at this point that I am supposed to thank my parents for putting up with me through my teenage years!!! But they are so long ago now that I really cannot remember if I was difficult or not. But being a parent is more than just being supportive through the early years, sometimes they are needed in later life as well!! So thanks Mum and Dad for all your love and support over many years and for instilling in me, whatever it is that convinced Karen that she wanted to marry me on that score alone, you should be justifiably proud of yourselves, I am certainly proud to have you as my parents.

At this point, we would like to give a gift to both of our Mum's. Tradition
says we should give them flowers, but Karen and I wanted to give you something more permanent.

So we are getting you a tattoo each!

Only kidding, these are just a small token of our thanks for always being
there. As for the two Dad's, I'll just see you at the bar later!

Also I would like to draw your attention to the wonderful wedding cake over on the table which aunty Pat and auntie Linda kindly made for us. Thank you very much.

And one last thing before I move on.…

Isn””t it funny how history repeats itself? A few years ago, ok more than a few years ago, Marianne and Colin were putting Karen to bed with a dummy……………And now it””s happening all over again!

Last but by no means least are our 2 kids – Jack and TJ – Jack – I love you as if you were my own son whenever you need me I will always be there for you come rain or shine, hell or high water I will be there same as I am for TJ.

TJ – I just want to let you know you are a great son and I love you with all my heart.

You 2 kids mean the world to Karen and I and you make our family complete. If Jack and TJ would just step up here we have something for you.

Unfortunately, it's not possible to have everyone we love here with us tonight. We know they're here with us in spirit, &amp they're not only in our thoughts today, more importantly they're with us in our hearts always. So, with them in mind, would you please all stand, raise your glasses, &amp join me in a toast to absent family and friends.

Ladies &amp Gentlemen, “Absent Family and friends”

Thank you all for joining us tonight. We know we are surrounded by love ones. Please enjoy the rest of the night and have a great time.