Speech by Wayne Bridgman

Speech Type: Groom
Speech Creator: Wayne Bridgman
Speech Date: 14/05/2012 08:53:53

INTRO / THANK ALL

(Applause) After that reception, I just can't wait to hear what I am going to say.

I would like to start by thanking everyone who has travelled to join us on this day for their “presence” in both senses of the word. You have all been very generous and by making the effort to be with us, each and every one of you here today makes this day more special for us. So you have our heartfelt thanks for that.

It is amazing to see our family and friends all under one roof, and what a wonderful mixed bunch you are too. Some have had to come from many miles away…from all around, including strange foreign lands like, Spain, France and Carlisle. So I hope everyone enjoys the day.

With that, I would like to call on you to make sure your glasses are charged ready for the toasts to come. So, the first toast of the day please if you could be upstanding – to all of you – the guests.

THE DAY

It has been a great day so far and…a big relief for me… Charlotte is so used to saying ‘No’ to me that I was concerned she was going to mess up our wedding ceremony. I must admit that all the magnificent arrangements in evidence here today are largely down to the efficiency and kindness of other people, who have been busy behind the scenes. From the garden preparation, to the DJs and various helpers we give our thanks and especially a round of applause please for the heroic bar tenders.

It really is fantastic this day has finally arrived – After a lightning romance of about 10 years we have shared so many special memories together already and I'm sure that there will be many more in the future.

And, as Charlotte pointed out to me earlier, this is the happiest day of my entire life.

PARENTS

On behalf of my wife and I we both want to thank the bride's parents for the support they've given us – and I would like to thank you for raising such a wonderful, caring, tolerant, patient and slow to anger daughter. From day one, you have been fully behind us. It was Zsa Zsa Gabor that quoted “The secret to a good marriage…remains a secret” but you have always demonstrated how a marriage should be – and that's successful. I'll do my best to live up to your expectations and promise to take good care of your daughter. And, of course, do everything that she tells me to do…within reason. I'm not cleaning up the cat sick. Mum, I want to say a special thank you to you. You've given me so much love and support over the years, have always been there for me when I've needed you and I have been given a wonderful start in life. Thank you also for all the guidance and advice you and Baz 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 but of course, that's what sons are for and do best of all. I am very fortunate and proud that you are my mum.

So now I would like to take a moment to present the Mums with a gift and ask for another toast – if you could be upstanding – for the parents.

BRIDE

To my lovely wife – doesn't she look great today everyone. A round of applause please. Thank you for marrying me and making me the happiest and proudest man in the world today, I don't have to hope that our future together will be a happy one, I KNOW it will be. We have already been together for 10 years – just to be sure. When I think about my life before I met Charlotte – it was good, but it pales in comparison to how much fun and laughter we've shared since we met. I know we're going to carry on having fun together for the rest of our lives. I think success in marriage does not come merely through finding the right partner, but through being the right partner too, so I'm going to work hard for the rest of my life to make sure she's just as happy every single day.

And with that, I'd like you to join me in raising your glass in a special toast to my wonderful wife, Mrs Charlotte Bridgman!

USHERS

I'd now like to pay tribute to our ushers, Mike, Loz and Darren. Excellent job today guys. Being an Usher can be a dangerous job. I was Ushering once at a friends wedding. I asked a lady entering the church if she was a friend of the groom; She said, ‘Certainly not, I am the bride's mother.’ Can I get a toast for the usher's fine work please – to the ushers!

A have a gift for you guys if you would like to come and collect.

BRIDESMAIDS

As for the bridesmaids, Emma, Lindsay and Mary what can I say except they look lovely and have been great throughout all the preparations. It has been a superhuman effort…for them to have remained sober this long – so they deserve a drink; ladies and gentlemen, please be upstanding. I give you Emma, Lindsay and Mary, the bridesmaids!

I'd also like them to accept these small offerings with our love.

BEST MAN

Before I get onto the best man I just want to say something about all my other friends here today. Some president or other once said that a true friend is a person who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you today just the way you are. So thanks for all your friendship over the years guys.

I have known Matt, my Best Man, for exactly 20 something years now and throughout that time he has been there for me when it matters and is always ready with an encouraging word, and a welcome case of beer when things are going badly and, if I'm being honest, when things are going well too. I'd like to thank him for all his help in organizing the stag do of course; everyone got on really well and had a great time. We can look back now on coming close to death while gorge walking and laugh. I remember with great hilarity when Matt got the traverse behind the waterfall wrong, and the force of the water forced his grimacing face to breach the waterfall like a big fat constipated salmon.

But, most importantly I'd like to thank him for being a true friend. However, there is something that I need to make you aware of. Matt suffers from a strange condition that occasionally causes him to drift in and out of weird, strange flights of fantasy. Clinical fancifulness, I think the doctors called it. He has been known to make up elaborate stories, absolutely believing them to be true. Anyway, it's only right that I advise you all of this ahead of his speech. As I say, he is a true friend and I wouldn't want you to go upsetting him, so if you could bear with him, even join with him on his journey of make believe, I would appreciate it.

A toast and handover to the best man!