An Introduction

It was the 22nd of June 2006, outside the weather was sunny and very warm as summer was in full bloom. Inside the clink of metal against glass receded as everybody had finished their deserts.

Up to now the day had gone without a hitch and now I slowly pondered in my mind how I was going to get through the hardest part of the day – the groom’s speech.

My new Father-in-Law stood up and pulled off a faultless speech, not just that, it was very professional, as if he had been making speeches for years. This didn’t make things any easier in my mind…could I at least equal the standard that had been set?

Anyway there was no more time to think as he had come to the end of his speech.

The toast master introduced the groom, then all eyes were on me as I nervously shuffled out of my chair and stood up.

The Speech

My wife and I would like to thank Geoff for his kind and generous words. Not only did he give Nicola away, but he has also made me feel welcome as the newest member of his family.

This is the most important day of our lives and Nicola and I are delighted to share it with so many friends and family. We are also grateful that you have not only gone to the expense of sharing this day with us, but you have also bought us many wonderful presents. I apologize now for Nicola’s expensive tastes!!

I would like to say a big thank you to my Mum and Dad for helping me in so many ways whilst bringing me up, and in return I can assure you, only the finest nursing home awaits you.

And to my new set of parents, what can I say? You have raised Nicola to be the most kind-hearted, loving and considerate woman a man could wish to meet, and for this I am truly grateful.

I would also like to show my appreciation for allowing me to marry your daughter, and to express my special thanks for that steamy night in the back of Geoff’s Vauxhall Viva 32 years ago that brought your daughter into this world and made this wedding possible.

I am delighted to have Geoff and Janet, Kath and Dudley as my new In-Laws.

I knew that I would get on with them when I fell in love with Nicola, because they have helped her to be the person she is, wonderful, kind, easy-going and likes drinking copious amounts of wine.

When I asked Nicola to marry me, I knew that I needed a best man, and there was only one man for the job, my brother Nicholas. He has had a lot of experience of giving speeches at weddings and I knew that he would be perfect for the occasion.

I would personally like to thank him for all the work he has done to day, not losing the rings, getting me to the church on time and making sure I stay sober.

I would also like to thank Nicholas and Katie’s two daughters, Lucy and Emily for being such wonderful bridesmaids, and not forgetting Simon and Tracey’s son Bradley for being a fantastic page-boy. Not only did they manage to walk down the aisle without falling over, but they didn’t misbehave once.

Finally ladies and gentleman, my wife and I would like to finish by making a toast to the bridesmaids and page-boy. So if you will be upstanding and raise your glasses with me to toast the bridesmaids and page-boy.

The Conclusion

At last my work is done, I said to myself as I sat down feeling relieved – I knew I had given the best speech possible at that moment in time and I felt very content as I took a swig of champagne.