Grooms Speech

Ladies and Gentlemen, until today, September 21st has not been a very historic day: I was hoping to give you all a short list of fascinating events that had happened "On this day in History", but not much has happened: doing some research I found out that on this day The Hobbit was first published, China became a communist nation and John Kennedy was married too!

 For me however this day will always be special, because you joined us here in this beautiful place and celebrated our marriage.

 I did, of course, have a great speech of my own worked out for you today, but as I am now married, my wife has told me what to say instead.

Thank you, Ivor for those kind words, I am proud to be your son-in-law, I hope I can live up to your expectations. I would sincerely like to thank yourself, and Sylvia, for always making me feel very welcome when I come to visit. Most of all, thank you for giving me your blessing, to marry your lovely daughter, Ann.

 We would like to thank both sets of parents as we wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for them. Thank you for all of your love and support over the years, and for all the help you have given us. For putting up with us and pointing us in the right direction. For helping us with this lovely reception and for all your support during the buildup to the wedding.

 I would like to thank the Carters, without whom the Smyths’ wouldn’t have a son here today. My mother unfortunately could not attend, but I am very pleased to see my grandmother Mrs Shirley Carter, my sister Pepi and my cousin James here representing her. I would especially like to thank my father and Jenny, who have supported and guided me through school and university, and I hope to continue the success all your hard work has helped me achieve.

 On behalf on my wife and I, we would like thank all of you for coming here today and sharing our special day with us, especially those who have traveled far to be here. Over half of everyone here today came from interstate or overseas which is an amazing turnout! We truly appreciate your company here today, and look forward to staying in touch with you in the future, wherever we are in the world.

 I would like to thank you all for your presents in both senses of the word; it's been like Christmas every day for about a month now - always something new arriving! A huge thank you for all the presents and for your cards and kind thoughts, but most of all for the smiling faces I see in front of me.

One exciting event for me today was to finally see Ann in her wedding dress! I was overwhelmed to say the least by how amazing Ann looks today.

I want everyone here, especially Ann, to know how lucky I feel to be here right now. Ann is beautiful, intelligent, hard working. The list of her good qualities is extremely long. But, unfortunately I can't read her handwriting - must be something to do with her being a doctor.

 But seriously, to my wife, my bride and joy, thank you for everything you have done. You know everything about me and love me just the same. I have my faults, yet you still agreed to marry me. I am extremely lucky today to be the one to marry you - and I hope this is the start of many happy years together.

Since I proposed to Ann on holiday in Stellenbosch, it feels like the events of the last six months have flashed by in a whirl. We have enjoyed the organization of this event, and many people here today have helped us put it all together. A toast to my bride!

I would personally like to thank Rod for agreeing to be my Best Man. He was my best friend at school and I am very pleased to include him in our special day. He has been a rock of support over the last few months.

Ann and I would also like to thank Karl and Brian for doing such a great job as ushers today.

A final and big thank you goes to Ann’s bridesmaid, Laura.  A special mention should also go to Caroline, who has been a huge help to Ann and me these last few months.  

Ladies and Gentlemen, please be upstanding. I would like to propose a toast to the bridesmaids, best man and ushers!

Ann, we welcome you into our family with all our heart.

 We are proud that you have become a Smyth.

We hope that you appreciate our little eccentricities.

 We have no family portraits, because they have all been used as target practice – shot by Colonel George Smyth after dinner when he was enjoying his port.

 Almost all the Smyth men have the Christian names of John, George or Henry. This was taken to absurd lengths by my great uncle Colonel John Smyth. When his wife got fed up with living in the Burmese jungle, she took with her back to London their two sons John and Henry. He then married a Burmese girl and had two more sons whom he also called John and Henry – causing great confusion in the family.

Yu may be interested to know that my grandmother’s family has had a long association with Sydney – starting with our great great grandmother Mary Hyde who arrived in Botany Bay in September 1798 – 204 years ago almost to the day. She had been convicted at the Warwickshire assizes for stealing a muslin shawl and scissors – a put up job apparently by her jealous employer’s wife. Our Mary however had true entrepreneurial spirit – on the long passage over she got herself engaged to the ship’s captain and married him when they arrived in Botany Bay. When he died a few years later she became the housekeeper to Simeon Lord first emancipist millionaire and married him within two years – enabling our family to live happily for a century after.

Mary’s daughter Ann married Prosper de Mestre – the de Mestre’s having been forced to flee France during the revolution. Ann, I am pleased to see that you are now wearing the de Mestre ring, worn at Versailles at the time of Marie Antoinette.

 Your skill at archery could also become useful. Since medieval times our family in Wales has been summoned on the odd occasion by the Duke of Beaufort to answer the call to arms and appear as captain of his archers.

Apparently we performed well at Agincourt in 1415 and a ceremony is held every decade.

 Anyway enough of the past. It is the future which counts.

 Campbell I am delighted that you have maintained an entrepreneurial spirit and am very proud with what you have achieved.

The years have flashed past – it does not seem very long ago that you and Rupert Guinness were sharing a pram together in Woollahra. You have been a wonderful son and I know that you and Ann will be a strong partnership.

May you have a great life together and you go forth with our full blessing.  

Have you made a wedding speech? If you are willing to allow us to show it here on our site to help others Then Email it to:
speeches@foreverwed.com