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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.
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