Speech

[Shawna Bride]

I want to post what I have for my speech so far, let me know what you think.... Also, how long (minutes) do you think this is?

When I think about what brings me here today, to this moment, I must think about the families we have come from. Ryan and I are very fortunate to have such a wonderful support system. We both come from parents who are still in love with each other, who still exhibit what it means to truly care about someone. Since the moment I’ve met Ryan’s family I have felt like I was part of it. Kelly has been a great friend, someone whom I can laugh with, confide in and come to for advice. She is the “slightly-older” sister I have always wanted. Donna and Larry, I can honestly say, are my second parents. They have accepted me in to their family without hesitation, and have made me feel like a daughter. I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this.

I come from parents who have shown me what it means to love, honor and… well, maybe not obey, but you get the point. As far as I can remember, there was always a lot of love shared between my parents. Not once did I ever hear my father raise his voice at my mother in anger. My parent’s have taught me what constitutes a strong marriage. It’s a partnership. As my Mom explained to me years ago, a good relationship is like a fire. You both need to tend to the fire and put logs on it. If only one person takes care of the fire they will easily get tired and give up. If neither of you take care of the fire it will quickly die. I really believe this is true, and I think that it translates in to my relationship with Ryan. Love is not as easy as they make it sound in the movies, and who would want it to be anyway? Love is hard, love is scary, love sometimes hurts. But if you have true love, it is the most astonishing thing in the world. It makes you want to wake up in the morning, come home from work early, look forward to Sunday morning and smile every day you get to spend together.

A very wise man once told me that a true test of character is how you are when you are down. It’s very easy to get along, to be nice and to be easy to love when you are happy and when life is going well. But, when everything is going wrong, and times are tough, that’s when your true character shows. Ryan and I have been through some tough times together, and they have only brought us closer together. Every time there has been hurdle, an upset or pain, we have held together and made it through. Not only have we made it through these rough times, but we became stronger as individuals and as a couple. What better to start a marriage to a wonderful man, than to have a great foundation to build it upon. I can say without hesitation that today I married my best friend, the one I laugh with, live for and love.

[Jenn060306]

It's wonderful! Very nicely writen!

[WebLady]

That is very good, I got a little teary reading it ;) If you wanted to change anything I would maybe re-word things where when you are talking about each person, it is more like you are actually be talking to them. (They will be there when you read it, right?)

EX: instead of "... Donna and Larry, I can honestly say, are my second parents. They have accepted me in to their family without hesitation, and have made me feel like a daughter. I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this"

Say this "... Donna and Larry, I can honestly say, you are my second parents. You have accepted me and welcomed me into your family without hesitation, and you've made me feel like a daughter, not just a daughter in law. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you have done"

You might could edit it a bit if you wanted to shorten it some. Good luck with everything! I would cry reading something like this, but I think that adds to the moment ;)

[CarlosHoney]

Wow! That's a long speech!

I don't normally have stage fright, but when it's people that I know, I sure do. :bbredface:

Good luck. It's beautiful. Have you been practicing? :D

[Shawna Bride]

It's only about 3 minutes...
I'm going to edit it a bit... I thought maybe it was tooo short...
Thanks guys

[WhiskeyGirl]

I didn't think it was too long...I was wondering though why you never "thank" Ryan though...like make a little bit of a speech to him?? Just wondering!!

[Valmai]

Thats beautiful - brought tears to my eyes too!! Good luck with it i know id probably start crying if i read a speach like that im hopeless lol xxx

[ikkin510]

Shawna, that speech is great! I also got a little teary while reading it!! I might get your to write mine for me when the time comes. Great job!

[brewsells]

Great job on the speech, Shawna. I don't know how you are going to be able to read it without choking up! I don't think it is too long at all, and I think you could even add a few things if you wanted. As Shawna mentioned, maybe say something to Ryan. I really think you did a great job, though.

[WhiskeyGirl]

Shawna

You could say thank you to him for sticking through thick and thin, maybe tell a funny story about something he did for you or whatever. Just basically tell people how happy you are to have married Ryan the man of your dreams and how much he means to you!! Good luck!!

Shawna

[rainbowtreat]

I love the speach. To be able to put into words how you feel is always a great feeling. I also dont think it is too long. And it sounds like you still goign to add to it. Let us know how the final thing turns out.

[OctoberBride06]

what a beautiful speech!
thats going to bring tears to everyones eyes :D

[Shawna Bride]

Here's the update..... let me know what you think


When I think about what brings me here today, to this moment, I must think about the families we have come from. Ryan and I are very fortunate to have such a wonderful support system. We both come from parents who are still in love with each other, who still exhibit what it means to truly care about someone. Since the moment I’ve met Ryan’s family I have felt like I was part of it. Kelly, you have been a great friend, someone whom I can laugh with, confide in and come to for advice. You are the “slightly-older” sister I have always wanted. I look forward to becoming closer year after year. Donna and Larry, I can honestly say, you are my second parents. You have accepted me in to your family without hesitation, and have made me feel like a daughter. We have gone through good times and bad times, and like all families, we have relied on each other to get through them. I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being such a special part of my life.

I feel very fortunate to have such a great family. Let me first thank Daniel for putting up with all this wedding craziness for the past year! You have been very patient, supportive and sweet, well, as much as a 15 year old boy can be! I promise, from now on, no more crying for silly reasons, gabbing on and on about dresses or making your wear a tuxedo!

I am lucky to be sitting up here at the head table beside both of my best friends. I married one of them, and the other is my sister. Melissa, I don’t even know what I can say about you. We always joke that we are sisters by birth and friends by choice; it’s so true though. You fill my life with sunshine, and I am so fortunate to be your best friend.

I come from parents who have shown me what it means to love, honor and… well, maybe not obey, but you get the point. As far as I can remember, there was always a lot of love shared between my parents. Not once did I ever hear my father raise his voice at my mother in anger. My parent’s have taught me what constitutes a strong marriage. It’s a partnership. As my Mom explained to me years ago, a good relationship is like a fire. You both need to tend to the fire and put logs on it. If only one person takes care of the fire they will easily get tired and give up. If neither of you take care of the fire it will quickly die. I really believe this is true, and I think that it translates in to my relationship with Ryan. Mom and Dad, you have been so supportive to me throughout the years. You have pushed me when I needed a push, you have given me space when it was necessary. You sent me in to this world with everything I need, and I always new if I fell, you would be there to catch me.

Love is not as easy as they make it sound in the movies, and who would want it to be anyway? Love is hard, love is scary, love sometimes hurts. But if you have true love, it is the most astonishing thing in the world. It makes you want to wake up in the morning, come home from work early, look forward to Sunday morning and smile every day you get to spend together.

A very wise man once told me that a true test of character is how you are when you are down. It’s very easy to get along, to be nice and to be easy to love when you are happy and when life is going well. But, when everything is going wrong, and times are tough, that’s when your true character shows. Ryan, you and I have been through some tough times together, and they have only brought us closer together. Every time there has been hurdle, an upset or pain, we have held together and made it through. Not only have we made it through these rough times, but we became stronger as individuals and as a couple. What better to start a marriage to a wonderful man, than to have a great foundation to build it upon. I can say without hesitation that today I married my best friend, the one I laugh with, live for and love.

[WhiskeyGirl]

Hey!! Great speech!! The only thing I might change is calling Daniel a 15 year old boy...for me it sound kind of odd. Perhaps something like 15 year old guy?? Who is Daniel?? Is he your brother?? Ryans?? a cousin?? At 15 I'd be a little upset if some one called me a child, even though its pretty well true!! Lol

Good luck Shawna

[Shawna Bride]

Ya, you're right... He's my younger brother (almost 1/2 my age!). I'll change that to guy!
Thanks

[WhiskeyGirl]

Or you can say 15 year old brother!

[Shawna Bride]

That's better, for the people who don't know who he is!
Thanks again...

Other than that.... s'alright?

[CindySue]

Shawna.....All I can say is WOW! http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_75.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxdm414CPUS)





http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp?pc=ZSzeb068&pp=ZNxdm414CPUS (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb068_ZNxdm414CPUS)

[WhiskeyGirl]

Yup, everything is great once you change that one part!! Have fun!! Wow 8 days!!! Its coming fast eh??!!

[tha_mrs]

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_2_58.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZSYYYYYY68US) The speech is wonderful! I have just one question, when does the bride give a speech?I have never heard of this part? Do I have to give one?I get very emotional, I don't think I could.My FH says I am a cry baby, bu he has his soft side too.





http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp?pc=ZSzeb068&pp=ZSYYYYYY68US (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb068_ZSYYYYYY68US)

[Shawna Bride]

I wasn't planning on it at first, but then I thought that it would be nice to express myself the day of.

[Shawna Bride]

Yup, everything is great once you change that one part!! Have fun!! Wow 8 days!!! Its coming fast eh??!!

I know, I can't believe I'm using days, and not months or weeks!!! :w00t: :bbeek:

[WhiskeyGirl]

I know, I can't believe I'm using days, and not months or weeks!!! :w00t: :bbeek:

Just relax, take a deep breath and remember its about the marriage, not about the reception!! The reception is just a big party to celebrate the marriage!! I can't wait to see pictures!! You are going to be a beautiful bride!! YAY!!!

[tha_mrs]

I wasn't planning on it at first, but then I thought that it would be nice to express myself the day of.
will this be during the reception after the toast?

[Shawna Bride]

will this be during the reception after the toast?

Ya, it's going to be after dinner, before dessert....

[tha_mrs]

Shawna, I think this really is a good idea.This will be a tear jerker for sure.Noone is expecting this right?

[usahgrad]

I'll be making a speech as well...I wasn't planning on it, but Jason isn't a big talker or people person, so I will be thanking everyone for coming instead of him. It's not that he doesn't want to thank people, it's just that he quiet and I'm not...natural selection. :)

Anyways, Shawna, your speech is really beautiful! I can't believe you're just a few days away. I can't wait to see all the pictures and hear the experience. I hope you have a great time on your honeymoon!

[rainbowtreat]

I love it Shawna. You did a very nice job on it. I can see every eye tearing up as you read it that day. And wow you are close!