We wanted to interview a Father of the Bride to find out their perspective of their daughter’s wedding day, so we thought, who better to ask, than John Relph! Find out what he had to say…
How did you feel when Lawrie asked for your permission to marry his daughter?
I was sort of expecting it but it was still a bit of a surprise. A surprise that is that Lawrie asked my permission! Anyway the real answer to your question is ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED!!
Beth and Lawrie then went on Holiday to Ibiza and everyday we were waiting for the news that Beth had accepted Lawrie’s proposal. It came eventually in the form of a photograph of a very happy & proud Beth holding up her engagement ring
When writing your father of the bride speech, did you already know what you was going to say?
Yes, I sort of worked the whole speech out in my head first so I wrote it down quite quickly. But after that I tinkered with it right up until the last minute, and what I said was only approximately what was written on the paper!
How long would you recommend the speech to be?
Someone told me my speech was about twenty minutes - which surprised me as I thought it was much shorter. I don’t feel (I hope) that it was too long - I suppose it all depends on the speaker. I had a few nervous moments but on the whole I was pleased with it (I got a few laughs!) and felt it was about the right length.
On your daughter’s wedding day, what was the best part of the day for you?
Well letting my hair down at the disco really! But the whole week was thoroughly enjoyable so it’s difficult to pick a moment.
If you could go back, is there anything you would want to change or improve?
Well I should have practised my speech more and there were a few hiccups; the bouquet nearly didn’t happen and the chair covers were the wrong size.
But we got through them and amazingly Beth keep her cool and didn’t panic, which, I feel, was mainly due to Mr ‘Level-Head’ Brand.
How did you feel walking your daughter up the aisle?
From the moment we got into the car to giving Elizabeth away was a quite surreal or perhaps I should say super-real moment. It’s one of those moments that defies words. It was an amazing moment that I shall never forget.
Can you tell us anything else about the day?
I would like to say that it was a wonderful day, and a wonderful week. I think the fact that Kate and I got to know Lawrie and Beth’s friends during four days before the wedding really enhanced our enjoyment of the day. Which meant that when I stood up to give my speech I was greeted with a sea of friendly faces most of whom I could name!
Of all the thankyous on the day the one that is too easily forgotten is thanking the guests. So I would like to end by saying a big thank you to everyone who came - you really made the day and the week an occasion Kate and I will away remember with great fondness.
