Wedding speech: Putting writing 201 into practice

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Rewriting on Your Own: Putting Writing 201 into Practice

If it had not been for the practice that the Dailypost suggested the 4 weeks I would not have done a well prepared speech! Thanks to all for tips and suggestions.

“I would like to begin by thanking the master of ceremony for inviting me,Ineke as mother of the groom, to deliver my speech. It is wonderful to have you all gathered here as friends and family in honor of both the bride and groom. I know most of you have come from distant area to join us in celebrating our children’s wedding… I would like to express my/our appreciation. There are many good memories that came to mind when I thought about what I would say today.
Bertus is an honest, hard working and loving young gentleman. I think he will be not only a good husband to his lovely bride but also an excellent father to his children. I am a very proud mother today, I am sure Bertus that your father would also be very proud to see you all dressed up and happy with Stella at your side as your wife. The two of you compliment each other in many ways and are a perfect match. Your powers are combined in one strong team.
Stella you and your family are welcome in our small family. We are tied together as one family now.
I am very proud to tell you some snippets from Bertus as a young lad up to becoming the young gentleman he is today.
I still see in my minds eye Bertus’s father, a man of nearly 2 meter, weighing between 110-114 kg sitting outside in full summer sunshine without his shirt and only his shorts watching his hens eating. Next to him was this tiny blond toddler only wearing his t-shirt and socks, without his nappy,also watching the hens and trying to water them with the hose pipe. A picture always to remember.
I also remember that he loved to dress up as Father Christmas and hand out the presents. He would paste his face full of cotton wool and wear his red track suit.
In High school, he was a trumpeter in the Cadet orchestra and they came second in the international competition that year. He tried to play rugby but hated it because in the scrum the boys tried to pull down each others shorts!
Bertus also delivered newspapers using his well loved bicycle. After saving all his well earned money he bought his first motor bike.
In his first year at technicon I bought him a yellow mini. I’ll almember this tall thin body doubling up to fit into the mini. Later he bought his real black motorbike.
Just after finishing his studies and starting his second job the opportunity came for him to move to New Zealand.
Here I want to thank Stella’s father Coen for giving Bertus the opportunity to live with him for the first month. Thank you for being, not only a good friend to Bertus, but also for giving Bertus fatherly advice too. It is much appreciated. Bertus still looks up to you as a wonderful father, now he has a real father in you again.
Bertus and Stella, I wish you all the happiness in the world and long lives together.
I want to propose a toast on the happy couple