I am absolutely chuffed to bits to be the best man at my best mate Simon’s wedding. Being the business development manager here at Focus I am pretty used by now to a bit of public speaking and meeting new people – so as usual I haven’t been bothered by the upcoming speech and all that surrounds it too much.

I do, however tend to leave things to the last minute…. For my wedding back in 2005 I was not the least bit concerned about writing a speech and what was about to happen until the day before, which is when I turned into a complete nervous wreck! I was rushing around and left myself so much to do – including writing a speech, getting the suits, buying a present and then there was organising my best man (he is not known for his organisational skills…). Luckily I managed it all and it all went perfectly on the day but I am getting a little older now and I’d like to think my approach to everything is a lot more measured these days. This time round I am trying to get in control – although 5 years and 2 kids later, my life is a bit more frantic!

We have the stag do planned for the 1st May down in sunny Bournemouth with a range of activities and dressing up firmly on the agenda. Poor old Simon won’t know what’s hit him! Here’s the very tasteful establishment we’ll be staying at http://bit.ly/dl35Bm Basil Fawlty would be proud!



Simon is marrying a lovely Italian girl called Elli and the wedding is taking place in Ostuni southern Italy http://bit.ly/aDz8as We are going out there for a week and making it a real family holiday and I can’t wait…

As I mentioned earlier I do tend / or I used to leave things to the last minute so I am now making a passionate plea to anybody reading my first blog. As I don’t want to upset the missus and spoil my lovely Italian holiday I would like to get the speech sorted out and in the main written before we fly out – I have an idea that props will take a large part and have some good stories to share. I have to make an intro and an ending in Italian which adds to the pressure. Here’s the plea for help, if you are reading this I would greatly appreciate it if you could share with me any funny quips or gags etc that you have found worked well at a wedding previously? Or better still a good (free) website where I can steal the framework of a speech from? My email address is dan@focusintegrated.co.uk and I’d really appreciate and look forward to receiving any help you may be able to give!

I will keep you all updated as to how I get on with both the stag and the wedding.