Today is a special day in so many ways.

We feel exceptionally blessed and fortunate to be able to share today with all of you. An extra special word of welcome must go to all our friends, family and generous guests who have traveled far and wide to share today with us - we literally appreciate you going the "extra mile". Speaking of miles, we have all come a long way together. Some of you have been around and part of our [family / community / society / group / church / school / business ]for a long time, while others may have only been welcomed more recently. However, we are without a doubt, especially grateful that you are all here today sharing in this special occasion as we celebrate [ insert name and brief details of the occasion ]. Our hope is that you will enjoy the day with us, that we will strengthen the bonds and fellowship that binds us all together. May we all take the opportunity to re-affirm and confirm how lucky we are to be amongst each other, next to each other and part of each others lives. Long may our friendship and fellowship continue.

A warm welcome to [insert specific details of the group's composition - family and friends / colleagues / special guests / ladies and gentlemen etc] Today is the first / not the first of many such gatherings and hopefully we will all continue to forge importantrelationships / friendships / opportunities as we share this magnificent [insert details of the event] occasion. One can't always tell the exact moment when relationships / friendships / opportunities are forged, but this I can tell you... It is at occasions such as tonight when we come together to share a common celebration / goal / vision that we often start / continue on our journey towards something remarkable and if guests are like flowers...well, then you'd be the exact bunch / bouquet that I would pick to share tonight with. May we all value / cherish / gains something of importance from the time that we spend together; may we grasp it with both hands and make our own wonderful memories / opportunities to carry with us in the years still to come.

My thanks I extend to you for the kindness you have shown, for the support you willingly offered, and for the hand of friendship extended.

What a wonderful occasion we all celebrated today, And now I have the privilege to gratefully say, Sincere thanks and heartfelt appreciation to you one and all, for sharing this special day with us - in years ahead ours fondly to recall ... Thank you for coming - you made it all the more memorable We loved having you here - friendly, willing and able!

Our thanks and gratitude we'd like to express, It really meant a lot and yes we must confess, Your wonderful words, actions and deeds have left a lasting impression, You are an asset to yourself, your company and your profession!

The challenge inherent in a welcome speech is to find alternate and apt ways to express yourself sincerely without resorting to a string of undifferentiated 'same-old, same-old' phrases to greet your guests with. What's the solution? Here's a 3 suggestions to individualize or tailor your words. 1: Add an adjective Try working in an adjective to describe your welcome more fully. It could be a(n):

warm welcome "Luckily the weather has aligned with our wishes. The sun and I bid you a warm welcome." hearty welcome "Let's raise up a hearty welcome, big and warm enough to hold you all ..." cheerful welcome "It's my pleasure to extend a cheerful welcome to you all!" cordial welcome "Fellow members, please join me in giving our guests the best of cordial welcomes." glad welcome "It's a glad welcome we bring to you this morning, filled with the desires, hopes and dreams all of us share." hospitable welcome "We're delighted to offer the most hospitable welcome we can." amiable welcome "Dear guests, look around you! An amiable welcome full of friendship is yours." gracious welcome "Our desire is to extend a gracious and inclusive welcome to all of you." sociable welcome "Let's hear it for a sociable welcome! On the count of three, turn to your neighbor and say 'hello'. There are no strangers here, only friends we are yet to meet." genial welcome "It's my pleasant duty to bid you all a genial welcome." convivial welcome "On behalf of my colleagues, I wish you all a convivial welcome. We are going to have a merry and enjoyable time together." agreeable welcome "The flags are flying. The balloons are ready for release. It's a great day, one we've been planning and waiting for. I'm sure you'll concur, this is an agreeable welcome." pleasing welcome "It's gratifying to look around and see so many familiar faces. That's a pleasing welcome to what I know is a going to be a great conference ... " pleasant welcome "You know what's great about these events? You are always assured of a pleasant welcome. This is feel-good central and we aim ..." companionable welcome "Looking around I can see many familiar faces - peers, past and present colleagues. What a companionable welcome! It's great to see you all here ..."

grateful welcome "Many of you have made a huge effort to join us today. On behalf of us all, we are deeply appreciative and offer you our most grateful welcome." friendly welcome "Today is the day we begin to learn to look through the eyes of others; to find out and experience what the world is like for them. It is also the day we grow bigger than our differences and offer to everyone regardless of historical rights and wrongs, a friendly welcome, an outstretched hand." appreciative welcome "Wow, what a gathering we have here tonight. We've got dignitaries, celebrities, fans, and organizational members all brought together for one cause. Ours. Here's an appreciative welcome to you all." superb welcome "Ladies and gentlemen, the room is ready. The tables are set. The band is playing our theme song. And the waiting staff are preparing to take your orders. This is a superb welcome, fit for royalty, and that's what you are to us." delighted welcome "To our special guests; look around. See the smiles of everyone's faces? We are truly delighted to welcome you here today." favored welcome "Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we have stars in the sky and on stage. We are favored to welcome some the brightest the world has seen." honored welcome "I look around the stage and am in awe with the collected expertise gathered here. We are deeply honored to welcome you." big welcome "Here's to a big welcome for our guests; Lady Amelia Thistledown and Sir Roger Godfrey!" huge welcome "Ladies and gentlemen, please give a huge welcome to ..." rapturous welcome "Do you hear the applause? The audience joins me in a rapturous welcome! We are delighted to have you with us today."

2: What about your guests? Could they be better described as:

esteemed guests dear guests cherished guests respected guests revered guests much-loved guests famous guests expert guests distinguished guests honored guests appreciated guests knowledgeable guests wonderful guests popular guests

3: What about the word 'guest'? Would it be better to replace it with:

peers colleagues associates friends patrons members classmates workmates collaborators fellow-travelers, nurses, teachers ... (insert the appropriate descriptor) affiliates visitors citizens cohorts

And lastly, have fun experimenting! Do try mixing and matching your phrases for welcome speeches to fit the occasion. There are more flavors to 'welcome' than vanilla!