Transcription
Ollie, thank you. That was genuinely really nice and a bit of a surprise. I had a tear in my eye. Someone obviously wrote that for you. Oh, so we finally made it to our wedding day! [Applause] 17 years after we first met. It's been 16 months later than we'd originally planned, almost four years since we got engaged, and it's been five years since Lauren had to guess this sword. I've said it all day, but it genuinely feels a bit surreal finally standing here. Obviously, it's a lot later than planned, and it felt like the day just was never going to come, but we have matured so much as a couple and as individuals in the last two years that it honestly feels perfect.
So, we appreciate all the effort you've all made to get here. We know it's a long way to come, and a lot of you have traveled very far, some further than others. Pete and Amanda traveling all the way from Canada to be here. So thank you. Obviously, it was never in doubt because there's nothing that will get in the way of peeing a free meal. So, we're so full of love for every single one of you. Again, thank you for being here, for joining us in our special day. So, on behalf of my wife and I, thank you all. So, we're going to toast throughout, but everyone can stay seated.
Before I get going with our thank yous, we have loved ones who can't be here with us today. We have grandparents and family who have sadly passed away. And on Tuesday this week, it was the funeral for Mary Dougherty, who is Lauren's great auntie, Nancy's sister, Marie's mum, and Finn's nan. So, we're also thinking of you today too. So, I'd like you all to raise your glass and join me in a toast to absent friends and family. And for those who don't know, Lauren's auntie Emily passed away suddenly a couple of years ago, and she was so excited for today. Every time I've written this part of my speech, I've had her in my ear saying that an inclusive toast to everyone isn't enough and that should be singing around. So, everyone that knows Emily will know exactly what I mean. So, I'd like you to raise your glasses again and raise your glass. Terrible! [Applause]
So, I've got a lot of thank yous to get through. Um, Ollie made it clear that when I thank the parents, there's a lot to get through, so I'll start with them. I'd like to first start by thanking my parents. Thank you for everything you've done for me, for teaching me so much when I had no interest in learning. [Laughter] You've both created and raised an absolute legend! [Applause] I'm sorry about Kieran, one out of three isn't bad, Dad. I've seen your grit, desire, and hard work from a young age, and you've always been a real inspiration to me. The three of us have never gone without, and I'm proud of the relationship we have. You've always had an interest in my interests, and Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays without fail, you would always take me to football. And as all the parents stopped, we got a bit older, parents stopped coming, you were always there. You're more committed to me in the same instance. Mum, as loyal as they come, you've always had my back in absolutely everything. And as a kid, you would do anything for me. My mum was always having to come up to the school because of me, and it was never, never to collect any awards. You would argue with head teachers for suspending me before I even told you, and I'd run out of school and come home when you're back at the school asking them what sort of environment makes a kid want to leave in the first place. I'll put you for a fair amount of stress, and I want to thank you for persevering with me and for not following through on your constant threat to that child services. So, thank you both for supporting us and our relationship from day one. You've always made Lauren feel welcome, and you've treated her as your own. You know you're part of our family when at Christmas you get a sack full of presents. But Mum, your generosity and thoughtfulness for us and now Lol2 is unmatched, and I love you for it. It's also my mum's birthday today. If everyone can just join me and wish my mum a happy birthday! [Applause]
Ollie, thanks for making the journey. We thought an hour and 45 minutes was bore the line too far for Ollie. Lauren gave him all the details in an afternoon around his house, and he genuinely had us worried for a minute. After a bit of research later that evening, and as the avid playing spot of he is, he actually realized that we're under the bride's naw and fly apart. So, knowing he could watch some planes come in, he booked his hotel by the morning. Unfortunately though, unlike Lauren, Matt and Amber's holidays as kids, he couldn't get around you. You've been a huge support to Lauren, and I've always been there for providing calm, reassuring, and measured guidance on everything she's needed. You're always a rational and practical mind she can lean on, and I know she values your opinions greatly. As you'd expect, Lauren gets a lot of her traits from you, her practicality, organizational skills, wonky nose, and back problems. And Lauren also told me that she gets her sense of humor too. Make that as you wish. You've made me feel really welcome, and I appreciate it. What I don't appreciate is the beer in your house. Without fail, Olly will always offer me a beer. It's just a travesty that they're kept in the cupboard warm. It's nice to see you enjoying life after retirement too, and I know that Anne is playing a major part. So, Tim, Tim tells me he wasn't too sure on us as a couple when we first met. Literally, every time he's had a beard, we couldn't ask for a better relationship now though, and I'm so grateful for everything you've done for the two of us, and obviously everything you've done for Lauren since she was a kid. She's very lucky to have you. So, you've converted a garage into a bedroom for us when we were between homes. You've always been on hand for everything that needs to do in, and you've taught us that no matter how great Bob Marley is, being woken up to three little birds at 7 am, there's never going to be a nice one. [Music] And thank you for all of your help with today, the build-up today, build-up to today, sorry, the hen, and for everything you've done for Lauren since she was a child, and obviously everything you've done for me since we've been together as well. You're the perfect mother to Lauren, and I've always thought you both had the most incredible relationship. Lauren gets her character, strength, and thoughtfulness from you amongst other traits, and you should be proud of the woman you've raised. You're two peas in a pod, and a lot of people would be envious of a relationship and the similarities you both have. Similarities like the ability to nest into the sofa and not move for 18 hours, the way you both manage to keep your wine glass full without ever touching the bottle. [Applause] [Laughter] And no matter how hot a room will be, you'll both always feel cold. Thank you for welcoming me into the family in the way that you have. You've made me feel so comfortable from day one, and I've always felt as I could be myself around you and the rest of the family. So, people will raise the glass and join me in the post to the parents. [Applause] [Music]
To the bridesmaids, Danny, Becker, Helen, Becky, Stella, and Amber. You all genuinely look incredible. Danny, the Hindu looked and sounded so good, and Lauren came back with the biggest smile on her face in every photo. She's gleaming, and she texts me during it, and her weekend was the best ever. I can't imagine how stressful it must have been to organize a Hindu for the queen of organization herself, surprises, but you did a fantastic job. And all the rumors are true, they really did manage to secure a live band and a surprise guest appearance. Please join me in toasting to this incredible bunch. To the bridesmaids! [Applause]
And to my groomsmen, Sam, Doggett, Pete, Kieran, Matt, and Ethan. I love you all. Sam, thanks for organizing a great stag. Who'd have thought the world's most miserable man could order such a family, but he did a good job. I loved every minute of it, and I'm not surprised with the group of friends we have. No matter how close I think we are, we always manage to get closer. [Applause] For those that haven't been to Edinburgh, it's a beautiful city. They have the most amazing buildings, great whiskies, and great people with some very strong accents, although the only person hard to understand. [Applause] They have a zoo, although I wouldn't recommend it. We had a very unusual encounter with a very over-familiar baboon. Please join me in raising a glass.
And finally, to Lauren. [Music] I can't tell you how much hard work and effort that Lauren's put into everything, not only for today but for the whole weekend. She's been absolutely incredible. You've organized the most amazing wedding and the weekend included, and I love you. You really are the most beautiful person I know, inside and out, and I feel so privileged to have married you today. I'm sure everyone will agree when I say you look absolutely incredible. So, we met at school in 2005. I was a loose cannon, undiagnosed ADHD, on my journey to championship football. Lauren was smart, funny, incredibly social, and without a doubt, the tallest girl I think I've ever seen. Everyone loves Lauren as soon as they meet her, and I was no different. When I first saw Lauren, it was the first week of year nine. I have no idea how, but I was actually in class before she was. Lauren and a friend walked in, and she instantly caught my attention. So, I turned to a friend and I said, "You chat to the brunette, the tall blonde one is mine." It's not romantic or cute, but I was 12. [Applause] I don't know what you saw in me other than a sporty little chaff, but my chat obviously worked because you've been looked ever since. Although your fashion has been questionable, like when you wore a cropped pink coat with your school blades, and the time you went to the hairdressers as a teenager and you came out looking like Shirley from YouTube. [Applause] Through all, you've always had my attention, and we became official four years later in 2009, and I've lived my best life since. We've cro we've grown up together, moved out at 21, been on the most um [Music] been on the most amazing holidays, been welcomed into each other's families, we've moved house four times, worked and lived side by side for over two years, and we have the best setup at home, little Rooney. We've been on one hell of a journey together, and we've been on one hell of a journey, and I love that we've shared it all together. I also love how selfish you are selfless. I love that your friends and family know they can count on you whenever they need you. I love how compassionate and considerate you are to complete strangers, and I love how silly you can be and how fun you are to be around. And I love you for supporting me with my ambitions, and I love you for chasing your own too. Where am I? Everyone knows you've had the biggest influence on who I've become, and I honestly don't know where I'd be without you, and I'm sure nobody else does either. You calmed me down and gave me purpose when I needed it the most. You gave me a reason to think about my actions. You've always challenged me where necessary. God, I'm going! [Applause] And you've given me encouragement when I've needed it. You brought out the best in me, and I know you'll continue to do so. I'm proud of the woman you've become and everything you've achieved. I've been so impressed with the amount you've taken on. I've been responsible for both personally and at work, and in particular over the last six months where life has been absolutely crazy, but you really haven't smashed it. Today's special because I'm not just married my best friend and my soul mate, but my childhood. [Applause] So, can everyone now please stand and raise your glass to my final toast, Mrs. Lauren Murray.