Hello family and friends, what an amazing day!
This speech was the thing I was most nervous about for the whole day and for those who were at the engagement party, you'll know why – it was a hard speech to top. People are still reminding me about it!
Speaking of hard to top, I'd like to thank Dean and Shaun who have already spoken tonight. Kate and I appreciate the kind (and not so kind) words.
I've gathered from a few weddings that it's the grooms job to thank everyone so without further ado, I'd like to thank each and every one of you for not only coming tonight but shaping both Kate and I into the people we are today...
It's your fault!
I was actually thinking while writing the speech that if I do make a fool of myself I can blame all of you, so thanks for that.
But seriously you have all made an indelible mark on our lives, we love you all and related or not we both consider you family. This is a thank you to everyone who I won't have time to mention tonight.
Weddings are also one of the only times in our lives we have the opportunity to address all our family and friends at once and let you all know how much you mean to us. There will be a lot of things left unsaid where words wouldn't do the feelings I have justice, but please know that I would like to go through every one of you and tell you how awesome you are and how much we love you, but I'll just acknowledge it here so we can get on with partying.
Firstly I'd like to thank Uncle Brian for being our celebrant and for the work he has done getting us organised for today. I think without his forward planning we may have been a whole lot more stressed in the last few weeks than we were.
I'd like to thank my co-best men who also happen to be my 3 younger brothers. Shaun did touch on it in his wedding speech and I'd like to add I feel very privileged that I got to grow up with 3 of my best mates. One of my only regrets about moving to Adelaide was that I missed out on watching you boys grow into men; although we're still waiting for Shaun to get there...
There are no 3 people I would rather have standing beside me in any situation, let alone getting married so again, thank you. There are a million more things I could say and stories I could tell but I'm sure you all know how much I love you.
To the bridesmaids, Kate's sisters, I have enjoyed getting to know you over the years and I know you would have done a lot today to keep Kate together so thank you. You both look great of course even though you didn't originally like the dress Emily! From weekend trips to Pt Augusta and a fateful New Years holiday, Laura has always been very inviting of me, thanks Laura. Emily keeps me up to date with the horrible modern interpretations of the english language... TY Emily. Then there's Kim who has always been a great friend to Kate and is super easy to talk to. She couldn't be involved in the wedding today as she has just had a baby, little Emma. Also a quick mention to all our friends who have been there throughout our relationship and given us plenty of laughs and friendship.
To Karen and Dean, thank you so much for welcoming me into the family and everything you've done for us over the years. From helping us move 3 times to coming out to our place at about 2am and picking us up because we locked ourselves out, also keeping me on my toes with the garden. And I love the nights of cards and board games, especially scattegories and learning about the movie Big Country... Thanks most of all for the way you've raised Kate into the woman she is today, but I'll get to her later... I appreciate those and all the other things you've both done to push us forward and help us along.
To my mum and dad, I honestly could not have wished for better parents or a better upbringing. I owe everything to you for all the support and love you have always given the 4 of us. I would not have had the courage to do what I have done if it wasn't for the fact that I knew if moving to Adelaide or working for myself or anything else ever went wrong, I would always have a bed waiting for me at home. Probably because you asked me every weekend up until about 2 or 3 years ago when I was going to move back!
Mum, you have always been the rock of the family and I don't know a more loving, caring person. I honestly don't have the words to thank you enough for everything and say how much I love you, so I hope you can feel it in every hug and hear it in every word I say to you.
To Dad, I know sometimes you think you could have done more and we can get stuck into you every now and then but I wouldn't have changed a thing. You taught us a lot about hard work, loyalty and enjoying the little things in life. I'm pretty sure I speak for all of us when I say how grateful we are for all the hard work you put in to get us to where we are today. I think the reason we get stuck into you is because as well as being our father you are also a mate and mates like to give each other shit. I'm going to echo what I said about mum in that I don't have the words to say how much I love you but I hope you know.
A quick thank you to everyone involved in today, the Pavillion staff. Julie who did the cake. Friends and family that helped with planning, decorations etc. Thank you all very much.
Lastly I'd like to thank my beautiful new wife Kate. Today would not have happened without all the work she's put in, of which I did very little, and it has been an amazing day so thanks bub.
The first thing I noticed about Kate was her foot....
Matty Rutgers and I were out on the town and ended up at the elephant pub where we ran into Benny OD, he just happened to be there with a group including Lauren and of course Kate, neither of whom I'd met.
Kate had obviously noticed me and decided she wanted to get my attention. In true Kate style she thought the best way to do this would be to stomp on my foot. It gives a great insight into Kate – she's not too subtle but she often gets what she wants.
That night was over 5 years ago now and the more time we spent together the more I knew I wanted her by my side.
I don't think anyone who has met Kate would disagree that she can be loud and abrupt and she certainly leaves a big impression on everyone she meets – but it really is all just an act. In reality she is quiet, caring and very sweet. Especially if you're a cat!
On the subject, in some ways we are quite opposite, Kate loves cats and animals and probably would have had the cats in the wedding if she could! I prefer people and if I had to pick a pet I'd rather a dog. I love sport, Kate would rather read a book or do anything else. I'm into fitness and healthy eating, Kate is into wine and cheese. However we both value family & friends, travel, career and personal growth and I think it's that balance that makes us a great team.
As I mentioned before, Kate knows what she wants and often gets it. She wanted a great job and she got it, then the promotions that have followed, she wanted me, the house and the marriage. Now she has them all. She is very focused and determined. When she decided she was going to get a house, I think she had signed to build within a couple weeks. Also special mention to Brad & Liz who put up with us for 9 months or so while the house was getting built. Thank you very much!!
When it came to marriage, she was bringing it up about a year into the relationship, so I've had a lot of time to think about it and to think about why she was the one to marry. Apart from the qualities I have already spoken of (caring, sweet but also determined) her belief in me and her ability to challenge me to become better in all aspects of life was one of the main reasons that convinced me to commit to her. We constantly challenge each other and help each other grow and that is very important to me.
If it wasn't for Kate I would not be in the career I'm in, doing a job I love. It was her belief and encouragement (which sometimes sounded a lot like nagging) that pushed me to finish studying, then quit my “safe” job and jump into a career in fitness.
With all that said, the biggest thing for me is that we enjoy each others company. Kate is very intelligent but also has a ridiculous sense of humour. We could be having a serious discussion one minute and laughing about absolutely nothing the next. I love being able to enjoy and experience that range of emotions, it keeps life interesting. And it's always nice to have someone that laughs at your lame jokes.
Also, once you let out your first fart in your new girlfriends company and she out farts you, you know you're on to a keeper!
I obviously can't finish my speech without talking about how beautiful Kate looks tonight and I knew that she would. But even though you look amazing with all the work you've done today, I think you look just as beautiful in a summer dress, in shorts and a shirt or even in your trackies at home. Your beauty is in the sweet, caring woman inside that shines out, not the hair and make up.
Finally as we continue our future together I love you now more than ever and I promise to do my best to make our lives together as enjoyable and fulfilling as possible. Love you bub.
I'd like to finish by making a toast to everyone in this room, So here's to you!
Thank you
