Toasts, Speeches & Miscellania

We invited all our wedding party to lead a toast if they were so inclined. All the girls stepped up. Only one groomsmen stepped up (other than the best man, of course). Wade's brother, Mark, and groomsmen Greg and Chris ("Dinger") did not wish to speak publicly. Enough words were said that I wasn't upset with anything.

But I wanted to explain why it seemed like so many people spoke. It's because I opened it up to everyone. And most people were brief, which is what most people like in a toast or speech - as a speaker or as a guest! But brevity did not negate the emotions in what was said.

After Ryan's speech, I gave the kids good-night hugs/kisses (most were leaving right then!) and pretty much rudely ran to the bathroom.


... Then ...

I'll post more later this week.

Best Man's Speech

I remember Ryan's speech the least. Partially because someone had just told me we were almost an hour late finishing dinner, so our reception guests were starting to arrive and were waiting for us! And partially because Ryan spoke for so long.













Ryan started behind the podium but quickly moved out. I suspected, and was later verified, that Ryan was winging it. However, it was a lovely speech in which he talked about Wade, the start of our relationship, and how happy he was for us.


















It was funny, touching and personal. It was just so long that I can't remember it all, and with Ryan winging it, he can't reproduce it. As Ryan would say: "Doh!" (That was why I had asked our friend/videographer to film the speeches. But he forgot. So ... "double-doh!")

(Source of all pictures: Unveiled Photography)

Maid of Honour Speech:

Yep, we're getting near the end. All we have left is this post, the best man's speech, the cake cutting & the dancing.

So Jocelyn started by talking about our high school days. She alluded to my former love of obsession with Collective Soul, among other things! She was a great blend of sentimental and humourous. I remember less of her speech than some of the earlier speeches, but I think it's also because I haven't received her notes from the speech to refresh my memory. (It's amazing how much some of the speeches came back to me when I read what they said.)

So here are the pictures:




















(Can you see what Jocelyn is holding in the picture frame? It is what you think it is.)

(Source of all pictures: Unveiled Photography)

P.S. Boy can you ever tell in the picture of Joce holding the photo that she didn't wear a bra. She thought the dress would hold her in and hold her girls up. Well, it did hold her in, but it didn't hold them up! (And Joce, if you're reading this ... I won't say I told you so ... but that's what I'm thinking!)

A speech from two former roommates: a doctor and a teacher tell all!

Bridesmaids Kristy and Emily said a few words.

They had a back-and-forth speech, which they shared marvelously. Again, as with earlier speeches, I was intrigued by how people described me. I'm not surprised by how Wade was described: kind, fun-loving, sports-loving and just generally a good guy. And it's true. I was described as organized (huh?), a natural planner (um, I plan things, but it's not natural!) and Emily described me as diplomatic. Now that one blew me away because I thought I was hot-headed.

Anyway, Kristy and Emily talked about how we serendipitously met near the end of first year. They talked about our three years of living together and growing together. They talked about when I first started dating Wade, and how "old" he was (29) when we met. (And then they talked about how they now know 29 is not old!)

The ladies had a lovely, thoughtful, touching and humourous speech. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and especially enjoyed the expressions they made as they told it:


















(Source of all pictures: Unveiled Photography)

Another toast!

Next, Groomsman Dave led a brief toast. Dave lived with Wade for a while, so he had some nice words to say.


(Source of all pictures: Unveiled Photography)

Planning

I love planning things. I always have. I tried to throw my parent's a surprise anniversary party when I was about 12 for their 15th anniversary. They found out, and asked me not to do it. But I had a location and a date, and I sent invitations with the help of my grandma!

So, on my drive back from Montreal today, I was thinking about when we should have a housewarming party. I was thinking late November, so we get settled in (we move on October 2nd). [When I got home, Wade suggested we do it on my birthday week-end, which is the first week-end in December. I like that idea!]

Then I got thinking ... we should have a first-anniversary party for our closest friends (bridal party). I remembered Wade will be in Dover, Delaware on our first anniversary. (What a bum! But I had over a year's notice of it at least.) And I was thinking that less than 4 weeks after our anniversary is Canada Day. So we're going to have a Canada Day / slightly belated anniversary barbecue at our new house! What a great idea! (And with our new pool in our new house, it's a great spot to have a Canada Day party!)

A Toast!

Bridesmaid Crystal led a lovely toast wishing Wade and me well:


(Source of all pictures: Unveiled Photography)

A speech from my uncle and a letter from my cousin

Next up, my uncle spoke.











My uncle is the oldest of my dad's siblings. He spoke first of how there are some family members who couldn't be with us that evening, and we remember them with love. It was beautiful. Then he talked a bit about how I was the only granddaughter on that side of the family. And he read a letter from my cousin, who lives in Saudi Arabia, and couldn't make it back for the wedding. My cousin, who is 9 years older than I, recalls me as a child organizing him, his brother Adam, and my brothers into whatever game it was we were playing. I don't recall this at all, but I laugh to think of me organizing my older cousins. They probably didn't call me organized then - they probably called me bossy!

My uncle concluded his speech by wishing Wade and me many years of happy marriage ...








... and by giving Wade an "easy button"!

(Source of all pictures: Unveiled Photography)