The speech

This speech has been possibly the most problematic part of the wedding.

It’s not that I couldn’t think of anything to say, the problem was (and as a van Reyk this is so surprising) I had too much to fit into a ‘reasonable’ speech time period.

I started out sure that I would base it around my other great love – food.

I was going to tell you about memorable food moments from our almost 7 year long romance (that’s Chris and my romance, my love affair with food has been a lifelong commitment), such as our time in Thailand. We were a couple of hours into a long boring bus ride, breakfast had been a while ago and I was starting to get hungry. When I get hungry it’s like a storm brewing. First I get quiet, then like distant thunder the irrational comments will start – like ‘why do you have to always wear that hat you know I hate that hat YOU ARE OPPRESSING ME WITH YOUR FRIGGING HORRIBLE MONSTROSITY OF A HAT’. Luckily as I am now aware of this tiny ‘issue’ I always make sure to keep snacks on me. I pulled out some biscuits and took a bite.

Devastating

The biscuit was two cheesy biscuits (yum) sandwiching a horrible lemon paste (Cheese and lemon?! What monster came up with this!). I explained to Chris with tears in my eyes, that I could not eat these biscuits.

Chris took the packet off me, broke them all in half, and ate the paste so I could have the yummy cheese biscuits. I looked at him, and realised that this man truly was a keeper

Why? Because he sees me at my worst and doesn’t run the other way screaming. In fact, usually he starts to laugh (which reminds me that occasionally I take things far too seriously), and then helps me work out how to banish my worries. Which generally involves feeding me.

But

Before I could even finish drafting up this magnificent monologue or reminiscing over all the special foods we’ve shared, we did the wedding paperwork and my speech plans changed.

Because

We did the paperwork at the registry office because we wanted today to be intimate and didn’t think we needed a celebrant just to sign the forms. The whole event was kept very minimal as we also didn’t want it to detract from what today means to us.

The following is a list of what this low key event entailed –

A 12 hour round trip to Berry and back due to unforseen car dying circumstances

A ceremony constantly interrupted by various family members (glare at daddy Paul)

A bar tender questioning if Chris, our good friend Alex, and I were planning to ‘share’ a hotel room that night

A fire alarm leading to the evacuation of said hotel

To say it was an eventful 24 hours would be an understatement.

And I thought - this is it! This is what the speech should be about. How despite whatever chaos is engulfing us Chris can always make me see the sunny side of things, how even if we drive for 3 hours, are stuck in a broken down car for another 3 hours, and then have to get a 4 and a half hour train ride home, he still makes the day fun.

But

Then, as I wrote the draft I realised that in fact all I didn’t need to write a speech at all.

All I needed to do was steal Chris’ material. Because it’s better.

The night of the wedding paperwork as we FINALY got to drink our champagne on the balcony of the hotel we were laughing at everything that happened and Chris said that together, we make the best stories.

And that’s why I want to spend my life with Chris, because I can’t think of anything more beautiful than knowing that our bank of stories will never run dry or go stale, and that each day we will create a new one (or ten) and that happy or sad or nice or mad, they will always be there for us in the same way that we always have been and will be there for each other.

I would like to propose a toast, to the man I love so very much, Christopher John Frape

                                                                **************************

OK enough mushy stuff.

Mary - So when Chris and I decided to get married we knew we wanted to keep it low key, however even a small wedding needs many hands to make it relatively light work. I hate to bore you all with further speeches but it’s really important to both of us that all the people that made this day possible be publically named and shamed.

Firstly I have to say a huge thank you to my mum and my Aunty Heather for being a combined Mother-of-the-bride force to be reckoned with. Mum was the quiet organiser behind this all (I was the noisy one) and so many people here today owe their stylish outfits to the tireless efforts of Aunty Heather. She also sewed the gorgeous quilt which hangs in the hall.

My two fathers are also responsible for key ingredients that make today so enjoyable, of course Daddy Paul for the haute cuisine, and my stepfather Robert for the wine, sparking and wedding cake.

Chris - My mum Jan needs to be thanked for her craft and sewing assistance, and her and Wayne for their providing my other great love – beer.

Mary -Also I would like to say thank you to Chris’ dad John who sadly passed away last year, but who had a hand in creating my wonderful groom and for that I’ll be eternally grateful. I know he would be so very proud of Chris today.

My amazing bridesmaids need to be showered with praise and adoration for their tireless support,

Claire for overseeing the gorgeous hall decorating, registry duty and countless shopping expeditions,

Maddy for making me feel like she was by my side the whole time despite being so far away, and for being ready and willing no matter the task – even finding a dress in an hour and a half!

Rachel for being my unofficial psychiatrist and consistently reminding me that crying for joy, happiness or sadness is all OK.

and finally Alex for being so patient during endless shopping trips, Bringing the bad assness when needed, and for discussing minute details repeatedly with me for hours.

Mary - A giant thank you to my groomsmen, to Shannon for traveling to Cambodia to purchase the finest silk ties, Ash and Ant for providing me with an awesome bucks night (and ensuring I came back in one piece) and Adrian for always being a great friend albeit always living in either Kiama or QLD – always providing me with and escape from the city.

You guys rock

Mary -Thank you to Helen for organising the yummy tea candles

Thank you to our beautiful flower girls for all of their help in handing out the bonbonniere

Thank you to Margo for hosting the ceremony almost without tears

Chris -A huge thank you to Robbo and Blondie for excelling the roles of DJ and photographer (better known as the atmosphere and memories)

Mary - Sian Becky and Nicole, thank you for making up for my lack of skills in makeup, Hair and stain removal. I would be a bedraggled bride without the three of you.

Thank you to our recreation officers Dan, Shaun and Olly for providing sports today, and everyone should be warned that their red and yellow cards hold sway off the court as well.

Thank you to the army of helpers that I roped in to assist Daddy Paul in the food preparation, and thank you also for putting up with his chef dramatics.

Nanda Thank you for Fran’s beautiful flowers

Cara and Laura thank you for being my high heel support team and helping me through my last minute wrapping madness, without you both and your wine I would have cracked for sure

Finally we would like to say thank you to everyone for coming and making today so special, it really means so much to us both having you all here and we would like everyone to raise their glasses in a toast to yourselves.

Toast