Weddings do something to people that can’t be explained. It’s the one day in your life that is all about you & a huge celebration of a future together with somebody that you want to spend the rest of your life together, surrounded by everyone you care about. Love fills the air which becomes infectious.
Throwback to our emo days paha!
Sian has been my best friend for the past 14 years so when she asked me to be a bridesmaid I was absolutely delighted. Not only did I have the job of things like hen do planning, wedding dress shopping & other usual ‘duties’, I also got asked to do a speech which I’ve included in this post.
They chose the most beautiful wedding venue in Sopley Mill which is about 10 minutes from where we live. It’s an old mill which is over 3 floors & has views across the gorgeous Dorset countryside.
I cried through the entire day because I was SO overjoyed for someone that I love so deeply, who’s like a sister to me, to have found happiness in her new husband Carl, who’s just incredible.
I thought I’d share with you some pictures of the wedding including the beautiful decor that Sian worked so tirelessly to put together. Also look at my two gorgeous kiddywinks!
Also, here’s my speech! –
“For those of you that don’t already know, my name’s Charlotte & I’ve had the, lets just say, task of calling Sian my best friend for the past 14 years.
It’s not all that common to have a bridesmaid do a speech, but those of you that know me well will know that I always like to chuck in my two pence worth.
Going right back, the story of our friendship started when my mum told me I could invite someone round for a BBQ & so, being the ever popular person I am, I signed on to MSN aka messenger aka “Cute Without The E” & Sian aka ‘The Rasmus babe” was the first person that popped up on my contact list.
She was in my class at school & I didn’t really like her but I was pretty desperate & she was the only person online so invited her round. We ended up spending the afternoon chatting up random boys on my contact list that were in a band, eventually deciding that I’d date the guitarist & she’d have the drummer….Sophie could have the ugly one nicknamed ‘Pigeon’. It’s safe to say that we clicked instantly & since that day have been pretty much inseparable.
There started our ‘goth’ years, which Sian hasn’t truly grown out of hence her love of black hair, nails, leggings & even attempts at turning her own skin as black as possible.
I’ve got SO many stories I could tell you about this absolutely beautiful lady sat next to me & part of my duty as her best friend is to embarrass her as much as possible. Whilst writing this speech I reflected back through our 14 years of friendship to try to find the most horrific & hilarious story I could think of……but decided that luckily for her, not a single one of our stories are child, wedding, & certainly not husband friendly. I also realised that Sian’s probably got a LOT more dirt on me than I’ve got on her so lets skip that part.
When Sian first told me about Carl, she was the totally positive person she normally is & said ‘it’s not going to last’ & ‘it’s too good to be true’. Thankfully Carl was obviously as desperate as I was & romance truly blossomed in the Walkabout smoking area.
Since then, they’ve successfully made me puke in my own mouth with their overwhelming & quite frankly sickening, love for one another. I have never met a couple so completely & utterly obsessed with each other. My husband, Joe tells Carl that he makes the rest of the male population look bad with his constant thoughtful & romantic gestures. He has a lot to learn evidently.
Carl, half of me wonders whether you are crazy or just plain stupid. Sian is a complete pain in the arse, but she’s also one of the most incredible people I’ve ever met & despite her flaws…of which there are many, I think you know how lucky you are. I couldn’t wish for a better man for her to have found her ‘happily ever after’ with. Thank you for taking her off of my hands & for making her the happiest she’s ever been. I am delighted to welcome you into our family.
Now is the part where I have to try not to cry & ruin my makeup.
Sian, let me start by saying how absolutely stunning you look. You have been there for me through the ups & the downs in life. You’ve taught me so many things along the way & I genuinely mean it when I say that I wouldn’t be the person I am now without you. We had a dream aged 14 to one day travel around in a Volkswagen hippyvan. Although we didn’t quite fulfil those dreams, I had the honour of riding in one, right by your side on the way to your wedding all these years later. Accompanying you down the aisle is probably one of the proudest moments of my life & I feel so blessed to be a part of your special day. You’ve grown into such a beautiful person, inside & out. I couldn’t be happier for you to have found your soul mate in Carl. I love you.
So, ladies & gentlemen please could I ask everybody to be upstanding & raise your glasses – To have and to hold, let’s go and grow old because love is a wonderful thing ♥ – to Mr & Mrs Maxwell”
Love, Charlotte x
I think this post needs a tissue warning, as I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes. What an amazing friend you are. xx
Lovely… welcome done and those photos look beautiful- looks like it was an amazing day… You all look fabulous!! The weddings in the UK seem to finish very early compared to ours. We have the band from around 9 until 12 or 1 then a DJ for a few hours and then more partying after basically until you give up or your guest decide to go home or go to bed. At our wedding, we had a sing song with guitars until 6:00am in the cellar bar of the hotel with our closest friends…
All things nice…
Beautiful speech and gorgeous photos – looks like a wonderful day all round. So lucky to have a best friend who means that much to you xxx
Aw what a lovely speech! So nice you are so close xx
Aww thank you! I'm so surprised I didn't blub doing the speech 🙂 must have been nerves x
Ahh that sounds amazing! All weddings finish 11/12pm really, although I think it's a shame as by that point you're usually not ready to end it all but I suppose it's the venues not wanting noise x
I am very lucky 🙂 she's my soul mate x
Thanks Kerry 🙂 x