1. "So Pretty Much the Perfect Man Right?"
Maid of Honor knew he was the perfect man first!
Good evening everyone. I thought the most nerve-wracking part of my job as maid of honor was going to be this speech, but managing Mara's veil was definitely out there. But I've stopped sweating now, so good. I hope you're all having a wonderful time.
So on celebrating this special day of these two lovebirds here. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Kristen and I know Mark and Mara from college. I met Mara when she joined our sorority Kappa Alpha Theta and we instantly became best friends. And soon after I chose her as my little sister and she chose me as her big sister. Since we met when she was a freshman and I was a sophomore, I was there for every significant moment in Mara's life throughout her four years in college.
The biggest is the start of a beautiful love story between Mark and Mara. As many of you know, Mark and Mara met through sister Owens as student ambassadors for the University of Florida. But it was participation in the talent show for the Filipino Students Association where their love story began. I first heard about Mara during a three-hour road trip down to Daytona for a beach weekend. Sorry, I first heard about Mark. I already knew Mara. We were having gossip time and we were headed down to Daytona for each weekend with Mara's family and she very casually told me about how the two of them were performing a duet the Bruno Mars song, "Amazing" for the talent show. Right then a burst of excitement pulsed through me as I imagined how perfectly romantic it would be if Mark and Mara started to fall for each other and what could be a scene straight out of high school musical. He was Filipino, attractive, and he could see him play the piano. So pretty much Mara's perfect man right? But when I brought this to Mara's attention, her initial reaction was something along the lines of, "Ew, gross." And to be fair, I probably would have had the same reaction because Mara and I were a bit shy when it came to the idea of liking or dating boys in college. They may not have fully recognized just what a special relationship was about. But for those three minutes when they perform together on stage, the world stood still and it was obvious there was something truly amazing between the two of them. Four months of courting in a very, very, very confused Mark later, Mara finally accepted his proposal to be boyfriend and girlfriend and the rest is history.
For the past six years, Mark and Mara have continued to show us the true meaning of love. Our friends always say how obviously perfect they are for each other. You take one look at them when they're together and the idea is meant to be is depicted in its truest form. But it's the deeper side of their relationship which reminds us all what it means to truly be in love. No relationship is perfect. There are always ups and downs, different viewpoints which can cause conflict, and more hard times that must both must face together. And like every couple in this room, Mark and Mara have dealt with their such trials throughout the relationship, but they have pushed through every single one not by sweeping them under the rug but by facing them full-on and together as a couple working through their challenges while always maintain the respect and love they have for each other.
They have been there for each other and countless times of need and supporting each other through both the difficult and wonderful times in each other's lives and that is the true definition of a love and marriage that will last an eternity. Mark and Mara, you are an inspiration to all of us. Both individually as two people who strive to be a light in the lives of others and together as a gorgeous couple radiating love. I am honored to be not only a significant part of your special day but a significant person in your lives and I am beyond excited to watch the next chapter of your lives unfold together as husband and wife. I love you both so much and I wish you a lifetime of laughter and those joyous moments, loving support in those trialing times, and excitement for all of the adventures that lie ahead. To the happily ever Mark and Mara. Cheers!
2. "I'm Wondering Where is My Friend?"
Maid of honors are there through ALL of it.
Hi all. So today, I wanted to tell you something really embarrassing about her except that I won't because she has way more embarrassing stories about me. It would not even be fair. Instead let's tell a story about how they met. It's my favorite story mostly because I introduced them. Alisa is my best friend and her sophomore year she dated a lot of really big losers that we made fun of. We had nicknames for everyone she dated. They're not appropriate but they're pretty hilarious. With this string of losers, it was obvious she needed to meet someone nice. I met Jordan once. He made me coffee. I thought he was really nice I thought it could be a match. Thankfully the boys were having a party at their house and I told Alisa about Jordan and how he is amazing and funny and smart. He's so nice. That convinced her. Well thankfully, he was what I said he was because honestly, I had no idea about half the things I told her.
So Alisa shows up at the party and she meets Jordan. I'm not kidding it was magic. It really was. The entire night they just spent talking to each other. It was a little obnoxious because I'm wondering where is my friend? They spent the entire time talking to each other. There was this incredible chemistry and it was something special. Afterward, we looked him up on Facebook. We analyzed every text message, every phone call, every correspondence we had with him. I think we even drove by his house. You do that when you like somebody and your best friend does it too because it's kind of fun. Eventually they started dating. They have been the happiest most amazing couple. Everything they do is for one another. They really are just the couple they look. I am so happy to be here, so happy that they found each other, so happy that I helped. I'm sure you all are happy to be here as well. I want to raise a glass to the happy couple. There so amazing. I wish you guys years of just bliss and you will have it. I love you.
1. Best Man Gives an Excellent Speech
Patrick starts strong and stays strong through the whole speech. A must watch for best men.
1. Best Man Gives an Excellent Speech
Patrick starts strong and stays strong through the whole speech. A must watch for best men.
1. Best Man Gives an Excellent Speech
Patrick starts strong and stays strong through the whole speech. A must watch for best men.
1. "However Long It Takes To Profess Your Love"
Natalie gives a great profession of love to the bride, Amanda.
Hi there, all right let's do this. All right guys, so there comes a time in everyone's life when they meet their soul mate, you know, their one true love. And that time came from me in about 18 years ago I'd say when she met me.
As a glorious crispy sunny day at the University of Washington, Go Dogs, as it has to be said, we locked eyes across the lawn of 2012 Northeast 45th Street. It was Delta Gamma big day and we knew there was something special there.
Hi, I'm Natalie. It's a little bit unseasonably warm so I'm going to go ahead and remove my coat quickly. Dustin, could you just hold this? So for those of you in the back, they can't see me. We had a quick little outfit change up here to show me true dedication to Amanda. I'm now wearing her face all over my body. Even in places you cannot see.
So we're going to go back in time to a friendship that began before a Facebook was invented. Myspace top eight was still a thing. She may have been number one from a couple of times maybe. Anyway, I did ask Amanda how much time I was allotted for my speech this evening and she said, however long it takes to profess your love to me. So you might want to get some refills. Sit back and relax my friends. We have quite a few memories to go down.
Amanda, remember that time at the DG live up? When you spilled Caesar dressing all over the bathroom floor? Actually, probably best not to go down those memory lanes for legorisms. Anyway, in all seriousness, we have been through quite a bit in our 18 years together. We've literally brought life into this world with our beautiful children. And more in the loss of loved ones, lost too soon. We have been through career changes together, moves, and too many seasons of 90 day fiance to count.
However, I think my favorite part of our friendship together is our shared sense of humor. We have a way of making each other laugh and no one else actually for being honest. I think over the years we've truly perfected the art of our prank calling. And as I've looked around the room right now, I do see quite a few of you who have been victim to us through the years. Sorry about that. In fact, for many years we did actually prank Dustin. And I was a mystery girl who seemed to know everything about his life. And I'm probably revealing that to him right now. Corbin, we've pranked you probably 20 million times. And it actually was through those pranks that I found out that Dustin was quite the keeper as I found myself with him one evening morning.
It was about 4am, scrolling Tinder. You don't need to know the details, but found ourselves messaging strangers asking if they liked RVs sandwiches. And I remember looking over at him somewhere in the middle of the roast beef sandwich talk and thinking, yeah, he'll do. Even if he never smiles in photos. It's hard with them behind me right now. I know, as a side note, you know, not as a side note, I should say as soon as I've never seen my friend laid up quite as much with a guy. And we have been through our dating history together, I would say. And the way she looks at Dustin and the life they've built together and the family they built together is something truly admirable. And I'm so happy for them both. And it's been an honor to watch them become parents to their beautiful children, Jack and Evelyn. So it's been a really honor. I do want to make a side note though, the eminent actually pointed out to me yesterday. Some of you might have noticed I have a little baby somewhere. I don't know where she went, that's probably a bad thing. Her name is Jade, J-A-D-E. And if you think about it, it goes Jack, Amanda, Dustin, Evelyn. So somehow I named my child after them without even knowing it yet. Hence my true commitment to them.
Now Dustin, I do want to talk to you a little bit. So you've been with Amanda for. It's all good things. You've been at the man of her about the past decade or so, but I've been with her for almost two decades. So I do have a little bit of a one-up on you. I'd like to impart some words of wisdom and Amanda's survival guide if you will. And I do have some things to give you. So I'll grab my little bag over here. This is going to be a little bit of juggling, so bear with me. So number one, you always have to have a few snacks in your pocket at all times, especially for those hangry moments. So I've already supplied you with the, those were probably last you maybe like a year or two. Number two, if she's ever starting to get a little snippy at you, maybe starting an argument, just blast Christmas songs. It'll take her to the sentimental feels. She'll start crying. It'll be fine. Okay, number three, if she's having a bad day, grab her black teddy. He's here. And before we go on, I know what some of you might be thinking. It is actually a teddy bear that I'm talking about. So this is a little travel version, just in case something happens to the original. Okay, and the number four, when in doubt, just remember the three little words, you are right. Okay, that's all you need to know.
All right, so I'll wrap it up a little bit here, but in the why is why is words of Jennifer Lopez in the wedding planner? If you haven't seen that movie, highly recommend. It's a good one. I do want to raise our glasses, so I'm going to go over here with mine. So, Dustin and Amanda, may you have enough happiness to keep you sweet, and of trials to keep you strong, and of hope to keep you happy, and of friends to give you comfort, and enough determination to make each day a better day than yesterday. Cheers!
1. Best Man Gives an Excellent Speech
Patrick starts strong and stays strong through the whole speech. A must watch for best men.
1. Best Man Gives an Excellent Speech
Patrick starts strong and stays strong through the whole speech. A must watch for best men.
1. Best Man Gives an Excellent Speech
Patrick starts strong and stays strong through the whole speech. A must watch for best men.
1. Best Man Gives an Excellent Speech
Patrick starts strong and stays strong through the whole speech. A must watch for best men.
1. Best Man Gives an Excellent Speech
Patrick starts strong and stays strong through the whole speech. A must watch for best men.
1. Best Man Gives an Excellent Speech
Patrick starts strong and stays strong through the whole speech. A must watch for best men.