JAMES

Firstly, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for being here today. Your presence means the world to us, and we couldn’t imagine celebrating this special day without your love and support. So, let’s raise our glasses to all of you.

Now, I’ll try to keep this speech as short as possible,
because, let’s face it, I need some fresh material for wedding number two!

I want to begin by extending my heartfelt appreciation to Julie, Ben, Josh, Laura, Rachel, Tommy, Bella, Lily, and the entire extended family.

From the moment I met all of you, you welcomed me with open arms, embracing me as a part of your loving family.

Your warmth, humor, and caring nature have made being a part of the Hughes-Andrews clan an incredible experience
.
I genuinely love and appreciate each and every one of you.

Julie, you are an exceptional mother and grandmother.

Your kindness and generosity have been passed down to Sophie, and I am grateful for the love and support you have continually shown us.

Thank you for treating me like a son-in-law, even before I officially married your daughter.

I still remember that fateful moment, just four weeks into mine and Sophie’s relationship when I first met you in your garden.

Julie, with a mischievous glint in your eye and with a glass of Chardonnay in hand, you hit me with the ultimate question: “Do you love my daughter?”

Talk about a curveball! It was a terrifying moment.

But rest assured, Julie, after careful consideration I can confidently say I’ve given you the right answer by now.
Phew!

And thank you, Ben, for the food and music that kept me well-fed during these crucial decision-making moments. Cheers to that!

So, let’s raise our glasses to
Ben, Julie and the Hughes-Andrews family.

Cheers!

Mom and Dad, Thank you for everything you’ve ever done for me.
And I must extend a sincere apology for all the things I’ve done to you over the years.Non the less, I am the man I am because of you both.

But seriously, let’s take a moment to appreciate the fact that you have been there for me through thick and thin, through moments of triumph and moments that should probably be left unmentioned.

We’ve shared adventures, laughter, tears, holidays, lock downs and even some impromptu Irish dancing sessions. You both deserve a medal for putting up with me!

So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for your unwavering love & support. You brought me up, giving me the best opportunities and experiences, always encouraging my inquisitive personality, and teaching me that working hard for what you want pays off- hence why I pestered Sophie so much before she would date me.

I was lucky enough to grow up with the best example of what a relationship should be. For more than 40 years you’ve loved one another and stuck together through it all.

And that’s what a relationship should be. Full of laughter, love and always looking after eachother- so thank you both for setting the bar high so I married the right one.

I love you both more than words can express,
Mom & Dad. Thank you.

And now, to my darling wife, Sophie.

It’s been three years since we first met, and in that short space of time, we have accomplished so much together – love, a beautiful home, and our beloved Buddy.

While the world seemed to be going crazy during the pandemic, we found love.
It took a few years of me sliding into your DMs at 6 o’clock in the morning, but I finally won your heart in the end.
While most people were practicing social distancing, we were breaking the law by stealing kisses in your back garden.

You are an incredible mother to Buddy and an amazing partner to me.
Whether we are on a fantastic holiday or simply strolling down the aisles of Lidl, life with you just makes sense.

Throughout my life, I’ve often found myself wanting something more, searching for fulfillment.
Meeting you has changed that completely, and I finally feel complete and content in life.

By marrying me today, you have made me the happiest man alive.
So, here’s to defying norms and creating our own happily ever after!

I can’t wait for a lifetime of adventures with you and Buddy.

Please join me in raising your glasses to the bride,
Sophie Amanda Hughes-Griffin. Cheers!

SOPHIE

To all of the Griffin clan, thank you for being the crazy and wonderful people that you all are and welcoming me into your family. It’s special to find families who enjoy spending time with eachother and who create wonderful memories as you do- so here’s another lovely family memory for us all. And I’m a legal Griffin now- so you have to keep on inviting me to all the parties.

Brig and Dave, thank you for James. He’s unique, shall we say? I can honestly say I’ve never met anyone like him, and as soon as I saw the three of you together, and how you all interact, support, love and have so much fun together- I knew I wanted to be a part of it forever. The love you both have for James, is honestly extraordinary- in fact I’ve always said that if James turned up with a body in the boot of his car- Dave would say ‘get upstairs now’ and brig would grab the bin bags.

But that’s the Griffin McCarthy love, it isn’t always just about the good times- it’s the continuation of love even when things are difficult and the world feels turned upside down- the love is always there, strong, reliable and always ready to scoop you up.

Thank you for treating me like a daughter since the first time I met you, and thank you for taking me and james along on the fabulous adventures of Brig and Dave. It’s been amazing.

I will always love your son, and I promise to look after him forever. Thank you for being such wonderful grandparents to Buddy David, its clear he adores you and my god, isn’t he lucky to have you both.
Love you. Cheers to you both.Raise a glass to brig and Dave

Mom and Ben. I am the person I am today because of the way I was raised- encouraged to be brave, taught to challenge injustices, celebrate differences, help whenever you can and love like a lioness. Just how Bella, Lily and Buddy are now being raised.

Our house was always a place for people to come and take refuge, be heard and loved- Elinor and Joe can vouch for that. Thank you both for being the wonderfully quirky and special people that you are,for always encouraging and investing in my life, I owe you for so much- but most of all I owe you for Rachel and Josh- we were so lucky to have had the experiences and childhood we did and we are united unconditionally. I am the mother and now wife – crazy- because of the love I already had imbedded in me from you all.

Thank you to my husband lol. It’s quite an unusual and, yes, in parts illegal, path we have taken. You continue to surprise me everyday with your kindess, creativity and your ability to grow. You’re the nicest man I have ever met, bar Dave.

You gave me Buddy, the most perfect little human, who even now I see display your quirks, pure love and joy. I can’t wait to watch him grow with you and teach him how to live a life full of joy, coding, djing, cooking and generally being a happy little chappy.

I was thinking about our house- there’s gonna be a metaphor here guys.
A house I moved into at 24 years old, that was filled with house mates,gatherings,dinner parties, a couple of questionable men and lots of hungover sad days crying over the questionable men. And yes,it may not have always been perfect and it was a bit rough around the edges,but it was my safe space.

I never thought I would have someone who loved it as much as I did but, since you passed over that threshold on our first covid date, it transformed. Obviously it had a fantastic makeover, thank you Marc. But the house where I walked into as a young woman metamorphosized into the home I always dreamed of, and eventually filled with the two people that I was destined to live with. Walls were pulled down, not only in the house, but the walls I built up around myself, and you were the person who I was waiting for to do it.That was the metaphor guys.

There is no one else on this earth who I would want to share my life with- and I thank for you incessantly sending drunken questionable messages to me for so long that I finally thought- hmmmm go on then. Thank you for being mine.

Cheers to my new husband!