5 December 2015, Richmond, Melbourne, Australia
To our families, friends, colleagues, the staff and any other stragglers who have walked in off the street seeking a free drink, welcome to our wedding reception.
Phoebe and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for coming. The great thing about your own wedding is that you actually know everyone in the room, and from up here, it’s a pretty humbling experience that so many of you have been able to attend. A special thank you must go to all of our friends and family who have travelled from afar, noting travellers from Ballarat, Hobart, Sydney, Perth, New Zealand, Singapore and the UK.
We would also like to thank a few special people whom, without them, this day would not have been possible.
Deb/Alan
Firstly we need to thank Deb for writing our beautiful ceremony piece. To have an author of your caliber create such an extraordinary, personal piece of writing is a genuine honor and one that Phoebe and I will treasure.
Thank you for the ease and warmth in which you welcomed me into the Kohler family. Family dinners and Deb’s cooking are a real highlight of each week. And Alan, our ritual of attending Essendon’s games where we have forged our own friendship, becoming mates over a cold pie and a lukewarm mid strength beer, means a lot to me. Phoebe’s and I thank you both for everything you have done for us.
Frank/Marlene
My mum and dad. Thanks for………well, raising Me and Stace. Think you guys did a bang up job on that front. Thanks for putting up with me over the years. To Dad, for humoring me when I made ridiculous requests like can we put Johnny Farnham on the car stereo on our drives to QLD – and actually doing it (the correct answer there is always ‘no’ but thanks anyway). And Mum for keeping a straight face at all the stupid questions I would ask as a kid – like, ‘Do I feel well?’ A huge thanks for welcoming Phoebe into our family. You have both been a massive support to Phoebe and I, especially of late, and for that we are forever grateful.
The past 12 months have been a challenge and both families have offered nothing but unwavering support, love and guidance. We cannot thank you enough for all you have done.
Alice
Groom Speech 101 tells you: make sure you say how beautiful the bridesmaid looks, and move on. And Alice does look amazing. But Alice has also been a massive help and a very calming influence to both Phoebes and I throughout the organizing of today. Her talents as a designer are second to none, her beautiful work is visible on the menus, seating chart and place cards, not mention the stunning invitations you all received. I’m pretty lucky to have such an intelligent and wickedly funny sister in law.
Looking forward to being neighbors again soon Matey – you are the best.
A special thanks to Henry for doing such a great job with the reading today as well – that London to Melbourne flight is a bit of a killer so it means a lot that you are here with us today.
Stacey
To Stacey, the best sister I could ever ask for. I love our midweek ‘debrief’ sessions at what ever watering hole will serve us. Of late, this usually involves running into you on the way to work the next morning, often both feeling a little dusty. I really value our chats, the fact you are always a phone call away and your ability to always find the humor in everything. Thanks for always being there and thanks for the reading today – it meant a lot.
Chris
To Chris our MC, the man with the golden tonsils. What a quality bloke to have as your brother in law and genuinely one of the funniest people I know. I think I speak not only for myself, but the local economy of the Hawthorn pub scene when I say that its always a better weekend when you are in town. Cheers for helping out tonight Mate. And thanks to Sam for coming down from Sydney as well, it wouldn’t have been as fun without you both.
Give it up to our MC Chris Kohler – nailed it.
I’d like to thank a couple of mates who’ helped out today as well:
Saards
A big thanks for the music at the ceremony – having done it before, it’s the one guarantee on the wedding day that there is a snag with the music at the ceremony – there was and you nailed it. Cheers Saards.
Jason
The epitome of a best man. Choosing you as my best man was possibly the easiest decision I made regarding our wedding. A big thank you for organizing the bucks, getting me home from the bucks, for not losing the rings, and barring a few factual inaccuracies, providing us with a pretty decent best man speech. Appreciate you always being there, Mate.
And finally - my wife, Phoebe.
You are best thing that has ever happened to me. Thank you for your patience, support and for always being there with a laugh and a smile. You are the love of my life PK and I look forward to spending the rest of our days together.
