Hollie + Christian
Hollie + Christian
JANUARY 21, 2023
DUART HOUSE, HAVELOCK NORTH
Christian’s vows
Hollie, I love you. Today and every day you are the person I want to talk to about my day. As we have grown together you have taught me countless lessons about myself, love and life. You have taught me to laugh, you have taught me to love you. Alongside you I have learnt every moment with you is a precious gift.
Whenever we disagree over who loves whom more just know I loved you first, (even though I do love you more, as well). I loved you before I had even met you. When I was younger, I prayed that you would find me and that you would feel my love and support. I probably should have been praying that I’d be ready when we met because I don’t think I was quite where my younger self wanted. I wasn’t a doctor earning the mega bucks nor was I searching, but fortunately, our friendship grew to be so much more.
From the moment Micah first helped me propose I’ve looked forward to this moment. I take this moment as a gift surrounded by our friends and family, celebrating our future together. As my friend, crush, girlfriend, and fiancée I look forward to our future of being husband and wife. You will always be my greatest adventure partner and I look forward to embarking on many more adventures with you by my side.
I promise that I will always have your six, and protect you. I promise to make endless cups of tea and support you. I promise to always make time for you and to love you. I promise to always be yours growing and learning together. As words of Ruth say, I promise that “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.
I love you beyond the moon and back, I could not be happier to marry you today. It’s an honour to love you every day.
Hollie’s vows
Lovey/bug/my Christian,God brought you into my life when I least expected it, but at exactly the right time - and man, was his timing perfect! He knew our passion for youth ministry and used his hand to do work on our hearts toward one another… though it seemed like we were the last ones to see it back then! Little did we know that spending so much time together allowed us to develop the friendship we needed to build a strong foundation; one that would last a lifetime. It too was then I realized you were everything I could ever want in a partner. Ever since, you have blessed my life beyond measure, becoming more than just my best friend, but my absolute soulmate, my favorite chef, outdoor adventures lead planner, and the one that takes my breath away.
Over the years there is so much I have come to love about you. From those doey brown eyes that lower so quickly and often when you feel humble or shy (too cute), your ambition, your wisdom (so so beyond your years), the way you treat others and...Your questionable dance moves that always make me laugh. Just being around you brightens my every day because your light shines so bright. You have taught me how to overcome one of my biggest road blocks - that being to let go of any pain and bitterness I have harbored in my short life thus so far. To stay soft and true to who I am, regardless of the opinions and/or demands of others - without letting the hard world around me change me or define who I am. This has enabled me to love fully again and the value of this is priceless and for that I thank you so much. I know that I can always count on you to have my back, lead with the best of intentions for us, and that you will one day make the most dedicated, intentional father to our children. I truly cannot wait to dream alongside you, live out the purpose God has intended for our lives, create a lifetime of memories, and fall deeper in love with each season of life we are given together.
Today and each day that follows, I promise to show appreciation for all the little things you do for me. To stay silly, never taking ourselves too seriously. I vow to respect, admire and appreciate you for who you are, as well as who you wish to become. To not just tell you, but show you each day how special you are to me. I promise to always fight for us, knowing any battles we might face we will conquer as one. That I will try my hardest to step away from my stubbornness and accept that I make mistakes, understanding I am not always right, even when it’s hard to admit. I vow to love and support you in all things, lovingly push and inspire you when you need it and continue to encourage you in your career, hobbies and passions. But most of all, I promise to do my all to keep our spark alive. May everything we do in our marriage be done in love… today, tomorrow and always. I love you, Christian.
Maid of Honour’s speech
For those of you who don’t know the ins and outs of mine and Hollie’s relationship, we actually haven’t always been the best of friends. Growing up we had that typical sister relationship where I thought Hollie was super cool and in turn, she thought I was super annoying, and possibly even a little scary. I don’t really understand why, but I should probably apologise for breaking your wrist by slamming it in my bedroom door. As I went off to uni and Hollie met Christian, lucky for me, he took a liking to me and somehow convinced Hollie that I might be a little less annoying than I look. As Christian and Hollie grew closer, a very special sister bond was built on and I am so honoured to be by your side on your most special day. Christian and Hollie, you complement each other wonderfully, bringing the very best out in each other. I am very excited for what the future holds with each other by your side. Christian I am so pleased to welcome you into the family, you are the glue that brought Hollie and I together and I will be forever thankful for that. So cheers to Hollie and Christian.
Bridesmaid’s speech
Hello for those of you who don’t know me, my name is Shanaya and I am a long-time friend of Hollie’s. We met in school when Hollie and her family were living in Hamilton. Looking back, the moment I remember us becoming friends was when we both stayed back from school camp to sew fluffy ducks and Christmas stockings, anyone who would prefer that over mud and sleeping bags was sure to be a friend of mine. Even with Hollie moving a few short years later, we stayed in close contact and talked every single day, with Hollie often spending a lot of hours in a bus to travel through to spend time with me. Our infamous sleepovers consisted of Liam Neeson movies and an abundant amount of junk food. She became and will always be a cherished friend that my family knows and adores. Hollie is brave and hardworking, she is loyal, and kind and knows how to make me laugh. She’s always on my side, even if I am wrong. The joy and life you constantly bring into my world are contagious. You are silly and funny and so lovable. I feel lucky to know someone who constantly puts others’ needs in front of their own, but now it’s time for you to put yours first and enjoy this life you have dreamt up and created for yourself. Christian, I know you will look after Hollie because I’ve seen how much she loves you, I’ve seen how happy you make her and I’ve seen how big her dreams have become since she met you. I know she loves you because she will go camping with mud and sleeping bags. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness, naps, no prosecco, puppies, rom coms, and love so big it can’t all fit in one place.
Father of the Groom’s speech
Good afternoon everyone. Thanks for joining us for this special occasion. I would like to acknowledge all those who have worked tirelessly over the past months to make this special day happen. In particular, I want to thank Hollie’s Mum, Karen for all your hard work and dedication. Hollie, we are really excited to have officially part of our family. I feel you have already been part of our family for a long time. Christian, we are really proud of you and the decision you have made to make this commitment to each other. I loved your vows from Ruth in the Bible, speaking of her commitment to Naomi... But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” What an example of a life-long commitment between two people! This also gives us a picture of the relationship that God offers us. If we choose to accept Jesus, He will never leave us. The commitment you have made to each other today is like weaving two strands of a rope together. The Bible tells us that if you weave a third ‘God strand’ into your marriage you will be like a rope made from three strands of cord, which is hard to break. Congratulations to you both; we love you very much. I pray that today is the start of a long and happy marriage.
Father of the Bride’s speech
Welcome everyone, friends, and family to Christians & Hollie’s special day, and welcome to Hawkes Bay. For those of you who don’t know me my name is Peter Girvan and I am Hollie’s Father. Thank you to those who have travelled from overseas and the South Island. Hollie, and Christian are especially thankful that both Grandparents from the south and north islands are with us here today. It has been a difficult twelve months with Covid, and having them both here means a lot to Hollie & Christian. A special thanks to those who have helped with planning, and set up along with Hollie and Christian who have worked hard to make sure this special ceremony runs smoothly a particularly special thanks to Karen & Wendy for their contributions. Hollie is my oldest daughter of four. I talk to Hollie every day. I like hearing about what she has been doing in her day. It’s a cool little thing I like doing with Hollie. Hollie comes down to Christchurch most school holidays to spend time with me, her two sisters as well her grandparents. We have had some great trips together, the last pre covid trip being to Vietnam to celebrate her 21st. The trip started a bit stressful. I just have to say it wasn’t my fault. We had a mix-up with getting Visas and were told by AirNZ that we could not fly. We were told it would take 3-4 days to get them. I told Hollie that we could always go to Queenstown. Hollie managed to find a Vietnam Visa online. $500 later we managed to get the visa with 10 minutes to spare. Hollie was dancing on the spot and the beer we had in the Koru lounge was the nicest we had ever had. I have watched Hollie grow over the years into a thoughtful and caring young lady. Hollie has worked hard over the years and I have been very proud of what she has achieved completing her teaching qualifications, getting her first teaching job, and subsequently shifting back to Havelock North to start a teaching job in Hastings. Hollie is a busy person and I am impressed with the number of hours she spends planning school work and still balancing this with going to church services and helping out with Grandy & Grandad and remembering my birthday (unlike me) and fathers day – Hollie you’re amazing. I think Hollie is a special person and Christian is lucky to have such a strong valued and caring person by his side. I think you make a beautiful bride. I love you, Hollie. Welcome to the family Christian. You have been to Christchurch a few times now and have met the Girvan side of the family so you know what you’re getting yourself into. I am glad you are part of the family and I am proud to have you as my son-in-law. I’d like to leave you with a couple of words of advice. A wise man once said, a man who gives in when he is wrong is wise, whilst a man who gives in when he is right is married. All that remains is for me to ask you to all join me in a toast to the happy couple. May they have a long and happy life together.
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