My Should-Have-Been Thank You Wedding Speech

Our wedding may not have gone as planned—I think only 50% of our plans were followed and the remaining half had to be changed on the day itself—but I still loved every minute of it. The only thing I wish I could have made better and more complete was my thank you speech because this is something I could control. 

This is my advice to soon-to-be-brides: prepare and write your thank you speeches way  before the event. I thought I had my speech memorized but I still missed a detail or two. 

Here is my speech, the way it should have been:

Good evening, everyone. thank you so much for spending this night with us and for going all the way to Antipolo despite the bad weather. Seeing you all here reminds us of how lucky we really are. 

First of all, I would like to thank God for all of the blessings. This would not be possible without You.   

To our friends: Liz for doing my make-up; Bats for coming all the way from Singapore to be our photographer; Marc Soong for providing our bridal car; Steph and Ray for singing the bridal march song; Grace and Abi for being our hosts; SunDownMuse for the music later; and my brother Marc for sponsoring wines and spirits.

My friends from JobStreet.com: you have been my family for four-and-a-half years. You guys will always be family to me.  

My friends forever: I have known all of you for years and we have shared and experienced life lessons together. Looking forward to more years with you all.  

My relatives from the Querubin and Jaranilla sides, most specially to those who came all the way from the province and abroad.  

My siblings: Kuya Ashley, Ate Donna, Kuya Bogs and Marc: my ultimate kakampis for life. Thank you so much for always being for there for me—most specially during my not-so-nice days, which can still happen every now and then. My nephews and nieces: Kevin, Nini, Gia and Jared. You guys never fail to bring me joy. 

Undoubtedly, I have to thank my parents for giving me more than what I needed. I know I haven't always been the best daughter, but I am trying to be now. Mommy and Daddy: Thank you so much for the guidance and honing me to be a practical, fair, respectful and hardworking person (I'd like to think I am). I wouldn’t be the person I am right now if it were not for you—if it weren’t for all of you. 

So you see, I am a very lucky and blessed person already. Then came Paulo; and now I am even luckier. 

Thank you to the Subidos for easily accepting and welcoming me into your family. I now have three new sisters and two brothers, and of course another mom.  To Ate Joy, Ate Faith, Ate Grace, Kuya Raul, Chino and Mom: You have all been so sweet and awesome, and I am looking forward to getting to know more of each and everyone.   

And of course to Paulo: Thank you for the overflowing understanding, care and love. I don’t really know what will happen to us. One of the many things we learned in this wedding is that life does not go the way we planned it. We may not be perfect people, but together, I know that we can make it perfect. Let’s just continue on doing what we are doing—respect, trust, and love each other. I love you more right now, Pau. We can do this!

Photos by Jonel Batino of SuperPandaPresents