On this day, two years ago our youngest daughter got married to her lovely young man. We were all thrilled by the event, but spent the run up to it slightly concerned that we would have to make some uplifting speeches. We worked quite hard on them, and when I found them today I thought I would share them with you – if you came to the wedding then you will have heard them before. If you didn’t, then now is your chance.

Mine was first.

Good afternoon, welcome to all of you. I am so pleased to see so many of Marysia’s friends here and I hope to get to know you all by the end of the day. Let me introduce myself – I am Basia and as you may have guessed, the bride’s mother.

As mother of the bride, I feel I am very privileged – not least because I get to wear some kooky headgear – but mainly because I am Marysia’s mother.

She very kindly asked me to say a few words and I just want to share with you just what she means to me.

Before Marysia was born our little family was complete. I was mother to a girl and a boy, and everything seemed perfect.  And then suddenly – an autumn leaf – a star from the sky – a gift from heaven. Well, what a surprise. Totally unexpected – but what a delight.

She was in such a hurry to make her mark on the world that she came six weeks early – a perfect tiny specimen.

As older parents Jacek and I were determined not to worry.  After all we were experienced now. We were also lucky.  She was the easiest baby in the world. Maybe she wouldn’t have been if her older siblings hadn’t been so helpful. Thank you Kasia and Andrzej for letting me sleep whenever Marysia slept.  You were incredible children too.

Then she grew up. Our little Lala or Dolly. She charmed everyone in nursery and primary school, and later too. At high school she got the first and only sporting injury in the family – I was so proud. And of all her other achievements too.

Marysia did incredibly well at university, though perhaps her greatest achievement there was to meet her future husband in the first few weeks.

 Alex quickly realised that this beautiful, warm, kind, and joyful young woman was the love of his life.

 Although we have had to wait quite a long time for this day, I am thrilled to welcome Alex into the Korzeniowski fold; I know that you will both have a fabulous time, continuing to travel and to explore, to work hard and to enjoy your time together.

Treasure and cherish each other, and all will be well.

My husband’s:

I don’t usually write my speeches but as this is probably one of the most important speeches I will ever have to make, this time I wrote it down. (Apart from this one there is still one more to come in December).

Welcome all!

Welcome to all the family – old and new, to all our friends, to all the friends of the bride and groom. Thank you all for coming. And special thanks to all of you who travelled far to be here and celebrate with us on this special day. And let’s not forget all those who cannot be here today because they are down with the dreaded Covid or are either too frail to travel like my mother, or those who are no longer with us, like Alex’s dad.

What can I tell you about Marysia? I could probably say a lot, but the trick would be not to make the bride feel uncomfortable on her special day! And quite frankly I cannot think of anything embarrassing! You are safe!

I look at Marysia today in her lovely dress next to her new husband (a new word for your vocabulary) and of course also remember that little baby born almost 29 years ago (by the way I don’t think the time has come yet to avoid telling people how old you are); then I look at you and I remember a small girl who travelled with us on all these wonderful holidays. There are many things to remember from all these travels but one sweet moment comes to mind first. Marysia was 3 or 4 and we were in Tuscany. We decided to go to Siena. It took a while to get there and then we parked and started to walk through the town – we were where we wanted to be. But not Marysia. She asked: “when are we going to see Enna?”. She was obviously expecting to see a person! What a disappointment!

Then some 12 years ago we went on holiday to Sicily. We stayed in a hotel with a swimming pool and a fabulous restaurant. There was not much to do; Marysia was bored! This must have been the first time that we discovered her “passion for fashion” – in the restaurant simply out-of-boredom she would get up between courses, go to her room and change! But the attention she drew with the waiters and especially the swimming pool staff meant that we all got fantastic service!

Today I look at my beautiful daughter (there is no other way of saying it) and I feel incredibly proud – (I am proud of all my children, but they will hear this some other day). Marysia has already achieved a lot in her life – a university degree, a great job she is really good at (it’s a given that she always had great parents) and today she topped it all with a brand-new husband! And let’s not forget a fantastic mother-in-law!

According to the speech writing advise now would be a good time to tell a joke but I promised Basia I will not embarrass her either! So, no jokes! Or maybe just this one? OK no jokes!

Marysia and Alex met at university. This is when I met Alex for the first time. It was in Leeds. I also met Carla. Back in the hotel I had mixed feelings – I liked them both from the start (and of course still do) but also knew that statistically the odds of Marysia and Alex staying together were low. Thankfully, my worries were unnecessary. This relationship was meant to last!

Today they have become husband and wife. It is quite usual for a woman to take her husband’s name but Alex decided to add Marysia’s name to his as well. When I learned of his decision I was surprised, delighted, but none-the-less, surprised. It is not the easiest name for an English speaking person to take on board; that’s why the famous English writer Joseph Conrad who was in fact Polish and whose original name was “Korzeniowski” dropped it. But today’s Britain is different, so maybe this is not a totally masochistic decision. Well done, young man!

Just before we raise our glasses, I am supposed to give you some advice. But it is not in my nature to give advice. I much prefer to share my experience and let others draw their own conclusions. And that experience is that Basia and I have never stopped taking to each other for the last 43 years. We have talked about different things, I have bored her to death with some technical details, we’ve quarrelled, we’ve laughed. But we have never fallen silent!

Maybe just one piece of advice – do not forget to keep saying these magic words to each other – I love you! I am positive that with love like yours for each other you have a great future ahead of you.

Ladies and gentleman. Please raise your glasses to Mr and Mrs Korzeniowski-Edwards – to the bride and groom.

If you have read them both you see we have referred to some events in her life. I will find some of the photos to match and share them presently.