For Tom and Emily

Marriage isn't just the celebrations, it's the moments in between
The gaps between the breaths, the things you truly mean
The uptime and the downtime, all of it together
Standing tall in sunshine and in rainy weather

And, in a way I can only say to a housemate and companion of many years
(and maybe future junctures, where lucky chance appears)
I want to say thank you Tom, for being a good friend
We managed to stand together when the world seemed about to end

Memories don't disappear, even if they slightly fade
Watching sports and eating haggis were fun ones to have made
So go make many memories, keep him busy Emily
Good luck to you on your next steps together, whatever they happen to be

Enjoy your union forever, especially this biggest day
But treasure the other seconds too, in every single way

For Will and Laura

It is a great pleasure to have childhood friends
To have shared so many years in places that now seem so small
Friend's homes, old classrooms, even older football pitches
And the paths we walked (or cycled) together that connected them all

If you get to know someone when they are young
It is as if you are witnessing the start of a melody
The opening strings of a crescendo to that will one day come
Lyrics, that now sadly, echo only in memory

But then, you get to be a witness
To their life, their music, and their journey
Until one day the song sounds even more beautiful
As you realise it's turned into a harmony

Will, you were already playing an incredible tune
I felt so lucky to get to listen along
But Laura, you add to him, and he adds to you
And I think everyone here can attest, you both make such a wonderful song

So, I ask you both, do not be silent with your chorus
Be uniquely yourselves when you stand before us
It's time to play your parts together, and play them true
Are you ready? I'll count you in. One, two...

***

(Many thanks to the person who wished to go uncredited for translating this poem into Spanish for some of the Wedding guests, this was really cool to see!)

Es un enorme placer tener amigos de la infancia
Haber compartido años en lugares que ahora parecen tan pequeños
Las casas, las aulas, los campos de fútbol
Y los caminos que caminamos juntos (o en bicicleta) y que los unían a todos 

Si conoces a alguien de joven
Es como si presenciaras el comienzo de una melodía
Las primeras cuerdas de un crescendo que está por llegar.
Letras que ahora sólo resuenan en la memoria.

Más en adelante en la vida, se llega a ser testigo
De lo que sólo puede considerarse un viaje increíble
Hasta que te das cuenta de que la música cantada
Es mucho más hermosa como una armonía

Will, tú ya tocabas una melodía increíble.
Me sentí muy afortunado de poder escucharla.
Pero Laura, tú le añades a él, y él te añade a ti.
Juntos, hacéis una canción maravillosa.

Así que, os lo pido a los dos, no os quedéis callados con vuestro canto.
Sed vosotros mismos cuando estéis ante nosotros.
Haced vuestro papel, y hacedlo de verdad.
¿Están listos? Uno, dos...

A Poem for Nate and Kiri

A really should be feeling jealousy, I guess.

And the fact I'm not really feeling it is strange, I confess.

And, strictly in the interests of keeping it real

It wouldn't be so unusual a feeling to feel.

I mean, just take a step back and look at the two of you as a pair.

You go so well together its almost unfair

Being together, so lovely and sweet,

The nicest couple you could ever wish to meet

Ok, let me take a step back and explain what I mean

When I say I should be so envious it would make me green.

Nate, you're one of the greatest guys I've ever happened to befriend

I swell guy who never has a mean message to send

Always willing to look out for a misguided young lad

And give him some of the best advice he's ever had

And Kiri, boy am I jealous of you.

I've heard Nate talk in such flattering tones it's hard to believe they're true.

While I've met you only briefly, it's been a pleasant time

And I'm sure I'll get to know you more long after this rhyme

But together there's such a great relationship going

Which we can plainly see from the love that is showing

Ok, so let me wrap this up in a simple way.

I should be deeply jealous on this special day

It would be a perfectly natural thing to feel

To be jealous of a love so potent and real

But instead, I'm happy, I'm unfailingly glad

That you two met and had the chances you had

The fortune favoured you, fate was in your favour

And that fate can be so kind is a thought to savour

In fact, there's no one I'd wish this good luck to more

No one more deserving of such strong amore

So best of luck to the future, long may it continue

And the passion of love burn long within you

I'm so happy for you both, I hope I've made that clear

So there's just one final thing to say here

Have a great life, and live well together

And may these times continue forever.

from Harry

x

***

I'm going through and archiving my pre-2013 poems. Uploaded in 2025. I don't remember performing this one at the wedding, but I do remember it being the first non-family wedding I attended so it still holds a special place in my heart.

College Proposal

I want to give you everything, to give you the world if I could
But sadly, I'm just a guy, and unilke you, I have my flaws.
If I could, I'd take the stars from the sky and give them to you right now
But I couldn't walk that far away from you to be able to get them
I searched for ages for non-lethal non-poisonous flower that could match your beauty so I could lay it in your arms
But I couldn't find one pretty enough
Had I time, I would learn ever musical instrument and play them all at once for you in an amazing concerto
But no time will ever be enough to learn skills to match yours with a ukelele
Were I rich enough, I would buy you all the jewellery in the world, so you could look even prettier.
But sadly, I can't afford any, and anyway, you don't need jewellery to shine.
Well, actually, I could afford one thing.
I hope you'll do me an honour by accepting it.
Abigail Rose, will you marry me?

***

I'm going through and archiving all my pre-2013 poems (in 2025). For context - in Oxford you often have "college marriages", and are then given "college kids" (2 freshers) to look after and help when they get to Oxford. And also, as an escape from the stress of a degree, it's quite common to go a little over the top with the proposal. I like to think I managed that. I believe this was from a boat club Christmas event - I asked the band for the mic and proposed in front of everyone.