Liam + Nicole Proof 1

Liam + Nicole

Liam + Nicole MARCH 26, 2021 M A N O W A R W I N E RY, W A I H E K E I S L A N D

A mother’s wish Forgive me if I stop and smile, Or ponder for a little while, As I wonder where all the time has gone, Since the first day I held you, my son.

Now as I watch you with your beautiful bride, My hear t is bursting with love and pride, Today you both share your love and devotion, When I hear your vows I’m filled with emotion.

A new chapter is beginning in your life, So cherish ever y moment as husband and wife, Like two hear ts with a single soul, And two par ts of a loving whole.

I watch you both in admiration, And mar vel at your love and determination, Connecting in a powerful way, Your love was destiny I have to say,

It was written in the stars you see, Your love was truly meant to be, Like two songs played in perfect tune, And two flowers growing to a lovely bloom,

I made a wish at the ver y star t, You would fall in love and never par t, My wish came true in a fabulous way As we all celebrate together on their wedding day

Both families now joined in a special way, Bonded by love on this beautiful day, He will be more than a husband, he’ll be her best friend, And she’ll be his soul mate until the end.

Liam and Nicole, I love you both dearly, My wish for you is happiness and laughter, In your lives here after.

Love Mam.

Bruce’s reading T H E A RT O F M A R R I AG E BY W I L F E R D A . P E T E R S O N

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.

A good marriage must be created.

In the ar t of marriage the little things are the big things…

It is never being too old to hold hands.

It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day.

It is never going to sleep angr y.

It is at no time taking the other for granted; The cour tship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through all the years.

It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.

It is standing together facing the world.

It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.

It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.

It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.

It is not looking for perfection in each other.

It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor.

It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.

It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.

It is finding room for the things of the spirit.

It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.

It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.

It is not only marr ying the right par tner, it is being the right par tner.

It is discovering what marriage can be, at its best.

Nicole’s vows I, Nicole Jane Barlow take you, Liam Paul Hillis, to be my par tner ; having seen the best of you and the worst of you, I choose both. I can’t promise to solve all your problems, but I can promise you won’t have to face them alone. I am excited by the chance to grow together, getting to know the man you will become and falling in love a little more each day. I promise to love you without reser vation, comfor t you in times of distress, encourage you to achieve all of your goals, laugh with you and cr y with you, always be open and honest with you, and cherish you for as long as we both shall live.

Liam’s vows I, Liam Paul Hillis take you, Nicole Jane Barlow, to be my par tner ; having seen the best of you and the worst of you, I choose both. I can’t promise to solve all your problems, but I can promise you won’t have to face them alone. I am excited by the chance to grow together, getting to know the woman you will become and falling in love a little more each day. I promise to love you without reser vation, comfor t you in times of distress, encourage you to achieve all of your goals, laugh with you and cr y with you, always be open and honest with you, and cherish you for as long as we both shall live.

Our guests K AT E

SOPHIA

B RO O K E

RENÉE

Table one DA N ALI PAU L RAE KEVIN

R AC H E L NICK SARAH ERIC TO N I

NICOLE

LIAM

Table two RUSSELL JEAN P SUE CHRIS BRUCE G

ANGELINE

BRUCE B

JULIET

M A RT I N

ANGELA

LOGAN

MIKE

IRENE

Table three PAU L I N E

JOSH

DIANNE BRIAN GRAHAM ANNEMARIE S C OT T W KELSEY CONNOR

DA P H I N E

Table four

PAU L

GEORGE

JO

NEIL

JEAN H

S C OT T R

ALICE

L AU R E N

SIMON

M AT

ZOE

P H I L I P PA

KYLE

RUBY

WAY N E MICHELLE

DA L E

GLENN

BERNIE

BRETT

LISA

RO G Y

N AT

C I N DY

W E N DY

C O DY

GIZELLE

MICHAELA

A A RO N

MIKE

Renee’s speech How blessed are we to be celebrating Nicole and Liam’s wedding day at beautiful Man O’War! I bet you are relieved you didn’t book that Bali wedding after all, eh?! On a serious note, a huge thank you to all of you who are here today, and those who have travelled from across different par ts of New Zealand to be here. I know it means the world to both Nicole and Liam. A couple of weeks ago we were celebrating Nicole’s hens, and in the middle of the cabaret show, it was announced we’d be moving back into lockdown for a week. I have to say, it’s a massive sigh of relief and I am ver y thankful that we are all here and have had no interruptions to this beautiful day Nicole and Liam have been planning for the last couple of years. For those that don’t know me, I’m Renee, Nicole’s older sister.

And with that, I’ve been ver y lucky to have known Nicole literally her whole life. I’ve seen her grow from being a cheeky tot, to an Avril Lavigne loving skater-girl, to a rebellious teen, to a diligent student, to a dedicated and loving par tner to Liam and ever ything in-between.

Nicole is fiercely loyal, deeply passionate and puts family at the hear t of ever ything she does. I can always rely on her daily 4pm phone call, her drop ins to visit us (ahem, I mean, Amelia) and our shared love of true-crime podcasts. Nicole has gone from strength to strength with her career, and with her kind and caring nature, it is no surprise to me that she finds herself as a communications advisor with Auckland DHB. She has worked incredibly hard, especially the last year, in at Auckland hospital managing the DHB comms around Covid. Coley, I am super proud of you and all of the work you do each and ever y day. But I think that is enough about Nicole – we can all see she has grown into a beautiful, kind, caring and passionate woman and I couldn’t be more-proud of her. Now, Nicole and Liam have been together for 7 years, and within that 7 years together they’ve proven themselves to be a loving, passionate couple, a dynamic duo who are the perfect match for one another. They’ve achieved a heck of a lot in the last 7 years, buying their first home together, getting their fur baby Franklin, holidays overseas including their Bali engagement and most recently moving into their beautiful new home in Beachlands. Oh, and let’s not forget planning and pulling off this stunning wedding!! Given our family ties, it’s hard for me to recall the exact moment I met Liam in his official capacity as Nicole’s boyfriend and to be honest, he slotted in so seamlessly it feels like he has always been here, so instead, I’d like to recount a stor y Nicole reminded me of a few months ago. So, there is one really impor tant person, who has had a tremendous impact on both Nicole and my lives that is missing from this wedding today, and that is our Grandma who sadly passed away 4 years ago. A few months ago, Nicole recalled when she first introduced Grandma to Liam, and at this stage she was ver y confident that Liam was “the one” and as she should be, she was ver y proud to introduce Liam to Grandma.

As we all know, Liam is incredibly polite and friendly, and as Nicole and Liam were saying goodbye to Grandma, Liam said “It was lovely to meet you, I’ll see you again soon” to which Grandma responded with a simple “maybe”. Well ever yone, I’m pleased to say that Grandma did indeed see Liam again soon, and she absolutely loved him as much as we all do. Coley and Liam, Grandma would be so happy for you and I know she is looking down on you both with a lot of love. Nicole and Liam really are two peas in a pod, and one of the biggest things that struck me when I was thinking about their relationship is the ease in which they both fit into each-others lives.

They are both incredibly loving and respectful towards each other, have shared goals and visions not only for their future, but they are also super aligned in their day-to-day lives… For example, for both of them, staying up past 10.30pm is a raging night out, and they both love their weekend routine of coffee and walks with Franklin. Liam and Nicole have taken on the role of being Aunty and Uncle to our little girl tremendously well. Amelia absolutely loves her “Lambie Coley”, and Nicole, I know Amelia always chooses to have cuddles with Uncle Lambie, but know she loves you just as much too. I remember one night when Amelia was only 6 or so weeks old and they decided they’d give Mike and I the whole night off, and they’d sleep in our room looking after Amelia. Well, that night, Nicole didn’t get one bit of sleep and Liam, snoozing away next to Nicole, had best sleep of his life and the next morning asked where our bed was from!! Liam (or Lambie as he is better known by us Barlows) loves Nicole as much as she loves spicy pasta. Liam has already been a member of our family for the last 7 years, but it’s great to officially say I’ve finally got the brother I always wanted! From conference lamb, to gym bunny lamb, to uncle lamb, to fishing lamb to the Liam that loves my little sister with his entire being, thank you for being you and I love you too. But ever yone, just don’t let Liam put fuel in your boat!! And with Liam formally joining the Barlow family, its also an incredible honour that the Barlow family now becomes the Barlow-Hillis family. The Hillis family have always welcomed us with open arms, and we’ve already had so many years of love, fun and happiness and I can’t wait for our family bonds to continue to grow. Before I wrap up, I’d like to leave you with this verse from Corinthians that I have slightly adapted. Liam is patient, Nicole is kind. Liam does not envy, Nicole does not boast, Liam is not proud. Nicole does not dishonour others, Liam is not self-seeking, Nicole is not easily angered, Liam keeps no record of wrongs. Nicole does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Nicole and Liam always protect, always trust, always hope and always persevere. Nicole and Liam, I love you both with all my hear t, and I wish you both a lifetime of love and happiness. I can’t wait to see your beautiful journey together continue to unfold.

Josh’s speech Good evening ever yone, I hope you are all having a good time celebrating Liam and Nicole! I think its fair to say its been a ver y emotional day…even the cake is in tiers! For those of you that don’t know me, my names Josh, Liam’s younger brother and best man - I just want to take this moment to say it’s been a huge privilege to play such an impor tant role in both yours and Nicole’s big day-so thank you! Before I get into it I just wanted to bring to ever yone’s attention my speeches are mainly described like a mini skir t-long enough to cover the essentials but shor t enough to keep ever yone’s attention. Turning back the clocks 15 years ago, if you had asked me if I thought I was going to be a groomsman at my big brothers wedding let alone best man i probably would have said that I have a higher chance of pursuing a professional golf career. For any of you that know my golfing abilities are well below par even at the best of times!

Throughout Liam and I’s childhood I was always known to be that annoying little younger brother-a liability in fact-I think it is fair to say our 5 year age gap defiantly showed back through school days it was more so Liam and Lauren who were the tight knitted siblings unless it was a Wednesday or Friday afternoon when Liam would all of a sudden become my best friend because he wanted someone to keep him company on his eastern couriers paper round each week.

Fast forward time to the present, both Liam and I’s similarity’s and bond would have to be the strongest they ever have been given our similar interests in all spor ts including golf, motorspor t and going through the rollercoaster of emotions of suppor ting the mighty warriors week in and out…this years our year!

Liam has always been a bit of a dark horse and a quiet achiever. I have spent months pondering different stories to share at his wedding, to be completely honest the options were slim. Apar t from the multiple embarrassing golf shots I have witnessed him play- some you wouldn’t even have known were possible which have left myself and the guys in hysterics.

For those of you that don’t know, Liam’s first par t time job was at Caltex Highland Park as a Gas station attendant in his time here he clearly did not learn much about the different types of octanes. A couple of weeks back Russ and Diane decided to take the boat out to watch the Americas cup racing. As always, Liam offered to help get the boat ready.

Prior to Launching Liam and Russell towed the boat into the gas station and proceeded to fill up the boat. Little to both Russell and Liam’s knowledge-Liam handed over the Diesel pump and proceeded to fill a petrol powered outboard with diesel. Way to impress the father in law Liam!! Don’t worr y Russ the other Hillis brother is trustwor thy enough for you to hand the boat keys over!

Now moving onto the better looking halve Nicole. One of my first memories of Nicole was getting to spend quality time with her at our Family Christmas Holiday in 2014 in Rarotonga. I am going to be completely honest…at first, I thought I was in for a potential 2nd “Hurricane Hillis” as a sister in law at this point of time but oh how I was wrong. For those of you that know Nicole well nowadays being home by 9pm and midday naps are mandator y. Nicole from our first Christmas spent together to now I have seen you grow as a person and achieve so many goals both personally and with Liam you have turned into an extremely hard working, caring and kind individual and I can honestly say you and Liam are made for each other and I am so honoured to call you my new Sister in law.

I would like to take the oppor tunity to thank the whole bridal gang you scrub up mighty fine, it has been an amazing day celebrating love with two of our most favourite people. Lastly, I would like ever yone to raise their glasses to the newly appointed Mr and Mrs Hillis!

Liam’s speech I am so incredibly grateful that today could go ahead, as you can imagine both Nicole and I have endured some pretty anxious and worr ying moments in the weeks leading up to today, we both only just managed to celebrate our stag and hens’ par ties before being locked down and now thankfully we are here celebrating with you all today. When we were asked by anyone ‘what’s your ideal wedding day’ or ‘how would you like the day to go’ Nicole and I response was – number 1 – it must be held at Man O War and number 2 – it has to be one big par ty with all of our family and friends.

Thank you so much to our awesome bridal par ty crew, all the bridesmaids look beautiful and to my groomsmen over here, you boys scrub up pretty good too! Ever y one of you have all been such special friends of both Nicole and I for a long long time & no doubt we will all be friends for the rest of our lives! We just want to thank you for your effor ts and suppor t leading up to today.

To our beloved grandparents – both Jeans, Brian and Neil, its so incredibly special for us both that we can celebrate today with you, it means an awful lot to us both, true love is only seen when you grow old with one lover, that’s what I see when I look at both of our grandparents, so with that, I would like ever yone raise their glass & toast to our grandparents - Jean, Jean, Brian and Neil. Thank you all and we love you dearly. To my mum and dad – Pauline and Paul and my now official in laws Dianne and Russell, thank you for all your guidance and values you have taught us both throughout our lives, we wouldn’t be who we are today without them. I think I can safely speak for both of us when I say that your love and suppor t has helped get us here today. For Nicole and I, family is the most impor tant thing in life, I am so happy that from today onwards the Hillis and Barlow families are officially blended together, I can’t express enough how lucky we both are to have you as parents, I love all 4 of you as does Nicole!

I want to now take a moment to remember our loved ones who aren’t with us today – Grandma Naomi, Grandad Joseph, Nana Eva and Grandad Fred. We miss you and know you would have loved to celebrate with us today. Also those loved ones who couldn’t celebrate with us due to health and travel restrictions. We know they would have loved to be here – so a special cheers to those not with us today!

Finally, onto my beautiful wife, doesn’t she look absolutely stunning. When I sat down to write this speech, I was tr ying to come up with all the things that I love about you and think of all the things you do that make me feel proud – but honestly, there is not one thing that I don’t love about you & absolutely ever ything you do in life makes me proud. Whether it’s your incredible work ethic, your drive to succeed in ever ything you do and the kindness you show to ever yone that’s around you. I have never felt more connected to a person in my life. You’re empathetic, generous, thoughtful and your hear t is pure. You’re full of life, you’re adventurous, but most of all, you make me want to do better, you make me wake up and want to be a better person ever y day, both Franklin and I are ver y for tunate to have you in our tribe of three!

I can stand here in front of you all and confidently say that I feel like the luckiest guy in the world knowing that I get to call you my wife. – thank you for choosing to do life with me, my par tner in crime, PIC, my wife!

So please stand and raise your glasses to Mrs Hillis!

My way

BY F R ANK S I NAT R A “Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew When I bit off more than I could chew But through it all, when there was doubt I ate it up and spit it out I faced it all and I stood tall And did it my way”

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