My Matron of Honor Speech for Happy and Tanguy's Wedding
Thank you to everyone here tonight-the
most important people, the VIPs for Happy and Tanguy who came from all over the
world to witness the beginning of their happy marriage unfold.
To those who don’t know me yet I’m
Viva Andrada-O’Flynn, Happy’s Big Sister.
I felt the need to clarify that as we keep on getting asked who’s
older--- I am older.
I am Happy’s Matron of Honor meaning
that I am married to that dashing man right there, John, my loving husband. As the Matron of Honor I represent Happy’s
Bridesmaids Say, Stephanie, Ann, Ada, Yasmine, Shayne, Sam , Angel, Abhie and
Denise.
Now let me tell you about my sister
Happy. You probably all know that Happy
is a world class Filipina fashion designer and the world is her runway. Happy
makes the Philippines proud with her various fashion shows in London, Paris,
Tokyo, Los Angeles, Milan, Amsterdam, Seoul, Singapore, Mongolia, Beijing, Hong
Kong, Manila and more. You get the picture. Happy is a multi-awarded fashion designer who
won several international awards. Happy
celebrates her 11th year in fashion this 2017. I’m so incredibly proud of her and the
remarkable woman she’s grown to become.
As Happy’s sister, I have many
amusing tales to tell you about this wonderful person. Let me start with what it was like growing up
with Happy. I remember Happy has always
been a fun loving person. I remember taking good care of my Barbie
dolls, only then a playful baby Happy would remove the heads of my dolls and
swap them around my other Barbie dolls as if a quick way of changing clothes.
Possibly that revealed of Happy being an aspiring fashion designer at a very young
age. I remember cartoon and Sound of
Music marathons with Happy. I remember drawing portraits only to find them
missing because Happy was tracing them and now Happy has surpassed my drawing
skills—she learned from the best teacher…me..haha! I really lived up to the role of being a big
sister. Whenever she needed help, I gave
it to her. If she needed help with
school projects, book reports, etc. I helped her. I was a bit of a nerd back then.
When I was in college, I took up Mass
Communications. I learned how to handle
the press. After graduation, I became a
journalist and wrote for publications. I
was the first to interview and write an article about Happy with the title “Happy’s
Halloween” since Halloween is Happy’s favorite time of the year. Halloween is when people can dress up and be
whoever they want to be. That probably
spoke of Happy’s love for fashion as well.
At that time, I usually had the beauty and fashion beat, and I’ve gotten
invited to various fashion shows. Happy
watched the fashion shows with me and our Mom.
At Happy’s 18th birthday, she launched her first fashion
collection. At my sister Happy’s debut,
I became an event coordinator, script writer, emcee, and PR. I wrote press releases about Happy’s debut/fashion
show and distributed them to publications.
Through the years, I evolved to help Happy with her career.
And now Tanguy, you married Happy today
and I encourage you to support Happy in all that she does and to keep evolving,
to be the partner Happy needs. I’ve seen
how you’ve helped Happy in her London show.
I hope that you’ll always love and cherish Happy. You’re a very lucky man to be married to
Happy. I hope that you’ll always make
Happy happy and that in turn she’ll always make you happy.
Happy I love you so much. You’re an incredible person who is creative,
talented, loving, determined, focused and the best sister I could possibly wish
for. You’re my sister, business partner,
travel buddy with Mom, fashion stylist, personal shopper, my favorite fashion
designer. You made my fairytale like
wedding gowns and entourage gowns last year, my Maid of Honor. And now it’s your wedding, I’m your Matron of
Honor. No choice. Hehe! We’re lucky to be born into a loving
family with the best relatives and the best, most lovingly supportive Mom. Remember how you said to me that I shouldn’t
get married because you’ll never get married?
Now we’re suddenly both married.
Love certainly works wonders. Although
I live far away, in the UK now, I’m always here for you and you can always
count on me.
Happy and Tanguy look around
you. You’re surrounded by a circle of
love. If ever there comes a rough patch
in your marriage, don’t give up on each other.
Remember this moment, when you declared your mutual love to each other
to all these wonderful people who believe in and support your union.
Please raise your glasses to my amazing
sister Happy and her husband Tanguy. May
you be fruitful and always happy.
And now Happy I have this special surprise for
you: a song I wrote and sang for you. I love you Happy!
