Dean & Zoë’s Wedding

Ohrid, 8 September 2024

At the Church of St. John at Kaneo, Ohrid, Northern Macedonia, on September 8th, 2024, according to the rites of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, Dean Popovski and Zoë Marks were married.

Dean’s vows:

Zoë, from the first moment I saw you I knew in my heart you were special.
You light up every room you walk into and have changed my life in ways I could never imagine.
We have built our relationship on our shared love of adventure. We’ve travelled throughout the world, and the greatest joy I’ve had has been exploring the world with you.
You are so precious to me and I cannot wait to live the rest of my life with you.
My vows to you are to protect you as much as I can, to love you with all my heart and to continue watching you shine throughout our lives together. I vow to continue on our adventures and to continue sharing our lives together.
My vows are an acknowledgement of how much you mean to me. You are my person, my need, and I love you with all my heart.

Zoë’s vows:

Dean, it’s funny how simple the most defining moments of life turn out to be. Like a boy walking up to a girl and saying something true. When you walked into my life 9 years ago I was suddenly struck by a sense of calm that I had never felt before, like you were already a part of me.
You welcomed me into your life & your family when I was scared to need anyone & in doing so coloured my days golden.
Now you are my home. Wherever we are in the world or how many oceans lie between us. Two cicces & a beagle living a life I couldn’t have imagined.
Today, on this cliff side, I promise to love you in my own way, the best I know how. To laugh at our ridiculousness when we disagree in agreement & to always try to make you laugh too.
I promise to always try my best to hear you even if it takes me time to understand.
I promise to believe that I won’t lose you while holding onto you for as long as I can.
And to follow you across the world.
There and back again. Sekogaš.

George and Q, godfather’s and best man’s speeches:

G: My name is George. It all started a long time ago in Year 7, 2001 ... to be fair, the only reason we’re friends is that we were alphabetically seated, because in school you can’t just get up and go wherever you want, like this man does. So we were stuck with him for a few months and we became friends and bonded over sports and stuff ...
Q: Sports and having a foreign accent. When we were in Year 7, I’d only been in Australia for about two years, so I had a pretty heavy accent, while Dean not so much. So he didn’t make fun of me because I guess he knew what it was like. So we bonded over that and we bonded over ... mostly our hatred for other people. I guess we share the same irritation for people who talk too much.
We played soccer -- or football -- together, until Dean injured himself picking up a piece of bread and that was it -- that was his whole career gone over. We shared a lot of painful memories, espcially when we made it to eleven finals, and lost all of them.
The day that we finally won it was the day that he injured himself picking up the piece of bread. We won the final. That shows you the kind of man you’re getting, Zoë. He’s a lot of fun. Sometimes. Anything else you’d like to add to that, George?
G: Yeah. Dean, you’re a good bloke, generally. I’m so glad you met Zoë. We could see that initially -- you love each other and complement each other so much. And we look forward to seeing you guys whenever you decide to come to Melbourne, or wherever we are, just let us know in advance rather than saying, for example, “Hey, George, come and measure your shirt and I’m leaving the country.” So just give us some notice next time, yeh? Or just dropping the invitation in the mailbox when I’m home and not telling me?
Like, we came all this way, but we don’t need to come all this way to see you. But if you come again to Macedonia, we’ll all come too.
And look after Zoë, and, Zoë, look after him, and show each other some love.
Q: From the moment we met Zoë, we knew it was time to pass on the torch, because Zoë could mke him happy in ways that we never could.
[Laughter]
So that’s a good place to end there. Make each other happy.
[Applause]

Father of the Groom, Kole’s speech:

[in Macedonian]

Mother of the Groom, Zora’s speech:

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming to the wedding of our golden child and Zoë. We are so privileged to have you all here tonight. We have had a spectacular day so far, and thank you to my beautiful son and my georgeous daught-in-law. To many more happy years ahead of us all. I love you both dearly, and welcome to the family, Zoë.
[Applause]
Enjoy the rest of the night. Party hard, you can all rest tomorrow.

Father of the Bride, Robert’s speech:

Zoë was born on Christmas Day — I haven’t had such a day since, although today’s pretty good — I remember the delivering doctor was wearing an Alice band with two red plastic Santas. One of the first things Zoë saw were Father Christmases flashing on and off. Can this explain anything about the woman today?
Zoë’s brother Josh had been born 20 months earlier, so Hazel and I were old hands as parents, we thought. Josh is a groomsman today.
When she was young, even before she could walk, Zoë would always make a beeline to the sea at the beach. Once I had to dive into a pool fully clothed to save her. Did this predict a destination wedding for her, over the water, and next to a lake?
Steve and Nancy are here — there are photos of a very young Zoë dancing with Hazel at their wedding in Palo Alto. Today, they will dance at Zoë and Dean’s wedding.
Zoë loves music — as a kid she learnt the piano, and she also performed in her school’s production of the Mikado. Zoë also delighted in fooling around with friends on video, continuing her acting.
She also loves bush walking, and I remember many weekends when we — Hazel, Zoë, Josh and I — went walking in the Blue Mountains. Later, Zoë was a Scout in Balmain.
It’s sad that Hazel’s sister — Zoë’s aunt — Pat couldn’t make it over here from Hove, but she has been a significant figure for Zoë, especially after Hazel’s death, many years ago.
I’m sure that Hazel is one reason Zoë studied Medicine. At Monash, she was near to her uncle Andy (here tonight with Alison and Caitlin, a bridesmaid today) and aunt Judy (who has sent a few words).
And it was at Monash that Dean and Zoë met, in the lab.
Meanwhile, I was looking after Archie, Zoë’s dog, back in Balmain, although we did get down to Sorrento for her birthday during Covid. Now, she and Dean have Leo, the lemon beagle.
Zoë and Eve have a special relationship, over the time Eve and I have been together, which makes me happy.
I met Dean in Melbourne, when he was driving his beloved Jag. I have since become very fond of Zoë’s choice in a man.
Hazel always wanted me to take Josh and Zoë to Europe, instead of America and England, on my sabbaticals. I don’t think she thought that this would lead to a marriage in Europe, but that is what has happened today.
I’m sure Hazel would be proud to welcome Dean into our family as a son-in-law, and very happy on this joyful occasion.
I wish Zoë and Dean a long and happy married life together. I’m very proud of them both. Thank you.
[Applause]
Just one more thing: Zoë’s aunt, Judy, could not be here tonight, but she did send me a few words. Let me quickly read them: “Dear Zoë and Dean, thinking of you today — our love and warm wishes to you both on the occasion of your wedding. Much love, Judy and Tony xx.”
[Applause]

Zoë’s response:

[in Macedonian]
Thank you all for coming. I know that it’s been a long journey for some of you. And we really, really appreciate every one who’s here tonight.
Dean and I never imagined that we would do this, and it’s still hasn’t really landed that we are. But it’s incredible. So thank you so much.
[in Macedonian]

Dean’s response:

Well, first let me say that that’s going to be a tough act to follow. So hopefully I do it justice.
[in Macedonian]
Sorry, guys, I’ll try and do a better job of it. For everyone else. I’ll personally just thank you all for making the effort to be here for our special day.
We are honoured by everyone who’s made the effort — from Australia, to the US, across the Nullarbor, wherever you’re coming from, we appreciate you being here today.
I want to congratulate George for being the best godfather anyone could ask for — he puts up with all my nonsense, and he’s alway there with a smile, always had my back. I’m so grateful that both our last names start with “P” otherwise I don’t know where I’d be today.
To my friend Q, the best man, thank you so much for making sure Zoë didn’t run away. I know she had second thoughts — I would too.
To my lovely sisters and to Han and to Caitlin, thank you so much for being bridesmaids and looking after her.
And to Josh as well for being a groomsman and making sure my whisky glass was filled throughout the day. And the bread ...
And lastly, I want to thank my parents, Mum and Dad, thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me. I wouldn’t be here today without you both. You mean the world to me. We’re so glad to have you guys in our corner.
For Rob, thank you so much for saying “Yes” when I asked you for Zoë’s hand in marriage. Your initial answer “No” was quickly followed by “I’m joking,” which gave me my first heart attack.
The second heart attack I had was when I asked Zoë to marry me and she just stood there with her hands over her mouth. I didn’t know whether that meant yes or no.
Lastly to my beautiful bride, my wife and my life. Every day since I met you has been a phenomenal day. You make me a better human being. And I’m so lucky that I found you and you’re willing to spend the rest of our lives together. You are my world.
Thank you, everyone.

[Applause]

Dean and Zoë