My uncle accompanied me to the altar. 'Here Comes The Bride' by Richard Wagner was playing in the background by the live orchestra that Brandon had hired for the event. I had tried to convince him that a recorded version on a CD would do the trick, but his mother sided with him and he hired them in the end despite my many protests. He said he wanted to make our wedding the most grand event of the year.
I clutched my bouquet tightly - hoping that it would stop the nerves that were shaking my hands into oblivion if I channeled my strength into crushing the bouquet stems - as my uncle held my arm steadily and walked with me down the aisle slowly.
"Don't let me fall," I whispered.
"I won't." He promised.
Lifting my eyes, I was awestruck by the view waiting for me. Brandon Hawthorne - my soon-to-be husband - was standing at the altar, his eyes glued to me. He was dressed in a crisp charcoal black suit and had his black hair impeccably styled - obviously by professionals. His cobalt blue eyes were gleaming and he smiled widely at me as I approached the altar.
"I love you Ashy," He mouthed and I smiled as I felt heat flush through my whole face.
The walk down the aisle was long, the people in front were taking their time as they approached their reserved seats. The maid of honor was Melanie shared with Lina and the best man - well men - were Alessio and Hunter.
I'd picked a few girls to be my bridesmaids while Brandon picked a few of his friends to walk down with them. Mel and Lina were dressed in a similar dress. The color was a royal blue. Lina had a floor-length gown which had a slit that went all the way up her leg and nearly reached her waist. Brandon had tried to talk to her about being modest in a church but she blatantly refused and she insisted on wearing what she felt comfortable in - her words and not mine.
Mel was dressed in a floor-length gown as well, the dress's neckline plunged in a 'v' shape down to the center and was held together by a piece of a see-through lace. Her dress was also maternity-enabled. The two men accompanying them were dressed in black suits. Alessio had a royal blue bowtie while Hunter sported a royal blue regular tie.
The bridesmaids all had sky-blue dresses and the groomsmen matched them wearing either bowties or normal ties. My wedding decoration was exactly the way I wanted and had envisioned it, I loved absolutely everything.
The church was designed with many roses and at the beginning of the aisle there was a huge metallic arc that had blue and white roses wrapped around. The floor was covered with a plush white carpet from the metal arc all the way to the altar. The seats all had white covers with gold, cursive writing sowed on. It said 'Brandon & Ashley' along with the date of today. The chairs at the end of the row had a single white or blue rose attached to it.
As I walked on the white carpet laid out for me, I looked at Brandon and felt the extreme happiness wash away the nervousness that drenched this day and made it seem horrible. The photographers and film takers that we hired were doing their jobs but I was nervous that one of the photographers would stand on my excessively long train that trailed behind me and cause me to trip and face plant.
My dress was a snow white colour that was strapless. It had a sweetheart neckline, and it was tight until my waist before it flared out elegantly. It truly made me feel like a princess.
I walked up and my uncle helped me to step on the altar. Brandon pulled Uncle Sam into a tight hug before he stepped back and Brandon approached me, he placed a feather kiss on my forehead before he helped me up the final stair.
"You look so good, better than I imagined," He whispered leaning down into my ear, I smiled behind my veil.
The archbishop began the wedding ceremony as soon as we stood in front of him.
"Does anyone reject?" The archbishop asked the crowd.
No one did and so we continued with the wedding ceremony.
Then it was finally time to say our vows. I did so with tears in my eyes, we had decided to stick to the traditional ones.
"Do you Ashley Hayes take Brandon Hawthorne to be your lawfully wedded husband, to hold and to love?" The archbishop said.
"I do." I agreed.
"Do you Brandon Hawthorne take Ashley Hayes to he your lawfully wedded wife, to hold and to love?" The archbishop asked turning to Brandon.
"I do!" He said a huge smile on my face which made me smile even wider at his facial expression.
"You may kiss the bride," The archbishop announced.
Brandon let go of my hands, he gently lifted my white veil off my face before he slid his hands around my waist. He kissed me and it took me a few moments to kiss him back.
I willed away my fears and allowed him to be dominant since he had more experience. The kiss went on for what felt like ever and I was nervous as to how to breathe. I allowed my hands to slip up to his neck and held him by the scuff of his silky black hair.
"Uh, we're still here you two," Alessio whispered causing us to pull away.
The crowd laughed but the archbishop didn't seem to be amused at all. He seemed rather bored as if half a million dollars didn't suffice to happily wed us.
"Ladies and Gentlemen I now proudly present to you Mr. And Mrs. Hawthorne!"
As soon as he announced this, the instructors of the orchestra stood up and began conducting 'Hallelujah' by George Frideric Handel. The crowd cheered and I smiled as I looked at Brandon through my peripheral vision.
"We did it. I love you Ashley." Brandon whispered voicing out my inner thoughts.
"I love you too, Brandon." I said.
"Oh my! You look beautiful!" Richard, my father-in-law, said climbing onto the shoulder and pulling us both into a tight hug - giving me another shock.
"Thank you," I blushed.
"Dad!" Brandon whined, "You're making my bride blush!"
"Of course! You picked the right girl, Brandon. I'm very proud of you, son." Richard said before he left us and I heard Brandon sniff.
"Are you crying?" I asked him incredulously as I turned to face him.
He shook his head, "I'm a bit emotional. My father said he is proud of me for the very first time in my whole life." He informed me.
"Oh! That's so sweet of him," I happily smiled.
"I guess," He said awkwardly as he scratched the back of his neck, "Let's go the guests are waiting for us to lead them to the reception area," Brandon informed me.
We held hands and he helped me walk down the aisle again. The photographers took many photos of us in the church and outside of it near the plants. After all the picture taking was complete, I went to the limousine and got in with Brandon right after me. The driver drove to where our reception was going to be held.
We arrived at the Grand Hall that we hired which was decorated to my liking. The blue theme continued here and the whole place looked magical and just like a perfect wedding scene from Hollywood.
The tables all had candles that were lit, the customized plates looked stunning. The tables all had cups with blue and white napkins folded neatly inside. The cutlery and the crockery all had a perfect shine. There was a massive dance floor in the centre of the hall and Brandon had hired Ed Sheeran to sing for the night.
Our wedding planner had attempted to tell me what she wanted to do with my vision and her expertise mixed together but this huge, glamorous hall was breathtaking and absolutely stunning. It's better than I had ever envisioned. The elegant flower arrangements were spread out around the room adding that touch to it. In the background, the instrumental version of 'I Won't Give Up' by Jason M'raz was playing softly.
"This is a toast to the bride and groom!" Alessio began as he went up to the stage and faced us holding the microphone close to his mouth, "Brandon and I have been best friends for years and I've never seen him this whipped over a girl! I have to say bro - this one is a keeper! Ashley, you're an amazing girl and I'm being a good person and letting you know that Brandon is a handful!" The crowd of laughed at this, "But don't give up on him because I know true love when I see it! Let us all raise our glasses as we drink a toast to the newlyweds!" He yelled and handed the microphone to Evelyn who was smiling widely and waiting next to Alessio patiently.
"I just wanted to congratulate the newlyweds and welcome Ashley to our family! It makes me so happy to see them together after all the struggles they endured in their relationship. I wish you two wonderful kids all the best for the future and I hope you have a successful marriage. You two share a beautiful story and on behalf of my husband and myself, I want to congratulate you. Brandon, I think you have chosen an amazing woman to be your partner in life. Don't lose her!" Evelyn warned as she smiled at the both of us.
"I'm never going to let her go!" Brandon yelled from next to me and I laughed.
"Thanks Mom!" I called out to her and she smiled.
"You're welcome dear."
Lina, Melanie, Melissa, Perla, and even Claire gave a short speech to toast us. After all those were done Ed Sheeran was called on to the stage and the first dance which was between the Bride and the Groom was announced.
We'd given Ed Sheeran the order of the songs we wanted and he played the first one on the list for our first dance. It was his song called 'Perfect'.
"I found a love for me." Ed Sheeran sang as Brandon and I made our way to the dance floor.
"Darling just dive right in
Follow my lead," He sang.
"I'll do that. We didn't manage to get ballroom dance classes," I whispered.
"Luckily I know how," Brandon whispered.
"You know how to do everything, don't you?" I said scrunching my nose.
"My mother made me take dance classes, they came in handy now."
"I found a girl
Beautiful and sweet
I never knew you were that someone waiting for me,"
"That's you, love. You're the girl for me." Brandon whispered as I blushed.
"Coz' we were just kids when we fell in love
Not knowing what it was
I will not give you up this time
Darling just kiss me slow
Your heart is all I own
And in your eyes your holding mine,"
Our eyes locked as we continued to glide gently and smoothly on the dance floor. My arms were around his neck while his arms rested on my waist.
Brandon was good at guiding me through our waltz, he was very good at dancing which didn't surprise me. After all, it seemed like Brandon was good at everything and anything he attempted or set his mind to.
"Baby I dancing in the dark
You between my arms
Barefoot on the grass
Listening to our favorite song
When you said you looked a mess
I whispered underneath my breath
But you heard it
Darling you look perfect tonight,"
"You really do Ashley. You look more than perfect," He whispered.
"Thanks, you look handsome," I shyly complimented.
"I found a woman
Stronger than anyone I know
She shares my dreams and I hope that someday I'll share her home
I found a love
To carry more than just my secrets
To carry love
To carry children of our own,"
"I want ten of those," Brandon said out of the blue.
I smiled and rolled my eyes, "Two."
"Eleven!" He said.
"Three." I compromised.
"We'll discuss this later," He whispered placing a soft kiss on my forehead.
"We are still kids but are so in love
Fighting against all odds
I know we'll be alright
This time
Darling just hold my hand
Be my girl I'll be your man
I see my future in your eyes
Baby I dancing in the dark
You between my arms
Barefoot on the grass
Listening to my favorite song
When I saw you in the dress
Looking so beautiful
I don't deserve this,"
"I really don't. I don't deserve you, you're too good for me." He whispered.
"No. You're too good for me." I whispered back as he brushed his lips against mine.
"Darlin' you look perfect tonight
Baby I dancing in the dark
You between my arms
Barefoot on the grass
Listening to our favorite song
I had faith in what I see
Now I know I met an angel in person
She looks perfect
I don't deserve this
You look perfect tonight."
After Brandon and I stopped the slow dance, I looked around and noticed the whole room looking at us. I felt the blood rush to my cheeks as I fiddled with Brandon's hand which was still clasped in mine.
"I think we should bow," Brandon whispered.
"I don't think so Brand," I said.
"Brand?" He asked, "You always call me Brandon what's with that nickname?" He said looking at me, confusion clouding his striking features.
"You always call me Ash or Ashy so I thought I should experiment with a nickname for you. It's only fair." I happily informed him as he smiled at me, his mint breath fanning over my face.
"You're super cute." He said.
"Thanks," I said as I blushed.
"And you look stunning and absolutely beautiful." He whispered in my ear.
"And you're breathtaking Brandon," I grinned.
"Why thank you, I love your use of alliteration amazing Ashley," He smiled as he grabbed my hand and led me off the dance floor and towards our seat.
"That was another kind of intense," Melanie said as she gulped down her water.
I laughed as I surveyed the scene in front of me. There were children laughing and running around the hall, the food and finest wine were constantly circulating around the hall, the guests were all chattering loudly and it seemed like everyone was having a marvelous time.
"It is time for your wedding images," One of the photographers said and I nodded before Brandon and I got out of our seats and allowed the photographers we'd hired to take multiple images.
We followed the instructions given to us and I was surprised to see the sun was still setting outside. The photographers took photos of us with the setting sun behind us, that made all the images very romantic.
We took images with Brandon looking down at me while I was looking up at him, one where he was leaning his head on my shoulder while his arms were wrapped snuggly around my waist, one where he was carrying me, there was one when we weren't even posing. Brandon and I had been talking in the image and both of our smiles conveyed nothing but how genuine that moment was - it was a real moment and that particular image was my favorite one out of the whole lot.
The photographers then insisted we take photos with all the children and finally family, bridesmaid, my maid of honors, all the groomsmen, and all the guests family by family.
"Congratulations Ashley," My uncle said as he pulled me into a tight hug
"Thank you, Uncle Sam," I said smiling into our hug.
"You've honestly grown into a beautiful woman. John would be so proud, Heather too." Uncle Sam said as he took a step back and admired me.
"I miss them," I croaked out as tears fell out of my eyes. This makes me thankful for waterproof makeup.
"Don't cry. Both of them wouldn't want you to cry on your big day. Remember them and be happy when you do. Don't allow them to be your source of sadness rather the source of light and strength." Sam said.
I nodded my head, "I will try my best to." I smiled and he nodded.
"Good. My wife, children and I will be taking our leave. Our plane flies back home early tomorrow. You should fly over and visit us sometime. Bring your wonderful husband along!" He said with glee.
"Of course! Drive safe." I smiled at him.
I said my goodbyes to Aunt Fiona who was crying and my two cousins Leeanne and Viviane. I hugged them all and promised to visit them soon when Brandon and I were back from wherever he was taking me.
The reception carried on until one am. I had already gone through the removal of the garter - my cheeks had definitely turned redder than a tomato - and bouquet throwing. Perla had caught it while Hunter had caught the garter. I am now suspecting a double wedding for some reason or the fact that Perla and Claire were going to be swapping partners.
"Thank you," Brandon said coming up to me.
"For what?" I asked him as I sipped my fruity non-alcoholic beverage.
"For making me the happiest man alive."
Hey Guys!
Who doesn't love a little Ed Sheeran?
So... They finally TIED the knot! Eek! I'm legit so happy for them.
I couldn't help but smile when I wrote this, to be honest.
Anyways, their journey is nearly over and I was wondering if you would like me to write Bonus Chapters from Brandon's point of view after the Epilogue? (Yes, I'm writing one) and would you like a Q&A in which the characters answer your questions?
Don't forget to comment and please don't forget to vote!
Thanks for reading, see you next update!