The gardens were stunning. The aisle was made of white rose petals that wove in a gentle S through the chairs and led up to a raised platform beneath a floral arch where the couple would exchange their vows. There was enough room up there for the bride and groom, their maid of honor and best man, and the officiant. Along the aisle were little lanterns stuck in the grass from which colorful blown-glass vases hung. Some held fresh flowers while others held flickering white candles. It was simple, romantic, and elegant, and there was no doubt in my mind that this would be a wedding all the guests would speak about for years to come.
When the harpist started to play, everyone twisted around in their seats to watch Rhys walk down the aisle with his grandmother on his arm. She wore a powder-pink dress and little white sandals, and she smiled adoringly up at her grandson as they made their way to the front row. He gave her a tight hug, kissed her cheeks, squeezed her hands, and guided her to her seat, where she sat with trembling hands and tears streaming down her cheeks. Next to her was Vanessa’s grandmother. I’d heard from Kim that their relationship, which had been rocky for a long time, was now rock solid. On Nana’s other side sat Vanessa’s mother. The two women whispered excitedly to each other as they anticipated Vanessa’s walk down the aisle.
Once Rhys took his place on the platform, the music picked up and his best man strode down the aisle with a confident grin. Following him came the flower girl, Sandi, Vanessa’s niece, tossed the petals in her basket like it was her day job. Kim came next in all her glory in her champagne-colored maid-of-honor dress. She looked incredible, and I gave her a thumbs-up as she passed us by.
The music slowed.
Hailey fanned her cheeks so vigorously beside me that her chair squeaked. I didn’t dare say a word.
The music picked up and swelled, and from around the corner at the far end of the aisle came the bride on her father’s arm.
“Wow,” I breathed when I laid eyes on Vanessa.
She looked like a fairytale princess.
In all the years I’d known her, Vanessa had never been one for grand entrances or flashy clothes. But today was her day, and she had seized her moment. People whispered about how beautiful she looked as she took her first steps across the white petals. The hem of her bridal gown, an A-line, dramatic, cinched-bodice masterpiece, glided gently over the petals. The skirt had flecks of sparkle in it that caught the sunlight and dazzled the eyes, and an overlay of lace gave it a feminine softness. Her dark hair was drawn up off her shoulders and secured with floral pins and pearls, and her veil trailed behind her, where it tugged gently at the white rose petals and flipped some of them over.
I had never seen a more beautiful bride in my life. My eyes flooded with tears and I sniffled as she passed us.
Peter reached over, took my hand, and ran his thumb over my knuckles.
When Vanessa met Rhys at the platform, he offered his hand. She hugged her father and kissed his cheeks before she took her groom’s hand and stepped up onto the platform. The two of them stared into each other’s eyes like the rest of us weren’t even there.
The officiant cleared his throat. The guests giggled. Rhys and Vanessa moved toward him and the ceremony began. Peter held my hand the entire time, especially when they exchanged their vows and I got extra sniffly.
When they kissed, all of us went wild and cheered for them, and in the chaos of it all, Peter turned to me, pressed two fingers under my chin so I faced him, and kissed me.
My heart fluttered like a wild bird in my chest and I smiled against his lips.
The reception was held on a private patio on the fifth floor of the resort. There were over a dozen tables set up to accommodate all one hundred and forty guests, and the bridal party table overlooked it all against a backdrop of vines and twinkle lights and two light-up letters, R and V.
In the middle of our table was a beautiful arrangement of white roses. Some of them had been painted in sparkling gold that was a sharp contrast against the greenery