Chapter 32 – The Wedding Ceremony

It's been one month since Ford Mustang proposed to Rainbow Dash, and now at long last, that day has finally arrived! Canterlot Castle is buzzing with constant excitement as the various ponies and guests get ready for the momentous occasion: the wedding of Ford Mustang and Rainbow Dash!

In one of the private suites next to the royal chapel, the groom is nearly ready with his traditional attire: a black tuxedo with tailed ends, a white, collared shirt, and a black bowtie. His sleeves have six jeweled cufflinks, each one of them matching the colors of his fiancée’s gorgeous mane. The warm-colored jewels are on his right sleeve while the cool-colored ones are on his left. And lastly, right next to the outside pocket that contains a white handkerchief, he has a multicolored carnation pinned on the left side of his tux.

And while Ford feels ready enough to meet his wife-to-be after one whole day of absence, Applejack, his best mare and honorary sister, isn’t totally convinced as she keeps on rubbing her hooves into his blue hair while applying some hair gel to make his mane nice and shiny. She already finished his tail, which was the most difficult part out of the two, so working on his mane shouldn’t take that long. However, with the way she keeps stroking his combed-back mane, her roughness is making it hard for him to cooperate with her while they stand in front of a mirror.

“Oh for corn’s sake, Ford!” she disciplines him in a motherly tone. “Hold still already!”

“Come on, Applejack!” he gripes in response. “It’s fine as it is!”

“No way, sugarcube!” she retorts with pride as she stubbornly carries on her task. “As yer best mare, it’s my job to make you decent enough for Rainbow Dash out there!”

“Since when did you start getting prissy regarding with how I look?” he asks with a smirk.

Hesitant at first, she answers with a blushing grin, “Ah guess ya could say that Rarity is kinda rubbing off on me.”

Once she is finally satisfied, the orange mare lets him go as the blue Pegasus takes one final look at himself from the large mirror. Standing tall and regal, he grins with proud over his sleek hair and well-tailor suit, courtesy of Rarity, of course.

While smiling with gratitude over Applejack’s handiwork, he couldn’t help but make a sarcastic comment to her, “Thanks, AJ. What would I ever do without you?”

As the two friends share a pleasant giggle with each other, their subtle laughter ends in an abrupt halt as a blurred pony flies right past them. Ford and Applejack cringe as they hear the flung pony crashing into a wall right across the room. Laying on the floor upside-down is Soarin, famed Wonderbolt and husband of Spitfire, who is now here today as one of Ford’s ushers.

Stuck in an awkward position, he pleads softly with an embarrassing smile, “Umm… a little help here?”

“Soarin, what happened?” Applejack asks alarmingly as she rushes over to give the poor Wonderbolt a helping hoof.

“Just ask your dragon friend over there.” Vinyl Scratch answers with a deadpan expression as she points it out with a hoof that bears an elegant engagement ring featuring a shiny ruby gemstone.

Ford Mustang turns to the other direction and sighs in disappointment over the cause of the commotion. Near the doorway are two bulky, red stallions. One of them is another close friend of Ford’s, Big Macintosh, who has a loose black tie in his mouth. The other stallion is somepony fairly new. While his body structure is almost like Big Mac’s, he has features that are similar to a Bat Pony, with leathery wings, extra fluff at the end of his ears, and slitted-pupil eyes. Even with the new Equestrian body, he still bears characteristics to his original dragon form, including his spiny black mane, dark scarlet coat, bright green eyes, spiky mutton chops and goatee, broad chin, and razor sharp teeth. Fussy as ever is Wagner the Inferno Dragon King, who is clearly not enjoying himself, given the circumstances he has to go through.

“Back away! All of you!” He screeches to the ponies around him. “I’m not wearing that thing around my neck!”

Besides the disgruntled ex-dragon pony, everypony else is fully dressed. All of the ushers that are present are wearing tuxedos just like Ford’s. The only difference, besides the groom’s carnation and jeweled cufflinks, is that each of them has to wear a tie instead of bowtie, with an exception for Vinyl Scratch for her red bow tie in correspondence with her fiancée’s. The only usher that is not here is Octavia, who is already dressed and is inside the chapel right now playing music for the arriving guests. As for Wagner, he is only half-dressed, with his collar turned up and his suit unbuttoned.

As Ford walks in between the two stallions, he asks Big Mac, “Still having trouble getting Wagner to wear a suit, huh?”

“Eeyup.” he huffs with a subtle grouch.

“Sigh… I’ll handle this.” he insists with an extended hoof. Gladly, the farmpony hands the tie over to Ford before the Pegasus cautiously approaches the irritated Bat Pony.

“Don’t even think about it, Ford!” Wagner retorts. “I refuse to put that noose on me!”

“It’s called a tie, Wagner. And it’s customary for groomsmen--! I mean ushers… to wear matching suits, ties included.”

“This is so degrading!” he mutters with a growl as he looks at his exposed, black fore hoof. “It’s bad enough that I have to take the form of another creature, but to be forced to wear this tight, itchy, secondary skin… it’s simply more than I can bear!”

“Look, I’m sorry about this, Wagner, but the Princess’s transformation spell was the only way for you and your dragon friends to be part of this wedding. You just need to put up with it for the time being, and then you’ll be back to your scary, scaly self by tomorrow morning, okay?”

While Wagner gives out a tiring harrumph, Ford places the tie around former dragon’s neck and adds one other thing, “And besides, you promised to be Hindel’s replacement. So if not for me, do it for him at least.”

Upon that reminder, Wagner lets out a heavy sigh and reluctantly allows his pony comrade to proceed with his tie. As Ford struggles with the accessory, the Pegasus and nearly everyone else miss a new pony entering the room. Passing through the doorway is Fluttershy, who is wearing a green bridesmaid dress that has the front piece wrap around her neck in a simple twist.

“My my! Don’t you all look so handsome!” she comments astonishingly to the groom’s party as she walks up to her husband.

“Thanks, Flutters.” Big Mac replies lovingly as he amazes over her beauty. “And you’re lookin’ as pretty as always.”

“Oh, you!” she coos sweetly with a mild blush before she gives her husband a simple, affectionate kiss. After that, she turns to Mustang and asks, “So, I take it that you’re all set, Ford?”

“Well… almost everyone is ready.” he chuckles lightly. “Would you mind helping Wagner out with his tie? It’s kind of difficult for me to fix somepony else’s tie with these hooves of mine.”

“Certainly.” After switching places with him, Fluttershy softly approaches the edgy Bat Pony and inquires in a gentle tone, “Umm… Excuse me, Mr. Wagner, sir. Would you mind holding still for just a minute please?”

But when her hooves are about to touch the unfinished tie, Wagner barks at her, “Don’t tell me what to do! I don’t need any help from the likes of you!”

Like an enraging bull, Big Mac’s nostrils flare intensely as he prepares to charge forward and rough up that boorish Bat Pony brute for disrespecting his kindhearted wife like that. Fearing for the worst, Ford rushes in front of red Earth Pony and mightily holds him back. As for Fluttershy, she is a bit startled by Wagner’s outburst, but her reaction catches everyone by surprise as she uses the draconic pony’s tie like a leash and slams him to the floor!

Everypony else freezes in place, including Ford and Big Mac, as they wondrously observe Fluttershy’s rare display of assertiveness. With the tie wrapped tightly around her foreleg, she pulls the suddenly petrified Wagner up as his terrified eyes are locked on to the mare’s infamous stare.

“Now you listen to me, Wagner!” she lectures him firmly. “You may be the king of all dragons from where you come from, but this is Rainbow Dash’s very special day, and no one, and I mean no one, is going to ruin that for her! So I better expected you to be on your best behavior by the end of this night! Because if you even attempt to decimate her wedding in any way possible, you’ll answer to me and me alone! You got that?”

“…Yes, ma’am.” Wagner whimpers in response.

“Whoa… go Fluttershy.” Ford remarks with a blank stare and a small smirk.

“Eeyup! That’s my wife!” Big Mac smiles with pride.

Satisfied over Wagner’s change in behavior, Fluttershy abruptly reverts back to her old, sweet self as she panics over her recent, assertive actions. “Oh my goodness! I’m so sorry! Here, let me fix that for you.” With great care, Fluttershy quickly adjusts Wagner’s tie as he is still baffled by her sudden change in persona. Once her task is completed, she asks for his opnion. “There. How is it? It’s not too tight, is it?”

“N-no. It’s just fine. Thank you.” he answers in a surprising mannerly tone.

“You’re very welcome, sweetie.” she responds kindly as she buttons his suit up. “Okay, I better go and see how the rest of the girls are doing. See you all very soon!” And after she shares one last kiss with Big Mac, she leaves the room briskly with a pleasant smile on her face.

As the large Bat Pony is still paralyzed with wide-eyed astonishment, he asks Ford, “Tell me something… who was that fair creature?”

“Oh her? That’s Fluttershy.”

“I’ve never met anyone who could be so gentle and so fierce at the same time.”

“Well, this isn’t the first time she came face-to-face with a dragon, you know. Heck, her stares are enough to petrify creatures larger than her.”

“That was her?!” he says while sounding more surprise then ever. “I once heard about a lone mare who stood up against a dragon that was visiting us at the time, but I never would have imagined that the mysterious pony would be her!” Then, he breaks into a very small, impressive smile as he mutters softly to himself, “Fascinating!”

Noticing how entrance Wagner has become, Ford Mustang playfully nudges the large stallion with an elbow as he remarks with a teasing smirk, “Yeah, sorry to disappoint you, Wagner, but Fluttershy is already spoken for.”

“Eeyup.” the smiling farm stallion confirms with a nod.

Flustered by that shrewd comment, Wagner’s face turns a new shade of red before he snaps out loud at the chuckling Pegasus, “I wasn’t thinking of anything like that, you insufferable wretch!”

In another royal suite that’s far away from Ford’s, Fluttershy returns as she glances at the ponies in the room. Pinkie Pie, Gilda, and Spitfire are anxiously waiting for the bride’s reaction as they break into silent, giddy smiles. But as for Rarity, she is in intense concentration as she uses her magic to delicately hold a mascara brush. Carefully, her levitated tool applies gentle strokes on Rainbow Dash's eyelashes. All of the bridesmaids are wearing the same dresses as Fluttershy’s, except each of theirs has a different color resembling Rainbow’s multicolored hair. Red for Pinkie, yellow for Gilda, orange for Spitfire, and blue for Rarity. Twilight Sparkle is the only bridesmaid that is missing, but she is already at the altar as she’s preparing herself with the ceremony she’s in charged of.

“Rarity! How much longer is this going to take?” Rainbow Dash whines impatiently as she keeps shutting her eyes tightly.

“Just keep your eyes closed for a little while longer, darling!” the makeup artist reassures sweetly. “I’m just putting on the finishing touches here!”

With a great eye for detail, Rarity examines every single eyelash she has brushed to make sure everything is in their proper place. Satisfied at last, the Unicorn moves the brush away from her Pegasus friend and inserts it back into its bottle before tightening up the cap.

Noticing on how she isn’t sensing anymore of Rarity’s touchups, Rainbow asks in a slightly annoyed tone, “Well… can I finally open my eyes now?”

With a subtly giggling smile, Rarity quickly turns the edgy Pegasus around to have her face the three-sided mirror and answers wittily, “See for yourself, Rainbow!”

Slowly but surely, Rainbow Dash opens her eyes to at last see her unveiling. Initially, she was worried that the dress and makeup would ruin her awesome image. But when she finally looks at herself in the mirror, she could hardly believe her wondrous eyes that she is the same mare as her bedazzled reflection!

Her majestically shiny hair is nicely fluffy into a luxurious ponytail just like her first night at the Grand Galloping Gala. On of her neatly brushed mane, a golden olive wreath serves as her crown with a long, shimmering veil attached from behind. A golden collar wraps snuggly around her neck as it displays a shiny brooch that matches with the tricolored lightning bolt on her Cutie Mark. Her hooves are fitted with golden, elegantly laced, leather horseshoes. But the most extraordinary feature about the bridal dress is the sparkling gown itself! Its elongated covering is made of the finest silk imagined, but the real secret behind its constant sparkling are the countless, tiny diamonds embedded into its soft fabric. Because of gown’s numerous crystals, it showcases the illusion of a continuous wave of shimmering colors, thus completing the bride’s motif!

And finally, Rainbow Dash stares with wide-eyed disbelief at what Rarity has recently done with her eyes. Her once-straight eyelashes are altered into simple yet elegant curves. Along with that, they are much bolder than they were originally, yet they’re not as much as she had expected. In addition, her eyelids have a shiny coating of eye shadow. The coloring matches well with her light cerulean coat, yet this simple touchup brings out a nice shine to her eyes. In a way, her eyes are just as striking and dazzling as her wedding dress!

As Rainbow Dash is lost in her own reflection, Rarity couldn’t bear the suspense any longer as she asks with a hopeful smile, “So… what do you think?”

“I look… I look…”

Rainbow is too choked up on how splendid she looks right now. She never imagined that she could be this beautiful before. There are no words to describe on how tremendously happy she is over her beautified appearance.

“You look amazing, Rainbow!” Fluttershy compliments warmly as she steps in.

Rainbow turns around to face her maid of honor and is greeted with sincere smile from her. Composing herself, she looks back at all sides of the mirror and models herself with that welcomingly egotistic smirk on her face.

“You know, I was gonna say that I look awesome, but yeah, I do look amazing, don’t I?” she grins in her usual, confident manner.

“Heh! Even as a bride, she still knows how to show off!” Gilda chuckles lightly.

Spitfire joins in with a soft giggle of her own as she replies to her griffon associate, “Well, we won’t expect anything less from our Rainbow Dash, now would we?”

“You said it!” Pinkie Pie chimes in with an ever-so perky smile.

“Oh, just wait until Ford Mustang sees you out there in all your splendid glory!” Rarity glees ecstatically as she stands alongside the self-confident bride. “He’s never going to take his eyes off of you! And not only that, but every single guest out there will marvel at your radiance with each step you take towards that altar! And as you make your vows for one and another, everypony will be watching you attentively as they bear witness to the most important day of your life!”

Rainbow’s confidence starts to deteriorate as she frets how she might disappoint thousands of spectators on her own wedding day. She can’t bear the thought on making a fool of herself in front of everyone, let alone in front of her husband-to-be.

Noticing her friend’s subtle trembling, reliable Fluttershy steps in once again as she shares her own wedding experiences with the girls. “You know, I remember on what it was like to be so nervous for my own wedding. I felt so much peer pressure from everypony looking at me, that I was afraid that I would be too scared to walk down that aisle. But then, when my eyes met with Big Mac’s, all of my fears just simply went away. I just kept my focus on the stallion that I would happily spend the rest of my life with, and everything else went so smoothly for me after that.”

After Fluttershy’s uplifting recollection on that fateful day, Rainbow’s worries fade away as she relaxes into a positive smile before pulling Fluttershy in for a gratifying embrace. “Thanks, Fluttershy. I will definitely keep that in mind.” Then, she faces all of her bridesmaids and expresses openly. “And thank you all for being here with me today. You, Twilight, AJ, and the rest of the girls are the coolest friends a mare could ask for!”

Promptly, the heartfelt friends gather around Rainbow and bring the bridal pony in for one big group hug. All of a sudden, a knock on the locked door disrupts them from their tender moment. Gilda, with a grumpy sigh, breaks out of the hug as she approaches the door to verify the disruptor.

“Yeah, who is it?” she demands.

“It’s me, Turbo Dash!” he calls from the other side. “May I come in?”

Despite recognizing that voice, the griffon makes a shrewd smile as she replies, “Sorry, sir! No stallions are allowed!”

Expectedly, he lets out a whine, “Oh come on! Not even if it’s her own father?!”

“You’re not accompanied by anypony else, are you?” she inquires cautiously.

“Don’t worry.” he chuckles in response. “Ford is still on the other side of the hallway. Nopony is with me right now.”

“Oh, just let him in already, Gilda!” Rainbow insists with a giggling grin.

Following the lady’s command, Gilda opens the door and permits Turbo Dash entrance before she hastily closes the door behind him. Once he enters the room, Turbo stares astonishingly at her stunning daughter, who greets her dad with a sheepish smile while crossing her legs over the others.

Once he recovers from this tremendously pleasant surprise, he displays a really big smile as he happily says to her, “Wow, Dashie… you look very beautiful!”

With an expected blush, she replies back with a timid smile, “Thanks, dad.”

“Anyway, I just to want let you all know that everypony else is ready, and we’re all waiting for you.”

After Turbo Dash makes his announcement, Spitfire takes the lead as she decrees to her fellow bridesmaids, “You hear him, ladies! Showtime!”

As the rest of the girls, excluding the bride of course, follow the Wonderbolt in line, they leave the room in ecstatically high spirits as they make their way towards the chapel to play their roles. As for the father and daughter, they wait a little while longer until everyone else is gone before the older Pegasus is the first to speak up.

“So… are you ready to go out there and meet the stallion of your dreams?”

“Are you kidding me?” she reacts with a bold smirk. “I’ve never felt more ready than I am right now!”

With a chuckling smile over Rainbow’s endearing enthusiasm, Turbo then shares a special memory in mind, “It’s funny. I remember all those vain attempts from getting you to wear a dress when you were just an adorable, little filly. And now look at you. You’ve become this beautiful, blushing bride that’s standing right before my very eyes.” As he brushes some of his daughter’s hair, he continues his appreciation over her, “You’ve grown up into such a fine, young mare, Rainbow Dash, and I can’t tell you just how proud I am of you.” Lastly, he ends his praiseworthy statement to his daughter with a tender whisper, “And so would your mother if she was here right now.”

Rainbow is shocked to hear her dad say that. Not just because he mentioned her mother, but because on how touching that sounded. At once, her eyes start to get watery ever before she has the chance to walk down that aisle. With no one else in the room, she lets go of herself and tightly squeezes her dad while doing her best to prevent any tears from shedding as she wants to save them for later. As for Turbo Dash, he happily embraces his emotional daughter as he wraps his hooves and wings around her.

“I love you, daddy.” she mutters affectionately.

“I love you too, baby girl.” he responds warmly as a single tear streams down his smiling face.

As much as she enjoys being in her dad’s forelegs, she realizes that she delays this life-changing experience for far too longer. Abruptly, she ends their nuzzling and she reminds her father with a hearty chuckle.

“Come on, dad! Let’s not keep everypony waiting!”

Gladly, he extends a fore hoof and Rainbow happily wraps a foreleg around his before he courteously escorts her out of the door.

“Well then, after you.”

The royal chapel of Canterlot is nearly full of thousands of invited guests that are already seated. The vast sanctuary is filled with soothing, philharmonic music, provided by Octavia and her personal ensemble that features three string musicians. Along with her tux, just like the rest of Ford's ushers, she is wearing her own engagement bracelet similar to Vinyl’s. Only instead of a red gemstone, the cellist has a violet one that matches with the color of her Cutie Mark. And as always, the gray Earth Pony is wearing her traditional, pink bow tie.

Most of the seated guests are from Ponyville while others are friends and acquaintances outside of the couple’s hometown along with their guests and family members they were allowed to bring with them to this magnificent event. Seating in one of the front row seats are the well-known princesses and their personal friends, including Celestia, Luna, Discord, Shining Armor, Cadance, Queen Chrysalis, and her commander, Trapjaw.

And standing on one side of the altar are Sir Ford Mustang and his ushers from left to right, starting with his best mare, Applejack, Big Mac, Vinyl Scratch, Soarin, and Wagner. All of them stand present and ready for the bride’s arrival. But as for Princess Twilight Sparkle, who is wearing the purple bridesmaid dress and a less extravagant crown compared to her Element of Magic, is ironically more worry on how this wedding will play out than the groom himself.

“Oh, how does it go again?” Twilight frets increasingly as she is lost in her own thoughts. “Mares and--! No, that’s not it! Fillies and gentlestallions--? No, that’s not right either! Spike, flashcards! I need flashcards!”

Close by the panicking princess, Spike frantically searches through his little tux’s various pockets. Noticing Twlight’s usual disarray, Ford lays a hoof on her shoulder as he gently shakes her out of her panicky state.

“Breathe, Twilight.” the stallion insists softly. “Breathe.”

Following his advice, the Alicorn princess breathes in and out smoothly while she goes through the movements that Princess Cadance taught her. After calming herself down, she expresses her worries to the attentive Pegasus.

“Sorry, Ford. I know that this wedding is really important for you and Rainbow Dash. So I just want to make sure that everything goes perfectly today. I mean, I’ve never conducted a wedding ceremony before. It would make more sense if you asked one of the other princesses to do this instead of me.”

While the increasingly nervous Twilight eyes the seated royalty, she looks at the casually smiling Princess Celestia before she impulsively waves out to her “Oh hey, look! There’s Princess Celestia along with everypony else! Hi, Princess~!”

As Celestia happily waves back to her edgy, former student, Ford reassures the purple mare with a meaningful smile, “You’ll do fine, Twilight. Trust me. You’re the most studious pony we’ve ever known. And Rainbow and I would consider it a great honor for you to conduct the ceremony for us, Princess Twilight Sparkle.”

After the groom chivalrously nods to her, Twilight gives it some thought over Ford’s reassurance. While contemplating this to herself, Spike lightly taps a clawed finger on her shoulder to get her attention before showing her the flashcards she requested earlier.

“Uh, Twilight… do you still need your cards?”

Following with a glance between the small dragon and the tall Pegasus, Twilight lets out one more sigh before displaying a comforting smile to her Number-One Assistant, “Thank you, Spike, but I think I’m good for now.”

After that little matter is settled, Twilight notices something beyond the crowd and sees one of the Royal Guards peeking through the crack of the tall doors. Following on what’s behind there, the unicorn sentry silently closes the doorca and gives the observant princess a meaningful nod to her.

Once she receives the signal, Twilight turns to the string quartet, who are aware of the alicorn’s indicating gaze, and signals to the musicians with a nod of her own. As the ensemble prepares with the commencement of the wedding ceremony, Ford can clearly understand from his surroundings that the time has finally come!

With Octavia and her string quartet leading the first ceremonial score, the male Unicorn guards open the doors and allow the bridesmaids to make their entrance first. One by one, they gracefully walk down the long passageway. Leading the way is Fluttershy, follow by the other bridesmaids in order: Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Spitfire, and Gilda. At the altar, they line up on the left side with Princess Twilight Sparkle in the center and Ford Mustang and his party on the right. After the first score is over, the musicians have a momentary silence before quartet readies themselves once again. With the cellist and her ensemble poised and ready for the expected chorus, Ford faces the grand, towering doors while anxiously waiting for his long-awaited bride.

With the recognizable tune ringing out in the majestic chapel, the guards open the door one last time as the guests stand up for the bride’s grand entrance. The first ones to enter are the three darling, little fillies, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo, who have once again reprise their roles as flower girls as they bounce onward and spread the colorful petals from the baskets they hold in their mouths. Looking beyond the three trotting fillies, Ford freezes with complete amazement as he wondrously gazes at the absolute brilliance of Rainbow Dash!

Everypony gasps with awe and astonishment as they smile over the bride’s regal splendor. Her glistening veil drifts gently in the air as her shimmering gown diverts everyone’s attention with its shifting, sparkling colors. As father and daughter walk down the aisle hoof-in-hoof, Turbo Dash smiles just like any proud father would while making glances at the speechless crowd who continues to gape over Rainbow’s astonishing beauty.

As for Rainbow Dash, she didn’t care about all the admiration she is receiving; her attention is directed on somepony more important than that. Like Fluttershy suggested, her eyes are focused on Ford and no pony else. The way he lovingly stares at her while bearing that ever-increasing, tender smile on his face is very comforting to her as all of her earlier worries melts away while her heart flutters at seeing such piercing yet gentle eyes of his. So to her great satisfaction, his fixed gaze alone is truly priceless!

Meanwhile, the spellbound stallion continues to marvel over Rainbow’s magnificence as she steadily approaches him. Everything about her shines boldly before his astonished eyes, whether it’s her dazzling gown, her well polished mane, or her glossy blue coat. However, they are nothing compared to her most striking feature of all: her eyes! Those majestic, magenta eyes of hers! They are more mesmerizing than ever before! From all the stare-downs he came across along his journey, his previous challengers got nothing compared to the tender gaze of his angelic wife-to-be!

After they finally ascend the small steps to the altar, Turbo shares one last kiss with his daughter and gives Ford a simple yet gracious hoofshake before he takes his rightful seat in one of the front rows. As the chorus comes to its end, Ford softly grasps Rainbow by the fore hoof and whispers to her affectionately.

“You look so radiant right now, Dashie!”

Her heart nearly skips a beat from hearing Mustang using the word “radiant” like that. It just seems so poetic and fitting for her to receive such a high compliment like that. In response, she barely makes out a whisper to him while bearing a blushing smile for him, “Thank you.”

Once the bridal chorus comes to an end, the ponies instinctively seat back down in their seats as they wait for their princess for the wedding’s commencement. With a beaming smile, Princess Twilight begins her speech to all those who have attended as she addresses it with regal composure.

“Fillies and gentlecolts, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Rainbow Dash and Sir Ford Mustang! As per their request, Ford and Rainbow would like to exchange their vows, which they have written for themselves.”

Starting off with Ford, he sits down on his haunches as he reaches for something in his inside pocket and pulls out a folded piece of paper. With one fore hoof still taking hold of Rainbow’s, he uses the other hoof to hold the parchment before he passionately reads it out to her.

“Rainbow, I’ve always been a fan of you in so many ways, even before we first met. But when you literally came crashing into my life, I was given chance to know you even better than I could have ever anticipated. Whenever we would hangout together, whether it was through our sick days, flying lessons, or all the places we would go to, it would always feel like a new adventure. And throughout our time together, I found myself head over heels for you. At first, I was scared that you might not share the same feelings for me and that it will destroy this wonderful friendship we have. But once I finally opened myself up, you not only accepted me for who I am, but you also love me for who I am!

Despite how busy your schedule is as a Wonderbolt, we would always manage to make the most of it from what little time we had with each other. So when we went out for our one-year anniversary, I was more than determined to ask for your hoof in marriage. However, when you were taken away from me on that day, I was afraid that I would lose you forever. In spite of how hopeless everything may seem, I managed to overcome every challenge I faced along my incredible journey until at last, I rescued you along with everyone else!

But it wasn’t just my new dragon powers that helped me accomplish such an implausible task. It was you who taught me the Sonic Rainboom and who made me such an awesome flyer. You are an inspiration to me in so many ways, Rainbow, and if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be here right now as I’m about to marry the most awesome and most beautiful mare of my life!”

Suddenly, he puts his note away before he tenderly holds Rainbow’s slightly trembling foreleg with both hooves while locking his turquoise eyes with her magenta ones. The bride braces for what’s to come as Ford brings up his vow’s closing statement.

“To me, you will always be my muse, my beautiful, blue angel, my beloved Rainbow Dash. And I may not be the Element of Loyalty like yourself, but I’m going to see to it that I will always stand by your side no matter what may come our way!”

As expected, his sappiness really knows how to pluck her heartstrings as Rainbow Dash joyfully breaks into overwhelming tears while bearing a tender smile over Ford’s eternal pledge for her. Several of the attending guests share in the bride’s emotions, but more to Princess Cadance’s surprise, the queen of the changelings next to her is sobbing uncontrollable as she is deeply moved by Mustang’s sentimental speech.

“Chrysalis… are you crying?” Cadance asks in mild confusion.

Embarrassingly, the queen fails miserably to keep her tears under control as she fibs to her Alicorn friend, “Wh-what? Of course not! I’m just… getting all emotional from all this love I’ve been absorbing!”

“Oh really?” the pink princess replies shrewdly. “Then why isn’t your horn glowing right now?”

As Chrysalis is unable to come up with a proper answer, Cadance uses her magic to offer a handkerchief to the speechless changeling. With tears continuously running down her eyes, she stares at the friendly offering before she sulks and reluctantly accepts the gift from the smirking princess.

“You’re so lucky I’m not here to take over Canterlot once again.” she grumps in a mocking tone while wipe her eyes with the levitated hankie.

“That’s nice, dear.” Cadance grins nonchalantly.

Once Rainbow has calm herself down enough, she signals to Fluttershy before the maid of honor steps forward and pulls out a folded note with her mouth. After graciously accepting the piece of paper from her dear friend, the blue mare delicately opens it up and proceeds to read her own vow for the handsome stallion standing in front of her.

“Ford, before we met, I never gave much thought on finding love for myself since I had my head in the clouds regarding with my dreams as a Wonderbolt. But as we were getting to know each other better, I slowly started to realize that I was falling in love with you. You used to be so doubtful about yourself, but I’m here to tell you… to tell everypony that you’re the best thing I could ever ask for as my husband! You’re an awesome stallion who is fun to hang out, a striving gentlecolt who would always support me and look out for my best interests, an amazing artist who knows how to speak through the heart, and as if that wasn’t enough, you’re now this legendary hero with the coolest powers ever!

You know, when I presumed the worst from you on that horrific day, I realized something terrifying in the weeks to come. Without you, my life just had no meaning without being in your ever-loving presence. And in the midst of those dire circumstances we were in, I realized that I really wanted to be with you. More than you will ever know.

It’s funny on how all of this has turned out for us. You always treated me like I was some kind of a princess, and now I about to marry the most gallant knight I could have imagined! As sappy as it sounds, it almost like a fairy tale come true. Only this time, we’re actually gonna make this happen so that we can finally have our own happily-ever-after together!”

The crowd awes tenderly over Rainbow’s sentimentality. Despite having an embarrassing blush across her face, she makes a bold grin and expresses herself proudly to the awestricken spectators.

“Yeah, that’s right! I get sappy sometimes! What of it?!”

After earning some worthwhile chuckles from the attendees, the proud Pegasus turns back toward her smiling stallion and tenderly grips his hooves while concluding her awe-inspiring vow for him.

“You’ve always been there for me, Ford Mustang, so I’m going to live up to my Element of Loyalty by being there for you from now and forever. And I know for certain that our new life together is gonna keep getting better than it already is! Because as long as I have you by my side, nothing in this world is gonna stop us from showing everypony just how awesome our love really is!”

Her sentimental devotion over him truly touches the very core of his soul. So much so that he couldn’t help but shed a few earnest tears over Rainbow’s declaration. As Ford gently wipes his emotional eyes, he asks the Alicorn with a crafty smile, “Princess Twilight, can we just skip to the end so that I may kiss this wonderful mare of mine?”

From hearing Mustang’s suggestion, Rainbow perks with a broad smile as she flaps her wings with excitement before she nods wildly to express her agreement. As the shrewd couple wait over Twilight’s approval, she rolls her eyes as she answers with an amusing smile.

“Not yet, Ford. We still have to do the rings next.”

“Dangit!” he softly curses to himself, which earns him a suppressed chuckle from Rainbow Dash as she smiles over Ford’s shenanigans.

“As I was saying: may we have the rings please?”

Following with Twilight’s courteous request, Scootaloo happily walks forward as her saddle carries a plushy pillow that is securing two of the couple’s precious belongings: the Prismatic Diamond Ring for Rainbow Dash and a traditional golden bracelet for Ford Mustang. Once the purple-haired filly stands before Twilight Sparkle, the gracious princess bows lightly and easily levitates the rings from Scootaloo’s back. After completing her noble task, Scoots is pulled in by her inspiring, big sister as the older mare happily hugs her little sister. After that warm, sisterly embrace, bride gives a quick ruffle to Scoot’s mane before letting her go and allowing her to retreat back to her post.

With the rings ready, Twilight uses her magic to hand the bride’s jeweled bracelet to the groom as she carries on with her ceremonial duties. “Ford Mustang… do you take Rainbow Dash as your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?”

“I do.” he answers devotedly as he gently slides the glistening hoof-ring right back on Rainbow’s left foreleg.

Next, Twilight turns to her loyal friend and asks the same question while giving her the other ring. “Rainbow Dash… do you take Ford Mustang as your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?”

“I do.” she answers passionately as she returns the favor by sliding the golden band right onto Ford’s left fore hoof.

Seeing how her work is almost completed, Twilight happily declares to everyone present at the wedding, “Then by the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife!”

“Now may we…?” Ford inquires with an eager yet teasing smile.

Humorously, Twilight answers, “Okay, now you may kiss the bride.”

Leisurely, the blushing couple leans toward each other as nearly everypony holds their breath to watch in great anticipation over wedding’s grand finale taking place. It’s been a long and bumpy road for these two to reach this crucial point in their lives. And all it will take to make their marriage finally official is one little kiss to seal the deal.

With a mere brush of their longing lips, they finally come into contact, and like magnets, they are immediately drawn in towards one and another! With their lips firmly pressed against each other's, the audience gasps with awestricken smiles as they witness the holy union between Rainbow Dash and Sir Ford Mustang. In the midst of their drawn-out kiss, a devious thought comes to Ford’s mind as his preoccupied lips stretch into a mischievous grin. He briefly contemplates on his idea, but he shrugs those uncertainties aside considering that today is his wedding day after all.

Ah, buck it!

In a rapid motion that could rival that with Rainbow’s agility, he sweeps his bride off her feet and pulls her in for an even deeper kiss. Everypony hollers with surprise and glee as some of them cheer wildly over Mustang’s boldness. Even Rainbow is surprised as well as impressed by her husband’s daringness. Either way, she endearingly welcomes that magnificent kiss of his as she tightly wraps her forelegs around his strong neck whilst they proudly carry on with their public display of affection.

Eventually, time returns to its normal pace as the newlyweds slowly separate from their breathtaking kiss. Slightly dazed by that long-awaited smooch, Rainbow sums it up in one simple word with a very dreamy smile plastered on her face, “Swag!”

Once they stand back up with tall postures, the newly wedded Pegasi are greeted with thunderous applause from the guests’ various shouts, claps, and stomps. Then, Octavia and her quartet end the ceremony with one final march as Ford and Rainbow happily walk down from the altar while their wings wrap closely around each other's bodies. As they merrily trot down the aisle, the married couple is showered with tons of confetti that the guests have taken advantage of; clearly this was all preplanned by the party pony herself, Pinkie Pie.

Upon their grand exit, Ford and Rainbow knows that beyond those doors would be the start of their new lives together, filled with its constant twists and turns. But whatever unforeseen challenges and moments of happiness they may come across on their lifelong journey, they going to face them… together!

Of course, before all that, they have a reception party to attend to first.

Author's Notes:

The Wedding of Ford Mustang & Rainbow Dash (1/3)