"Damn, this tux is too tight..." You protested as Octavia snugged up the bow-tie on your neck.

"Oh, quit your fussing. You look handsome." She replied and lifted your chin up to get the bits of fur away from the collar.

"Fine... I get to take this thing off after the ceremony, right?"

"Yes, yes. Now, turn around. Your tail is a mess."

You did so and immediately felt her tugging at your tail with a thick brush. You gritted your teeth when she came across a couple of knots.

"Goodness, Alex. When was the last time you brushed your tail?"

Your cheeks puffed up a little in frustration and you chose not to respond since you knew that you'd been neglecting it.

"How’s it coming, Octy? We need to be there in thirty minutes..." Cloudchaser came in, blow drying her wild mane.

"Eugh... He's a little un-kempt, but I believe I've done the best I could with him."

"Hey! Whaddaya mean 'un-kempt'? Ow!"

Octavia apparently found another knot and her marefriend giggled at the scene, staring right at you.

"I have to admit, Alex. Vinyl's one lucky mare." She trotted past you after scanning you up and down, but maybe it was a bit too close. Her mane brushed against your face. "If my barn door didn't swing the other way I might've just tried to get 'cha myself!"

"Good thing Vinyl's not here or she might've fired you for saying that- Ow! Geez, Octy! Don't yank my darned tail out!"

Thankfully, she did listen to you that time and she began to go slower with her brushing.

"You're going to the spa after all this is done."

"Aw, come on..." You whined some more, but you were relieved when you finally felt her brushing come to an end.

"I'm serious." Octavia placed the brush on the coffee room table, but picked up another one and started working on your fur.

That part wasn't nearly as bad and it actually soothed you as the tiny bristles massaged your skin.

Everyponys' ears perked as the front door flew open, allowing Rarity to prance in gracefully.

"Good morning!" She sang and put down two very large and noticeably heavy bags onto the kitchen table. She was wearing her signature red reading glasses and her general appearance hinted that she had been hard at work for the last several days. However, her mood was as cheerful as normal.

"How is our lovely groom coming along, Octavia?"

"Don't worry, he'll be ready in no time-"

"Ow!" You winced and felt her brush tug against another knot

"Goodness, Alex. Hold still..."

"Oh, don't you just look dashing... Look at you!" She walked around in front of you and adjusted the bow tie on your tux. "Vinyl certainly is a lucky mare."

"I was just saying the same thing." Cloudchaser called out from the kitchen.

"How's Vinyl?" You asked as the last of the knots worked themselves out.

"She looks absolutely divine. I hate to brag, but the dress I made for her is one of my best accomplishments."

You were about to ask whether or not you could see her, but you knew that nopony would let that happen.

"Yeah, thanks for making the tux for me, by the way. It fits really nice."

"It's the least I could do, Alex. Girls, I think Alex has had enough attention for now. Let’s get you all in your bride’s maid dresses."

Octavia and Cloudchaser eagerly abandoned what they were doing and started ogling at the dresses that Rarity pulled out of the bags. It gave you time to stretch and breathe a little since you'd been standing still for the last fifteen minutes. The outfit you were wearing, even though you hated formal attire, seemed rather comfortable and it didn't bother you much as you walked around.

"So, when exactly is thing supposed to start?" You glanced over at the clock.

"Weren't you listening during rehearsal, dear? Nine o' clock sharp!" Rarity said as the girls put on their dresses. They were light blue, obviously meant to match Vinyl's mane color, and were intricately detailed with embroidery from neck to hoof.

"Oh. Don't you think we should get going, then?"

"Aw... Isn't that just sweet? He's so eager to see her..." The master tailor made a few last minute adjustments to their dresses. "It's alright. We've got another hour."

"Um... It's eight thirty..."

The mares all froze and looked at the clock with shock on their face.

"Shit..." Cloudchaser gulped and looked over her dress frantically.

"Out the door. Now. We'll finish fitting the dresses on the way there." Rarity put all of her tools and measuring equipment back into her bags and hurried out.

Octavia nudged you from behind to get you going and Cloudchaser followed closely behind as you exited and began making your way outside and onto the road. Everypony who would've been out and about was probably at the wedding already, so the four of you didn't have to suffer through surfing through ponies. Cloudchaser wouldn't have had to deal with it anyway since she could fly, which made you a bit jealous because being able to do so would've gotten you there faster. From the looks on Octavia and Rarity's faces, you could tell that they felt the same way to a certain extent.

Rarity was using her magic to snug up certain parts of their dresses while they trotted at a quickened pace. Your tux was apparently suitable since her attention was mainly focused on the other two girls.

"Geez, everypony's already there! Come on, hurry up!" Cloudchaser came back down from a high altitude before speeding up ahead; you picked up your pace.

Despite the loss of time, the four of you managed to make it to Twilight's tree house which would serve as the preparation and reception area. You only had a second to look around before they took you inside, but you caught one glimpse of a gigantic crowd gathering in the field to the right of Twilight's home.

"Okay, Alex. We don't have much time, so good luck and remember to smile." Rarity checked you over one last time while giving you a last minute pep-talk. "Keep your head upright and don't slouch-"

"Alright, alright."

She sighed and stepped back, taking you in.

"You look perfect." She turned and trotted towards the front door. "Don't forget your cue to come out. Do you remember what it is?"

"Two knocks on the door. Got it."

She didn't have time to respond; the door slammed shut and you were left by yourself, which didn't help your nervousness. It would've helped if Big Mac or Spike could be there to talk you through it, even though on second thought, Big Mac might not have given that much verbal support.

The rehearsal was a bit abridged, but you knew that the actual ceremony involved you waiting for your cue for thirty minutes. You sat down on the living room couch, perfectly aware that you were risking wrinkling your outfit and that Rarity would most definitely scold you if she were there. Thankfully, she wasn't. You closed your eyes and leaned the back of your head against the cushion, taking deep breaths and attempting to relax. The overwhelming amount of noise coming from the crowd outside inevitably leaked through the aged wooden walls and provided a bit of white noise as you changed your position and sat down across the couch on your back.

It felt strange to not technically be at your wedding. You were certain that everypony out there was talking about you, but there you were, lounging on a couch while everypony else sat out in the cold and listened to some boring official go on and on about ceremonial talk. In a way, you felt somewhat lucky that you didn't have to sit down in an uncomfortable chair and wait for nearly an hour before anything interesting happened. Essentially, you'd go out there when the cue came up, wait for a few minutes, walk down the aisle with Vinyl...

The weight of the situation was beginning to sink to your stomach once you realized what was about to happen. Sure, the whole ceremony had been rehearsed several times, but it was for real this time. Within the next couple of hours, you were going to be a husband and it made you sweat slightly. You had your vows practically memorized at that point, but you knew you'd mess up and stutter or something.

You gulped and caught your hind hoof tapping nervously against the arm of the couch.

"Fuck..." You pinched your temples and tried to calm down.

"Wha- Hey, is somepony there?" You heard whispering coming from behind the door next to the stairs. It made you jump in surprise.

"What the- Hello? Wait... Vinyl?"

"Alex!?"

You got up immediately and approached the door. You pushed aside your instinct to open the door, but you knew you wouldn't hear the end of it if anypony else found out, even if Vinyl herself didn't care much for superstition either.

"Hey!"

"What are you doing here? You're supposed to be outside!" Vinyl's tone seemed just as nervous as you were.

"What? No I'm not, I'm supposed to be in here, remember?"

"Yeah, but they changed everything up or something... I dunno, I thought they were going to put you outside sooner."

"Well, apparently not." You laughed lightly and leaned against the door.

There was a long pause and you could hear Vinyl taking deep breaths.

"How are you feeling?" You asked through the door.

"Nervous as shit... What do you think?"

You couldn't see her but you somehow knew that there was a smile on her face behind that door, all things considered.

"Me too... It'll be okay, though. All we have to do is go out, say a few things and kiss and then we're done."

She sighed. "It's not that simple... It's just... I'm happy, but I'm scared and-"

"What are you scared of, angel?"

"I dunno, just being in front of so many ponies with their eyes all on me..."

"Well, you do that all the time when you play music, right?"

"Yeah, but... It's just different, okay?" She snapped. You couldn't blame her for being a little overwhelmed.

"I know, I know. Maybe if we just focus on each other and forget about the crowd, it'll be a bit easier?"

"I'll try..."

Two sudden knocks on the door made your ears perk up.

"Shit..."

"Go on, babe. I'll be fine." Vinyl said, not sounding as nervous as she did before.

"Okay... I'll see you out there. Love you."

"Love you too!" You replied while running to the door and opening it.

"Come on!" Octavia said in a hushed tone while pulling you out of the door.

As you began to walk towards the giant crowd of ponies, their heads started to turn and you tried your best to avoid eye contact. You followed her until she took a turn to the left to sit in the brides section, and then continued down the middle aisle. The sweat on your neck started to chill you as the mid-winter air swept across it.

You picked your head up to look at the stage and you almost stopped walking when you saw Princess Luna and Princess Celestia standing behind the podium.

What the hell...?

It shouldn't have surprised you that they would be attending such an important event, but it certainly threw a wrench in what you were expecting. During the practice ceremony, there was just an old fart sitting on stage; you assumed that the M.C. would be him and nopony said anything about royalty showing up with the exception of Twilight.

Spike and Big Mac were close to the front row and they both waved at you quietly as you took your position.

You remembered Octavia's instruction and put a soft smile on your face once you turned around to face everypony else. Your hip almost bumped against the table in front of the stage due to you being so overwhelmed by the audience. Luckily, the candles sitting on them didn't fall over.

Celestia was giving some boring scripted speech about harmony and love or what not, but it went in ear and out the other. The only thing that was on your mind was when you'd get to see Vinyl walking down the aisle and how you'd handle it.

A generous round of applause snapped you out of your thoughts. Princess Celestia was stepping down from the podium and Luna was coming up. You looked around you to see what was going on; Fluttershy was tending to her songbirds over to your right, and more ponies were standing on your left who were apparently unable to find a chair in time. Octavia was setting up chairs for them, but at the rate she was going, the ceremony would be over by the time she had enough of them down for each individual.

"So much for a small wedding..."

Luna picked up the script and you could tell that things were progressing faster than you imagined.

"The bondage of marriage is a sacred pact in which two souls, fated to endure hardships together, are bound together by fate. This bond is considered the ultimate level of friendship: love. It is something that both our groom and bride have experienced directly. Vinyl's devotion and trust, as well as Alex's selfless sacrifices, have proven these two to be more than deserving of a life filled with happiness."

Luna glanced over at you when she said the bit about your sacrifice, and then continued.

"Our friend, Alex, has gone through much. Not only did he choose to give up his earthly life for this one, but he used that life in order to love and protect those that he held dear, even in the direst of circumstances. It has not been long enough for me to forget his valiant efforts to save me from the vile intent of changelings. While he almost lost his life that day, he demonstrated his character and bravery in a way that even I cannot fully understand. While our appreciation has been repeated several times, I thank you, Alex, for fighting for us when we needed you most."

She bowed to you and another round of applause rang in your ears. Bashfully, you smiled and bowed your head.

"His character was also shown when he, while rather recklessly, risked his life yet again to defend his love, Vinyl Scratch, from a vile and terminal illness. This decision had also cost him his unicorn horn."

There were some gasps going around the crowd as they all stared at your forehead. Apparently, not everypony recieved the memo.

"While tragic, Alex's actions have strongly persuaded all of us that his love for Vinyl Scratch is pure and untainted. It is only fitting that this love should manifest in marriage."

You had to admit, you were getting a little embarrassed from all the compliments that Luna was giving you. Still, you did your best to stay put and keep a sturdy smile.

"Let us unite these two in faith that they will love one another with heart and soul for the rest of their days."

Fluttershy's songbirds started singing the all-too-familiar tune and you snapped your view to the aisle; Vinyl's head poked through a group of her bride's maids.

You felt your body tremble and a cold sweat overtook you as your dream mare walked down the aisle holding a bouquet of flowers that strangely resembled the lily you remember receiving from her when you were recovering from your changeling battle. Her wedding dress was almost as gorgeous as she was. The only odd thing about it was that it wasn't all white. There were some silk strands in it that were blue and draped over her back. She had a light amount of makeup on her cheeks and eyelashes, but other than that, she was her normal self. Her mane was straighter and less wild than usual and her bangs beautifully swept across her face. And, to top it all off, a silver necklace with a garnet gem hanging from it wrapped close to her neck, matching the color of her eyes perfectly.

She was keeping her gaze fixed down the center of the aisle, but her occasional glance in your direction convinced you that she was just as happy to see you.

Scribble was right next to her and he was wearing a tux similar to yours, but with a blue bow tie to match his mane. You weren't entirely sure, but you thought you could see a thin line of tears on the bottoms of his eyes.

She eventually approached you and her father stopped and stared at you, giving you a nod of approval. Most fathers would feel a bit jealous and protective at that point, but both of you knew the extent of which you'd proven yourself to be a worthwhile lover.

Vinyl continued while her dad stayed behind and you took the cue, walking with her to the front of the stage. Princess Luna looked down at both of you for a few seconds before continuing with her script.

"Alex and Vinyl Scratch, we have all seen the fruits of your love for one another. Through thick and thin, I have personally observed a type of love that I have not witnessed in several years."

Vinyl's shoulder was leaning against yours. You could only imagine how happy she was.

"We come now to the words Bride and Groom want to hear the most today…the words that take them across the threshold from being engaged to being married. A marriage, as most of us understand it, is a voluntary and full commitment. It is made in the deepest sense to the exclusion of all others, and it is entered into with the desire and hope that it will last for life. Before you declare your vows to one another, I want to hear you confirm that it is indeed your intention to be married today. Bride, do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to Groom in marriage? If so, answer 'I do.'"

"I do." Vinyl answered with a bit of emotional shakiness in her voice.

"Groom, do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to Bride in marriage? If so, answer 'I do.'"

"I do." You tried to sound more stable than your partner, but even you were beginning to feel your heart strings tugging.

"Bride, please give your bouquet to Octavia."

Vinyl did as Luna asked and Octavia took the brilliant lilies from her.

"Groom and Bride, having heard that it is your intention to be married to each other, I now ask you to declare your marriage vows. Please face each other."

A single tear slowly ran down her cheek and it was blackened by her mascara. Smiling, you lifted a hoof and wiped it away, staring into her eyes the entire time.

"Omigosh, omigosh omigosh! I'm so excited!!!" Pinkies voice rang out in the crowd. She was trying to whisper, but it obviously wasn't quiet enough. A "shhh" from somepony else calmed her down temporarily.

"Alex, I..." Vinyl began, but she was still having some trouble composing herself. You put a hoof on her shoulder to try and support her. "You've done so much for me, and nothing I could ever do in a thousand lifetimes could ever make up for it... Sure, you've made one or two mistakes, but I can tell just by the way you look at me... The way you hold me... That you really really love me. I've never felt like this towards any other pony in my life, and I'm glad that I'm feeling it for the first time with you."

Hearing her words straight from her heart made your lip quiver.

"From the way you've treated me, I know that you're the one I want to spend the rest of my life with, and there isn't anything in Equestria that'll make me stop loving you. Thank you, Alex, for everything you've given me." She ended with a sniff of her nose and wiped away another mascara-stained tear.

Luna averted her intense gaze over to you.

"Vinyl, I love you more than anything I had in my past world and anything in this one. All the things I've done for you I've done because I couldn't bear to spend one day, one hour, one second without you with me."

You took a deep breath and mustered the courage to continue.

"I didn't save your life because it was just the right thing to do. I didn't do it for anypony's approval. I did it because I love you. I'd die a hundred times over and over again if it meant you could be safe. I admit that I've been reckless sometimes, and I know I've screwed up. But, you were right there with me every step of the way, loving me anyway. I've told you several times, but... You're the reason I chose to stay here. Without you, my life would mean nothing."

Another pause separated your speech.

"Every night when I look up at the stars, I can't help but to think of where we first confessed our feelings for one another: right here in this field. That night... You truly made me the happiest man- um... Stallion in Equestria. My feelings for you since then have only multiplied and I can't wait to see how much farther they can go in the future. For the rest of my life, I want to give you everything you deserve and more."

Vinyl inhaled sharply, indicating that your words were getting her even more worked up.

"If there's anything I'm happy about in this life, it’s that you've let me show you just how much I love you. You gave me a chance when so many others shut me out, and I promise that you'll never doubt your feelings for me as long as your heart is beating. I'm excited beyond reason to live the rest of my life with you and to feel the same way I do now until I die." You finished and took a sigh of relief.

Luna carried on.

"Groom and Bride, you have just committed yourselves, one to the other, by the pledge of your marriage vows. Your life is now one. To celebrate your new union, we light the candles on the table before us: the unity candles. Bride and Groom, as you light the two side candles, we are reminded of your individuality, your many gifts and talents, your strengths and weaknesses… All that you individually bring to your marriage."

Vinyl took her candle with her magic and tipped it over to the single lit candle, spreading the flame to it.

Instinctively, you thought about initiating a targeting spell for your levitation, but halfway through thinking about it, you remembered and took it with your hoof.

You and Vinyl both flinched when a sudden *snap* of something occurred where you halfway imagined your "spell" to take place. The candle flipped out of your hoof and landed on the table; you quickly picked it back up even though you had no clue what happened. Your eyes widened in shock and Vinyl seemed to be extremely taken aback as well, but you shook yourself out of it and went on with the ceremony, dipping the wick of the candle into Vinyl's candle and spreading the flame to yours.

Luna had obviously noticed what happened since she took a few moments before continuing.

"The individual lights now shining before us tell us that each of you is a bright light on Equestria… Living with honor, taking your responsibilities seriously, and offering care and love to those who are important in your life. And the light also symbolizes the life given to you by your parents. Now I ask Bride and Groom to take the individual candles and light the center unity candle together."

The two of you did so and placed the flames of your candles to the larger candle sitting at the center of the table. Once it was lit, you both set your individual candles back on the table as well.

"As the flame from the center candle rises upward, may the light of your combined lives shine to the skies in a beam that is now stronger and brighter because it unites the two flames of your hearts. May the flame of your love shed its light on your married life in all the years to come."

Oh boy, here it comes...

"Vinyl and Alex, I offer my blessing to you this day. May you always value friendship as well as love in times most dire. May your relationship serve as an example to those around you. May your lives be charitable and happy for all your days to come. And lastly, may the love you both share last forever like an eternal flame, burning through the veils of doubt and sadness. Vinyl, do you take this stallion to love and to cherish from this day forth, till death do you part?"

"I... I do..." Vinyl struggled to keep herself together.

"And do you, groom, take this bride to love and to cherish from this day forth, till death do you part?"

"I do, your highness."

"Then, by the power invested in me, as Princess of The Night and Princess of Equestria, it is my honor and delight to declare you husband and wife! You may seal this declaration with a ki-"

She didn't even get finish her sentence before you embraced Vinyl and planted the most romantic kiss on her that you could produce. She was trembling in your embrace at first, but the shivers eventually stopped as she relaxed. Loud thunderous applause and cheers echoed all around you, but all you could focus on was her.

"I now bring this ceremony to a close! Now, it is time to celebrate!" Luna announced loud and proud, but you were still busy with your kiss.

Author's Notes:

Thanks for reading part 1 of 2 of the epilogue! Part 2 will be out shortly

If there are any grammatical or spelling errors, please send me a PRIVATE MESSAGE and let me know so that I can fix them asap. Thanks!