Chapter 8 – Applejack & Rarity’s Wedding

It is lovely day in Ponyville, especially when there is a very special event being held at Sweet Apple Acres. In a very wide clearing with the apple trees serving as its pleasant background, there is a huge gathering for an outdoor wedding as hundreds of guests fill the seats. Most of the guests consist of the local residence of Ponyville and the very extensive Apple Family. Right between the seated aisles is a white, long floor covering with pretty flowers lining up on each side as it stretches between two fairly new structures. On one end of the covering is an artistically crafted gazebo decorated with lush flowers and silky, transparent curtains that drape around the columns and headers.

On the other end of the stretched covering is Sweet Apple Acres’ latest addition, the “Petite Boutique”, as christened by the upcoming newlyweds as their own special wedding present for themselves. It shares a similar overall design to Rarity’s inspired shop, the Carousel Boutique, except this one is roughly half of the original store’s size. Along with its soft, cool colors, it is mingled with splashes of orange, which symbolizes the lovers’ unity over the workshop’s collaboration. And thankfully, with additional help from their good friends and family members, they’ve managed to complete it on the day before their wedding.

Right now, Rarity is occupying the Petite Boutique, along with her bridesmaids, as she gets herself ready for the ultimate unveiling in her latest and most spectacular dress. As for the other bride, Applejack, she is already suited up in her black tuxedo with a bolo tie instead of a usual bowtie and her golden, ponytailed mane fashioned in an elegant twist. With the Stetson-wearing farmpony standing in the center of the gazebo, she is accompanied on her left by her ushers in their own black suits, including her best stallion, Ford Mustang, Rainbow Dash, Big Macintosh, and Vinyl Scratch. And standing alongside Applejack on her right is Ponyville’s local princess, Twilight Sparkle, who is given the honor once again as the master of the wedding ceremony. For those standing at the altar, everypony waits calmly for the other bride’s arrival… all except Applejack however.

“Oh, where is she?” she frets hectically as she takes a brief moment to fan herself with her own hat. “Y'all don’t think she might have changed her mind in all of this, do ya?”

Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but chuckle over her friend’s distress, and she reassures the tomboyish bride in her own way, “Calm down, AJ. You know how much time she’s like to put into one of her fancy dresses.”

“Yeah, especially if it’s on her wedding day.” Vinyl agrees with a giggling grin.

With a gentle fore hoof on the Earth Pony’s shoulder, Ford comforts her with a sincere smile, “Trust us, Applejack. Rarity wouldn’t miss this for anything.”

“Eeyup.” Big Macs concurs with his usual response.

Feeling less nervous thanks to her fully clad ushers, Applejack lets out a soft sigh before saying with a small smile, “Ah guess so.”

With vigilant eyes, Twilight notices the Petite Boutique’s door cracking slightly and silently. Meekly, Fluttershy peeks out of the doorway until her gaze falls unto Twilight’s. Then, the beaming Pegasus signals a silent wave to her Alicorn friend, and Twilight nods in returns before whispering to Applejack with a broad smile.

“Oh hey, Applejack! I just found out that everypony else is ready! We can finally get started!”

Filled with anxiety once again, Applejack hastily sets her treasured hat back on its proper place as all eyes at the alter turn towards the doorway of Rarity’s newest workshop. With the ensemble playing the first chorus, the bridesmaids make their cue and steadily exit out of the Boutique and onto to the floral floor covering. Matching that with fall’s vibrant leaves, each of the mares wears a dress with a different warm color: pleasant orange for Fluttershy, bright yellow for Pinkie Pie, lovely red for Coco Pommel, and rich brown for Octavia Philharmonica. Once they arrive at the altar, they take their places on the Princess’s right side before all eyes turn once again to the doorway.

And with the beginning of the bridal chorus, the doors to the Petite Boutique open up once again to allow the other bride to make her appearance. As expected, the flower girls skip forward first with Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo assuming their roles once more. After the initial spread of flowery petals by the three, cheerful fillies, Rarity finally makes her grand entrance with her father right beside her.

As the Unicorn bride gracefully walks down the aisle, she wows the crowd with the gown that Coco made exclusively for this special occasion. Applejack especially is utterly speechless with her earlier fears completely forgotten as she is too mesmerized by what her future wife is wearing right now. The renowned fashionista has her glossy, purple mane arranged lovingly with a simple bang of her coiled hair hanging over her forehead and her signature ponytail nicely fluffed up to its perfection. Sitting on top of her mane is a silver crown that features three diamonds at the center to signify her Cutie Mark and has a silky, shimmering veil attached from behind. The long, flowing dress itself is simple yet very elegant as the white, breathable, sparkly fabric fits perfectly with Rarity’s natural curves.

As the smiling seamstress continues her steady pace while gazing into her lover’s emerald eyes, right alongside the approaching bride is her beloved father, who, despite receiving stern protests from his eldest daughter on how tacky he looks, is wearing a tropical shirt underneath his suit and his wide-brimmed straw hat. Finally at the altar, Rarity and her father share a nice goodbye kiss before he gives Applejack a big, warm hug and sits right beside his emotionally smiling wife in one of the privileged front row seats.

With the two brides at the gazebo altar, Twilight begins her customary speech with a more confident smile than the last time she took this ceremonial role. “Fillies and gentlecolts, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Applejack and Rarity! And on this glorious day, it doesn’t give me greater pleasure than to unite two of my best friends in holy matrimony! Now, if we may proceed with the brides’ weddings vows, who would like to go first?”

With a humble smile, Applejack asks from her wife-to-be, “If it’s alright with you, sugarcube…”

“Please, go right ahead, darling.” Rarity insists tenderly.

Promptly, Ford Mustang pulls out a folded piece of paper within his tux and hands it over to Applejack. Gingerly, she unfolds her written vows and gently grasps her bride’s lovely fore hoof before beginning her speech.

“Rarity, it’s hard to believe that we knew each other since we were lil' fillies. And it’s even harder to believe on how much has changed since then; from best friends to marefriends and soon enough, we’ll be each other’s wife. It’s pretty funny now that Ah think about it. We often bicker like a married couple, and now we’ll get to become just that. And honestly, Ah wouldn’t have it any other way as long as Ah'm with you.”

After the constantly smiling Rarity lets out a subtle “ooh” to herself, Applejack takes a pause from her speech before continuing in a sheepish manner, “Ah don’t think Ah’ve ever told ya on how Ah fell in love with you in the first place. Do you remember on how disastrous that day was when we first went to the Grand Galloping Gala? How neither one of us got what we wanted by the end of that night?” Once she receives a knowing nod from Rarity, the orange Earth Pony carries on with that unforgettable night of theirs. “Well… when we got back to Ponyville, you made some very distinct comments about my overall appearance, such as my smooth, orange coat, my fetching, emerald green eyes, or my silky, golden mane. Nopony has ever commented me on my own beauty before like you had, and Ah know for certain that you weren’t trying to pull a fast one on me with those sweet words of yours. But ever since then, Ah was head over hooves for you.

Even after discovering these new feelings myself, Ah had a difficult time with them because Ah was so afraid to share them with you. Ah sought to hide them for as long as Ah can, but you know how well that turned out in end. Either way, Ah’m really glad that lil' slip-up happened because right now… Ah’m about to marry the most beautiful, kindhearted pony Ah could ever ask for.

Ah’ve seen a lot of gorgeous apples in my lifetime, but you Rarity… will always be the apple of my eye… now and forever!” From hearing such sincere, sentimental words, Rarity as expected couldn’t help but weep immensely with a truly affectionate smile over such sweet devotion from the heartfelt farmpony.

Meanwhile, on AJ’s side, Rainbow Dash leans close to her husband and whispers with a clever grin on her face, “So, I take it you had a hoof with that last line in Applejack’s speech?”

Smirking all-knowingly, Ford chuckles in response, “Nothing gets pass you, huh Dashie?”

“Puh-lease!” she waves it off with a casual wave of her fore hoof before adding with a smirk of her own. “I can easily detect your sappiness from a mile away!”

Next up, Fluttershy fulfills her role as maid of honor by giving the next set of written vows to Rarity. With the use of her Unicorn Magic, the other bride brings her unfolded parchment down to her eye level before grasping Applejack’s hooves and beginning her own declaration of love for her.

“Applejack, I’m sure that you are well aware on how I used to ramble about having the perfect wedding since I was just a filly. How I dreamt that some prince would ask me for my hoof in marriage and take me to his majestic castle. Looking back on that, I could not believe how silly I was to act so simpleminded when that very special pony I have been looking for has been right here in Ponyville all this time.

You know, when we were returning to Ponyville after our first Grand Galloping Gala, I still remember all that we talked about along the way home. How we laughed at our own misfortunes. How I broke down into thinking that I wasn’t as attractive as I led myself to believe. How you would pick me back up and remind me on being true to myself. But the one thing I would never forget is how you told me that I was not only beautiful on the outside, but also on the inside. Never has anypony said such kind words to me like that before you did. Although I didn’t realize this myself right away, I think at that moment I began to admire you as well.

You used to doubt yourself that you weren’t good enough for me, but I assure you, darling, that you are far better than any dreamy noblepony I could have ever imagined, especially as somepony as noble and gallant as you, my beloved diamond in the rough! So as long as you remain true to yourself, I will always love you with all of my heart!”

With tender hooves still holding on to each other’s, Applejack is the one crying right now over Rarity’s everlasting devotion as a huge, trembling smile expands across her orange, freckled face. With both of the brides’ vows well said and done, Twilight moves on to the next phrase in the wedding ceremony.

“With their vows completed, may we now have the rings pleases?”

As requested by the princess, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle step at the altar where they are given the honor as their sisters’ respective ring-bearers. Saddled to their backs are pillows that are holding the brides’ individual hoof rings. Sweetie Belle is securing Rarity’s wedding ring, which has a polished, silver band with a purple gemstone that houses a holographic, orange apple in the center. And Apple Bloom is securing a similar wedding ring for Applejack, except it has a band of polished gold and an orange gemstone that accommodates a holographic image of a purple diamond that matches Rarity’s Cutie Mark.

After levitating the rings before her, Twilight hands Rarity’s to Applejack as she inquires to the suit-wearing bride, “Applejack… do you take Rarity as your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?”

“Ah do.” AJ answers enthusiastically as she properly slides the purple gemstone ring onto Rarity’s delicate fore hoof.

Next, Twilight turns to the other bride and asks the same question, “Rarity… do you take Applejack as your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?”

While a bit emotional at first, Rarity gleefully answers with absolute conviction, “I do!” And with her own hooves, she slides the orange ring onto Applejack’s left foreleg.

Happily, Twilight Sparkle brings the ceremony to a close by announcing to the crowd, “Then by the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you mare and wife! You may now kiss the--!”

But Twilight never gets the chance to finish the closing statement as Rarity and Applejack take immediate action to seal their newfound marriage status with an extraordinarily deep kiss. From the newlyweds’ overly affectionate smooch, guests gasp with ecstatic smiles as a multitude of Applejack’s relatives holler cheerfully like a pack of wild coyotes.

From being distracted by observing the ongoing kiss of the preoccupied mares, Twilight shrugs with a chuckling smile and rolls her eyes while saying to herself, “Okay! Well… never mind then!”

After a long night of country-style dancing and overabundant wedding cake, Applejack and Rarity decides to call it a night early as they retreat to the improvised suite of the Petite Boutique. While constantly giddy over what’s in store this evening, the two restless mares firmly close the entrance door and engage in another deep kiss. With their lips unwilling to separate and their tails closely intertwined, they ascend the staircase in an unhurried pace until they reach the exclusive bedroom. Like most of the rooms in this smaller variation of the Carousel Boutique, the bedroom features a mix of pleasantly soft orange and cool violet colors, ranging from its wallpaper to its lavish decorations and furniture.

Once they take a break from their breathtaking kiss, Rarity makes a request to her newly appointed wife with a blushing smile, “Umm… Applejack darling. Before we get down with the ‘main event’, I have a little surprise for you~!”

“Well, what’s the surprise?” Applejack asks in mild excitement.

“Just look behind that screen and see it for yourself!” she points it out giddily to one corner of the room.

From following the direction of her wife’s fore hoof, Applejack sees a large folding screen standing upright as it sits next to a wardrobe nearby. Gingerly, the suit-wearing farmpony approaches it and takes a peek from what’s behind the screen. From just a mere glimpse of her surprise, Applejack nearly jumps back in shock before leaning her head forward to verify her unexpected gift as her face is frozen with wide-eyed amazement.

In complete disbelief, she murmurs out loud, “Rarity… you didn’t…!”

“I did~!” Rarity beams in a shrill, sing-song voice.

“B-b-but why?! Why would you do all of this just for me?!”

Without saying a word just yet, Rarity walks up to her startled wife and eases her with a soft kiss before answering with a very earnest smile, “Because you’re worth it, darling! And to tell you the truth, I was rather curious and really want to see you in it myself!”

Applejack could hardly believe that Rarity would do all of this in only two short weeks. Of course, this is the Element of Generosity she is married too, so she should have seen this one coming. But from now knowing that the seamstress that would go to such great lengths just for her and her alone, AJ couldn’t help but smile broadly over her wife’s unquestionable devotion.

“Th-this might take awhile, you know.” she admits sheepishly.

“Take as much time as you need, Applejack.” she reassures sweetly.

As AJ slowly steps behind the screen, Rarity lies down on the plush covers of the queen-sized bed and waits for her lover in the meantime. Several minutes later, the Unicorn asks her preoccupied wife in a caring tone, “Do you need any help, dear?”

“N-n-no thanks. Ah think Ah almost got it from here. Dagnabbit… Ah knew there was a reason why Ah chose a suit in the first place!”

Rarity couldn’t help but giggle softly from hearing her wife grumbling to herself. A short while after that, Applejack calls out to her patient mare in an unusually meek manner, “O-okay, Ah think Ah’m ready now.”

Excitedly, Rarity responds, “Well, come on out of there and let’s see!”

Hesitant at first, Applejack steps out of the screen as Rarity beholds her newly dressed lover with wondrous, sapphire eyes. Standing before the awestruck seamstress is the flustered farmpony, who is no longer wearing a black tuxedo, but an incredibly elegant bridal gown instead. Her prized hat is replaced with a sleeker, white variation with a few flowers around the headband and is attached with a translucent veil from the back. And her more traditional, white dress features a brown saddle on top, a layer of rich, orange fabric underneath, and thick, braided, golden trimmings around the edges of the beautiful gown.

Catching her breath, Rarity compliments her blushing bride with an extremely broad smile, “Oh my stars, Applejack… you look even more beautiful than I have imagined!”

“Th-thanks.” AJ replies humbly before looking at herself. “Do you really think Ah look beautiful in this thing?”

“Oh absolutely! Here! Take a look at it yourself!” she insists greatly as she directs her wife to a full-figure mirror.

From gazing herself in front of the tall mirror, Applejack’s eyes grow as large as the prized apples she presents in country fairs. Her astonished gaze shifts to every detail in her bridal gown. She marvels at how much time and thought Rarity has put into it for quite some time in secret. With the addition of her beautified mane, the Earth Pony is completely flabbergasted at how much of a difference it makes to her appearance with a simple change of clothes.

“Land’s sakes…! Is this… really me?” Applejack mutters in amazement.

“Indeed it is, Applejack!” Rarity nods with constant excitement. “And I must say, I can see why you were so indecisive to begin with! You look equally just as good in a suit as you do in a dress!”

After spending some more time looking at her own reflection, Applejack turns to face Rarity and says with a grateful smile, “Ah don’t know how to thank you for makin' this for me.”

“Well I’m just pleased that I’ve finally manage to squeeze you in a frou-frou dress for a change.” she kids mildly.

“It’s more than the just the dress.” AJ replies as her emotional, emerald eyes start to get watery. “It’s for makin' me feel… well… like a real lady. Thank you for makin' this happened, Rarity. For this is the day Ah will always remember on why Ah will never stop lovin’ ya, darling.”

Truly touched by Applejack’s sincere gratification, Rarity gently brushes the leaking tears from her wife’s eyes and offers her a simple kiss on the lips before saying to her in poetic fashion, “And neither will I, sugarcube.”

Renewed with giddiness, the gown-wearing mares engage in another extensive kiss as this one is much longer and rougher that the previous one. In the midst of their latest kissing, their fore hooves caress each other tenderly as their stroking ranges in-between their clean coats, their silky dresses, and their beautified manes.

With a wet smack, they separate once again as they catch their breath before AJ’s lips shift into a devious grin and comments wittily, “But just because Ah’m a lady, doesn’t mean Ah have to act like one!”

And before Rarity has a chance to respond, Applejack strongly lifts up her startled wife with her head and neck and the thunderstruck Unicorn slides on the Earth Pony’s saddle. With her baffled wife secured to her back, the grinning Applejack trots over to the bed and launches the fidgety fashion designer off of her well-toned flanks until Rarity lets out an “oof” once she bounces on thick, plushy covers. And with a mighty bound, Applejack leaps forward and lands on top of the Rarity, who squeaks out in excitement by her wife’s usual roughness.

Huffy at first, Rarity breaks into an amusing yet sultry smile as she states shrewdly with a raised eyebrow, “Well I wouldn’t expect anything less from my rough-and-tumble farmpony of a wife, now would I?”

With their grinning muzzles inches away from another kiss that will ignite their impending passion, Applejack chuckles heartily before replying back with a clever smirk, “That’s my girl!”

Author's Notes:

Not much to say. Just want to bring some closure to Applejack and Rarity's subplot that's all.