WARNING: Cheesiness ensues. The author is in no way liable for any problems readers with lactose intolerance may suffer. And she refuses to not write in cheese, so you'll just have to deal with it. Hah.

Octavia stood still as a statue, holding her breath as Rarity helped her into the first of what seemed like hundreds of layers of wedding dress. She couldn't believe how fast the six months since Vinyl had proposed had gone.

She sighed, glancing at the indigo-maned unicorn circling her with a worried look. "I'm so nervous, Rarity. What is I mess up? This is huge."

Rarity patted her hoof reassuringly as she slipped the next layer of the gown on. "No worrying, Darling. I know you'll be perfect. Besides, you already know Vinyl loves you, she won't care if you mess up."

In the next room, Tambourine was sitting in the lap of her old foalsitter, Rustle. She got to be the junior bridesmaid, which was mostly for Tambourine's sake, but it still made the older filly very happy. She wore her silvery dress with pride, taking care not to muss it before the ceremony.

But even a pretty dress didn't stop Tambourine from hopping into her lap, regardless, and hugging Rustle about the neck. "Why are Mommy and Mama getting a Mary, Russy?" she asked innocently, looking with wide eyes at her foalsitter.

"They aren't getting Mary, Sweetie, they're getting married, which means, I dunno, I guess it just means they love each other a lot," Rustle shrugged, bouncing Tambourine slightly. Neither of them were old enough to really understand it.

"Okay. But does that mean that we should get married, Russy? I really love you," Tambourine suggested, looking confused.

"I love you too, 'Rine, but there are a few different kinds of love out there. You can love somepony and still not marry them, you know."

"Oh," Tambourine sounded disappointed. "But I love my friend Thistle, too. Should I marry her, instead?"

Rustle shook her head. "Maybe you'll think so when you're older. You'll see."

"Everypony is always telling me stuff that will happen when I'm older." Tambourine pouted. " Why doesn't anything happen now?"

"You wouldn't be happy if you got married now, Sweetie. You're to little."

"I'm always to little. I wish I was big like you, Russy."

"Don't say that, kiddo. You have a lot of fun in Kindergarten, right?"

"Yeah..."

"Well, when you're a big pony you don't have as much time to play, and it's not as fun."

"Okay," Tambouirine had clearly lost interest in the situation. "Can I use your eye stuff, Russy? I want to make Princess pretty for the Mary."

"That's a bad idea, 'Rine. It'll stain, you don't want Princess's face to be all yucky, do you?"

Tambourine shook her head thoughtfully. "No, I guess not. Can you put it on me instead?"

"I-I don't know, 'Rine. Do you think you mums will mind?"

Tambourine shook her head, her curls bouncing. "Nope. I don't think so. I have to look extra pretty for the Mary."

"It's called a wedding, 'Rine. Ponies get married at weddings, I don't know what the connection is."

"Okay. But can you make me pretty now?"

"I'm so nervous, Fire. This is huge. I'm not the type of pony who gets married. I'm like, a bachelorette, or something. Always moving from one mare to the next. What happened?"

"Aw, don't get sweaty hooves now, Pon3," The lemon yellow pegasus, Firestar, poked Vinyl's side. "You've been dating this gal for what, five years, or something? You'll be fine. Besides, I've heard honeymoons are the surest way to get laid on this side of Griffin Territory."

Vinyl rolled her eyes. "Trust me. Honeymoons with a four-year-old filly aren't nearly as great. I should know. Octy won't even make out with me if she thinks there's a possibility of Tamby walking in on us."

"Oh, be quiet. You're just feeling sorry for yourself now. I know for a fact that Rarity character who made your dresses - ahem, suit - is going to be taking care of her. You two will have a great time."

"If you say so..."

"I do say so. Now, shut up and let me put this suit on you. Rarity will be coming to put the finishing touches on in a second."

"I... don't... know...why... this... ugh, is necessary," Octavia gasped, holding onto the edge of the sofa in the little room as Rarity yanked the strings of her corset. She sighed as the white mare let go of her, and flopped down on the couch. "Seriously, I'm pretty sure Vinyl already knows every shape of my flank, and she doesn't care. Why do I have to wear this?"

"Beauty, Darling," Rarity said sagely. "They things we do for beauty. This is your special day, Octavia, live it up! You've got to look your best, or I'd never forgive myself."

"How can I 'live it up,' as you say, if I can't even breathe?!" Octavia wiggled a hoof into the edge of the corset, trying to loosen it.

"You'll get used to it. I'm sure it'll be fine, as soon as we get the dress on you'll hardly feel it at all!"

As Rarity disappeared into the hallway to retrieve the final layer of the wedding gown, Octavia groaned softly to herself, still with her hoof in her corset. "Is that supposed to be a good thing?"

Vinyl stood nervously next to Firestar as the first notes floated out of the organ. She took a deep breath, and glanced at the pegasus standing beside her, who in turn flashed her a cheerful smile. you'll do great, she mouthed. Vinyl took a deep breath, and calmed her nerves as she watched Tambourine step out, drop a few petals from her basket, and then turn tail and trot back.

"Russy, I want you to come, too!" The filly's voice was audible throughout the entire room.

A whisper of laughter swept over the ponies watching, even Princess Luna at the podium smiled slightly. Vinyl watched as her filly came back, now with an embarrassed-looking Rustle's long orange mane gripped in her teeth, and continued the rest of the way up the aisle.

Melody, a singer friend from Octavia's college days, Colgate, and Cherry Bomb ("Just invite her. She was my best friend in grammar school. Geez!" Vinyl had said earlier in the preparations.) followed shortly behind her, lining the stairs to the altar to make room for Octavia.

Vinyl gasped slightly as her bride entered. Octavia walked alone, because she had no father or brothers to speak of, and her long, flowing gown trailed after her, help up at the end by two tiny, brown birds.

The grey mare smiled at Vinyl as she walked, a bashful pink blush - or was it nerves? - adorning her cheeks. Tambourine waved cheerfully as Octavia passed, whispering loudly, "Hi, Mama!" before being shushed again by Rustle.

She stopped and bowed her head slightly to the Princess before turning to face her fiance.

You look stunning, Vinyl mouthed with a smile, her own cheeks flaring to match Octavia's.

Luna cleared her throat, and began the ceremony. "Greetings, Fillies and Gentlecolts. As you all know, we are gathered here in Canterlot today to celebrate the union of two mares who have loved each other, and known they loved each other, for over five years now. We are all delighted to be part of this ceremony, which finally binds them together in, uh, holy matrimony, I think."

Luna glanced up at where her older sister sat in the balcony, and Celestia nodded her head, a you're-doing-fine look on her royal face.

Princess Luna repeated the ceremony without any more stumbles, though, and Octavia was relieved that her mother wasn't there to protest, but she still caught herself holding her breath when Luna asked if anypony had any reason why they shouldn't continue the ceremony.

At last, the "I do's" were said, and they came to the part both Octavia and Vinyl had been most looking forward to the most.

"And now, you may kiss the - uh, the brides may kiss!" Luna flushed, looking a bit embarrassed at having to improvise.

Octavia felt her mouth overtaken by Vinyl's own and she closed her eyes automatically, letting happy tears flow down her cheeks without any care whatsoever.

Ponies cheered, and the organ began playing, but still Vinyl would not let her go.

"Sweetheart?" Octavia's voice was muffled by Vinyl's lips still pressed against her own. "Um, as much as I would like to stay like this, I think we should stop. We have to walk back out."

"Oh," Vinyl pulled away, looking disappointed. She brushed one of the tears from Octavia's cheek. "Well, what're we waiting for? We got a reception to go to!"