...Ponderings...

I decided to post this for my "fans" *aka- Cyndi* And because I have been watching Platinum Weddings all night so its put me in the mood to be generous and share this gem from my novel! I hope you all enjoy and will please share this with your friends.

The wedding had been set for the last weekend in July. It had to be moved up one weekend due to the promise of heavy rainfall, which never did come. Still, Hannah’s stress level rose due to having to move everything up one week. It wasn’t enough to make her lose her head, but she did have a few incidents that caused her to break out in random fits of tears. Still, everything came together perfectly and exactly as had been planned.

The ceremony was held in a lovely summer garden, which was in full bloom and exploded with a rich array of colors and wildlife. It was lavishly decorated in deep reds and brilliant oranges and yellows. Scattered around were planters overflowing with red Mexican Birds of Paradise, accented with yellow ribbons and strewn with yellow-orange roses. There was a white aisle runner that was overlaid with iridescent yellow-orange ribbon and scattered across with crimson red rose petals.

The alter itself was a small platform set in the middle of the garden, canopied by a four post iron bridal arch which was wrapped in yards of ivory linen and highlighted with small tufts of yellow and orange organza. There were vines of the same colored roses which were sprinkled throughout the garden draped from the posts of the arch. There was another organza overlay which fell over the arch, causing it to glow and glisten as the organza move with the breeze.

The seats themselves were similarly decorated, draped in the same ivory linen and tied around the back with the same organza that had been used to adorn everything else. On each seat lay a single red rose, to be given to the bride after the ceremony in the receiving line. Alongside the roses, lay a card embossed with each guest’s name, explaining how the ceremony and reception would be arranged. The entire scene was reminiscent of an Arizona sunset, saturating the garden in an explosive array of color and grace.

As the guests filed in and found their seats, a quartet, made up of Hannah and Vic’s closest friends, played softly. The music floated through the garden delicately, causing a hush to fall over the small party, as if even a small whisper would break the spell.

The music began to grow louder, signaling everyone to find their seat as the procession was about to begin. When everyone had sat down, the tune changed. ______ began to play as Vic and his best man, another violinist named William, took their places beneath the arch.

Natalie proceeded first, dressed in a strapless tea length dress. It was white with an organdy overlay of similar nature to the organza decorating the garden, and had a bright yellow ribbon tied at the waist. She carried a bouquet of yellow-orange roses and went barefoot. Her hair was swept up in a twist, her brown curls tumbling over and framing her sweet face. She wore tiny porcelain flower pins scattered through her hair. She took her spot next to William and waited as the music changed once more.

Hannah began her own procession down the aisle. She was a breathtaking sight in as dress similar to Natalie’s, only pure white and overlaid with a white organza that was elegantly embroidered with flowers. She also had a yellow ribbon under her breast, accenting her small waist. Her feet were also bare, though she wore lacey gloves on her hands which carried a small cascading bouquet of red Mexican birds of paradise. Her hair was similarly done in a much tidier fashion, with elegant curls that surrounded her face and the same porcelain flower pins in her hair. Her veil was a one tier piece, with scalloped edges, scattered with tiny beaded flowers, and which was worn at the back of her head, highlighting her refined neckline. On the side of her head, she wore a comb with silken flowers. Her ears and neck went undecorated, setting off the polished simplicity of the gown. She walked as though she floated, down the aisle, her veil giving the impression of wings as it sailed behind her.

The guests stood in breathless enchantment as time and the world around them seemed to stand still save for the faerie drifting down the aisle. The magic didn’t end with the music; it continued on through the vows and carried throughout the ceremony. When the reception commenced, the guests were still a little awed by the ceremony.

Inside the reception hall, which was held in a small atrium, were tables that were decorated in similar fashion to the ceremony. There were little pouches at each place setting, monogrammed with their respective guest’s initials and laid out next to their place cards. There was an abundance of flowers, which were of the same kind as the rest of the party, set in clear vases on each table as centerpieces. Streamers of organza hung from the ceiling fluttered in the open air.

The food was every bit as charming as the décor. Since they had planned on a cocktail hour instead of a traditional reception, the food was mostly hors d'oeuvres. Little crackers topped with brie cheese and olives complemented the finger sandwiches and pastry cups filled with savory meat and pesto, which were distributed by servers. Along the side of the atrium were tables set up with delightful little tarts, cakes, cookies, sugared nuts, and chocolates all of which accented the theme of the entire wedding.